Would like to pick up a SA 12ga. this off-season. Primarily would use for turkeys but would like to have something for the occasional crane or duck hunt.

Looking at the Winchester SX4, Franchi Affinity 3.5 and the Mossberg 940 Pro Waterfowl. Any opinions or ideas? Appreciate the help!

Don't hate money get a Stoeger M3500.

I assume you want something with 3.5, otherwise the Beretta A300 is a great option. I have a M3500 I won in a DU banquet that is surprisingly a good gun. My only complaint is that you really have to shoot it about 75-100 rounds to break it in - just like any other inertia platform.

If you don't care about budget, I would look at an A400. It's the smoothest shooting SA but it doesn't fit everyone. SBEs are great guns but they're not nearly as forgiving on recoil when shooting 3.5s.

Really no need for a 3.5 gun anymore, don't believe the BS about you need it to kill birds, just get them closer. I've killed more cranes with 2-3/4 lead #4s than just about all non-guides out there.

And as for turkey, there is a ton of good heavier than lead shot options and you are only shooting a few times, so who cares is the shell cost $5 a round, its not like you are shooting 25+ a hunt.

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I've killed more cranes with 2-3/4 lead #4s

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yeah about that… lead absolutely stones birds but it's not legal to use on migratory birds. If I felt like shelling out the cash for bismuth/tungsten, I would. 2 3/4" of that is way better than 3.5" of steel

Appreciate the replies!
I'd like to keep it closer to $1,200 or less. Again, this will mostly be a turkey gun, but I'd rather get a 26-28" barrel than a 24" so I can use when the opportunity arises.

Are you making the argument that it is legal to shoot a sandhill crane with lead shot????

And yes, doves are techincally migratory but they have their own set of regulations, including the ability to use lead shot on them, that waterfowl and cranes do not allow.

Drundel said:

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Really no need for a 3.5 gun anymore, don't believe the BS about you need it to kill birds, just get them closer. I've killed more cranes with 2-3/4 lead #4s than just about all non-guides out there.

And as for turkey, there is a ton of good heavier than lead shot options and you are only shooting a few times, so who cares is the shell cost $5 a round, its not like you are shooting 25+ a hunt.

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while your last statement is true - tss turkey loads now run $14-$20 per load. Don't use your tss to zero your gun

raidernarizona said:

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Would like to pick up a SA 12ga. this off-season. Primarily would use for turkeys but would like to have something for the occasional crane or duck hunt.

Looking at the Winchester SX4, Franchi Affinity 3.5 and the Mossberg 940 Pro Waterfowl. Any opinions or ideas? Appreciate the help!

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I have 20 gauge Franchi that I absolutely love. Great option of the guns you are looking at

Really? This blows my mind... I have admittedly never hunted JUST cranes and have only ever shot them while duck/goose hunting. I guess the regs technically carve out the exception for it. The more you know I guess!

Yea but if you are even going to carry lead for cranes make double dang sure that nobody in your party shoots any waterfowl. At all. One legal shot duck and now your illegal by possessing lead shot. So if any chance of shooting ducks while crane hunting just stay with non toxic shot.

cledus6150 said:

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For me the berettas don't shoulder well unless I shim them and work on figment. The Benelli/Franchi's and the Browning maxus/Winchester sx4 all fit me well and are what I use for waterfowl hunting. Highly recommend shouldering a couple different brands and see what fits you.

Of course to qualify as true OB response go buy a SBE 3/A400 in the most expensive camo you can!

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This x 2. Shoulder the guns you're interested in and point at a target. See what points naturally for you.
My fit is the same Cledus mentioned. When I shoulder a beretta, I'm looking down at the middle of the vent rib- bead is not lined up properly. And yes I've tried shims. Benelli, Franchi, and the Winchester fit perfectly.

