I'm thinking about replacing my CZ Bobwhite 20g SxS. I bought it several years ago because I always wanted a SxS and this was the most affordable way to get a proper one (correct frame size for the gauge, etc). It's a nice gun, but with most of my shotgunning being clay games these days, I'm not enjoying it as much as I would like.
I'm considering selling it and taking the proceeds and my Cabelas Bucks accumulation and buying a nice semi-auto 20g that would be a better fit for clay games and still be good for hunting. The Benelli Montefeltro looks really good and the reviews are very positive. I fondled one at a gun shop the other day and liked the weight and how it pointed.
Use Cases:
Clay Games (Trap, Skeet, Wobble Trap, Sporting Clays)
Small Game Hunting (squirrel, potentially grouse)
Turkey Hunting (distant possibility, would require confirming a good pattern with 20g turkey loads)
Requirements:
Must be available at Bass Pro or Cabelas
20 gauge
Semi-Auto
Price under $1300
The Benelli Montefeltro seems to tick all those boxes. There were mentions of higher recoil with this gun, but that seems to be in comparison with gas-operated guns. All of my other shotguns are break-action or manually operated, so that's not a major concern. Even when at the trap/skeet range, I normally don't shoot more than 150rnds in a session, so I should be ok there. Gun weight is about the same as my SxS, which means felt recoil, fit aside, should be about the same or lighter with the same loads. What else is out there I should consider that also meets the elements I listed above? Are there any warts to the Montefeltro I need to be aware of?
Chris