Which 20 or 28 Gauge Auto?

[BrowningGuy88]

Ok guys, I need some opinions.

I am going to buy a 20 or 28 gauge auto with a 24-26" barrel. It will be a dedicated TSS gun for turkeys only. I really don't care what it costs.

My requirements are:

Less than 7 pounds
Automatic
High Quality
Receiver that is either already tapped or that SumToy can tap
Will cycle roll crimp TSS loads


By high quality, I mean just that. I don't mean it has to be a certain name brand. It can be wood or composite.

I am kicking these around:

Browning Silver Micro
Winchester SX3 Turkey Cantilever
Benelli M2
Benelli Ultralight (20 or 28)
Beretta A400 (20 or 28)
Franchi Affinity
Franchi AL48 (20 or 28)

This gun will be a gift to my turkey hunting mentor who turns 75 before 2020 season. So I am starting to shop now. I will be putting a red dot sight on it and rolling him 50 TSS handloads to go with it.

Thanks

[BirdCatcher]

I’ve been looking at the Franch Affinity 3 Bottomland awful hard. Finally got to shoulder one at Nashville. Felt great and shouldered perfect for me. Will be getting one once my gun fund can build up.

[Turkinator]

Ok guys, I need some opinions.

I am going to buy a 20 or 28 gauge auto with a 24-26" barrel. It will be a dedicated TSS gun for turkeys only. I really don't care what it costs.

My requirements are:

Less than 7 pounds
Automatic
High Quality
Receiver that is either already tapped or that SumToy can tap
Will cycle roll crimp TSS loads


By high quality, I mean just that. I don't mean it has to be a certain name brand. It can be wood or composite.

I am kicking these around:

Browning Silver Micro
Winchester SX3 Turkey Cantilever
Benelli M2
Benelli Ultralight (20 or 28)
Beretta A400 (20 or 28)
Franchi Affinity
Franchi AL48 (20 or 28)

This gun will be a gift to my turkey hunting mentor who turns 75 before 2020 season. So I am starting to shop now. I will be putting a red dot sight on it and rolling him 50 TSS handloads to go with it.

Thanks

I have the M2 and it’s been my designated turkey gun for the last 3 years. It would fit your criteria except for the full roll crimp. To feed from the magazine your hull will need to be slightly trimmed. I fold crimp and have no problem with them feeding. I have trimmed hulls slightly and roll crimped and they also feed perfectly.

[bcturkeynut]

I would look hard at a Beretta A400 Lite 20ga. Under 6lbs and the "Kick Off" recoil reduction system is a very nice bonus.

http://www.beretta.com/en-us/a400-lite-synthetic-/

[howl]

Where is the safety on his favorite guns? Benelli has a carbon fiber rib, btw.

[Hoobilly]

SX3
Affinity 20
Or the M2 for weight savings

SX3 and Affinity shoot awesome patterns from Shooters 90/93 load and a IndianCreek 562 choke

[BrowningGuy88]

He has always shot a Win 1300 NWTF (Front of the trigger) from the 80's and a double barrel (top tang) before that. His 20 he shot the last two years is a Mossy and has the top tang safety.

He has always liked the BPS and the top safety on it. I would be willing to bet he's never seen a Beretta or Benelli.

As far as the M2 goes, we shoot 2.75" roll crimped loads so I don't think it should be a problem.

[Turkinator]

He has always shot a Win 1300 NWTF (Front of the trigger) from the 80's and a double barrel (top tang) before that. His 20 he shot the last two years is a Mossy and has the top tang safety.

He has always liked the BPS and the top safety on it. I would be willing to bet he's never seen a Beretta or Benelli.

As far as the M2 goes, we shoot 2.75" roll crimped loads so I don't think it should be a problem.

no problem whatsoever with the 23/4 roll crimp.

[howl]

I tried using the safety in front of the trigger guard on a Mossberg pump yesterday; multiple times. I guess it looked too much like a Beretta auto in my peripheral. I do not have that trouble with any single or double guns with tang safeties.

The trouble with front safeties is they are more easily brushed off safe unintentionally than tang or rear safeties. Some Berettas I've used are bad about it. Some are not. The Benelli Vinci is supposedly under your weight requirement and is designed to protect the safety from accidental disengagement. CZ has a new one out that is the same. Making gauge irrelevant is one of those things about TSS.

[big6]

Take a look at the Mossberg SA20 or SA28. I have a Benelli 20 ga Ultralight, it is neither drilled and taped nor accept fast fire mount. I have the turkey SA20 with Burris red dot and love it. My Mossberg SA28 arrives tomorrow!!!

[BrowningGuy88]

Thanks guys!

Keep the opinions coming. I’m going to look a while and get him talking about what he would like to have in one if he were to buy a new gun. He’s one of those guys that has never treated himself to anything. Always made sure the wife and kids had anything and everything they needed, but never spent a cent on something “frivolous” he wanted.

[Ranger007]

Benelli M2 for a 20 or A400 20 or 28.

[swampchicken]

I have a x3, an 11-87, and a m2 all are quality guns in my opinion. The m2 is definitely lighter but the x3 is the softest recoiling. Have had no problems out of them.

[BrowningGuy88]

If I were to go buy one today, it'd be the M2 or SX3 20 gauge.

I'm just trying to make sure I make a good choice.

[turkeyinstrut]

If I were to go buy one today, it'd be the M2 or SX3 20 gauge.

I'm just trying to make sure I make a good choice.

I don't think you could go wrong with the M2, I have shot one for the last 3 years and I love it.

[BrowningGuy88]

Well guys, I have narrowed it down to two.

I'm getting him an SX3/4 or a A400.

I will be looking for one after season goes out.

Thanks!

[pullit]

WBY 459

[870 Shooter]

I just picked up a Franchi Affinity in bottomland. The camo jobs are hit and miss. Be sure to look it over good. It's a 50 dollar dip job basically. 749 for black, 799 for camo. In the two stores that sell them near me. I wont hold that against the way it shoots tho! I love it.

[BeardBuster]

I’ve been using the Weatherby SA459 turkey in 20 ga the last three seasons. Comes with a with a rail ready for optics. Great gun and it’s a killer for sure With TSS.



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[BrowningGuy88]

Really nice BeardBuster!!!

[Jstocks]

I have a Franchi my daughter shoots now and I’ll be buying me another one most likely after turkey season.

I was trying the pump route this year, but it feels awkward. I’ll be back in a semi auto after season is over.

[mtd69]

i have the sx3 20 light weight very little recoil and very reliable