[Which choke tube?]

On 9/24/2020 at 7:23 AM, Will Beararms said:

I edited this and it would let me change the original reply so here is the edited reply. 
 

I would start with the factory flush modified or improved cylinder.  Benelli barrels are not oversized.  A very tight choke can distort the steel shot patterns. .702 from a Kicks HF Full in my Crio M2 is way too much choke for steel shot in my experience. After 20 yards, my patterns go haywire and in my experience, the Kicks HF F prints way high. I am getting 87%-90% patterns at 35 yards with a Carlson’s Cremator Non-Ported Mid Range (.707) with Winchester XPert Lr now Super X 1-1/4 #2’s and Hevi-Steel 1-1/4 # 4’s. I am clumsy and use an extended choke to protect the muzzle and that’s the only reason. 
 

In some cases, aftermarket chokes have been known to be off center or cocked thus distorting the point of aim. Be aware this can happen. With a Carlson’s or Trulock, you’re not going to break the bank of the choke doesn’t work out for you. 
 

Also, my experience with Benelli’s is that they handle like upland flushing shotguns with 60% of the pattern being above the line of sight and 40% being below. Keep that in mind on Duck’s coming in. You need to be sure and shoot where they are going to be. With the Benelli, you can place the barrel a little under the Duck and still be on. But, don’t look at the front bead, just look a little under the Duck. On the rise, Ducks will be easier to hit. If you hunt flooded timber like I do, as in real flooded timber in AR, when a Duck is coming in, be careful. Often, when they appear to be dropping straight down, they are drifting slightly to your left or right. 
 

Enjoy the process. 

Modified is always a good starting point for black cloud ammo. There's several black cloud specific chokes available now, I think Carlson's makes one. Cabelas has the Black Maxx. 

[how is the benelli nova???]

On 11/19/2003 at 1:52 AM, chomponthis said:

The nova is in a way an elegant tank. It shoots like a semi-auto (not taking into account the recoil). You really don’t need a 3 1/2 gun because if you look at the load data for 3 inch shells they are the same or better then the 3 1/2s because of the tendency of shell manufactures to up play the big payloads which hamper the crucial killing element, velocity. The 3 1/2 is just a feature of this gun along with the shell stop, both of which are nice but don’t really make this gun any better then a Winchester or Remington. What makes this gun so good is it’s extreme durability. I always hear about people who have taken spills in to muddy water and taken shots seconds after. After this they took it home and hosed it of then sprayed wd-40 on it. This gives you an idea about just how strong it really is. Of course you would not want to treat any gun this way if you want it to last or spray wd-40 on it because it kills primers. The other factor that brought so much attention to this gun and is the key to its reliability, its simplicity. You could count the parts that make up the stock fore-arm and receiver on both hands if you don’t count the trigger group. The only downfalls are that the trigger is in no way comparable to an expensive semi-auto and it is a polymer based gun that require much working in. During the break in period you could see potentially a jam as well as a choppy action. After a year I have never had a jam out of either of mine and they just keep getting smoother and smoother. If you treat it good it will return the favor and hold up for unknown generations. It could be thought of as the new 870 in a way, although they are completely different both are willing to stand the test of time.

 

Side Note-One of the joys of Nova ownership is using it against the club hot shots with their Citoris and Perazzis. If you get just one extra target over their score they look so pistoff! And never seem to look you in the eye. First day I got my 20 GA. Nova my mom was using it for the first time and it jammed on the line. After words some smart guy came over and said something how they just aren't very good guns. I went out next line to see that it was working and the same guy was shooting. I got a 24/25 . After getting back in to the club house I saw him again and walked up to him and said I guess it works now, in a sarcastically unsure voice trying to hold back a grin. But after all it’s not competition just fun and games!

Nice write up and I feel the same about the Nova. I used one in the salt marsh for a long time and I would put it up there with The 870 and BPS any day. 

[Shotshell Pellet Count Tables]

If you reload a lot, here some pellet count tables that may be useful.

Shotgun Pellet Count Tables

 

[SBE3 length of pull adjustment]

Switch out the stock to a shorter version.