Got a hankerin' for a new scatter gun

[Old Dog]

I've been looking a getting a new gun for upland hunting, mostly phez, and I'm thinking of getting a Benelli Cordoba in 12 GA.  I've handled one in the store, and I've read the literature, but I haven't had an opportunity to shoot one.  Anybody have any insight into one of these guns?

[carpsniperg2]

i have seen a lot of reviews on them and evething says they are great i have also looked at them but never shot one myself. i watched a few hunters on a few shows put them threw the ropes on dove hunts in argentina 1000's of rounds and it was still shooting great. i don't think you could go wrong with it from what i have seen and read myself

[carpsniperg2]

i agree i switched to browing from remington. i have nothing bad against rems and will shoot them as well but i love my bps!

[Old Dog]

I have a browning gold hunter 3.5.  It's a good shooter, but it's a tank.  I'm looking for something a little lighter in weight without adding too much recoil.  I have a 20 ga cynergy that is a sweetheart to carry, but I foresee a ban on lead in the near future, and I'm leary of relying on the 20 ga to consistantly knock down those big old Palouse roosters useing steel, and I can't handle the expense (too cheap) for any other non toxic.

I looked at the browning silver, but I'm drawn to the cordoba, because of the ported barrel, and extended chokes.  I also have a citori 425 sl with a ported barrel, and I appreciate the way the porting helps cut down on the rise for faster follow up shots.  I usually use the first shot as a range finder, so that is important to me

[BigGoonTuna]

if i had some gun money i wouldn't mind spending it on a benelli montefeltro...

[Timberstalker]

I just bought the Benelli Legacy and it is a dream to say the least.  It was between that and the browning and I really am happy with the benelli.  Go take a look at the Legacy and see what you think.

[Old Dog]

I've looked at the Legacy.  Beautiful firearm, but too much so for a feild gun.  I also really like the recoil reduction you get from Benelli's synthetic stock and the porting on the Cordoba is really talking to me.   If I can't find anything negative about this gun I think I will pull the trigger on buying it this week.  Pun intended  

[shorthair-on-point]

If you feel that good about it you should go for it.

[87Ford]

I think the Ultra Light is this best upland gun in the Benelli lineup.  It only weighs 6 pounds and pheasant hunting is often more carrying a shotgun than shooting it.  I bought one this year and am looking forward to hunting with it.  It will be a joy to carry.  I chose this gun strictly for upland hunting and recoil won't be an issue in the field.

I considered the Montefeltro also, but liked the higher rib on the Ultra Light.

[Stilly bay]

I just bought a browning maxus... its every thing the ads say. light weight, very pointable, and dependable (I have put about 2000+ rounds into mine without a hiccup)... I love this gun and Im not even an auto loader fan!

[seth30]

I would love to get a 410 but then I would have to buy another safe

[Old Dog]

I think the Ultra Light is this best upland gun in the Benelli lineup.  It only weighs 6 pounds and pheasant hunting is often more carrying a shotgun than shooting it.  I bought one this year and am looking forward to hunting with it.  It will be a joy to carry.  I chose this gun strictly for upland hunting and recoil won't be an issue in the field.

I was originally looking at the ultra light.  I bought my Cynergy Feather for just that reason.  I have found that the recoil is too tiring to practise with, so I don't practise enough.  That's partly why the recoil reduction features on the Cordoba appeal to me so much.

[Mr56Jeep]

You won't go wrong with that Benelli. They are light and reliable with the only trade of being more kick than a true gas gun.  In my opinion, the only better gun would be something like the Beretta Urika in the auto loaders.

I have a pointer, so for upland I like the O/U (20 gauge Beretta).  Gives me the ability to have two chokes.  Some bird I shoot at 10 yard and others closer to 30.  Just a little food for thought....

[SeaRun1]

I have a 12g Montefeltro.  I liked the Ultralight the best because of the higher vent rib.  But it was very light.  The Benellis come with a few shims and I was able to make my Montefeltro sight perfectly for me.  Something to look into.  It is a very nice and easy to field gun.  My FIL shoots a Browning Gold Hunter and like said above its a tank. It has a thick forend for the gas system which I dont like too much.

On a side note the Benelli sure stays clean compared to other shotguns with that inertia system.  Have fun with your purchase.

SeaRun1

[87Ford]

I was originally looking at the ultra light.  I bought my Cynergy Feather for just that reason.  I have found that the recoil is too tiring to practise with, so I don't practise enough.  That's partly why the recoil reduction features on the Cordoba appeal to me so much.

