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What are some of the better makes/models of 20ga auto shotguns I should be looking at for upland hunting? Mainly using it for cottontail but also some wing shooting.
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I'm a pumpgun shooter, but my friend who comes out each year for sharptails has 20 gauge 26" Benelli. I really like that shotgun. Only issue is the choke tubes work loose, not much but enough to require tightening every dozen shots or so.
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Ran a 20 ga Benelli Montefeltro while chasing quail in our local foothills today, and it has become my favorite quail gun. Light, fast-handling, comes with chokes ... the quail ain’t happy, I can promise you. . Been knocking them dead all season with 3-inch handloads (steel shot). It’s a gem.
"What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated." Thomas Paine
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Beretta 391 if you can find somebody selling one is a good option.
Last edited by Cheesy; 11/29/20.
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My buddy uses a Montefeltro for all his bird hunting pheasants, sharptails and quail and he hunts a lot, thinks it is the best shotgun for big long hikes across the prairie,
When I was younger my rabbit hunting buddy use an Franchi AL-48 20ga with a short barrel(24") and he was deadly on bunnies.
If cost is a deal breaker a Stoeger 3020 or Weatherby SA-08 might be a consideration
Last edited by erich; 11/29/20.
After the first shot the rest are just noise.
Make mine a Minaska
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Hard to beat the Benelli Montefeltro for what you want to do. I got one of the first ones I saw many years ago, a 20 gauge, and it was soon appropriated by my now deceased and long time hunting partner. Superb gun.
As I was a bit flush with smaller gauges, last year I found myself hurting for another. Got a 12, and that wasn’t a mistake either.
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Benelli M2, light weight, points like a dream, dead nuts reliable, simple operation and cleaning. The M1 & 2 models are the best Benelli shotguns ever produced.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
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Call me old school.....
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Franchi AL48 is the lightest, quickest handling gun you will find for upland. They made them in 20ga AND 28ga
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Call me old school..... Love it! I have one in 20 gauge and it's a great shotgun.
Last edited by MOGC; 11/30/20.
Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
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The Mossberg SA-20 got rave reviews, as did the Weatherby version. I have a generic named version of the Weatherby made in Turkey. I believe it's a copy of the Beretta 302? Light, well balanced, well made, just a gorgeous little gun. Lighter than an 1100 or 11-87.
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For the fellas recommending the montefeltro ... are you speaking of the standard version or the silver light version? Curious
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I've spent a lot of time shooting (and cleaning) just about every 20 auto made and my favorite is hands down the Beretta A400. Ideal is one with the new (mid-stock) Knock-Off recoil reducer. This one is the Upland model:
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Cannot go wrong with the Benelli Montefeltro or the Franchi 48 in 20ga. Both are super lightweight.
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I have been using a 20 gauge Montefeltro exclusively since 2003. IMO it is the perfect quail and dove shotgun. It is particularly good with mearns quail here in S. Az. It is light and fast handling, getting doubles is routine. Sometimes triples. Best was 5 on the covey rise but it was hell finding them even with two dogs.
This shotgun has long choke tubes which seems to have it performing like it is choked tighter than the name on the choke. I have yet to use the modified. Improved does well with doves and gambels quail. Cylinder for mearns.
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I've spent a lot of time shooting (and cleaning) just about every 20 auto made and my favorite is hands down the Beretta A400. Ideal is one with the new (mid-stock) Knock-Off recoil reducer. This one is the Upland model: I think that gun weighs a couple pounds more than the Montefeltro otherwise I’d be all over it!
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I think that gun weighs a couple pounds more than the Montefeltro otherwise I’d be all over it!
All depends on what options you get. The Monte weighs 5.4 lbs but has a 26" bbl and no recoil reduction system. The gas system of the Beretta already reduces the recoil considerably below the Monte's inertia system. The Kickoff reduces it even more. The pictured gun has a 28" bbl, which works much better for me, and the Kickoff system. Take away the Kickoff and the 2" off barrel, and both weigh 5.4 lbs. That would be nice to carry but very difficult for me to shoot accurately -- it is just too light. But if I did want 5.4 lbs I'd get the A400 XPlor with 26" bbl and no Kickoff. That would at least give me the gas action instead of the inertia.
Last edited by RimfireArtist; 12/02/20.
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Just bought a franchi affinity 3 in 20 gauge tonight. I shouldered it and it came alive in my hands.
Can't wait to shoot it
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Ran a 20 ga Benelli Montefeltro while chasing quail in our local foothills today, and it has become my favorite quail gun. It’s a gem.
+1 It's fast, deadly, and a joy to carry.
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