Post by Boudreaux on Oct 22, 2008 8:00:44 GMT -5
As we were discussing at lunch yesterday, Stoeger has put a pump shotgun on the market. Looks similar to the Nova, and if it's anything like their semi-auto 2000, I'm guessing this will be the best pump shotgun for the money.
Outdoor Skills
Field Test: The Stoeger P350 Shotgun
This do-it-all gun is a bargain in every sense of the word.
Phil Bourjaily
THE INSIDE STORY Stoeger's new P350 is a 3-inch magnum pump made for duck blinds, goose pits, and the turkey woods. With its rotary bolt, extra-long forearm, tall vent rib, and grooved synthetic buttstock, it bears a strong resemblance to sister company Benelli's Nova pump. Made by Vursan in Turkey, the P350 carries a price tag so low that it reads like a typo.
With its turkey choke installed, the P350 handled Federal Heavyweights with aplomb, outshooting my pet Mossberg 835 turkey gun. The P350 put its pellets right where I pointed it, although the large orange bead is bigger than I would choose for accurate turkey shooting. When I covered up the head of a turkey target with that orange blob, scads of holes appeared in my paper gobbler's vitals after I pulled the mushy-but-not-too-heavy (about 5 pounds) trigger.
I tested a 26-inch barreled version, which was heavy enough to absorb the recoil of heavy waterfowl loads. Its weight-forward balance smoothed my swing when I shot clay targets. My first sample gun had magazine latch problems, which resulted in the occasional jam when I loaded three shells. I exchanged it for another, which functioned properly.
The alloy-receivered P350 comes apart easily for cleaning. Looking at its innards, I was impressed by the stoutness of the action bars, which can often bend and bind on pump guns. Now, for the nitpicking: The safety button is too small, the bead is too big, and it should come with a shim kit for those who would prefer less drop in the stock.
GAUGE 12, 3 1/2-inch magnum chamber
PRICE $329 in camo; $269 in black
WEIGHT 7 pounds 11 ounces with 26-inch barrel
BARREL 26-inch, vent rib (tested); 18-, 24-, and 28-inch available; orange bead; comes with Cylinder, IC, M, F, and Turkey chokes
STOCK Synthetic, Advantage Timber HD camo (tested); also available in Max-4 and basic black
STOCK DIMENSIONS 1 5/8 inches at comb, 2 inches at heel, 14-inch length of pull
CONTACT www.stoegerindustries.com
Outdoor Skills
Field Test: The Stoeger P350 Shotgun
This do-it-all gun is a bargain in every sense of the word.
Phil Bourjaily
THE INSIDE STORY Stoeger's new P350 is a 3-inch magnum pump made for duck blinds, goose pits, and the turkey woods. With its rotary bolt, extra-long forearm, tall vent rib, and grooved synthetic buttstock, it bears a strong resemblance to sister company Benelli's Nova pump. Made by Vursan in Turkey, the P350 carries a price tag so low that it reads like a typo.
With its turkey choke installed, the P350 handled Federal Heavyweights with aplomb, outshooting my pet Mossberg 835 turkey gun. The P350 put its pellets right where I pointed it, although the large orange bead is bigger than I would choose for accurate turkey shooting. When I covered up the head of a turkey target with that orange blob, scads of holes appeared in my paper gobbler's vitals after I pulled the mushy-but-not-too-heavy (about 5 pounds) trigger.
I tested a 26-inch barreled version, which was heavy enough to absorb the recoil of heavy waterfowl loads. Its weight-forward balance smoothed my swing when I shot clay targets. My first sample gun had magazine latch problems, which resulted in the occasional jam when I loaded three shells. I exchanged it for another, which functioned properly.
The alloy-receivered P350 comes apart easily for cleaning. Looking at its innards, I was impressed by the stoutness of the action bars, which can often bend and bind on pump guns. Now, for the nitpicking: The safety button is too small, the bead is too big, and it should come with a shim kit for those who would prefer less drop in the stock.
GAUGE 12, 3 1/2-inch magnum chamber
PRICE $329 in camo; $269 in black
WEIGHT 7 pounds 11 ounces with 26-inch barrel
BARREL 26-inch, vent rib (tested); 18-, 24-, and 28-inch available; orange bead; comes with Cylinder, IC, M, F, and Turkey chokes
STOCK Synthetic, Advantage Timber HD camo (tested); also available in Max-4 and basic black
STOCK DIMENSIONS 1 5/8 inches at comb, 2 inches at heel, 14-inch length of pull
CONTACT www.stoegerindustries.com