If recoil is the most important consideration, I'd go with a gas operated gun like, as was mentioned, the Beretta.  I like the looks of the new Browning Maxus Hunter also.  It is just under 7 pounds.

Also, porting a shotgun barrel may not reduce perceived recoil.  I have My Remington 1187 trap gun ported.  I can't tell you if it really makes much difference.

Here's how Randy Wakeman feels about ported shotguns...

"It may be trendy, or less so as time goes by, but as a generality porting does nothing remarkable as to function. It does irritate the shooters next to you, and puts more holes in what was a perfectly good barrel. There isn't enough residual pressure at the port area in a shotgun to reasonably equate to a high-power rifle muzzle break, and the muzzle flip on a clays gun is nothing remotely like what you'll find on a pistol.

Less felt recoil can be found so much easier with a longer stock length, proper Limbsaver or Kick-Eez pad, and gun-fitting. No fixed breech gun of the same weight compares with the longer, broken-up recoil pulse of a gas operated gun. Sure, I've invested (wasted) my fair share on ported shotgun barrels. Perhaps the extra noise obfuscates the feeling of recoil, but if it offers anything substantial, my shoulder has not been able to detect it. Necessarily, on an Over / Under shotgun, ports cannot be placed where they would do the most good, as there is an upper barrel in the way."
 

[Old Dog]

Good info! 

I actually started this search last spring.  The Maxis was really high on my list until I handled one.  I just don't care for the feel of the foregrip.

I have a gold hunter 3.5, and a Citori 425 SL both profesionally fitted with kick eze pads, and there is no question it improves their shootability.  The length of pull on the Cordoba is too short for me, so some fitting will be needed with it as well, but as it is it "feels" better in my hand than the Maxis.

As far as the porting.  My Citori is ported, and I think it does help control the rise of the barrel.  I know it annoys those shooting with me.

I need to be able to shoot these guns

[fethrduster]

12's can be a bit of overkill for most upland hunting.  You might consider a 16.  Same payload and punch as a 12,  in a much slimmer package weighing the same as a 20.  It's the perfect goldilox upland gauge in my opinion.  I have a couple 16 sxs's both weighing about 6 lbs, , and they will hammer roosters out to 45 yds. with 1 or 1 1/8oz. 6's or 5's, and will be the belle of the ball doing it too.  They are regaining popularity among upland hunters (it used to be the most popular gauge), so ammo is getting a lot cheaper and more readily available for them too, or you can reload.  Since you like autos, a sweet sixteen would be just the ticket too.

[Mr56Jeep]

12's can be a bit of overkill for most upland hunting.  You might consider a 16.  Same payload and punch as a 12,  in a much slimmer package weighing the same as a 20.  It's the perfect goldilox upland gauge in my opinion.  I have a couple 16 sxs's both weighing about 6 lbs, , and they will hammer roosters out to 45 yds. with 1 or 1 1/8oz. 6's or 5's, and will be the belle of the ball doing it too.  They are regaining popularity among upland hunters (it used to be the most popular gauge), so ammo is getting a lot cheaper and more readily available for them too, or you can reload.  Since you like autos, a sweet sixteen would be just the ticket too.

I like my 16 gauges, as I have a couple.  But keep in mind, shells can be hard to find if you need to stop and buy them on the road.  I tend to lean to the 20 gauge for upland.   

[Old Dog]

Keep in mind that there will be no lead shot in WA state soon. I will be glad I have my 12ga when that happens.

That's why I was looking at a new 12.  However at this point it looks like I will be putting the new shotgun on the back burner.  My left knee has been bothering me for several seasons now, and it's getting worse.  I'm going to spend the money I have for a new shotgun to get my knee repaired.

[87Ford]

Keep in mind that there will be no lead shot in WA state soon. I will be glad I have my 12ga when that happens.

You could always shoot the 16 gauge Kent Tungsten Matrix loads.

2 3/4", 1 1/4oz, #5, 1265 fps

..and only $31.97 per box of 10 rds. 

[270Shooter]

I have an M2 which is quite similar to the cordoba, length of pull shouldnt be an issue as they come with 3 different butt pads of differents lengths. I really like my M2 its very light and it kicks pretty hard, but I don't really notice it that much when hunting, but I dont shoot a lot of clays so it doesnt matter to me.

[87Ford]

I like the M2 also.  I used to have a SBE, but traded it off a couple years ago.  If I were to get another gun for duck huntin' it would be the M2.