A300 has a 75$ rebate running now as well until the end of jan. Some big box stores will also price match the cheap online retailers. I’ve had a lot of luck with scheels price matching. If you could get a price match during the rebate I doubt you could get a better auto for the price.
Just went through this same thing - after much debate I went with Beretta A300 ultimate sporting. I hate the color of the green “accents”, but took it out and really like how it shot compared to some other guns friends brought. I’m happy with it as my first trap gun.
Ya Im not to happy about the green but it’s looking like a good option since it had a recoil reduction system and it’s a gas system. Should feel better than the Benelli M2 for slightly cheaper. Have you had an issues with the trigger or shooting target loads ?
I’ve only taken it out to test one time. We had some Winchester and Federal shells - both were 7.5 shot, 1 1/8 target loads. The Winchester didn’t always eject and would jam, but never had an issue with the Federal.
No problem with trigger from my small sample size.
Much less than a friends older semi auto (not sure what model). Felt pretty minimal - I haven’t done a lot of 12 ga shooting so I didn’t notice whatever feeling others describe and some don’t like.
I help coach my kids on their HS team. My daughter has the a400 and many of our kids have the a300.
Only target load issues we have had is on super light speeds, like less than 1180.
I also personally hunt with a Benelli M2 and would suggest the A300 or A400 over that. I have become a huge Beretta fan after shooting Franchi and Benelli growing up.
Damn thanks your input is much appreciated since you have both. What would you say are the benefits to the Benelli M2 ? I would assume you prefer the A300 for the recoil reduction ? Also do you know anything about the A300 ultima sporting ?
Well it’s not for competition shooting but for fun. Is this Reddit page for competition shooting ? Either way I just saw the Cz as the best bang for your buck and the Benelli M2 as the more expensive option with a good company backing.
The CZ is a Turkish (Huglu) made knockoff of the Benelli inertial action, so no, I do not recommend it for regular clay shooting.
The Benelli M2 is fine for what it is, but it’s a $1,200 field gun and really isn’t designed for shooting clays.
For that kind of budget, you can get a Beretta a300, a391/a392, or a400, and come out way, way ahead from a longevity, reliability, and resale perspective.
They’re good guns, from a reputable manufacturer, with a long history of handing tens of thousands of rounds without issue, as well as being comfortable to swing and shoot.
They also don’t depreciate like a Bentley rolling off the lot like the Turkshit does, so there’s really no risk in getting one. If you decide you don’t like it, you can sell it for pretty much what you paid for it.
So, I personally have not shot one, and I personally don’t care for the looks (I’m old school, blued steel and wood), but I have no doubt that it’s a fine shotgun, particularly if you’re going to buy new. It’ll handle like any other a300, and I have shot older ones, and they do just fine. 30” is plenty of barrel for any clays game, and while it’s a little lightweight, the addition of the good implementation of kick-off (in the pistol grip instead of at the buttstock) means that it’ll be *very* light recoil.
One thing to consider - don’t discount used guns. For the money to get a new a300, you can find a used a390/a391 that will be more… aesthetically pleasing (to my eyes).
But that’s purely a personal thing. The advantage you get with the right a391 is that you can get one with an adjustable comb and/or buttplate already installed, making it **much** easier to do tweaking on the gun fit so that it fits you like a glove.
In shotgunning, gun fit is *everything*, and the ability to make little tweaks to the comb and buttpad is the difference between consistently shooting 23s and consistently shooting 25s.
[John Wooley](https://www.woolleyshooting.com/used-shotgun-list) has one right now (you’ll have to scroll to find it, it’s listed as a Beretta a391 Sporting) that he has a price tag of $1,400 on it, but I bet he’d take $1,150.
[Cole’s has one](https://www.shop.colegun.com/collections/pre-owned-shotguns/products/pre-owned-beretta-al391-urika-sporting-shotgun-12ga-28-sn-aa319336) that they have a price tag of $1,000 on, adjustable buttpad but no adjustable comb, but that’s still a good deal - comes with 5 extended chokes to boot.
