I am considering a:

Beretta 471
12 gauge
choke tubes
28" barrels
english/straight stock

It fits me in the mirror so it must be close. Any opinions would be appreciated, both negative and positive on this shotgun.
Thanks

Beretta shotguns have an excellent reputation. I own a Beretta in a 28 gauge O/U and am very pleased with it. I toyed with buying a 470 or 471 for a while, but before I did I came across a BSS new-in-box at an attractive price so went that way instead.

What uses do you intend to put your new shotgun to? Side-by-sides are usually upland guns rather than waterfowlers. If you plan to use it upland, I would urge looking instead at a 20 gauge rather than a 12 gauge. The 20 will take any upland bird just as well and they are lighter and sleeker guns.

It is a matter of taste, of course. Many people like the very light 12 gauge loads for upland use.

I will be using it for upland. With a 12 I can shoot paper hulls at huns, quail, ruffed and blues. Chukars are in between. Pheasant with increasing non-toxic requirements I get more knock down with a 12 gauge and kent tungsten matrix or bismuth.

Great gun but in 12 ga. there is significant recoil. I would suggest looking at the same gun in 20ga. John

John,

Tell me about the recoil. What loads have you shot in the 471 12g and what is the heaviest load you found comfortable.

quote:

Originally posted by SG Olds:
I will be using it for upland. With a 12 I can shoot paper hulls at huns, quail, ruffed and blues. Chukars are in between. Pheasant with increasing non-toxic requirements I get more knock down with a 12 gauge and kent tungsten matrix or bismuth.

I'll agree that if you are planning on shooting a lot of pheasants, especially if restricted for some reason to non-lead shot, then the 12 gauge is probably the better choice. In fact, not being a waterfowl hunter, pheasants are about the only thing I shoot a 12 gauge at any more.

I just purchased a 471 Silver Hawke 12 Gauge 28" Multi Choke (for my 50th in Sept) Sorry I did not buy years ago. Had a 20 Bore silver pigeon little difference in recoil.You will not be dissapointed. Best of luck with it.
Deerhunter
Ireland

DID IT

New 471 straight stock version. I tried the pistol version, a merkel and an aya #2 as well as a dozen used sxs's this one fit me perfect in light and heavy clothing.

So, I will pattern it and then if necessary get in to see a fitter to see if any fine adjustments are needed.

One thing I learned is that the vast number of sxs's I tried had way to much drop. only the aya and Beretta allowed me to see rib and bead.

No buyers remorse which is a good sign for me.

Thank you all!

UPDATE

I pattern it today. I pattern both barrels separately of course. 5 shots each barrel.

At 16 yards both barrels are as perfect as my eyes can judge. 60-55% above and 40-45% below point of aim. Ever so slightly left for the left barrel and right for the right barrel.

Now I need to devote serious time to perfecting a good consistent gun mount. Went out and killed a tom/turkey to celebrate.

Still no buyers remorse.

Well done I also tried lots of sxs and I liked the AYA the 471 suited me almost perfectely with light or heavy clothing,being 5ft 11inch and 17 stone I could not believe my luck. I have fired 3" magnums a nice recoil but tolerable, but a nice gun none the less.
Good luck
Deerhunter
ireland