Is my benelli nova a keeper or should I look for something else

tangoseal · June 28th, 2009, 01:18 AM

I own a Benelli Nova Pump 12 guage, kinda consider it my turkey gun. It is really bulky but that rotary bolt is freaking sweet imo.

I am looking for a 20guage autoloader to replace it if it is worth it. I want a lighter gun that is just as capable now that ammo technology provides much hotter and faster 20guage loads these days.

Any thoughts? Trade/sell or keeper?

JD · June 28th, 2009, 01:28 AM

I like the Nova because it's good for up to 3.5" mag. loads, it's nice to have a 12 that can handle any shell.

tangoseal · June 28th, 2009, 02:26 AM

Yeah so true. I do like that fact. Okay ill keep it. Plus it is another in my collection.

cvhoss · June 28th, 2009, 02:42 AM

I'd keep the Benelli. I've got a Benelli Nova H2O, a Super Black Eagle and a M1-S90 Tactical and have never had a drop of trouble out of any of them. I feel confident enough in Benelli shotguns that I bought my Grandson a Benelli Nova for Christmas last year. I think the Benelli that you already have will serve you just as well as anything else and probably better. If there's any drawback to the Nova, it's that there aren't all of the aftermarket tacti-cool goodies for them that are available for a 870 or a Mossy.

Hoss

jwhite75 · June 29th, 2009, 04:56 PM

I think the Benellis are an awesome built shotgun...a little over pirced in someways, but very awesome.

bmcgilvray · June 29th, 2009, 05:01 PM

Are 20 gauge shells materially more effective than they were in the past and if so wouldn't the same technology have been applied to the 12 gauge loads currently manufactured, making them more effective as well? Don't know that technology has closed the gap between the two chamberings.

I'd stick with the 12 gauge.

HotGuns · June 29th, 2009, 05:48 PM

A 20 guage and a 12 gauge throw shot or slugs at the same speed.

The main difference is the load.

The 12 just has more of it.

Tom357 · June 30th, 2009, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cvhoss

...If there's any drawback to the Nova, it's that there aren't all of the aftermarket tacti-cool goodies for them that are available for a 870 or a Mossy...

I think that is less true, now, than it used to be, Hoss. The glaring gap for the Nova, I think, is the one-piece stock, and the lack of options for replacement stock components. However, there are a variety of factory and aftermarket solutions for:
- magazine extensions
- sidesaddes
- sight systems, scopes and night sights
- tactical slings and sling mounts
- rails
- barrel clamp accessory mounts
- lights and lasers
- recoil suppression

With the Supernova having a modular design, I expect we will see aftermarket stock components start to be available for the Supernova, in addition to an increasing range of the other stuff. Indeed, we are already seeing aftermarket components specifically targeting Supernova Tactical owners.

SubNine · July 1st, 2009, 03:02 AM

I have the Benelli Super Nova with the pistol grip and ghost ring sights. I haven't shot it yet, but have shot one just like it in the past. I can shoot it way better than my 870 and thanks to the factory ghost ring sights, shooting slugs accurately is easy. I doubt I will ever shoot 3.5" shells through my Benelli Super Nova, but its kind of nice having that option. The thing I like most about it is resistance to moisture. The polymer coated steel receiver and the chrome lined bore makes maintenance very easy, and field stripping is simple.

FHBrumb · July 6th, 2009, 10:13 PM

I have the Nova Tactical in 12ga. I'll add a longer mag tube and a side saddle soon enough. The only thing I can't seem to find is a stock, but the design pretty much precludes it.

Maybe an ammo sling too... Lots and lots of beautiful ammo..........

Anyway, my Benelli shoots good, but hurts like nobody's business with magnum loads. About 6 or 8 of those, and I'm looking for the 2 3/4 stuff...

Big mags in a light shotty are no fun after the first couple...

