SCATTERGUN ALLEY SHOTGUN PICKS FROM SHOT SHOW 2023

STORY AND PHOTOS BY LARRY CASE

Icome to you this month tired, worn out and only slightly braindead. I have just returned from Las Vegas and the SHOT Show, you see, and it seems to affect even much younger participants than me the same way – it is overwhelming, exhausting, wonderful and terrible all at the same time.

SHOT Show

is the Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show held each year in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is sponsored by the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Las Vegas and all of its glory aside, SHOT is the granddaddy outdoor and gun show of the year. It is the World’s Fair, Greatest Show on Earth, and the nirvana of all gun-related trade shows. This year, SHOT had 14 miles of aisles to walk (14 miles!) and while I don’t think I saw half of what was there, it seemed I walked all of it, twice, every day. The SHOT website claims there are over 2,000 booths spread over 800,000 square feet, and by the end of the day when they rang the bell for the show to close, I was toast. Then, if you are lucky, you may be invited to one of the companies’ after-hours events! All of these are good and I went to several, but the pace, my friends, is grueling.

So that is the thing about SHOT. It is in Las Vegas, and much of the populace thinks Vegas is the place to be. But yours truly, your humble shotgun scribe, maybe doesn’t think it is the center of the universe. I like going to SHOT, seeing all of my industry friends and making new ones, seeing all of the new guns and other products and learning about them so that I can bring them to you. After a few days in Vegas, though, I am ready to get on a plane and get the heck out of there.

Every year when I return I am always asked, “What did you see out there? Anything good? Anything you can’t live without?” Well, yes and no. Yes, I saw several new shotguns and other firearms that seem good and really interesting, and I would like to try them out. Again, the immensity of SHOT and the miles you travel to see everything is daunting. So do you really see all that is there? No, I fear you don’t see half of what is available. But I can tell you some of what I did see, and remember, this space doesn’t allow for much of it. Stay tuned, as I’m sure you will be hearing more of the wonderfulness I saw at SHOT Show.

FEDERAL, REMINGTON & HEVI-SHOT BISMUTH SHOTSHELLS

Those of you in the shotshell world may have noticed that bismuth is back. As a nontoxic choice in pellets, bismuth may not be quite on the same level as lead, but it certainly outperforms steel. Now with Federal, Remington and Hevi-Shot all coming from the same house, this is a logical move as Hevi-Shot has been producing bismuth shot for a long time. From the folks at Federal, “Never compromise performance. Hit upland birds and waterfowl harder with a payload of 9.6 g/cc density bismuth shot. Sourced from our partners at Hevi-Shot, the industry leader in pellet technology, Hevi Bismuth is 22 percent denser than steel, delivering more energy downrange. Launched by the FliteControl Flex wad, bismuth pellets pattern and connect with better lethality, and their metallic properties make them safe in both modern and classic shotguns.”

If you can’t use lead, I think bismuth is a killer, and I think you will like some of these options from Federal, Remington and Hevi-Shot.

Visit federalpremium.com for more.

Benelli Montefeltro Shotgun

A backbone of Benelli’s upland and clay target shotgun line, the Montefeltro has for years been a favorite of discerning shotgun aficionados. This year, Benelli’s sleek, classically styled shotgun is available in eight different configurations to ensure all shooters, regardless of size, body type or experience level, can dominate in the field and on the clay range.

Benelli didn’t really reinvent the inertia-powered shotgun they have been famous for, but they did significantly change their Montefeltro and M2 line of shotguns. New for 2023, the Montefeltro and M2 shotguns are now upgraded with Benelli’s newest InertiaDriven System bolt for outstanding performance and exceptional reliability. A redesigned bolt handle improves bolt manipulation, even when wearing gloves. This gun’s improved ergonomics complement the handsome walnut stock, pairing perfectly with the deep gloss-blue finish on the sleek receiver and barrel. In truth, the older Montefeltros (and the M2s) were sometimes a pain to load. The new two-piece shell latch makes loading the shotgun a faster and easier task.

The Montefeltro is offered in 12- and 20-gauge chambers with vent-ribbed barrel lengths of 24, 26 and 28 inches, as well as 12- (26-inch barrel) and 20-gauge (24-inch barrel) Compact models. All Montefeltro models come with a Micro Cell Recoil Pad to reduce felt recoil, a shim kit for drop and cast adjustment, and IC, M, and F Crio chokes. I have not fired the new Montefeltro or M2 yet, so stay tuned. Read more at benelliusa.com.