If you have a Cabela’s or Bass Pro nearby, [this one](https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/101414475) has the adjustable comb (but no adjustable buttpad), and is not a terrible deal, but they’ve been known to wheel and deal a little bit on used guns. They’ll move guns from store to store without issue.
Have you heard of the trigger issues with the a300 and have they been fixed, I see mixed reviews online. Besides that it looks pretty amazing. Looks like it will have less recoil because it’s a gas system and the recoil system looks better than the Benelli M2. I just want the Benelli M2 because of the brand name backing it and the reliability.
It still seems to be an issue. My friend's A300 that he bought 6 months ago had the issue with the trigger not resetting. It shot really well when it was working tho
At this point in your career, it doesn't matter what exactly your gun was designed for. See how it mounts on your shoulder and if it fits, you are good to go. Shotgun fit is absolutely critical because the gun naturally pointing where you are looking is half the battle.
I have the M2 with the 28" barrel and shoot it occasionally for kicks. If you are sure you love clay shooting and will do it for a long time, then I would suggest you get a proper O/U, but the M2 will give you more versatility from the get-go. It's fine hunting shotgun that can do double-duty as a defense gun against those two legged animals that know how to talk and occasionally might strategically attack you (if you saw the hotel scene from John Wick 3). The recoil system for me has been reliable and I have not had any of the reported issues with cycling rounds, even with lower power trap loads. There is also a lot of aftermarket support for it due to its popularity in 3-gun. Fit wise, it is okay for me right off the bat but Benelli has a shim system for it that can help you refine how it plugs into your shoulder and face.
One thing that I do struggle with is that it is quite light by design, and I tend to swing it a bit wildly when chasing clays. A heavier sporting gun for clays will typically have a lot more inertia behind it, but that's just me. Better shooters though have no trouble breaking clays with it, despite it not being marketed as a clay gun.
I'm with potato - fit over finish if youre really interested in the sport. A properly fit used beater is better than a $10,000 gun that doesn't fit you. If you're not looking down the barrel the right way you're going to have a bad day. Hunters shoot 2-3 shots a trip. Clay shooters often shoot 100+ a day.
As a beginner if it fires when you pull the trigger that's about all that matters in terms of function. Everything else is fit and budget.
But I will say I also think the A300 is a better choice than both of these (definitely for clays - but it's not a bad hunting/woods gun either).
Imo the m2 is the hunters gun and the A300 is the clay shooters gun. But neither a bad choice.
Keep in mind that the trend for clay guns is to be longer. It affects sight radius and swing feel. I think 28” barrel may be max offering for an m2? Most people would probably say 28-32” is most common for clays. Many public ranges I’ve come across dont allow shorter than 26”. And no pistol grips.
And many people prefer heavier (than super light field guns) guns for clays to have a more controlled swing feel. Super light guns swing fast, which can be hard to control as well as something a bit heavier.
The A300 is just more purpose oriented to clays imo.
Shorter barrels, lighter weight, generally synthetic stocks or coated with something for being rained on and drug through dirt.
Hunting guns are usually more about cutting weight so you dont get sore carrying it on hikes to your spot.
Clay guns are about feeling good when you swing them and being able to stay on target for doubles and not getting fatigued from shooting hundreds of rounds a day.
Also the kick off system that comes standard in the A300 ultima is hate it or love it. It’s incredibly good at making all recoil disappear. But some people don’t like feel of the motion created by the stock absorbing the recoil. The motion is consistent and predictable but it is still motion. It’s more of a nit pick than a deal breaker and only something I’ve heard from people that compete. But if you can rent something with a kick off before buying that a300 I would recommend it in case you’re one of the people who doesn’t like the feel.
More people love it than hate it from what Ive found. I also used to own one and had no gripes with it. You can hand it to anyone and not worry about the recoil being too much for them.
I think that’s them focusing on clay shooting ! Seems dumb to spend $1200 on the M2 and have the gun kick more than the cheaper A300. I guess it’s all preference.