June 28th, 2009, 01:18 AM	#1
tangoseal Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: WoodStock, Georgia Posts: 336	Is my benelli nova a keeper or should I look for something else I own a Benelli Nova Pump 12 guage, kinda consider it my turkey gun. It is really bulky but that rotary bolt is freaking sweet imo. I am looking for a 20guage autoloader to replace it if it is worth it. I want a lighter gun that is just as capable now that ammo technology provides much hotter and faster 20guage loads these days. Any thoughts? Trade/sell or keeper? __________________ "I believe that the right of the citizen to keep and bear arms must not be infringed if liberty in America is to survive." - Ronald Reagan

June 28th, 2009, 01:28 AM	#2
JD Senior Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Central Iowa Posts: 11,491	I like the Nova because it's good for up to 3.5" mag. loads, it's nice to have a 12 that can handle any shell. __________________ Iowa Carry.ORG: Promoting Weapons Carry Reform in Iowa Forum Customs & Courtesies Forum Usage: Tips and Tricks

June 28th, 2009, 02:26 AM	#3
tangoseal Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: WoodStock, Georgia Posts: 336	Yeah so true. I do like that fact. Okay ill keep it. Plus it is another in my collection. __________________ "I believe that the right of the citizen to keep and bear arms must not be infringed if liberty in America is to survive." - Ronald Reagan

June 28th, 2009, 02:42 AM	#4
cvhoss Distinguished Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,762	I'd keep the Benelli. I've got a Benelli Nova H2O, a Super Black Eagle and a M1-S90 Tactical and have never had a drop of trouble out of any of them. I feel confident enough in Benelli shotguns that I bought my Grandson a Benelli Nova for Christmas last year. I think the Benelli that you already have will serve you just as well as anything else and probably better. If there's any drawback to the Nova, it's that there aren't all of the aftermarket tacti-cool goodies for them that are available for a 870 or a Mossy. Hoss __________________ I ain't as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I always was Sig 239 SAS 40 S&W / Sig 239 9mm / Kahr PM-9 / Walther PPS .40 / Sig P-245 / Ruger LCP Beretta Tomcat / Walther PPK / BDA 380 / Taurus 85 / Kel-Tec PF-9 / Am. Derringer 357 NRA Life Member My Web Site

June 29th, 2009, 04:56 PM	#5
jwhite75 VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: West Virginia Posts: 2,243	I think the Benellis are an awesome built shotgun...a little over pirced in someways, but very awesome. __________________ Friends don't let friends be MALL NINJAS.

June 29th, 2009, 05:01 PM	#6
bmcgilvray Distinguished Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,727	Are 20 gauge shells materially more effective than they were in the past and if so wouldn't the same technology have been applied to the 12 gauge loads currently manufactured, making them more effective as well? Don't know that technology has closed the gap between the two chamberings. I'd stick with the 12 gauge.

June 29th, 2009, 05:48 PM	#7
HotGuns Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Arkansas Posts: 7,505	A 20 guage and a 12 gauge throw shot or slugs at the same speed. The main difference is the load. The 12 just has more of it. __________________ AR. CHL Instr. To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical. Thomas Jefferson

July 1st, 2009, 03:02 AM	#9
SubNine Distinguished Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Anchorage Alaska Posts: 1,630	I have the Benelli Super Nova with the pistol grip and ghost ring sights. I haven't shot it yet, but have shot one just like it in the past. I can shoot it way better than my 870 and thanks to the factory ghost ring sights, shooting slugs accurately is easy. I doubt I will ever shoot 3.5" shells through my Benelli Super Nova, but its kind of nice having that option. The thing I like most about it is resistance to moisture. The polymer coated steel receiver and the chrome lined bore makes maintenance very easy, and field stripping is simple. __________________ USMC rule # 23 of gunfighting: Be polite, be professional, but have a plan to kill everyone you meet. Check out blog reviews of the guns I own at, http://www.myspace.com/akgunnut

July 6th, 2009, 10:13 PM	#10
FHBrumb Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA, where else? Posts: 327	I have the Nova Tactical in 12ga. I'll add a longer mag tube and a side saddle soon enough. The only thing I can't seem to find is a stock, but the design pretty much precludes it. Maybe an ammo sling too... Lots and lots of beautiful ammo.......... Anyway, my Benelli shoots good, but hurts like nobody's business with magnum loads. About 6 or 8 of those, and I'm looking for the 2 3/4 stuff... Big mags in a light shotty are no fun after the first couple... __________________ Amendment XIV Section 1. ...No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law... Last edited by FHBrumb; July 6th, 2009 at 10:14 PM.. Reason: So I can't spell, what's it to ya?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode