Winchester vs. Browning vs. Mossberg shotgun

J

JeremyKS

New member
I would like to buy a new shotgun and wanted some opinions on these shotguns. The main purpose of this shotgun will be shooting #4 buck and Dead Coyote out of a tight choke to get the best pattern possible for a coyote gun. I may occasionally use it for all around shooting so shooting 2 3/4 light loads would be nice. I am looking for a semi-auto backbored shotgun that shoots 3.5 inch. I am considering the Winchester Super X2, Browning Gold, and the Mossberg 935. I am not set on these 3 but would prefer it be a backbored shotgun. Anybody have any thoughts on these guns?
 
My 2 1/2 cents

X2 & Browning Gold same gun - same gas system of the SX1. I hunted with a guy who shoots a 935, its OK, just other choices. Look around for new and/or almost new Benelli's and Beretta's more dependable/better resale too.
 
I don't have much experience with the X2 but you can hang up shooting "2 3/4 light loads" in either of the other 2. Either will shoot 1 1/4 ounce loads but nothing lighter (such as dove loads).

A friend has a Benneli SBE 1 that will toss some of the heavy dram equivilant 1 1/8 loads.

As far a patterning. I've had pretty good luck with MOST browning barrels. I even think Browning is offering $100 rebate on there gold’s right now.

If I were looking into a 3.5" gun right now. I would definitely give the Berretta Extrema II a look. I have heard nothing but GREAT things about it.

I would prolly steer away from the 935.
 
I would like to shoot the Benelli as I heard great things about it but Ive been told that the backbored shotgun will pattern about 10-15% better than a regular barreled gun. I know this does not sound like much but if I am going to build a dedicated coyote gun I might as well have that slight advantage.

Thanks I wasn't aware that the Win and Brown being the same.
 
I'll call bull$hit on that large a percentage of difference, if any, between backbored and not backbored. If there is a difference, it'll be very slight, and only reveal itself with 3.5 inch loads of large shot. Personally, I would look very, very, hard at Benelli and Beretta shotguns. You won't go wrong with either of the Benelli/Beretta shotguns. Choose the one that FITS you, the one that shoulders naturally and swings best for you personally.
 
I had a mossberg 835 and my 870 out patterned it with every thing including 00buck and 2 3/8 ounce turkey loads I sold that gun not only because it didn't pattern as good as I expect outta a gun but it but the forearm rattled and they are just junk. Between them 3 guns you listed I would go with the browning. Winchester guns are good but the way they are going who knows how long they'll be around should you have problems. Mossbergs are junk they even tell you they aren't made for 2 3/4 and only a fool buys a gun and dosen't practice with it. I would go with a SBE2 if you want any auto though they shoot 1 ounce loads good and they pattern just fine with bigger loads to. My Dad shoots an SBE2 and at first his gun wouldn't shoot one super light reloads but after shooting some heavier stuff it shoots them now too.
 
i love my mossberg 835.BUT i only use it for turkeys and coyotes.so it gets shot about 20 times a year.
i wouldnt bash the 835 too bad.it does its job,and its a light mountain gun.it is not in the browning class but you get what you pay for.
but to answer the mans question
get a bennelli or a browning in a semi auto.
 
GC, I had a conversation with Carlson Choke and they said that is what they had found when testing these larger loads through their new dead coyote choke. Have you done any testing of this? not trying to get into an argument here just trying to build the best coyote gun out there.
 
If you are trying to BUILD the BEST shotgun. Call Kieth Anderson at Anderson Customs. He will intrigue you with his knowledge on shotguns & barrel work. He did some work on my sportingclays barrel. Built another barrel for a friend that turkey hunts. Did an awesome job on both. Give him a call...
www.customshotguns.com
 
Jeremy,
I have done a lot of work with turkey loads in the past with various shotguns with and without backboring. If there is a difference I'm not sure that isn't as much one between various guns themselves as anything. Otherwise, I wouldn't give more than maybe a 5% difference. Read Remington870's post above. His 870 non-backbored barrel outpatterns the overbored Mossberg.
 
Ok this is the info I need to make a decision thanks.

