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Posted: 6/21/2008 12:03:32 PM EDT
| Never had my own shotgun before and like the idea of a short one. Would an 18 1/2 benelli supernova be sufficient for coyotes, turkeys and for trap shooting? I'm wondering if the short barrel could take out a turkey at 40 yards and what choke I'd need to do this. |
I know next to nothing bout trapshooting. you want a extra-full or tighter for turks. I use a modified for slugs and 00 Buck when I hunt deer and hogs. |
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The Benelli Supernova is one of the best pump guns availible. I think you are overlooking one really important aspect, the 18 1/2 Supernova/Nova barrel does not have interchangible chokes. Its permananetly choked at IC. For coyotes, it depends on your circumstances. It should be fine out to 60 yards if you are a good shoot, using good slugs. For buckshot, plan on around 30 yards max with the good stuff. For turkey's at 40 yards, forget it. Ain't gonna happen...This barrel length was designed for LE/military applications where the targets are larger and the ranges are generally shorter. 40 yards is a pretty far shot for a shotgun shooting actual shot. Even fully rifled shotguns shooting accurate sabot slugs are useful only to around 110 yards, and thats with a skilled shooter. The longest shot I ever made with a shotgun was at 42 yards*measured*. This was against Canadian Geese with 3.5 inch T shot out of a 26 inch barrel. My lead was dead on and I dropped the bird, but it wasn't dead. T and F shot are tantamount to 1 buck, and they didn't have the penetration and pattern to completely kill the bird. Then again, thats an awful far shot for a shotgun, actually shooting shot. The larger the pellet, the more effective range you will have. T and F might as well be .50 BMG compared to anything I have ever used against Turkeys. I primarily use 3.5 inch dedicated turkey loads shooting 1 or 2 shot. I also haven't ever had to shoot a turkey past around 18 yards or so. IMO, pattern testing is critical for shotgun performance in the field...especially for turkeys. The biggest pellet/tightest choke will give you the most distance, in theory. If you are an effective hunter, you won't need to make 50 yard shots at turkeys. Be quiet, Use decoys and calls effectively. Be calm. And pattern test your gun! An 18.5 inch IC barrel doesn't sound like it will fit your applications. I would reccomend you get the Supernova with the 24 or 26 inch barrel. Then, select the choke/load based on your application. You could get an 18.5 inch barrel for HD use, but then again it would probably cost nearly as much as a Mossberg 500. |
Not true! Will a longer shotgun barrel shoot farther? Modern smokeless powders burn in the first 13 to 16 inches of the barrel and maximum velocities are obtained in the first 20 inches. Shot will carry the same distance regardless of the barrel length. Shot pattern will be the same whether the barrel is 21 inches in length or 30 inches in length, if the barrel has the same choke constriction. Our experts state there would be a small variation in velocity when using a 21-inch barrel as compared with a 30-inch barrel; however, the variation would be immeasurable. The basic advantage of a shorter barrel is that it will swing faster. The longer barrel gives the hunter a longer sight radius to be more precise, particularly when pass shooting waterfowl. Also, the longer barrel can often help balance certain shotguns better. Extra barrels are listed in the Products - Shotguns section of our site. |
I've been outshot at the turkey shoot by an 18inch H&R single barrel on a reg basis. It had some barrel work, so I dont shoot when he does. BK |
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For some reason people have this idea that barrel length is somehow related to pattern size with shotguns. They think that an shorter barrel will have a wider pattern regardless of choke. As with rifles, length primarily has an effect on velocity in regards to ballistics. A longer barrel is generally better for shooting sports where swing is important. For static target shooting (big game, turkey, zombies, etc), barrel length is not exceptionally critical. I've got a 20" rifle-sighted smoothbore for my 870 for my main hunting/HD shotgun. |
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As already stated the 18" barrel will be fine for hunting deer, hogs, turkey if it has screw in choke tubes. That way you can you the extra or super full for turkey, improved cylinder for slugs and improved cylinder or modified for buckshot. If you want to shoot flying targets you would be better served with a 24" or longer barrel. If by trap you just mean shooting informal clays from a hand thrower or spring thrower the 18" barrel will be fine. Screw in choke tubes are the issue. MIKE. |
A winner. Knock the dimples out of the mag tube, get a remington +3 extension and the lightest choke tube they offer for social use with Federal Flight Control 00 buck. this combo will also work on coyotes out to 50 yards. |
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