Reggio

Hey folks, My federal permit (Canada) FINALLY arrived in the mail today!! Yes! My Nova is waiting for me at the gunshop! What shells should I pick up? I prbabably won't bother witht the 3.5 yet.. stick with 3"? Brands? Thanks guys! Can't wait to fire her...

An overwhleming majority of Cdns do NOT own guns for self defense... and most do not even consider it an option. Unless you're living in rural Canada, (about 20% of the pop) the vast majority of Canadians are not very comfortable with guns in general. It's more like Europe here in that people like the idea (in principle) of tight, restricted ownership and limited use of fire arms. Gun ownership in Canada per capita is much lower than the U.S. In sum, the "right to bear arms" philosophy is very limited here... hunting is also declining as as a recreational activity, although I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case in the U.S. as well...

Well he said he could have hooked me up with a Beretta 301 semi if I'd had waited... I suppose a Beretta isn't a bad alternative!

A family friend said I should have gone with a semi-auto Benelli. He said for waterfowl (faster) and just plain convenience the semi is better... Plus, it has a bit less recoil Thoughts? I only put down a deposit so I could go with the semi. What is the semi equivalent?

Ya, 700 CDN - BUT our dollar is basically on par with the US dollar now... 96 cents! the basic black stock is a lot cheaper and I don't know why... $520 (+tax) Is $100 extra for the camo justifiable? I was debating as to whether I should even go with the camo or black... the dealer encouraged me to go with camo. Said it was better for turkey and duck what are your opinions? I can't wait to start firing!!! thanks for your help...

Hey guys, I finally made a decision and went with the Nova Pump...Advantage MAX-4 HD®, 12-GA! I put a deposit down but I couldn't bring it home cause I'm still waiting on Federal papers that allow us Canadians to buy and posses.. thanks for all you help... i cannot wait to bring her home... btw, I paid $700 (tax in) for the camo. I cost $100 more than the black stock.

This is the latest post I got from a Canadian website I frequent. It's actually more of a fishing site... You are right about not having to use 3.l5" shells but then you are still lugging around a HEAVY 3.5" chambered shotgun for "upland" game. BELIEVE me....I speak from EXPERIENCE.....you want a FULLY RIFLED Cantilever mount barrel for shooting slugs. I don't care if you get homemade shotgun.......if your truly interested in shooting slugs a fully rifled barrel is like night and day from a smooth bore barrel........I have had some of the best in smooth bores....a Browning vs Mossberg rifled barrel and the Mossy beat the smooth bore Browning hands down...

I just checked out that Brenneke site. I got some good info. I wonder if they're available up here... I know we have federal, Remington and Winchester.... I'll look forward to shopping for these when the time comes! I'm sure I'll have a new round of questions for you guys by then!! LOL! thanks

This may have been addressed already, but are you using the 3" with the slugs? Thanks

Interesting... Only $210 for the Nova rifled barrel. I thought it would be more expensive. So I suppose that's an option if I want to switch to a riffled bore. The only issue is that I am in Canada and I doubt I'd get that kind of a price up here. I am not even sure they're available here, but I'm sure there are other alternatives. Well, from the sound of it, seems like you Benelli owners don't feel the need for the rifled barrels. And you're right; most shots will be within 75 yards making the regular slugs/barrels similarly effective. This is great... I'm learning more and more!! And to those who've asked where in Canada I reside, I am in the Toronto area, so close to lots of urbanity! But Ontario (our province) is an awesome place to hunt.. and we now even have an excellent turkey hunt... which is recent b/c turkeys were extirpated. Hey guys, thanks a lot for you info/help... I very much appreciate it!!

The smooth bore is what both the Nova and SN come with, correct? What type of slug would you fire out of it? What about buckshot?

Yup VERY NEW - as in a rookie. I am in Canada and I have yet to go on my first hunt. You seem to have a wealth of knowledge... most people are swaying me to go with a riffled barrel but I'm interested in what you have to say. I need to learn more about smooth bore vs riffled and buckshot vs slugs... I've even read a few articles from Field and Stream and the like and they discourage buckshot I will take my time... and continue to research. I don't want to buy another gun so I want to be happy! btw, are you using the 3.5 shells with buckshot or 3?

I'll tell you what' holding me back from the Benelli and making me lean toward a Moss or Rem combo - NO RIFFLED BARREL - and the more I read the more I realize that to properly take down a deer you need a rifled barrel with sabot slugs... I don't want to spend $400 additional dollars on top of the 550 for the Nova.. so I am probably not going to go with it... the accuracy is lacking otherwise... and I will target deer. I'd someone can give me a really good reason to change my mind, feel free...

Is there really much difference between the Nova and the Supernova? I suppose the recoil is a bit nasty with 3.5" on the Nova.. is it much better withe the super since it claims to mitigate the kick back? Thanks guys!

I thought you could shoot slug with IC choke? I am not really interested in buying a barrel that might cost me the equivalent of the gun in price... If I can't take a variety of game with the current set up (either nova or supernova) then I might just go for the Mossy... i don't mind spending a couple hundred more but as long as that means I don't have to start fiddling around with more barrels... Thanks guys! And as far as Ontario gobblers go, yes, you can get em with lead , if I'm not mistaken... its the migratory waterfowl that must be taken with steel. cheers

I do live in Ontario. The Nova is a 3.5" - same as the Supernova So the three chokes provided won't take all the above mentioned game? I thought the IC and the Med will do for deer and upland and the full will cover turkey. I must say that it's a bit confusing with all the different applications... Will the extra barrel be more of a luxury down the road? I'd rather have quality over after market accessories. I like to keep things simple and other than a scope, I don't know what else I'd buy right now... maybe an extra choke or two down the road (X full?) As for the need for recoil cushioning, that applies to the 3.5 correct? If I use 3" recoil won't be as much of an issue? Thanks for the reply...

Hi folks, So I've narrowed down my search to three guns. I am new to hunting and just got my license. I am in Ontario, Canada. Well, I've heard much about lots of guns especially the 870 Rems and the Mossbergs (500 series). I an looking for a pump action to target multi species. I am not sure what I will end up targeting most so I want a very versatile and adaptable firearm. I know the 535 Moss is very versatile. The combo can be adapted for many uses be it turkey, waterfowl, upland game or deer. And, it's very well priced. The 870 is also good, apparently, but maybe a bit more expensive that the 535. I'd like to target all of the above; deer, turkey, grouse, rabbit, duck and geese. Is the Benelli Nova a good "all-around" gun? Can it be used under many different conditions targeting all of these species? I'd like an honest, objective opinion. I am willing to spend more for the Benelli because I've heard these guns are very good and sturdy. Perhaps I will not need to upgrade... whereas with the Mossbergs I am not so sure. How is this gun for turkey and deer and upland game? I know it's good for waterfowl... If I do buy it, will it come with the chokes that will let me target these species or will I need to spend some $$ to buy a rifled barrel for deer slugs? what about recoil and weight? It seems like a fairly heavy gun.. I appreciate any input! Thanks in advance! Reggio