Tuesday, I picked up my new Remington Versa Max, 26" barrel and Real Tree HD camo. I'd like to shoot a couple of sporting clay events, before making the decision to purchase an O/U.
Having a 3rd shot won't influence my decision to take the O/U hunting for geese. In my opinion, most hunting shot situations lend themselves to 2 good shots. Anything prior or after those 2 good shots are "praying for rain" or "blind luck". Knowing that you only have 2 rounds, will make you bare down and take a better quality shot....much like hunting with a single barrel shotgun....ya gotta make 'em count.
Everyone misses, but knowing you have 3 shots and your shotgun cycles in 3 tenths of a second, may not promote a person to take quality shots. Having said that, I prefer a semi-auto vs. a pump action, due to how the action of pumping the shotgun seems to unsettle me and I need to re-shoulder the shotgun before taking another shot.
This is a "just me" situation and I've learned that I need to either shoot a semi-auto or an O/U, to get better quality second and third shots.
I appreciate all the information, so far.
Bowhunter57