Dedicated Pheasant shotgun: Benelli v. Browning v. Franchi

Teton · 09-07-2007, 02:45 PM

At the end of upland season last year, I decided I wanted another shotgun (go figure); one dedicated for Pheasants and Chukar. In so doing, I realized I wanted a light, automatic 12 gauge which fits well between my waterfowl shotgun (Beretta autoloader) and my little dove/quail shotgun (Stoeger O/U). (I no longer use my 12 and 20 gauge pumps, except for backup guns.)

At the time, I had more or less decided upon a Benelli Ultralight. Since that time, Browning came out with its Silver Hunter line of shotguns, which I like very much (but I'm not sold on yet), and I've begun to consider a Franchi I-12 (which I'm warming up to quickly). I've narrowed my choices to these three shotguns, all in 12 gauge, for various reasons, including weight, price, fit and finish, and other personal factors.

So, the question is, if you have any of these three guns, will you please give me your honest opinion as to its performance. If you don't have one of these guns, but have an opinion as to any of them, please feel free.

Thanks!

toas243 · 09-07-2007, 07:31 PM

My brother used his Benelli tachtal shot gun and busted a few birds

johndeeregreen · 09-07-2007, 08:24 PM

I was a Browning man for years and I still think the older Brownings can't be beat. But imo I would not buy a new one today. Like I said IMO I know others will not agree and thats fine.

Weather or Knot · 09-07-2007, 08:30 PM

I purchased a Franchi about 2 years ago and I love it. It is an auto that shoots 3 1/2" shells and I havent had any problems with the big shells jamming like I thought might happen. The finish is the camo that looks as if you could stick your hand through it, No scratches or peeling. I had a heavier pump that I shot 3 1/2" shell through and it had a pretty good recoil. This little light gun has very little. Just my oppinion but I love it and the price was a little better than the Benelli.

Brandon

Got One! · 09-07-2007, 08:48 PM

Personally, I dont think brand name makes a bit of difference as long as it is mechanically sound. Its what ever is comfortable for YOU to shoot. Having grown up in Nebraska, with unlimited numbers of Pheasant across the street in the Milo fields I shot most of mine (hundreds through the years I suppose) with a 20 gage bolt action savage goose gun with #6 shot, It got to the point I could shoot from the hip and hit them with that shotgun (i just didnt miss with that gun). My dad, and others always tried to get me to switch and try their 12 gages from top flight over under guns to good field pumps, but none of them fit or felt good, and I missed more than I hit with those. I can hit things with my 12 now but it took years to get as close to good as I was with that 20 (never get there but oh well)
Dumbest sell of my life was selling that gun ($30, same as I payed) to a neighbor kid learning to hunt. So you can buy a $2000 custom silver embossed beauty but if ya don't shoot well or if it doesnt fit right, ya might as well have saved the 2k and thrown rocks at em.

...but at least ya look good out there...

Teton · 09-12-2007, 10:14 AM

Just to put a period on this thread. I purchased a Franchi I-12 last night. I was able to handle, take apart, shoulder and otherwise thoroughly examine all three guns side by side at Keith's in Gresham last night.

I ruled the Browning out relatively quickly, for many reasons, including weight and the construction and feel of the receiver. It was priced between the Franchi and the Benelli. My impression of it is that Browning tried to make a Berretta-like auto. They almost did...almost that is.

Then, I was down to two honeys. The 1100 dollar, 6 pound Benelli Ultralight (what a sweet feeling gun) and a 600 dollar, 7.1 pound Franchi I-12 (with the same interior parts anyway).

The fit and finish of both guns is very similar, except the Benelli is almost a pound lighter, which makes serious sway for a hillclimbing chukar hunter. However, the wood grain on the Franchi looked better because it doesn't have that gimmicky triple layer fake clearcoat, and the only major mechanical difference is a shorter forearm on the Benelli (this is where they cut weight). In fact, I was surprised that the Benelli felt a little whippy. I'm a snap-shooter, so whippiness is not advantageous to me. The Franchi has the same reliable action and nearly the same barrel (minus the carbon fiber rib on the Benelli). The elevated ribs on both guns appear almost identical to a shooter's eye.

I saved almost 450 bucks for ammo and fuel by purchasing the Franchi, and I'm darn happy with it. I adusted the drop this morning, and it now fits as good as my AL350...a little trigger tweak and it will be perfect.

Dave Smith · 09-12-2007, 10:25 AM

How can you go wrong with any of those?? I shoot all winter and then get paid to shoot Cormorants and Terns all summer and have found only ONE gun that has been 100% reliable. Benelli, ofcourse you already guessed it and I know they're expensive. Reliability is not the only criteria, though and friends of mine that have Franchi and Browning are mostly happy, too, plus have saved some money on the purchase. If you do decide to bite the bullet and go with Benelli, consider some of the upland models rather than just shooting upland birds with a waterfowl gun. They all fit and shoot great and are so lightweight. Dave

Dave Smith · 09-12-2007, 10:26 AM

Oops, I'm too late. You will be happy with Franchi!