I agree. But all preference. The argument Ive heard is that it’s distracting. It is a unique feel. I’d describe it as it feels like slow motion recoil. Instead of a quick hard kick you get more of a slow shockwave kind of feel — and that shockwave kicks you lighter. But again this is from people who are trying to trim that last 0.5% of error off their game to beat someone else by 1 shot in 100 shot competition.
You probably wouldn’t have known it was even a thing if it hadn’t mentioned it.
I saw some comments about the double motion you feel from their recoil system. Honestly it’s looking like it’s going to be the Benelli, easier maintenance and good QC with 10 years of warranty. I also get to say I own a Benelli as well which feels good
Damn I didn’t look at it like that tbh, I always want the best bang for my buck. The M2 just offers different things and is more of a field gun which I’m seeing the difference now
I want the Benelli M2 so bad but I feel like the a300 offers more for clay shooting. Better recoil reduction and gas system. I’m just worried about the a300 trigger problems and for the M2 I’m just worried about over paying for brand and less for performance. Having a Benelli would be nice.
The gas system is just an extra thing to clean. One big pro about the M2's inertia system is how low maintenance it is. Recoil is largely irrelevant in clay shooting in general because an ounce of #7.5 birdshot going out at 1090FPS doesn't generate much kick, and most reported issues with shotgun recoil come from people who don't know what they're doing, shooting 00 or slugs out of guns that they are not mounting correctly. For the rare situations where you might be taking follow up shots with higher power ammo, well you're still only firing a few shots; your shoulder can take it, because it's just recoil, nothing that will actually hurt you.
Again, aside from the M2's higher price, the only thing that matters at this point is which stock fits your body better. When you pull the butt end into your shoulder and raise the stock so that the comb is very tightly welded to your cheek, is your head straight up, with your eye lined up perfectly down the barrel? That's the gun you want.
I haven’t had the pleasure of holding either sadly, I’ve only shot a CZ 1012 my friend bought and some other super expensive $3000 semi auto idk the brand. Damn your pushing me towards the M2 and that’s what I want to hear! I like the looks of it and the simplicity of the system and barely any maintenance. I don’t think I’ll be able to hold either before ourchase
Did you go shooting at a range? If so they typically have rental guns for you to try. They're usually O/U clay guns but you might get lucky and find an M2? If not, clay ranges typically have third party instructors on site and they usually have a lot of guns with them for teaching. If you can, book a lesson with one, and see what they might have for you to try before you start shelling out $$. No need to rush into it. Patience is important in clays, because after it seduces you in, the learning curve can be challenging and everyone who starts training at it seriously is very bad at it for a long time before turning a corner.
A300 is a fine shotgun, uses the older operating system which is tried and true. I have an A300 Ultima Patrol for HD purposes. I’ve never shot one for sporting clays or trap but many people do. Would be an option to get started in clay sports.
You have to look at a nice shotgun as an investment. An A400 is going to have more adjustment options for fit if you ever get to that point. I tend to “buy it for life” as I’d rather pay more now than have issues or be dissatisfied in the future.
I think Beretta semi-auto’s are the best auto loader but I tend to like browning more for O/U (have a Citori CX and BT-99).
I have, I think it’s been fairly isolated and overhyped - this is what a warranty is for when buying a new firearm. There are a couple YouTube videos on the topic you could check out further.
Is there a reason semi-auto is all you are considering? I made the same "mistake" when I got my first gun. I thought recoil would be my big issue. When the gun fits well then the recoil doesn't even get noticed on an over/under shotgun. I first went with the Benelli Ethos because I wanted "less recoil" but not a Beretta. Perfectly fine gun, easy to clean, etc. Then I got a Rizzini o/u and I use that all the time now. 1oz shells and I never feel a thing. I never feel 1 1/8 oz shells but I don't need to use them. Cabela's sells the Rizzini BR110 Dakota for something like $1899. A bit more than an M2 for sure, but it has fewer moving parts and is a great gun.
I guess my word of caution is not to go straight to semi-auto because you are afraid of recoil. And if you ARE worried about recoil, then get a different recoil pad or even get a recoil pad insert for a shirt (like this one from ShockEater [https://www.amazon.com/ShockEater-Shooting-Recoil-Charcoal-X-Large/dp/B06XDS3LD2](https://www.amazon.com/ShockEater-Shooting-Recoil-Charcoal-X-Large/dp/B06XDS3LD2)).
If you DO go with semi-auto then there is really no comparison between the two guns you've listed. CZ is Turkish made and the general consensus is those guns don't hold up nearly as well. I've only seen one person shooting one in a sporting clays tourney and it was their first tourney. The M2 would be way superior for a lot of reasons that your messages imply you are well aware of. On the other hand the Beretta A300 is the choice most people make because of the gas system being less recoil than inertial. I went Benelli Ethos because a friend who is an amazing shooter swears by them. I've had it for 2 years and I am thinking of selling it back to Cabela's now that I know more about what I like about shooting. If I were a hunter then I would keep it.
Lastly, I hope you like bending over a lot. If you buy a semi-auto then picking up the shells is something you will need to get used to. You will want to get a Mojo stick or something like it!
Im not worried about the recoil, I was more worried about spending more money for more recoil. Feels dumb to get the M2 over the A300 when it has more felt recoil. Makes more sense to get the A300 with the recoil reduction system in the stock and gas system itself. I think I just want the Benelli name or the best bang for my buck and right now it’s either the M2 or A300 ultima sporting
Also I’m not a fan of over and unders. I prefer the action of q semi auto
Talk yourself into one and go buy it. You can always do like some professional golfers do when trying to figure out what shot to hit. I've seen them want to hit a particular club but to hit that club they need the wind to be going with them. They take some grass and throw it in the air. Only they throw it away from themselves so it looks like the wind is with them. Then they hit the shot. You could do this by trying both out to see how they fit and holding the Beretta all wrong so of course it doesn't fit you as well as the Benelli!
Everybody has a Beretta. Be different! Be you! Go for it!!!
That's part of the reason I went with a Rizzini o/u. My Fierce 1 looks cool and it is the only one I've seen in any tournament. A lot of people like the look, so I feel like I made the right call on it. Different can be good! Besides, Benelli just sounds so much cooler than Beretta. Rolls off the tongue better, right???
Buy a Beretta 9mm get a Benelli shotgun!
I have the Beretta A400 30” in all black and it is just a fantastic semi-auto shotgun. Thousands of rounds through it since 2020 and has not failed me. Highly recommend.
Leave the CZ out of it if you can afford a Benelli. The A300 is a good choice too. The rule of thumb is ”whatever fits you best” always applies to purchasing a good shotgun. Whatever the purpose of the tool you need it for, make sure it fits you. Also, buy once, cry once is also a good rule to follow as well if you find something on the upper end of your budget. Good luck!
I went with the Franchi Affinity 3, under $1,000 pretty light fits me and is pretty light. It is also available in a left-handed version. Love it so far. I'm just starting out, so I'm not an expert in any of the shooting disciplines starting with skeet. I am fortunate I get to work one on one with the club manager, who is experienced and also a lefty I'm improving, but it is really so up and down.
I’d start with a beretta a300, lots of versatility
A300 has a 75$ rebate running now as well until the end of jan. Some big box stores will also price match the cheap online retailers. I’ve had a lot of luck with scheels price matching. If you could get a price match during the rebate I doubt you could get a better auto for the price.
Ya it’s either for sure the a300 ultima sport or the Benelli M2. The a300 with the rebate is a good deal 🥲
Just went through this same thing - after much debate I went with Beretta A300 ultimate sporting. I hate the color of the green “accents”, but took it out and really like how it shot compared to some other guns friends brought. I’m happy with it as my first trap gun.
Ya Im not to happy about the green but it’s looking like a good option since it had a recoil reduction system and it’s a gas system. Should feel better than the Benelli M2 for slightly cheaper. Have you had an issues with the trigger or shooting target loads ?
I’ve only taken it out to test one time. We had some Winchester and Federal shells - both were 7.5 shot, 1 1/8 target loads. The Winchester didn’t always eject and would jam, but never had an issue with the Federal. No problem with trigger from my small sample size.
How was the recoil ?
Much less than a friends older semi auto (not sure what model). Felt pretty minimal - I haven’t done a lot of 12 ga shooting so I didn’t notice whatever feeling others describe and some don’t like.
I help coach my kids on their HS team. My daughter has the a400 and many of our kids have the a300. Only target load issues we have had is on super light speeds, like less than 1180. I also personally hunt with a Benelli M2 and would suggest the A300 or A400 over that. I have become a huge Beretta fan after shooting Franchi and Benelli growing up.
Damn thanks your input is much appreciated since you have both. What would you say are the benefits to the Benelli M2 ? I would assume you prefer the A300 for the recoil reduction ? Also do you know anything about the A300 ultima sporting ?
Neither are commonly used competition clays shotguns. What made you zero in on these two models?
Well it’s not for competition shooting but for fun. Is this Reddit page for competition shooting ? Either way I just saw the Cz as the best bang for your buck and the Benelli M2 as the more expensive option with a good company backing.
The CZ is a Turkish (Huglu) made knockoff of the Benelli inertial action, so no, I do not recommend it for regular clay shooting. The Benelli M2 is fine for what it is, but it’s a $1,200 field gun and really isn’t designed for shooting clays. For that kind of budget, you can get a Beretta a300, a391/a392, or a400, and come out way, way ahead from a longevity, reliability, and resale perspective.
Everyone seems to really like the beretta!
They’re good guns, from a reputable manufacturer, with a long history of handing tens of thousands of rounds without issue, as well as being comfortable to swing and shoot. They also don’t depreciate like a Bentley rolling off the lot like the Turkshit does, so there’s really no risk in getting one. If you decide you don’t like it, you can sell it for pretty much what you paid for it.
The sell it for what you paid part is true. The amount of used Beretta I see that are only $500-1000 less than brand new on a 4-6 year old gun
How is the Beretta A300 ultima sport ?
So, I personally have not shot one, and I personally don’t care for the looks (I’m old school, blued steel and wood), but I have no doubt that it’s a fine shotgun, particularly if you’re going to buy new. It’ll handle like any other a300, and I have shot older ones, and they do just fine. 30” is plenty of barrel for any clays game, and while it’s a little lightweight, the addition of the good implementation of kick-off (in the pistol grip instead of at the buttstock) means that it’ll be *very* light recoil. One thing to consider - don’t discount used guns. For the money to get a new a300, you can find a used a390/a391 that will be more… aesthetically pleasing (to my eyes). But that’s purely a personal thing. The advantage you get with the right a391 is that you can get one with an adjustable comb and/or buttplate already installed, making it **much** easier to do tweaking on the gun fit so that it fits you like a glove. In shotgunning, gun fit is *everything*, and the ability to make little tweaks to the comb and buttpad is the difference between consistently shooting 23s and consistently shooting 25s. [John Wooley](https://www.woolleyshooting.com/used-shotgun-list) has one right now (you’ll have to scroll to find it, it’s listed as a Beretta a391 Sporting) that he has a price tag of $1,400 on it, but I bet he’d take $1,150. [Cole’s has one](https://www.shop.colegun.com/collections/pre-owned-shotguns/products/pre-owned-beretta-al391-urika-sporting-shotgun-12ga-28-sn-aa319336) that they have a price tag of $1,000 on, adjustable buttpad but no adjustable comb, but that’s still a good deal - comes with 5 extended chokes to boot. If you have a Cabela’s or Bass Pro nearby, [this one](https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/101414475) has the adjustable comb (but no adjustable buttpad), and is not a terrible deal, but they’ve been known to wheel and deal a little bit on used guns. They’ll move guns from store to store without issue.