Additionally, I don't want a shotgun with the safety of the front of the trigger guard. They must be just like the 870 I learned on- safety on the stock or rear end of the guard.

raidernarizona said:

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Appreciate the replies!
I'd like to keep it closer to $1,200 or less. Again, this will mostly be a turkey gun, but I'd rather get a 26-28" barrel than a 24" so I can use when the opportunity arises.

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I bought a new gun last year. Walked in the store fully committed to buying an affinity. $2,200 later I was a proud Beretta owner! Buy once cry once I guess lol

I have a Benelli Ethos with the BEST coating. At the same time my FIL bought an A300 and we've shot them a lot together.

Both shoot extremely well. The only difference we've seen is that the A300 has misfired 4-5 times over the 500 or so rounds we've put through it. The Benelli has never had an issue.

The Benelli feels better shooting, but that's a personal opinion so I'd rec holding both at the shop. A300 felt better to my FIL.

The Benelli's coating means the whole gun is jet black, which a lot of folks would turn away from in lieu of a wood grain or other look. That being said, the coating makes the gun a tank. It's designed to resist rusting, corrosion and scratching and it lives up to that bill. I do a lot of swamp hunting and it's inevitable the gun gets bumped or catches a scratch in the truck, canoe, etc. etc. I've cringed multiple times thinking i'd catch a scratch or scuff, and it hasn't happened once.

Both are high end investments, but that's my assessment. I own a SuperNova as well and Benelli just operates on a different level. If you ask the guides in the Argentina dove fields they'll tell you bring two guns or bring a Benelli. That has always stuck with me.

SBE 2 for sale on the classifieds

WTS - Benelli SBE 2 | TexAgs

I have no interest in the sale of this gun but I do own one just like it and I'll say it was worth every penny.

You absolutely can hunt Sandhill cranes with lead shot.

offshoreAg00 said:

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African or European cranes?

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Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?

ttha_aggie_09 said:

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Are you making the argument that it is legal to shoot a sandhill crane with lead shot????

And yes, doves are techincally migratory but they have their own set of regulations, including the ability to use lead shot on them, that waterfowl and cranes do not allow.

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Sorry for the late reply, got busy.

Absolutely, yes. It is 100% legal to shoot cranes with lead. Now that being said, don't be an idiot and bring lead to a combo hunt when you guys are gonna shoot ducks/geese and cranes.

And some state/fed owned land might prohibit lead, but if you are hunting land where its legal to use lead and you are gonna shoot only cranes, rock on with lead.

The video I tried, and failed to upload, was my limit in Jan. crushing two cranes with 2-3/4 lead #4.

Born Maroon said:

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You absolutely can hunt Sandhill cranes with lead shot.

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And we have absolutely shot ducks and geese which came into a crane hunt/ crane decoys.
Outfitters even charge more sometimes for " Combo " hunts.

Great gun, I probably have the first Ethos BEST sold in Texas. Been shooting it since fall of 2020 and going strong. The plug is a getting worn around the lip, but if it breaks I'll just warranty it out.

Get a Franchi. I wanted a replacement semi-auto about 11 years ago and was talked into getting an Affinity. That has been a great gun. Use a ton and abused, with lots of dove hunting and duck hunting in mud and salt. Easy to operate and clean, and very dependable with all kinds of rounds. Eventually I got an Affinity 3.5 when it came out and I have the same success with that one as well, just for the odd turkey hunt. I ended up also getting a 20 ga as well for light dove work and for females to hunt with. All 3 have been very dependable and have hundreds of rounds run through them hunting annually. They are easy to break down and clean. In my opinion I would be sure to get the coated camo version, making them more trouble free.

raidernarizona said:

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Would like to pick up a SA 12ga. this off-season. Primarily would use for turkeys but would like to have something for the occasional crane or duck hunt.

Looking at the Winchester SX4, Franchi Affinity 3.5 and the Mossberg 940 Pro Waterfowl. Any opinions or ideas? Appreciate the help!

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SX4 on sale at Midway - 3.5". https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1023339429?pid=579915&avad=386693_f4c862a11&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=324873&utm_campaign=386693&utm_content=NA