kemon86,
No disrespect or accusations meant...but what choke (factory, brand, restriction, etc.) were you shooting?

I ask b/c I also have a 12ga. Nova approaching that age and almost exclusively shoot BC #2.

Thanks.

A factory choke that came with it.

Benelli.....

SBE II Classic is $1060 in camo

You've already seen a Benelli fail so you might as well upgrade to a Beretta

Also witnessed the Benelli get run over by a 4-wheeler and the trailer it was pulling and kill ducks 45 minutes later. Fished it out of a pond with a 1 oz. slab by pure luck catching one of the barrel rib vents on top and killing ducks in the same morning. That gun has been tested, and a bad shell is the only thing it couldn't handle.

The same thing could be said about other shotguns but you implied that you were looking to upgrade. Benelli is a fine manufacturer and so is Beretta.

I have heard good things about the Franchi Affinity and the Montefeltro is proven. IMO you seem to be locked into a Benelli mode, you should expand your horizons and look at some of the Beretta options too. Sounds like your focus is semi auto with a synthetic stock either black or camo. I think you may have better options in the price range you are looking at if you consider both Beretta and Benelli.

Thanks for the input. I like the Beretta Outlander 3000. Any experience with that gun?

No experience with the Outlander

You might look for deals on the

390
391 Urika
A400

Benelli, Beretta or Browning...you cant go wrong with any of these auto loading duck guns, in my opinion.
All very good guns

No experience with the outlander. I have a Franchi I-12 that is on the way back from benelli. Has some wear that can be expected from a duck gun. Sent it in for failure to eject that was happening pretty often. Benelli replaced the action spring (warranty) and gave it a deep cleaning. It will be for sale as soon as I get it back. PM if interested.

Also, I picked up a Beretta A350 extrema from BPS this season. 3.5" capable. 28" Barrel, Max-5. $999 brand new. I haven't seen anything about it on Berettas website and there are very few reviews out there. But I love it. The guy at BPS behind the gun counter (I know, I know) told me its exactly the same as the A300, but its not. Has a rotating/locking bolt, has the silver chamber, blink gas system. I compared it to my buddys Extrema 2 and as far as I can tell its almost the same save the crio coat, kick-off, and rubber inserts on the stock. This one is very light (just over 7lbs) for a duck gun, kick is very light, and has held up to some hard use this season, including getting beat to hell on a day that we shouldn't have been running 30 min over open lake in 25 mph wind. I'd highly recommend it. In fact, im about to head to BPS and Cabelas to write a review.

I'd take the barrel to a competent gunsmith and get their opinion, photograph and document the damage, then contact Benelli and explained what happened. Benelli has excellent customer service, call them, explain what happened, get an RMA, then ship them the barrel. Good chance they'll replace the barrel.

my vote is to marry a rich woman and then just go buy a whole new gun

Before or after the airboat?

before of course, seems silly that I even need to explain that

Good to know there are still forum members who would not stoop to shooting ducks with a sawed off shotgun from an airboat

Very sporting of you

X2