870 im sure they were but were you using the same choke when comparing the 870 and the 835 if so what was it?
 
Of course I didn't use the same choke I don't think that would fit. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif I shot the P.O.S. berg with 7 different turkey(jellyhead,tightwad,carlson's,kicks,cnc,pure gold and rhino),chokes some mine some borrowed and couldn't even come close to what my 870 will do. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/angry-smiley-055.gif I expect a 3.5 inch gun to get 200 hits in a 10 inch circle at 40 yards for turkeys anything less is not up to my liking. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif Its not a killing thing because 50 in a 10 inch circle will be a dead turkey everytime. Its a confidence thing. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif The 835 would get 120 in the 10 inch with 6's loads my 870 will beat it by 100 hits with with 5's. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowingsmilie.gif It also shot number 4 buck and dead coyote decent but not as good as my 870 or my Dads SBE2. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif I tried cylinder,improved cylinder,light mod,mod,imp, mod,full and 2 different turkey chokes each with three shots on a big piece of card board at 50 yards and none of them came close to my 870 with even the modified choke which is not my best choke for that load in that gun. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif Not to mention the P.O.S. berg wouldn't eject the cheap blue box federal loads I use for sporting clays. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/angry-smiley-055.gif I can take any other gun I've shot and shoot as fast as I can and never have a problem the berg would hang up. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/angry-smiley-055.gif I didn't like the feel of it when I bought it but I figured if the magic 10 gauge barrel patterns good I can deal with the rattle of the gun and the front heavy feel. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif I could see the tool marks in the barrel from when they made it too so that might have had something to do with the poor patterns. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif Over boring might help some but for me it didn't. If you buy a quality over bored gun you might get better patterns. Beretta overbores there guns slightly but not much. Browning's overbore isn't overdone like the 835's either. If you really want a good gun I suggest you get a benelli but I'm sure the browning is a good gun to just don't see anybody with them around here. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
well I knew you didn't use the exact same choke but wanted to know if the chokes were comparable or stock vs aftermarket. Thanks for the insight it will give me some more ideas.
 
Jeremy,
I have a browning gold stalker 28 inch barrel. Just this past saturday, I got the Carlson dead coyote choke in the mail. Very cold and windy, but I had to throw a few rounds into some paper. I tried 2 different loads, the hevi shot in BB size made by Remington. At 60 yards, I put 7 pellets into a sheet of notebook paper. I tried several different shots, 6-7 pellets were the norm. I then shot the 3 inch dead coyote load at the same 60 yards, and had 5 pellets in the notebook paper, and 5 more within 2 inches of the border of the paper. I was surprised, pleasantly. One thing about the browning--the recoil was very light, the gas system really knocks down the recoil on the 3 inch shells I was shooting--it wouldn't take long to get another round off on a coyote if needed. Maybe if I would win a contest or two, I could afford more shells for testing! Good luck in your quest.
Greg C.
 
thanks...I know what you mean it gets expensive real quick shooting this DC. I need a sponsor for this habit or something /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
As far as benelli/beretta is concerened you are paying for the name. All the money they spend on advertizing, well they have recooperate it some how.
I own a SX2 I have yet to have it jam or malfunction in anyway. The only time I clean it is if I get it really wet, not damp WET.
The browning and winchester might be similiar, but they way it was explainded to me was the only part they share is the invector plus chokes.
Winchesters are built by FN in belgium.
Any question or concerns about quality? I think NOT.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
Hey wiguy remington, winchester, mossberg, and browning advertise just as much as benelli /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif. Benelli,s are more than a good name. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
Quote:
As far as benelli/beretta is concerened you are paying for the name.



Bull$hit! I see a case of Benelli Envy. If all you pay for is the name with Benelli, and the Winchester is just as reliable, quick firing, and as easy to maintain - then please name one large law enforcement or military agency that uses Winchester semi-auto's for duty weapons? I'm waiting... Ahhh..., see, there ya go. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif You don't have enough time for me to name all the agencies and military that use Benelli when the game is dangerous and shoots back. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
I wouldn't argue that at all. I don't care all that much for the Nova, but grew up with, and have depended a lot upon 870's over the years.
 
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