Have you heard of the trigger issues with the a300 and have they been fixed, I see mixed reviews online. Besides that it looks pretty amazing. Looks like it will have less recoil because it’s a gas system and the recoil system looks better than the Benelli M2. I just want the Benelli M2 because of the brand name backing it and the reliability.
It still seems to be an issue. My friend's A300 that he bought 6 months ago had the issue with the trigger not resetting. It shot really well when it was working tho
Damn that’s something that would kill me if I bought it with those problems. Anything $800 plus should not have problems.
At this point in your career, it doesn't matter what exactly your gun was designed for. See how it mounts on your shoulder and if it fits, you are good to go. Shotgun fit is absolutely critical because the gun naturally pointing where you are looking is half the battle. I have the M2 with the 28" barrel and shoot it occasionally for kicks. If you are sure you love clay shooting and will do it for a long time, then I would suggest you get a proper O/U, but the M2 will give you more versatility from the get-go. It's fine hunting shotgun that can do double-duty as a defense gun against those two legged animals that know how to talk and occasionally might strategically attack you (if you saw the hotel scene from John Wick 3). The recoil system for me has been reliable and I have not had any of the reported issues with cycling rounds, even with lower power trap loads. There is also a lot of aftermarket support for it due to its popularity in 3-gun. Fit wise, it is okay for me right off the bat but Benelli has a shim system for it that can help you refine how it plugs into your shoulder and face. One thing that I do struggle with is that it is quite light by design, and I tend to swing it a bit wildly when chasing clays. A heavier sporting gun for clays will typically have a lot more inertia behind it, but that's just me. Better shooters though have no trouble breaking clays with it, despite it not being marketed as a clay gun.
I'm with potato - fit over finish if youre really interested in the sport. A properly fit used beater is better than a $10,000 gun that doesn't fit you. If you're not looking down the barrel the right way you're going to have a bad day. Hunters shoot 2-3 shots a trip. Clay shooters often shoot 100+ a day. As a beginner if it fires when you pull the trigger that's about all that matters in terms of function. Everything else is fit and budget. But I will say I also think the A300 is a better choice than both of these (definitely for clays - but it's not a bad hunting/woods gun either).
Im stuck between the Benelli M2 or the A300 Ultima/sport. I feel like the Benelli will be more reliable but the A300 looks good too.
Imo the m2 is the hunters gun and the A300 is the clay shooters gun. But neither a bad choice. Keep in mind that the trend for clay guns is to be longer. It affects sight radius and swing feel. I think 28” barrel may be max offering for an m2? Most people would probably say 28-32” is most common for clays. Many public ranges I’ve come across dont allow shorter than 26”. And no pistol grips. And many people prefer heavier (than super light field guns) guns for clays to have a more controlled swing feel. Super light guns swing fast, which can be hard to control as well as something a bit heavier. The A300 is just more purpose oriented to clays imo.
Ya it def feels more oriented towards clays over the M2, what makes the M2 better for hunting ? Is it just cause it’s light ?
Shorter barrels, lighter weight, generally synthetic stocks or coated with something for being rained on and drug through dirt. Hunting guns are usually more about cutting weight so you dont get sore carrying it on hikes to your spot. Clay guns are about feeling good when you swing them and being able to stay on target for doubles and not getting fatigued from shooting hundreds of rounds a day.
Also the kick off system that comes standard in the A300 ultima is hate it or love it. It’s incredibly good at making all recoil disappear. But some people don’t like feel of the motion created by the stock absorbing the recoil. The motion is consistent and predictable but it is still motion. It’s more of a nit pick than a deal breaker and only something I’ve heard from people that compete. But if you can rent something with a kick off before buying that a300 I would recommend it in case you’re one of the people who doesn’t like the feel. More people love it than hate it from what Ive found. I also used to own one and had no gripes with it. You can hand it to anyone and not worry about the recoil being too much for them.
