Chessie Dog

I would suspect the Federal ammo. It always seems to gunk up my gun and has a tendancy to blow powder back in my face too. After 200 rounds, I'd say is probably time to clean it even without the cheap ammo.

To care for it, a can of Rem oil for cleaning the barrel out, a good light oil for the working parts and a sling to help carry it. Maybe a good plastic carry case to keep it from getting beat up traveling.

I think Mule gave you a good response. I've had a Nova for a few years now. I shoot quail up to Tundra swans in birds. I've also shot deer with it. It gives you a reliable, versatile shotgun for most situations. I also skeet shoot some with it. You can cycle 2 3/4 shells or 3 1/2 shells. I'd also suggest you get a camo gun, easier to keep clean and helps you stay hidden.

BenelliBoy and Laz, I think you will really like the Nova. I've shot everything from quail to deer with it. Having the option to use a 3.5 shell for large birds or deer is a good option. You don't have to use 3.5 shells for most hunting but it never hurts to have it. More pellets flying helps cut down on criples when you are shooting bigger waterfowl, geese and swans. I also don't really notice the recoil. I've shot Novas with and without the recoil reducer. If you have shoulder trouble, you might want to go with the reducer though.

You will probably need to use needle nose plyars to squeeze the end cap out.

Thanks for the information.

I think the guy making regular 55 yard shots is full of it too. Most ethical hunters don't want to cripple birds. Either he's very good or full of it. Ask him to give you a demo.

Where's the best place to purchase wild rice? Are certain types better for different regions?

Ed's Gun Shop in Vass, NC had one in. I held it, of course already sold. They called to check on getting me one and it was over a 90 day wait. His quoted me a price for 26" Max 4D at $1190. Not a bad price.

How do you get the images into the reply?

My luckiest duck hunt I shot two Mallards with one shot. I was so stunned I didn't take another shot. I probably could have gotten at least one more. A friend took a local District Attorney hunting, guy had never duck hunted. He shot a Canvas back first and then a banded mallard. I took a friend duck hunting, our first trip together. He had just gotten back from Ark. Got into the swamp late, barely got set up and he left with four mallards and I left with three and a black duck. Of course I fell in the freezing water twice.

I prefer a 26" barrel. Not as long when dragging in and out of hunting situations. Good for quail to turkey. If you plan on alot of trap or skeet shooting the 28" might be better for you. Seems to help on follow throughs. As far as patterning goes, the chokes and shells are so much better now, that I don't think you will see much of a difference when hunting.

You should be able to screw the cap off the tube and take a pair of needle nose plyars and pinch in the holding cap. The spring and plug should come out pretty easy then.

I haven't used one but I can tell you the factory chokes on my Benelli worked fine on ducks, geese, a tundra swan, deer and quail this year. The missing on the birds wasn't because of the choke tube. I would consider an aftermarket tube for Turkey but not for standard hunting.

Nope, but I have seen the front and rear Trigicon sites installed on a Nova. That may be a nice alternative. Lines up nicely and they are easy to see.

The Nova will cycle 2.75, 3 and 3.5. I've shot all three from quail hunting to swan hunting and deer. If it jams with a 3.5, I've gotten too anxious and short shucked it. Excellent pump gun for the money.

The Benelli's will be more reliable but the Super Black Eagle doesn't handle light loads great. The M1 maybe okay.

Mossberg has not had good performance in the past with semi autos. If you are going to spend $950 on a M1, spend $200 more on the SBE. In the long run, you'll be happy.

I have had a nova with and without a recoil reducer. I wouldn't waste the money on it. Patterning is the only time I feel recoil.

I have a Nova pump. I've shot with and without a recoil reducer. I can't tell the difference when I hunt. I do know that geese and tundra swan fall alot easier with a 3 1/2" load flying at them. I would buy the Nova, no one says you have to shoot 3 1/2 shell, but its nice to have the option.

I wouldn't trust a Mossberg semi auto. I did read that the gun will not shoot 2 3/4 shells at all. Amercian Hunter this month has an article on it.

I've had both. I like the nova for it's durability (composite), longer warranty(5 yrs vs 1yr) and two extra choke tubes.

I've had two novas. One black (stolen) and a new one in camo. The camo one took a little more breaking in. I works great. I've shot deer, duck, geese, swan and quail with it. It's fast and tough. Better warranty than the 870 and easier to clean than a Mossberg. You don't always need the 3 1/2, but shots on big stuff like deer, geese and tundra swan, its nice to have that as the first shot coming out.

Anyone have any experience with one of these. I'm considering getting one. I'm a little worried it won't hold up like the Super Black Eagle if it gets dirty, such as dropping it in the swamp water.

I like the Winchester Drylocks the best for steelshot. I Federals blow powder in your face bad. Remingtons aren't bad though. What type of hunting? Pass shooting you need 3" or 3 1/2", decoys you are okay with 3" No. 2 shot for most any ducks. If geese are coming around, you need #2, #1 or BB. I like to hunt swamps or at Mattamuskeet Nat'l Wildlife Refuge area. Ducks, geese and tundra swans are everywhere down there.