OddJob Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 I am thinking about getting a higher end semi, mainly for clay use, but also the occassional field use. However, I'm utterly baffled by the array of Berettas around, and then there is the SX3 to add to the mix which seems to have a very positive following. I'm not a fan of the Maxus. The reason is I've got about £1000 for a gun and all of the sporting O/U at that price do nothing to excite me at all. Yes, competent guns with high residuals, but getting it out of the cabinet would no excite me each time. The 686/7 are lovely, but dull for me, and I do not like the Browning/Miroku equivalents. Does anyone use a semi for clays? If so, is the extra noise of cycling/ejection distracting? Can anyone explain the differences between the various Beretta and how they fare against the SX3? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosd Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 If you're not used to shooting a semi, then the first time you fire one you will instantly notice the mechanics of the gun whilst firing, extracting ejecting etc. You quickly become accustomed to it and after a while you don't notice it at all. I don't shoot clays, but in the hide I would always choose a semi now. Four guns in the cabinet, one semi and three O/U's, I can't remember the last time I used any of the O/U's. Cos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAMMER BURT Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 I am thinking about getting a higher end semi, mainly for clay use, but also the occassional field use. However, I'm utterly baffled by the array of Berettas around, and then there is the SX3 to add to the mix which seems to have a very positive following. I'm not a fan of the Maxus. The reason is I've got about £1000 for a gun and all of the sporting O/U at that price do nothing to excite me at all. Yes, competent guns with high residuals, but getting it out of the cabinet would no excite me each time. The 686/7 are lovely, but dull for me, and I do not like the Browning/Miroku equivalents. Does anyone use a semi for clays? If so, is the extra noise of cycling/ejection distracting? Can anyone explain the differences between the various Beretta and how they fare against the SX3? i use a 3 shot for clay shooting now and again and find them to be fine as for noise issues its no louder than my o/u as its compulsory to were ear defenders when shooting i would get youself a good used beretta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flynny Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 Get a bennelli M2, ATB Flynny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b16jus Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 (edited) I would deff say try and shoot a semi as some people dont get on with the whole recycling noise and movement I have a few semi autos out of the lot the browning maxus is my fav is looks superb and shoots well, followed by the winchester sx3 but ive had a few problems with the stock keep coming loose. I just sold a beretta a400 kick off because i hated the kick off J Edited November 23, 2012 by b16jus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
majordisorder Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 If it's mainly for clays you won't beat the Benelli Super Sport, a bit more than your price at the moment but you can pick a second hand one up for a few hundred more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmyb79 Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 If you're looking at an SX3, then why not the Maxus? The Maxus is near enough the same gun with a few extra features... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b16jus Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 Also not all semi autos fit inside a cabinet and need to be broken, personally this anoys me J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BerettaSV10 Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 (edited) Only tend to shoot semis now, had a benelli crio which would cycle anything I put through, recently bought a escort and use that mainly now as fits the best, and hitting more clays with it. Also bought a A400 excel s/h the other week. In your budget a new A300 outlander comes into play or if you can find one a good s/h one will leave you some money for extra cartridges. The first time you use one you may find the cycling action noticable but will soon disappear like after doing a round of sporting and its done with and no longer noticeable. Beretta in their A400 range make a sporter A400 xcel 3" chamber a A400 light (simular reason as the ultra light), a A4 3 1/2 chamber in synthic / camo for field wildfowing there are a couple more in the range. I I was told the A300 outlander action is the same as the A400 series (looks like the info I was told was wrong and the actions are not the same) Edited November 23, 2012 by BerettaSV10 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b16jus Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 The A300 outlander action is the same as the A400 series I didnt know that, i have a synthetic a300 i think it looks superb but its brand new still as i havnt shot it yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daffyhitter Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 Have shot beretta autos for years and found them very nice, currently got a 391 urika 2 synthetic, have shot ducks pigeons and a few clays with it and can defiantly give it a thumbs up. Friend of mine shot a400 and is thinking of buying one. Would suggest staying away from urika version 1. I know a lot of people had these, me included and had a nightmare with them not cycling cartridges, beretta never fixed mine so I took back to dealer. Although the version 2 model has never jammed so would go for that if you looking secondhand. Hope this is of some help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr-Sheen Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 It's not to everybody's taste but i shoot a remmington versamax at clays every now and then and love it, i must have put through thousands of carts now, right down to 24g and not had a single cycling issue. It is a little bit on the heavy side, but