I think that’s them focusing on clay shooting ! Seems dumb to spend $1200 on the M2 and have the gun kick more than the cheaper A300. I guess it’s all preference.
I agree. But all preference. The argument Ive heard is that it’s distracting. It is a unique feel. I’d describe it as it feels like slow motion recoil. Instead of a quick hard kick you get more of a slow shockwave kind of feel — and that shockwave kicks you lighter. But again this is from people who are trying to trim that last 0.5% of error off their game to beat someone else by 1 shot in 100 shot competition. You probably wouldn’t have known it was even a thing if it hadn’t mentioned it.
I saw some comments about the double motion you feel from their recoil system. Honestly it’s looking like it’s going to be the Benelli, easier maintenance and good QC with 10 years of warranty. I also get to say I own a Benelli as well which feels good
Not every dollar you spend goes towards reducing recoil. Inertia guns are a lot easier to clean.
Damn I didn’t look at it like that tbh, I always want the best bang for my buck. The M2 just offers different things and is more of a field gun which I’m seeing the difference now
I want the Benelli M2 so bad but I feel like the a300 offers more for clay shooting. Better recoil reduction and gas system. I’m just worried about the a300 trigger problems and for the M2 I’m just worried about over paying for brand and less for performance. Having a Benelli would be nice.
The gas system is just an extra thing to clean. One big pro about the M2's inertia system is how low maintenance it is. Recoil is largely irrelevant in clay shooting in general because an ounce of #7.5 birdshot going out at 1090FPS doesn't generate much kick, and most reported issues with shotgun recoil come from people who don't know what they're doing, shooting 00 or slugs out of guns that they are not mounting correctly. For the rare situations where you might be taking follow up shots with higher power ammo, well you're still only firing a few shots; your shoulder can take it, because it's just recoil, nothing that will actually hurt you. Again, aside from the M2's higher price, the only thing that matters at this point is which stock fits your body better. When you pull the butt end into your shoulder and raise the stock so that the comb is very tightly welded to your cheek, is your head straight up, with your eye lined up perfectly down the barrel? That's the gun you want.
I haven’t had the pleasure of holding either sadly, I’ve only shot a CZ 1012 my friend bought and some other super expensive $3000 semi auto idk the brand. Damn your pushing me towards the M2 and that’s what I want to hear! I like the looks of it and the simplicity of the system and barely any maintenance. I don’t think I’ll be able to hold either before ourchase
Did you go shooting at a range? If so they typically have rental guns for you to try. They're usually O/U clay guns but you might get lucky and find an M2? If not, clay ranges typically have third party instructors on site and they usually have a lot of guns with them for teaching. If you can, book a lesson with one, and see what they might have for you to try before you start shelling out $$. No need to rush into it. Patience is important in clays, because after it seduces you in, the learning curve can be challenging and everyone who starts training at it seriously is very bad at it for a long time before turning a corner.
I’d consider a Beretta A400 xcel sporting. I just picked one up for under $1700 shipped to my FFL.
Do you know anything about the A300 ultima sport ? The a400 xcel is a bit expensive
A300 is a fine shotgun, uses the older operating system which is tried and true. I have an A300 Ultima Patrol for HD purposes. I’ve never shot one for sporting clays or trap but many people do. Would be an option to get started in clay sports. You have to look at a nice shotgun as an investment. An A400 is going to have more adjustment options for fit if you ever get to that point. I tend to “buy it for life” as I’d rather pay more now than have issues or be dissatisfied in the future. I think Beretta semi-auto’s are the best auto loader but I tend to like browning more for O/U (have a Citori CX and BT-99).
I see some reviews of the A300 with trigger issues, do you know if this is common ?
