Benelli Nova pump

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Apr 6, 2011
Messages
97
Hey guys, me and my friends are beginning to get into pheasant,waterfowl and turkey hunting and personally I've decided on getting a Benelli Nova 20 gauge since I'm not such recoil junkie. Obviously there are cases where a 12 gauge is better and it truly depends on how high brass you shoot but for now I would like to shoot a gun that won't kick my ass all day. But the one thing I'm having a difficult time deciding is on what length barrel I should get for the gun, One of my friends says 28" for those "longer shots" but the other says 26" from a middle of the road aspect. Any opinions on this? All help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks all
-Km190
 
For waterfowl, turkey and even pheasant you really need a 12 ga. A gas operated semi-auto would lessen the recoil, but you truly reduce your effectiveness if you go with the smaller 20 ga. A longer barrel helps more with pointing and swinging the gun than it does for extra range.
 
Mamba is right. If you're an adult male, there's no reason why you can't shoot a 12 guage. Also, get a 28" barrel-it's the norm. BTW, the Nova is a great shotgun, especially for the price. You will be happy with it, but I think you'll end up getting a 12 guage eventually, as waterfowl are hard to kill with steel shot and a 20 gauage, and forget about a goose with a 20 guage. Doves and quail or similar are the only birds I'd hunt with a 20 guage.
 
With modern loads and chokes. I would go with the 26" barrel. You won't lose much but it will make it a little easier to use the gun for turkey hunting. Either way, go have fun.
 
Thanks for all the input guys, I'm reconsidering the 20 gauge now and looking in 12's.
Again thanks
-Km190
 
The Nova is a heavy shotgun & they handle the recoil good so you don't feel it near as much. I traded mine off a couple of years ago, mine was all camo, 24" barrel, 12ga. I say go with the 26" barrel 12ga. ! All around gun !
 
26" or 28" will work fine for a do all shotgun. 26" will swing quicker and 28" will swing smoother if that makes any sense. I chose a 26" for my Benelli because I hunt turkey, quail, grouse, and woodcock. If I went for high fliers, I might want a 28". Not for distance, but for a bit more weight in the swing. On another note, the 20 will no doubt be a blast to shoot, but will require better placed/more patient shots on ducks. My 73lb 10 year old shoots the heck out of my 12 without too much trouble.
 
Personally I've never fired a 12 gauge only 20's and a few .410's thats one of the reasons I was looking at it, plus the 20 gauge nova only ways about 6lb 4oz compared to the 12 gauge which depending on the barrel length ways around 8 pounds. it may not seem like much but 8lbs walking through the wood in mass and in your outstretched arm doesn't seem like too much fun. But I'm willing it suck that part up just still deciding which one I should get. I'll most likely will end up deciding a week before the season hits knowing my indecisive ass.
 
26" or 28" will work fine for a do all shotgun. 26" will swing quicker and 28" will swing smoother if that makes any sense. I chose a 26" for my Benelli because I hunt turkey, quail, grouse, and woodcock. If I went for high fliers, I might want a 28". Not for distance, but for a bit more weight in the swing. On another note, the 20 will no doubt be a blast to shoot, but will require better placed/more patient shots on ducks. My 73lb 10 year old shoots the heck out of my 12 without too much trouble.
+1 for the info for the explanation differences on barrel lengths.
 
Recoil is a lot easier to deal with when your shotgun fits well, and you don't use the most potent magnum loads available.

As for weight... this is why a lot of guys have several guns. Something lighter for walking all day, and whatever needed for sitting all day (deer gun... duck gun... turkey gun...).
 
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