BONE-DRI RUST PREVENTION GUN CASES

I am hard on guns, I admit it. Guns are meant to be used and I use them. I also hate to clean guns; OK, I am lazy about that sometimes. None of this works well if you spend a wet day in the field. If you haven’t returned home with a wet shotgun that needs to be dried out before cleaning, you haven’t hunted very much. Bone-Dri Rust Prevention Gun Cases make the claim that you can put a damp gun in their case and the case will dry it inside and out. From the company, “Bone-Dri Rust Prevention Gun Cases are the only gun case brand in the world that can eliminate moisture from the entire firearm inside and out by extracting hidden moisture from inside a firearm in order to prevent rust. Bone-Dri gun cases are engineered with Absorbits Moisture Removal Technology.” This gun case is going to revolutionize the gun case world. MSRP $99. Visit bone-dri.com.

CZ-USA 712 G3

The CZ 712 semiauto shotgun has been around for several years and has earned the reputation of a proven performer. I collected a 712 Target Model several years ago and was impressed with it as a soft shooter. Gun companies will often make small changes on next generation offerings, but in truth CZ-USA rebuilt the 712 from the ground up for the G3 model. The major change for this shotgun is the extensively modified gas system. The new 712 G3 draws a greater amount of gas when the shell is fired, resulting in the gun being capable of firing lighter loads. The new 712 gas system also incorporates the use of two pistons, one for heavy loads like waterfowl and turkey shells, and another for light game and target loads.

Oversized controls on the receiver, shims for adjusting the stock to fit the shooter, and a softer butt pad are also new for this shotgun. Another feature on this gun is the barrel is over-bored (.735), and is furnished with a set of five long Active-Choke system chokes. The CZ 712 G3’s receiver and barrel wear a durable matte black finish that minimizes glare and can be paired with either black synthetic, camo or walnut stocks. The 712 G3 weighs approximately 6½ to 7¼ pounds, depending on stock material and barrel length. This is a lot of shotgun for the MSRP of $579.

Check out cz-usa.com.

Stoeger Shotgun Upgrades

Stoeger Industries has been busy the past few years adding to and bringing new innovations into their extensive line of handguns, air rifles and shotguns. Their shotgun side has really stepped up its game, specifically in the M3500, the M3020 (20-gauge models), the P3500s, the pump guns and the M3000 lines.

Stoeger shotguns have always been known as workhorse shotguns at a good price, and now all of these guns have a scaled-down, slimmer, more ergonomic feel for improved handling. This leads to consistent shouldering and enhances downrange accuracy. The grip is also thinner and the view from the receiver to the rib is lower. Stoeger engineers worked to add more purposeful features to benefit clay-busters and bird hunters alike. An oversized bolt handle boosts functionality when the hunter’s hands are cloaked in heavy gloves. The safety is bigger, the forend is redesigned, and the magazine cap is easier to grip and remove. A beveled loading port makes reloading quick and efficient, and a new recoil pad prevents shoulder abuse even when firing heavy loads. The cheek piece, which is available on all models besides the satin walnut, adds comfort but is also removable to ensure fit-andfeel customization.

Pump-action fans will appreciate the P3500’s checkered synthetic stock with an integrated swivel stud to ensure easy sling attachment, and like the M3500 series, the grip has been slimmed. Twin barrel steel bars promise repeatable, no-stick pump action, and the rotating bolt head ensures a positive steel-to-steel lockup that ups strength and overall durability. Several models with different stocks and camo patterns are available. The M3500 12-gauge with black synthetic stock goes for $669. See stoegerindustries.com. a PREMIUM QUALITY a FULLY FUNCTIONAL a LIFETIME WARRANTY a CUSTOM BUILDS a BUILT FOR EXTREME USE a MADE IN AMERICA a BUILT WITH AMERICAN MATERIALS AND PARTS a MADE BY AMERICANS AND VETERANS

Editor’s note: Larry Case has been a devoted outdoorsman since he was a child. He will admit to an addiction to turkey hunting (spring and fall), but refuses any treatment. He enjoys the company of gobblers and cur dogs that are loud and people who speak the truth softly. Case served 36 years as a game warden in West Virginia and retired with the rank of district captain. You can check out his podcast and other stories at gunsandcornbred.com.

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