What 12ga 3.5" Auto to Get?

[YoungGobbler]

Thank you for all the great advice!!  I've never held a versamax or most of the others mentioned here.  I'm on a budget but don't mind paying for quality.  Heck, I blow a lot of cash chasing birds all season already.  Would there be any preference in a turkey gun as far as gas vs. recoil operated action?

And do all of these manufactures offer a shorter 21-23" turkey barrel option over the standard 26 or 28"?

Thanks!!

I like the suggestion someone made about the franchi affinity . A good choice for a good quality-price. But for a shorter barrel, I think mossberg will be the ones offering the most options for short barrels.

[lunghit]

Thank you for all the great advice!!  I've never held a versamax or most of the others mentioned here.  I'm on a budget but don't mind paying for quality.  Heck, I blow a lot of cash chasing birds all season already.  Would there be any preference in a turkey gun as far as gas vs. recoil operated action?

And do all of these manufactures offer a shorter 21-23" turkey barrel option over the standard 26 or 28"?

Thanks!!

Winchester makes a 24" barrel model of the SX4

[Poconodoghunter]

Benelli m2 20 gauge all day

[Poconodoghunter]

Benelli super black eagle 2

[the Ward]

SX4. I picked up one a couple seasons ago and love it. I did have an issue when I first got it with loading 3.5 shells into the mag tube, it was really tight. Sent it back to Winchester and they fixed it for free and was a quick turn around. Shoots dead on with the bead and patterns great. 100% reliable so far. Would buy again, but would have got one already factory drilled and tapped. Good luck in your quest!

[chipper]

I've had really good luck with my Winchester SX3 Ed. I paired it with a .665 Indian Creek and it shot the Hevi #7's wonderfully, then I started loading tss around 2010 and haven't looked back or used it much at all since then, I went to a 20, but with a 2 oz load of 9's it is awesome out to as far and further than you need to shoot.

[Texan1894]

If you can get your hands on an original SBE 1, I love mine. Nothing can stop that thing.


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[Taxidermist58]

why do you want to shoot a 3 1/2" shell? I used to in my younger days because it was the " New" powerful magnum shell. The last few years, I use my 20 gauge semi-auto with TSS #9 shot. Never had one bit of problem killing birds out to 40+ yards, and don't have to feel the abuse of the 3 1/2 " magnum shells!

[Davyalabama]

You could go with a used Browning Gold Hunter and hydro dip it or just buy the black, it's a matte finish.

[BrowningGuy88]

I personally have a Browning Maxus 26" barrel as my do everything shotgun. I got the 3.5" because I got a great deal on the particular gun I bought. I would buy another one in a heartbeat, but really the only time it sees a 3.5" shell is during turkey season shooting Mag Blends.

Lot of great guns out there. If I were looking to buy another 12 gauge auto, my list would be:

Browning Maxus
Winchester SX4
Benelli SBE 3
Beretta Xtrema

I am sure there are others that work fine, but that is where I would spend my $.