that is a bonus when swinging through the target and also if you are putting serious numbers of shots through it as the weight combined with the recoil reduction system mean that its hardly noticeable when firing. If you want something different then i would definitely consider it, besides, if you ever did want to use it in the field you wouldnt get a more reliable gun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blade Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 This ones not far off your budget if you dont mind a bit of a drive http://www.guntrader...120817122910988 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coyotemaster Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 I think Cosd is right about the mechanical aspect, after a hundred rounds you won't notice it---just the lack of recoil and that should be a pleasant feeling. I HAD a Beretta 391 and should have made it fit me as it was a splendid gun, if a little harder to clean than the Browning Silver/Win SX3 with so few moving parts. The BIG problem with the Browning Winchester is that gas spring bugaboo (google it or review the problems here in old posts) It tends to break in SOME guns and in some in doesn't could be amount of usage?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retromlc Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 I've used an A400 on everything for over 2 years.Firstly I'm pretty sure the A300 is not entirely the same action as the A400.If you are new to semi's the mach noise takes a short time to get used to,and i personally never see the carts leaving as I'm looking at the clay.In the hide and clay's the A400 is perfect for both,all Unico's is a 3.5" only the A400 light is a 3".I think the finish on the A400 is excellent and IMHO beats all other semi's hands down.even flashy carbon fibred rib's on CRIO's don't have the same quality feel. The Maxus and SX3 don't do it for me,a bit plastic. I've shot lots of Auto's over the last few years and I still prefer the A400,Not overly keen on the newer A400 extrema,it's heavier around the wider fore end and It doesn't need a kick-off unless firing goose certs all day. Having said all that i am shooting better with my Ultra XS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaun4860 Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 Bywell up here are selling the outlander for £799 The actions not th same, the A400's have the rotating bolt mechanism (Benelli system) the Outlander doesnt Outlander uses mobile chokes and you only get 1, all to keep costs down. My money would go on the Outlander but they are selling the blue A400 sporter up here for £1295 new you pays your money takes your choice, benelli is recoil operated whereas the Beretta and Winchester are gas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloke Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 If it's mainly for clays you won't beat the Benelli Super Sport, a bit more than your price at the moment but you can pick a second hand one up for a few hundred more. +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retromlc Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 I'd buy a used gun,they will outlast you easily,my A303 is 20 yrs old and is faultless,my A400 still has 8 yrs on the warrenty,why bother buying new,you only have to catch a new gun on the cabinet first time you put it in and it's a used ,marked gun.Especially if you are pigeon shooting.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshAndy Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 Buy a beretta xtrema 2 it will tick every box. I use mine on clays, pigeons, crows, rough shooting, geese and heavy fox loads! The only shells it doesn't like are the ones at a local clay ground think they are 21g sub sonics?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cjm Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 If you want a problem free semi go for benelli they can also be thoroughly cleaned in half the time it takes to clean the others. I know 3 people who had to get shot of berettas due to jamming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retromlc Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 My Beretta has never jammed and at the clay grounds i can't recall any semi's of any brand jamming,the only things I don't like about Benelli's are their short thin stocks and higher recoil over a gas operated auto.cleaning a gass auto takes less than 10 minutes and if your like me i enjoy it as part of the ownership.it takes not much longer than stripping,wiping down and cleaning the barrels on an O/U Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Poon Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 Also not all semi autos fit inside a cabinet and need to be broken, personally this anoys me J thats a good point when I got my browning maxus carbon fibre in a 30" barrel I have to tilt it to get it in my cabinet , if you've looked at a winchester SX3 and also a browning maxus carbon fibre is the more exciting one of the two with its unusual look to it, plus there's hardly any recoil on the Maxus great for clay shooting defo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshAndy Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 I love beretta auto's, Joe bloggs loves his browning, mr smith loves his Winchester auto's and so on. The best advice I got was to go out and handle and shoot different brands and see what you like. Good luck Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Poon Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 +1 , it's Christmas in a few weeks go on treat yourself to something nice , the Benelli super sport does look nice as well hope it's in santas sack for me :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sibaldib Posted November 23, 2012 Report Share Posted November 23, 2012 If it's mainly for clays you won't beat the Benelli Super Sport, a bit more than your price at the moment but you can pick a second hand one up for a few hundred more. +1 Bought one a few weeks ago and absolutely love it. Still use my Berettas for game shooting, but I'm sticking with the Supersport for my clays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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