Teton · 09-12-2007, 12:07 PM

Thanks Dave. Yes, I've got friends with Benellis, and I've shot them, and really like them. I've got a few shotguns which serve individual purposes and I needed a niche filler, so I wasn't really prepared to put down the big bucks like I was originally thinking. I gotta tell ya, that Superlight is quite a nice piece of equipment though.

I like the Montefeltro as well.

I shoot a Beretta AL390 for waterfowl, and it is the best gun I've ever owned. However, I don't like lugging it around in the chukar hills, and I want something for upland birds that swings a tad quicker.

I'm sure I'll feel the same way about the Franchi too. I grew up shooting everything (ducks, geese, partridge, grouse, pheasant) with a 20 gauge Smith and Wesson pump loaded with various types of shot. It was a great shotgun, but obviously has its limitations.

Dave

HuntnCoug · 09-12-2007, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Teton

Just to put a period on this thread. I purchased a Franchi I-12 last night. I was able to handle, take apart, shoulder and otherwise thoroughly examine all three guns side by side at Keith's in Gresham last night.

I ruled the Browning out relatively quickly, for many reasons, including weight and the construction and feel of the receiver. It was priced between the Franchi and the Benelli. My impression of it is that Browning tried to make a Berretta-like auto. They almost did...almost that is.

Then, I was down to two honeys. The 1100 dollar, 6 pound Benelli Ultralight (what a sweet feeling gun) and a 600 dollar, 7.1 pound Franchi I-12 (with the same interior parts anyway).

The fit and finish of both guns is very similar, except the Benelli is almost a pound lighter, which makes serious sway for a hillclimbing chukar hunter. However, the wood grain on the Franchi looked better because it doesn't have that gimmicky triple layer fake clearcoat, and the only major mechanical difference is a shorter forearm on the Benelli (this is where they cut weight). In fact, I was surprised that the Benelli felt a little whippy. I'm a snap-shooter, so whippiness is not advantageous to me. The Franchi has the same reliable action and nearly the same barrel (minus the carbon fiber rib on the Benelli). The elevated ribs on both guns appear almost identical to a shooter's eye.

I saved almost 450 bucks for ammo and fuel by purchasing the Franchi, and I'm darn happy with it. I adusted the drop this morning, and it now fits as good as my AL350...a little trigger tweak and it will be perfect.

I went through the same thought process and came up with the same conclusion I bought the Franchi I 12. I have had a few problems with mine. The first 100 rounds I shot through it it would jam every five rounds. The more I shot the better it got, opening day four of us limited out on doves and I can say two of the people didnt shoot very much becuase I didnt let them.

I have shot several hundred rounds through my gun and it still jams every 10 rounds. Does yours do this at all?

Teton · 09-12-2007, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HuntnCoug

I have shot several hundred rounds through my gun and it still jams every 10 rounds. Does yours do this at all?

Are you using 7/8 oz shells? The Inertia Driven action is not designed to shoot extremely light target loads, so I plan to use 1 or 1 and 1/8 oz target loads, and high brass hunting loads for upland birds.

Over time, as the recoil spring breaks in, the gun will shoot lighter and lighter loads without jamming (or so I hear).

I haven't shot mine yet, but I plan to shoot heavy loads for quite a while to break it in.

Dr Strangelove · 09-13-2007, 12:50 AM

I have a Benelli Ultralight. Don't think. Just get one. It kills pheasant like an extension of your will, combining 12ga power and patterns with the weight of an upland 20ga. Make sure you get all 5 chokes...mine intially came without the IM/F, but the dealer was understanding and got them for me for free. I did have to put a limbsaver pad on it because the factory pad is not sufficient for anything more than a mild 1oz load. I'm loading my own Hevishot 1-1/8oz #6 loads for no-tox pheasant this year and expect a perfect season.

James in Idaho · 09-13-2007, 08:07 AM

Like you can have "too many" shotguns??????

I'm a little concerned that I haven't bought one in over a year, but I'm looking!! I certainly have room for a 28 guage, and I wouldn't pass up a good model 12 in 16 guage either. My goal is for my life to reach the point where the hardest decision I make is which shotgun I take out for a walk. Think the M12 20 guage has the nod for sage hens this weekend, but I bet the Beretta O/U finds its way into the truck too.

HuntnCoug · 09-13-2007, 05:51 PM

Yeah I was shooting low base sevens and eights at skeet and doves. The part that is sticking is the piece that keeps the shells in the magazine, its springloaded and is too stiff to allow some shells to come all the way out of the magazine.

Teton · 09-17-2007, 10:40 AM

PS:

The Franchi carries very light, and whacks pheasants.