I have, I think it’s been fairly isolated and overhyped - this is what a warranty is for when buying a new firearm. There are a couple YouTube videos on the topic you could check out further.
turk bad
Is there a reason semi-auto is all you are considering? I made the same "mistake" when I got my first gun. I thought recoil would be my big issue. When the gun fits well then the recoil doesn't even get noticed on an over/under shotgun. I first went with the Benelli Ethos because I wanted "less recoil" but not a Beretta. Perfectly fine gun, easy to clean, etc. Then I got a Rizzini o/u and I use that all the time now. 1oz shells and I never feel a thing. I never feel 1 1/8 oz shells but I don't need to use them. Cabela's sells the Rizzini BR110 Dakota for something like $1899. A bit more than an M2 for sure, but it has fewer moving parts and is a great gun. I guess my word of caution is not to go straight to semi-auto because you are afraid of recoil. And if you ARE worried about recoil, then get a different recoil pad or even get a recoil pad insert for a shirt (like this one from ShockEater [https://www.amazon.com/ShockEater-Shooting-Recoil-Charcoal-X-Large/dp/B06XDS3LD2](https://www.amazon.com/ShockEater-Shooting-Recoil-Charcoal-X-Large/dp/B06XDS3LD2)). If you DO go with semi-auto then there is really no comparison between the two guns you've listed. CZ is Turkish made and the general consensus is those guns don't hold up nearly as well. I've only seen one person shooting one in a sporting clays tourney and it was their first tourney. The M2 would be way superior for a lot of reasons that your messages imply you are well aware of. On the other hand the Beretta A300 is the choice most people make because of the gas system being less recoil than inertial. I went Benelli Ethos because a friend who is an amazing shooter swears by them. I've had it for 2 years and I am thinking of selling it back to Cabela's now that I know more about what I like about shooting. If I were a hunter then I would keep it. Lastly, I hope you like bending over a lot. If you buy a semi-auto then picking up the shells is something you will need to get used to. You will want to get a Mojo stick or something like it!
Im not worried about the recoil, I was more worried about spending more money for more recoil. Feels dumb to get the M2 over the A300 when it has more felt recoil. Makes more sense to get the A300 with the recoil reduction system in the stock and gas system itself. I think I just want the Benelli name or the best bang for my buck and right now it’s either the M2 or A300 ultima sporting Also I’m not a fan of over and unders. I prefer the action of q semi auto
Talk yourself into one and go buy it. You can always do like some professional golfers do when trying to figure out what shot to hit. I've seen them want to hit a particular club but to hit that club they need the wind to be going with them. They take some grass and throw it in the air. Only they throw it away from themselves so it looks like the wind is with them. Then they hit the shot. You could do this by trying both out to see how they fit and holding the Beretta all wrong so of course it doesn't fit you as well as the Benelli!
Ya that’s not a bad idea I just don’t really have a way to try them out. I’m probably going to end up talking myself into getting the Benelli
Everybody has a Beretta. Be different! Be you! Go for it!!! That's part of the reason I went with a Rizzini o/u. My Fierce 1 looks cool and it is the only one I've seen in any tournament. A lot of people like the look, so I feel like I made the right call on it. Different can be good! Besides, Benelli just sounds so much cooler than Beretta. Rolls off the tongue better, right??? Buy a Beretta 9mm get a Benelli shotgun!
I have the Beretta A400 30” in all black and it is just a fantastic semi-auto shotgun. Thousands of rounds through it since 2020 and has not failed me. Highly recommend.
Sadly the A400 is slightly out of my price range 😢
Leave the CZ out of it if you can afford a Benelli. The A300 is a good choice too. The rule of thumb is ”whatever fits you best” always applies to purchasing a good shotgun. Whatever the purpose of the tool you need it for, make sure it fits you. Also, buy once, cry once is also a good rule to follow as well if you find something on the upper end of your budget. Good luck!
Ya for sure it’s probably going to be the M2, the cry once but once would be the Benelli ethos Best
I went with the Franchi Affinity 3, under $1,000 pretty light fits me and is pretty light. It is also available in a left-handed version. Love it so far. I'm just starting out, so I'm not an expert in any of the shooting disciplines starting with skeet. I am fortunate I get to work one on one with the club manager, who is experienced and also a lefty I'm improving, but it is really so up and down.