SHOTGUN - Gun Tests

1 GuntestsTHECONSUMERRESOURCEFORTHESERIOUS SHOOTER Top guns selected by the writers and editors of GUN Tests Tests SHOTGUN BUYING GUIDETABLE OF CONTENTSSEMI-AUTO WATERFOWLING SHOTGUNS Tested: Browning Maxus, $1520; Mossberg Model 930 Waterfowl, $797; beretta Model A300 Outlander, $845; and a Winchester Super X3, $1200. We don t camouflage the outcome on 3 SEMI-AUTO WATERFOWLING SHOTGUNS VALUE GUIDEV alue Guide: Semi-Auto Shotguns Rankings 9 PUMPGUN SHOWDOWNWhat would happen when we pitted the largest-selling slide-action 12 gauge in history against another pumper with a 100-year-plus pedigree?

2 The results were a lot closer than you might expect 10 DEFENSIVE SHOTGUNSThe beretta Model 1301 was easier to handle, giving it an edge over the Benelli Model M4 and the Mossberg Model 930 SPX 15 DEFENSIVE SHOTGUNS VALUE GUIDEV alue Guide: Recent Self-Defence Shotguns Ratings 20 Gun Tests SHOTGUN Buying Guide is published by by AG Media, Inc., 111 Corporate Drive, Big Sandy, TX 75755-2446, Copyright 2017, AG Media, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photography, recording, or by any other information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

3 Printed in the United States of Shotguns: We LikeThe Winchester Super X3 BestWith appearance, handling ability, and per formance on clays nearly identical, we factored in the price tags and the patterning board to give the Winchester Super X3 a slight sportsman have greatly changed from the days of market hunters where the daily goal was simply to put huge numbers of birds on the ground in an attempt to satisfy the family dinner needs. Of course, today s waterfowl hunters are strictly limited by migratory bird regulations restricting waterfowl hunting to non-toxic shot with very reduced bag limits on both ducks and a way, semiautomatic shotguns designed for waterfowl hunters are like little babies in a beauty pageant.

4 While the parents may think their youngster is the cutest thing on the planet, the pageant judges always apply their own standards and personal preferences in selecting the best in show. This similarity was brought to our attention when a reader asked for a ranking of the best semiautomatic 12-gauge shotguns for bringing down ducks and geese. Without specifying some parameters such as most used, best handling, affordability, reliability, and a variety of other factors there can be no single best waterfowl semiautomatic.

5 However, to provide our readers with some options in selecting their best smokepole, we were able to come up with a comparison of four popular, moderately priced semiautomatic waterfowl shotguns. The models included a Browning Maxus, listing for $1520; a Mossberg Model 930 Waterfowl, listing for $797; a beretta Model A300 Outlander, listing for $845; and a Winchester Super X3, with a suggested retail of $1200. Each was found to feature both favorable and unfavorable elements that varied in importance with each member of our test team.

6 In the end, the patterning-board performance and pocketbook impact proved to be the main separating factors in our , top to bottom, and left, in the rack: Very similar in appearance and handling, these four semiautomatic waterfowl shotguns are the Winchester Super X3, the beretta Model A300 Outlander, the Mossberg Model 930 Waterfowl, and the Browning Tests SHOTGUN BUYING GUIDE4 HUNTINGOur selection of ammunition to test the functioning ability, patterning performance and felt recoil of the semiautomatics included both clay-target loads and a typical waterfowl load.

7 For clays, we used the recently introduced Browning BPT , 3 dram equivalent loads packing 1 1/8 ounce of No. shot with an average muzzle velocity of 1200 fps; and B&P Competition One , 28-gram loads featuring 1 ounce of No. shot with an average muzzle velocity of 1160 fps. To test the shotguns with duck loads, we selected Federal Premium Tungsten 3-inch, 3 dram equivalent No. 2 shot loads with an average muzzle velocity of 1,400 feet per second. Here are our findings:Browning Maxus Mossy Oak Shadow GrassCamo No. 01164530512 Gauge, $1520 The looks and feel of this Browning semiautomatic are a tribute to the legendary inventor and company founder John M.

8 Dura-Touch camouflage finish was both attractive and highly functional. It is truly a non-slip, tough finish that will hold up even under rugged an aluminum alloy re-ceiver and a 26-inch barrel, the Browning tipped the scales at an even 7 pounds. The overall length of 47 inches, with a length of pull of inches; drop at the comb of inches; and drop at the heel of 2 inches provided a pleasant shooting platform for all members of our Browning features a Speed Lock system that allows easy removal and replacement of the synthetic forearm.

9 Quicker than unscrewing a magazine cap, this system was a nice touch for a fine functioning at a crisp 5 pounds, the trigger pull of the Browning lived up to the advertising as a Lightning Trigger and was appreciated by our shooting team. Although it is more important when shooting a rifle or handgun; a pleasant, crisp trigger pull will also help a shooter smoothly break targets or knock birds out of BROWNING MAXUS MOSSY OAK SHADOW GRASS CAMO NO. 011645305 12 GAUGE, $1520 GUN Tests GRADE: AEdged out of the top spot by the thinnest of margins, this SHOTGUN handled well, patterned well, and functioned flawlessly.

10 The bigger price was the factor that kept the Browning from being at the top of this appreciated the white mid-bead and red-fiber-optic-bar combination on the Browning, which we believe helps a shooter attain better alignment of the shooting eye along the barrel. We particularly liked the easily operated latch (at the end of the forearm) that allowed for quick and simple removal and with the same Dura-Touch protection as the forearm, the Browning s stock provided a comfortable fit and feel when burning through all the test ammunition in our gold trigger is a nice cosmetic touch on this camouflage waterfowl SHOTGUN , and we were very satisfied with the smooth and easy touch-off of the 5-pound Type Semiautomatic PowerDrive Gas SystemChamber Size to 3 Length 4+1 Weight (Unloaded)