ziplex Posted September 28, 2008 Report Share Posted September 28, 2008 It seems the Franchi I-12 is essentially a Benelli M2 and the Winchester X3 is a Browning Gold, (same platform). I am looking to replace my Franchi Raptor with a dedicated wildfowling gun, (camo finish), as it's a bit 'blingy'. I shoot well with it but while it's a pretty gun both the action and the wood shine in any light and I find I tend to use a gun sock to compensate which is a pain. I'd prefer a gas semi so am swaying towards the Winchester at the moment......anyone made the transition from Raptor to either of the above? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tweedledee Posted September 28, 2008 Report Share Posted September 28, 2008 i use the super x2. it comes in camo finish a little heavy but never misses a beat.my advice would be if you shoot ok with the raptor hold on to it.i had 2 raptors and both were fine guns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziplex Posted September 29, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2008 i use the super x2. it comes in camo finish a little heavy but never misses a beat.my advice would be if you shoot ok with the raptor hold on to it.i had 2 raptors and both were fine guns. I keep telling myself that too.......I really do like the gun and it's been very reliable and to px i'd lose a lot on it but ideally i'd like to get hold of a camo finish. I only use it for pigeon and as a wildfowling gun and I can't justify having another gun on top of this one so it'll have to go if I decide on camo..... Or continue with the damn sock! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted September 29, 2008 Report Share Posted September 29, 2008 Why not go to work on it with camo tape ? If it looks terrible you can just peal it off, if it looks good bobs your uncle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shootingmike Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 I've been on about this on another forum as I too have a Raptor but as you say, it's too blingy and it isn't magnum steel proof. The problem is, You can't actually get the I-12. I even phoned GMK the other day and despite getting a recent GMK price list with SportingGun that lists the I-12and the raptor, they are now saying the only Franchi semi auto they'll be doing is a Franchi Fast. Further to this, they don't even have any info on it yet! Beware of the Raptor, I bought mine as an all rounder and then discovered it ISN'T proofed for high performance steel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziplex Posted September 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 I've been on about this on another forum as I too have a Raptor but as you say, it's too blingy and it isn't magnum steel proof. The problem is, You can't actually get the I-12. I even phoned GMK the other day and despite getting a recent GMK price list with SportingGun that lists the I-12and the raptor, they are now saying the only Franchi semi auto they'll be doing is a Franchi Fast. Further to this, they don't even have any info on it yet! Beware of the Raptor, I bought mine as an all rounder and then discovered it ISN'T proofed for high performance steel. I've been putting 3" 34g hevi shot and 36g steel loads through mine............. , I assumed it was fine for steel of all loads up to 56g?? As an aside I got a px price for it today, (with an AA S410 kit) on a new Benelli M2 camo, i'd have to stump up £200 on top and I don't know what to do...seems a lot of kit and cash for another semi in camo, it does handle very well though and is nice and light/compact. I'd like some more input on the steel load through the Raptor though if you can help? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziplex Posted September 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 I've searched back and found shootingmike's findings on the Raptor only being able to handle steel up to 1176 bar......I often use Hevi Shot which states the weapon must be 'proved to 1370 bar'.....should I assume this gun shouldn't be used with hevi shot, let alone steel to this rating?? If so I think it may make my decision in going for perhaps the Benelli M2 a little easier, as long as that has a sufficient rating?. Any advice appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shootingmike Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 No problem with further info, anything to protect people from potential accidents! After buying the Raptor, I bought a box of 3" steel carts and it said quite clearly on the box "To be used only in guns marked "steel shot" and bearing the fleur de lys symbol". SO I enquired with the proof house, gun shop, GMK etc and found that despite it being 3" magnum with the reversible piston for heavy loads it hasn't been prrofed for high performance steel. I argued with GMK that it was dangerously deceptive advertising a 3" chambered gun capable of firing heavy loads that isn't prrofed for large steel shot but of course they weren't wearing it. I also like to M2 and SBE 2 but they're a bit out my budget as yet. Out of interest, what price were you given trade in as I have an escort too and maybe if I chopped both in...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziplex Posted September 30, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 No problem with further info, anything to protect people from potential accidents! After buying the Raptor, I bought a box of 3" steel carts and it said quite clearly on the box "To be used only in guns marked "steel shot" and bearing the fleur de lys symbol". SO I enquired with the proof house, gun shop, GMK etc and found that despite it being 3" magnum with the reversible piston for heavy loads it hasn't been prrofed for high performance steel. I argued with GMK that it was dangerously deceptive advertising a 3" chambered gun capable of firing heavy loads that isn't prrofed for large steel shot but of course they weren't wearing it. I also like to M2 and SBE 2 but they're a bit out my budget as yet. Out of interest, what price were you given trade in as I have an escort too and maybe if I chopped both in...... I was given a price of £400 for the Raptor and £550 for the AA S410 c/w scope, silencer, bottle, sling, slip etc........all in excellent condition. The M2 was up at £1195 but was told I could have it for £1150, hence £200 to find. That was at Avalon, however the Sportsman quoted me £975 for the M2 but less money for my 'trade in'. Incidentally my Raptor does have the fleur de lys symbol, is this still only proofed to 1176? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shootingmike Posted October 1, 2008 Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 I'd check with the proof house but as I understand it the fleur de lys means is IS proofed for hi performance steel. When did you buy it? They must have started proofing them... Mine's about 2 to 3 years old and not a fleur in sight! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ziplex Posted October 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 I'd check with the proof house but as I understand it the fleur de lys means is IS proofed for hi performance steel. When did you buy it? They must have started proofing them... Mine's about 2 to 3 years old and not a fleur in sight! Mike, I spoke to GMK and was advised that although my, now gone, Raptor had the fleur de lys stamp the barrel is exactly the same as on older model guns. Only because it now goes through a different and more stringent test does it carry the stamp. He did also state that these barrels would resist considerably greater pressures than 1370 bar. I did check the Benelli site and they too are tested to 1370 bar.....you had me worried for a minute Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markio Posted October 1, 2008 Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 (edited) My Escort pump is proofed to 1200kg/cm² (17160 lb. per square inch). This equates to 1176 bar. If the carts you buy specify higher pressures than that then an educated guess is your gun isn't proofed to take them. Mine also has the fleur de lys AND 'steel shot' on the barrels but i understand that HeviShot is something else entirely to standard steel shells. EDIT: Although i could be wrong as i don't have a box of either steel or HeviShot to compare specs. Edited October 1, 2008 by Markio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shootingmike Posted October 1, 2008 Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 Markio -That's something that I'm wondering about too. Believe it or not, I also have an escort, albeit a 3" semi, not a pump and it has the fleur and STEEL SHOT on the barrels. But as you say, it only claims to be proofed to 1176 bar. Ziplex - I fully agree with you that guns are normally tested way beyond their official proof limits and no doubt my Franchi would handle any cartridge on the market, but even so- it's nice to see it stamped to prove it's been tested! All very confusing and I'm sure things will only get worse as new types of shot get developed. I've read somewhere that the CIP regulations are being reviewed regarding steel shot but whether they'll be any clearer or not who knows? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.