wildfowler.250 Posted March 17, 2011 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 Hi, I am looking into a semi auto for wildfowling,(and other rough shooting). Now I have used the xtrema 2 a lot and I was going to look for a good second hand one. BUT I was also wondering what other options are worth looking at with a 3.5 chamber? The browning maxus seems very popular. Is it a 3.5 inch,(I think I have seen a few saying that)? I know very little of the benelli range but these also seem popular. My only other question is whether a semi auto with a 30 inch barrel feels longer than a 30 inch over and under due to the receiver being quite long on an auto? Just wanting to pick people's brains. My gut instinct is an xtrema2 though Cheers! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC Posted March 17, 2011 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 Extrema 2 all the way. The Maxus is a good gun but to me feels a little bit small and toylike. I am sure it is fine and will do the job. That is only my opinion and it really doesn't matter. Just pick the one you like best. I have an Extrema and it is a great marsh gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markio Posted March 17, 2011 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 Yep, Maxus with composite stock is 3.5" (I believe the wood stocks ONLY have 3" chambers). As Martin said, the Maxus doesn't have the hefty feel to it that the Extrema does. And being light i'd concede that it would feel a bit toy like by comparison. But then again he's a big guy where's i'm not! In that sense the Maxus feels alright to me whereas the Extrema feels a bit of a barge pole. I'd get into a shop where they have both and wave them around and see what feels more 'you'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted March 17, 2011 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 Xtrema2 here as well 11-87 was also good, do they do it in 3 1/2" ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cookoff013 Posted March 17, 2011 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 i`ve got a nova as a marsh gun, great cheap fun. will handle any loads. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickmep Posted March 17, 2011 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 winchester do a composite sx3 thats 3 1/2" as well had an extrema2 and prefer the A400, also 3 1/2" chambered. benelli also do some 3 1/2". a lot depends on what feels right to you,and your budget, you can pick up a new sx3 for the price of a second hand extrema and theyre very different shapes and weights. most semi's can be shimmed to get the fit you want so probably not as much an issue as with an o/u. barrel length, a 28" semi will be around the same length as a 30" o/u. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markio Posted March 17, 2011 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 barrel length, a 28" semi will be around the same length as a 30" o/u. Yes, and more some i would say, my browning O/U and Maxus have the same LOP yet my Maxus (28" Barrels) is 2" longer in total that my O/U with 30" barrels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bi9johnny Posted March 17, 2011 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 got a mozzy camo 935 in 3+1/2 brill bit of kit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catweazle Posted March 17, 2011 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 The Beretta a400 Xplor Unico will shoot 3.5" shells, and the kick off 3 system works well. An added benefit is that it will also cycle just about any other 12g shell, although mine won't work with Hushpower subsonics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mudpatten Posted March 17, 2011 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 Benelli Super Black Eagle 2. For me at least it handles better than the Xtrema2 and is better balanced than the forward biased Maxus. As someone else has posted, if you want an inexpensive 3.5" gun that handles well and is built to last, have a look at the Benelli Supernova pump action. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfletch Posted March 17, 2011 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 Super black eagle 2 Winchester O/U 27" barrels; Super black eagle 2 with 26" barrel is 4" longer Chamber 3.5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoTshoT-16 Posted March 17, 2011 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 winchester sx3 camo 3.5 12g is a good gun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rangey Posted March 17, 2011 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 Hi, I am looking into a semi auto for wildfowling,(and other rough shooting). Now I have used the xtrema 2 a lot and I was going to look for a good second hand one. BUT I was also wondering what other options are worth looking at with a 3.5 chamber? The browning maxus seems very popular. Is it a 3.5 inch,(I think I have seen a few saying that)? I know very little of the benelli range but these also seem popular. My only other question is whether a semi auto with a 30 inch barrel feels longer than a 30 inch over and under due to the receiver being quite long on an auto? Just wanting to pick people's brains. My gut instinct is an xtrema2 though Cheers! i use a 30"maxus 3.5 chamber for wildfowl and pigeon shooting and imo a better handling gun than the extrema witch i previously used.the longer barrel suits me fine and is about 3" longer than my 30" o/u. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oops Missed Again Posted March 17, 2011 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 Do they make the Escort in 3 1/2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon123 Posted March 17, 2011 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 (edited) Do they make the Escort in 3 1/2 Yes they doo. :lol: My mate has one and it cycles everything from 28g 67mm carts - 63g 3in carts ;) But i think that the gun to get is a Maxus, great guns :good: Edited March 17, 2011 by Simon123 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oops Missed Again Posted March 17, 2011 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 Yes they doo. :lol: My mate has one and it cycles everything from 28g 67mm carts - 63g 3in carts ;) Oh no, here we go again the Iti gun lovers will after us again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrispti Posted March 17, 2011 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 Hi, I am looking into a semi auto for wildfowling,(and other rough shooting). Now I have used the xtrema 2 a lot and I was going to look for a good second hand one. BUT I was also wondering what other options are worth looking at with a 3.5 chamber? The browning maxus seems very popular. Is it a 3.5 inch,(I think I have seen a few saying that)? I know very little of the benelli range but these also seem popular. My only other question is whether a semi auto with a 30 inch barrel feels longer than a 30 inch over and under due to the receiver being quite long on an auto? Just wanting to pick people's brains. My gut instinct is an xtrema2 though Cheers! I have used all the guns you mentioned. My views are; Super black eagle 2 is light and well balanced. It is the only auto with interchangeable cheek pieces and comes with all the usual shims but no spacers to adjust the LOP. Being an inertia driven gun, they kick a hell of a lot more the a gas driven auto. They also dont like light loads. The Xtrema2 is the heaviest of the 3. The kick off recoil pad works well, especially with big fowling loads. The gun comes with all the usual shims but no spacers to adjust the LOP. The Xtrema2 will also cycle any cartridge you feed it. The maxus is also light and well balanced. The gun has surprisingly very light felt recoil and noticeably less muzzle flip than the other 2. The Maxus comes with the usual shims and also has 2 additional spacers so the LOP can be adjusted. The gun will cycle anything you feed it. You wont go far wrong with any of them, best try them all and see which feels right to you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oops Missed Again Posted March 17, 2011 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 Very good assessment Chrispti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poontang Posted March 17, 2011 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 (edited) 11-87 was also good, do they do it in 3 1/2" ? They certainly do http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model-11-87/model-11-87-super-mag-waterfowl.aspx Edited March 17, 2011 by poontang Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted March 17, 2011 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 I use the SX3 3 1/2" on the marsh- its great. Was looking at Autos for ages liked the berreta but it just didn't feel right for me and was not worth the extra dosh- new it is way over priced for what it is, liked the super black eagle from benneli but worried about cycling light loads due to recoil op - but it felt great . The winchester felt perfect has all the shims and packers to adjust and in practice it has chomped through everything i have given it from very light to super heavy stuff. Its the same action as the Maxus basically but the maxus comes up feeling shorter due to the angle of the pistol grip @ the price of just over £800 in cammo its gotta be worth a look Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wildfowler.250 Posted March 18, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2011 Thanks for all the replies! They all made interesting reading I will go and handle the maxus and the SX3. I have to say that in all the years I have been shooting I have never come across "shims"? I assume they adjust the length/fit of the gun? Normally I just work with what I have got I am glad I asked about the barrel length on an auto compaired to a o/u. The xtrema 2 I have used is a 30 inch barrel and I shoot well with it but for use in a hide you have to make sure you dont catch the net with long barrel! I am swaying more towards the xtrema 2 in a 26 inch barrel. I would say the are now well overpriced new however a good second hand one will probably be a better buy than the sx3/maxus. My only other question was that I thought I saw a new xtrema 2 for sale without the kick-off system. Do you normally pay more for this or do most of them have it? Thanks again for all the input! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted March 18, 2011 Report Share Posted March 18, 2011 Baikal mp153 has 3.5" chambers takes loads of abuse and cheap to buy. Check out the videos on you tube of the Canadian guy putting one through it's Paces. Impressive. ATB figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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