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Old October 19, 2019, 06:32 AM   #1
IrvJr
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Beretta or Mossberg Semi Auto for light target loads

Hi All,

I have been shooting a lot of skeet lately with my Browning Cynergy O/U 12 ga shotgun. It's a 26" barrel gun that's relatively light (I think 7.5 pounds) and if I shoot high volumes of shells (125 to 150 rounds per session, a few times a week) I can start to feel it in my shoulder, even if I use the light target loads (Fed or Win 2-3/4", 7/8oz, #8).

I'm considering getting a gas gun that I can use to shoot the low cost bulk 7/8oz #8 shot loads that I can get from a store locally.

I've done some searching online, and have also read some forum posts about sem-auto gas guns. The Beretta A400 Xcel's user manual says it can handle light 2-3/4" 7/8oz (24g) shells and I've read a few forum posts indicating that this is true and not just marketing hype. However, the A400 is very expensive.

I've read online that some folks have had success running a 28" barreled Mossberg 930 with light target loads, but it's unclear to me if that includes 7/8 oz #8 shot light clay loads (1145 fps rating on the box).

I really like the idea of buying the Mossberg 930 (28" field) - I own a Mossberg 500 in 20 gauge and it's an awesome, light pump action. Plus I like that the 930 is made in the US, etc..

However, I would strongly prefer a gun that could shoot the light 7/8 oz loads reliably. My local store sells the 7/8oz #8 loads in bulk (winchester target). They also sell 1-1/8 oz #7.5 loads in bulk, but i prefer the #8 shot light loads for clay shooting.

What's your experience with using very light #8 target loads in your 930? Does it cycle the shells reliably?

Should I go with the 930 or go with the A400 Xcel, which looks like an amazing gun, but sells for nearly 3x the price?

Thanks in advance!
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Old October 19, 2019, 07:47 AM   #2
Virginian
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Take a look at a Remington V3.
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Old October 19, 2019, 09:27 AM   #3
Don Fischer
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Contact Mossberg and ask them!
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Old October 19, 2019, 09:47 AM   #4
pete2
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A good used 1100 gun is cheap and they work.
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Old October 19, 2019, 11:57 AM   #5
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Myself, family, and several friends have owned Mossberg 9200's over the years. About 1/2 were reliable, about 1/2 were not. Mossberg makes a very serviceable working pump gun, but they've not figured out semi's.

My brother now has this Beretta and it has been flawless, I'd highly recommend one.

https://www.cabelas.com/product/Bere...5.uts?slotId=9

Pretty much all of these guns are going to be around 7.5 lbs. I don't see where anything you're looking at will make a significant difference in recoil.
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Old October 19, 2019, 06:48 PM   #6
IrvJr
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Thanks all for the feedback. My original choice was the Remington V3, but some folks reported mixed results with light loads and the user manual specifies a 1oz minimum load.

I'll check with the folks at Mossberg and see what they recommend.
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Old October 19, 2019, 09:27 PM   #7
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It's not the same but I've ran the 2 3/4 1 ounce bulk load is my Mossberg 935 Waterfowl Magnum and they run just fine in the bigger gun that use to say it was only built for 3 and 3 1/2 inch loads of 1 ounce and more.

There's a company called Or3gun that makes a spacer for light loads if needed.
http://or3gun.com/OR3GUN/about_or3gun_marine.htm
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Old October 19, 2019, 09:43 PM   #8
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The Mossberg manual says 930 Models: are designed to fire 12 gauge 2 3/4” factory loaded cartridges and 3” factory loaded magnum cartridges.

935 Models: are designed to fire 12 gauge 2 3/4 (1 1/4 oz Heavy Field minimum) 3” or 3 1/2” factory loaded cartridges only.

Sense it mentions minimum load in the 935 I think that means the 930 should eat everything factory.

https://www.mossberg.com/service//owners-manuals/
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Old October 20, 2019, 04:02 PM   #9
IrvJr
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Thanks Blindstitch!
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Old October 21, 2019, 09:01 AM   #10
IrvJr
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Update: I reached out to Mossberg. The technician I spoke with personally has run light 1oz loads in a 930 without issue, but thought that 7/8oz was pretty light and might not work reliably.

I still might get a 930 or V3 if I can find a good local source for 1oz #8 target loads.

Thanks all for your posts.
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Old October 21, 2019, 11:47 AM   #11
Don Fischer
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The only auto loader shotgun I've ever had was a Browning Double Auto. Something about the old A5 was there was some kind of ring in it that needed turned over to fire target loads. As I recall it was not gas operated. The gun's your talking about I think are gas operated and I just suspect that either will work. The older A5's were recoil operated and required a certain amount of recoil to operate. I find the easiest way around this might be another Browning O/U in 28ga.
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Old October 21, 2019, 12:13 PM   #12
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Quote:
I still might get a 930 or V3 if I can find a good local source for 1oz #8 target loads.
Every Walmart out there in 100 round bulk packs.
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Old October 21, 2019, 05:14 PM   #13
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I've got about 5k rounds, almost entirely light target loads through my A400 (I left for Japan six months after I bought it..... that round count would be far higher by now). Never had a single issue.
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Old October 21, 2019, 06:30 PM   #14
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my 930 tactical hasn't missed a beat even with the crappy win super X low brass bird shot which sticks in the chamber of my 870.
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Old October 27, 2019, 09:59 AM   #15
IrvJr
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Thanks all. I ended up buying a A400 this weekend.
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