Shotgun Review: OL Ranks the Best New Shotguns for 2012
The smoke has cleared, the numbers have been crunched, and the results are in. See which shotguns took home top honors.
It takes cases of shells and a pallet full of targets to cover all the bases with each shotgun in our 2012 Gun Test, but such are the trials of a of an Outdoor Life shotgun judge. After days spent on the range with the newest shotguns on the market, the results are in. See which shotgun scored the highest. More from the Gun Test AdvertisementRelated PhotosSUBMIT YOUR PHOTOSADVERTISEMENTAdvertisement |
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Comments (4)
I was interested in the Akkar 600 and even found it on Budsgunshop.com for $380 no tax+free shipping. Then I start trying to find other reviews. I found NOTHING... I looked at Akkars sight and it was sketchy. Doesn't even give you half the normal specs I am used to wanting to see(weight? ,total length? ,length of pull? parts diagram to help understand function?). Also short warranty and probably not worth trying to use. All that said it could be a great gun but I couldn't take the chance.
Yep, I would have to say, I'd rather have a gun chambered for 3.5s, and not use 'em, than have a gun with a 3 inch chamber and not be able to shoot 3.5s if I needed to for some reason.
Also, congrats to OL for finally including some lower-priced shotguns in their test, you actually have some I would call affordable!
Erik- You are correct, a 3 1/2 inch shell makes a big difference when waterfowling or turkey hunting, however, a 2 3/4 inch is all you need when hunting upland game. The only thing the extra 3/4 inch of reciever does then is make you tired. The author was referring to the fact that it is often hard to find a non-magnum gun nowadays.
I would love to come learn how to hunt waterfowl with you in Missouri, and you are welcome to come try out the Idaho mountains for Chukar with me!
Brian
I am truly getting tired of the "experts" dissing the 3 1/2" chamber. You are flat out wrong when it comes to the performance aspect. And admitting you're a wimp when it comes to recoil would be totally embrassing and quickly dis-credit your credentials! Please come with me on a frosty December day on the northern Missouri River waterfowling and show me how a 3" is the same as a 3 1/2" Shell. And I'm talking steel shot, not the expensive $30+ box stuff.
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Yep, I would have to say, I'd rather have a gun chambered for 3.5s, and not use 'em, than have a gun with a 3 inch chamber and not be able to shoot 3.5s if I needed to for some reason.
Also, congrats to OL for finally including some lower-priced shotguns in their test, you actually have some I would call affordable!
Erik- You are correct, a 3 1/2 inch shell makes a big difference when waterfowling or turkey hunting, however, a 2 3/4 inch is all you need when hunting upland game. The only thing the extra 3/4 inch of reciever does then is make you tired. The author was referring to the fact that it is often hard to find a non-magnum gun nowadays.
I would love to come learn how to hunt waterfowl with you in Missouri, and you are welcome to come try out the Idaho mountains for Chukar with me!
Brian
I am truly getting tired of the "experts" dissing the 3 1/2" chamber. You are flat out wrong when it comes to the performance aspect. And admitting you're a wimp when it comes to recoil would be totally embrassing and quickly dis-credit your credentials! Please come with me on a frosty December day on the northern Missouri River waterfowling and show me how a 3" is the same as a 3 1/2" Shell. And I'm talking steel shot, not the expensive $30+ box stuff.
I was interested in the Akkar 600 and even found it on Budsgunshop.com for $380 no tax+free shipping. Then I start trying to find other reviews. I found NOTHING... I looked at Akkars sight and it was sketchy. Doesn't even give you half the normal specs I am used to wanting to see(weight? ,total length? ,length of pull? parts diagram to help understand function?). Also short warranty and probably not worth trying to use. All that said it could be a great gun but I couldn't take the chance.
Post a Comment (200 characters or less)