Top Gun loads in my 12 ga 3". 1. No - 1145 fps - 2.75 dram 2. Yes - 1 1/8 oz - 1200 fps - 3 dram 3. Yes - 1 oz - 1300 fps - 3.25 dram 4. Yes - 1 oz - 1250 fps - 3 dram Federal in Buddy's 12 ga 3.5" 1. No - Top Gun (All) 2. Yes - Upland Heavy Field - 1 1/4 oz - 1220 fps - 3.25 dram. It may be possible to swap the 3" spring into the 3.5" for light shells. We discussed trying it, but he decided to just uses his A390 20 ga for doves. I pay $7.70 for the 1 1/8 oz - 1200 fps - 3 drams I use mostly so it's not cost prohibitive to bust doves with it.
You rock !! Thank you ! I shot 2 more boxes of the 1,300s yesterday with no issues. Ran out of shells and borrowed some TopGuns hoping just maybe they would magically, run... NOPE. Oh well !
@Yellowlab247_NC_Outdoors 3.0 drams 3/4 oz @ 1305 fps 7/8 oz @ 1270 fps 1 oz @ 1235 fps 1 1/8 oz @ 1200 fps Aguila Competion - 7/8 @ 1275 fps Cheddite- 7/8 @ 1280 fps Winchester USA Dove & Clay 7/8 @ 1275 fps ($79 a case locally) Winchester Super Sport AA 7/8 @ 1300 fps ($110 a case,, but it's the good stuff).
I have the Masai Mara 12ga. Absolutely love it. Wouldn't trade it. I know I had cycling issues at first during the break-in process and that was it. Retay says to put three to four boxes of heavy game load through your gun to fully break it in. After I shot three boxes of heavy duck loads, it has cycled everything I've put through it. I even tested the lowest required dram for shots and it's been great. I feel like a lot of the people who've had issues with Retay in the past just thought they could throw anything in and it would be fine. Stick to the chart and you'll be just fine.
A little hint If u're having cycling issues in your inertia driven shotgun especialy new one just when you store it keep the bolt open after a while it will digest anything u throw at it...
I have used the monarch 20 gauge shells for years. I will live by these. There dove slayers. I just went and got the retay gordian 20. Can’t wait for dove season
@@Yellowlab247_NC_Outdoors I’m going to start buying a few boxes here and there. I went and bought a case a couple weeks ago and still have left from past season.
Good review, have a retay masai Mara 12 gauge ( 3 inch chamber) never had an issue with it cycling wise. My issue was the point of impact- didn’t matter the choke, ammo, person shooting it, shims and shooting position the gun was always 4 inches low. Being in Canada it is very hard to get a hold of them for warranty. Bought an Sx4 and haven’t looked back.
I have not shot it on paper, you have me wondering now! Overall, I have shot well with it so I dont think there is an issue. Maybe I am a bad shot and the gun is adjusting for it! lol
Same here. I reload for most of our group. We have a couple retays and a couple franchi affinity 20 gauges. My go to recipe is 7/8oz 1300fps and all the guns run perfect. Good looking gun
@@Yellowlab247_NC_Outdoors no judgment here bud. We did well. As a group we killed 202. Most folks got a limit. Best part is we can hunt early tomorrow in Virginia so we are headed to our other field at daybreak.
I’ve had two Masai Mara 12 ga 3 1/2 guns and neither one would cycle 2 3/4, 3”, and 3 1/2 shells unfortunately. I sent the first gun in two times. One time was because of course cycling issues, but also because the trigger assemble wouldn’t come out. Retay sent me another gun and this gun will not cycle any length of shell. I’ve also had issues with the for-end coming loose. I called Retay and explained to them what was going on with the second gun and they told me that they test fire their guns with Rio ammo and to use Rio Ammo. I’ve shot many Rio loads and I like them but if I can’t run anything but Rio through the gun then I’m moving on. I wanted to like the Retay line but unfortunately I’ve had two now and neither one will work for me. I know of a few guys that hunt in this area and they own the same gun and haven’t had the issues I have but after two guns and no luck I’m moving on. It’s unfortunate because the gun fits me very well. Oh well. 🤷🏼♂️
I figured I wasn't the only one so i decided so share! I had zero issues opening weekend shooting the 1,300 FPS shells. They are the same price as the others, just have to be able to find them.
@@Yellowlab247_NC_Outdoors Yeah I thought I did my homework on the gun only reviews I saw had nothing but great things say about it but I had nothing but issues with it last weekend. Cabelas and Midwest USA have the shells in stock for ordered so I went ahead and just snagged some.
Good to hear! I have always ran Brownings (and still do) but just wanted to try something different. I shoot well with it, so we shall see how it holds up!
Any update on the gun? Looking at a new 20 GA. Wondering if break in would help. Have a stoeger 3020 for my daughter (fun to hunt with) and it jad light shell issues until I had shot a box of duck load through it and now it runs good
I have a franchise affinity 3 and it was the same but it would cycle 1200 per feet per second double AA so I shot a box and all cycle and went on a duck hunt with it shooting Winchester 2 shot and it sucked and they all cycled even when my gun fell in the water but I 0:05 tried to shoot some Winchesters 1200 but no cycle so I clean my gun really good and shot four boxes and double AA in it shoots Winchesters and federals 0:05 1200 feet per second 0:05 now
This is the video I've been looking for. Thanks for posting the review. I've shot a SuperX2 for about 15yrs now and have been thinking about picking up a retay 20ga. Other than the light load malfunctions, have you had any more issues and are you liking the gun still?
No issues so far, but again, this is only my first year owning it. I had no issues last duck season or this dove season other than the cycling issue that seems to be resolved.
Retay guns are horrible. I had the 12g and the forend never fit properly. It was always loose. I traded the gun for a 12g Beretta A400 and I love that gun. Looking forward to buying the A400 in 20g. The fit and finish of the Retay is not even close to a A400 or even a SBE 3. Don't waste your time with Retay guns.
This is my first so we will see how it does. I have owned 5 different brownings so this is my first breaking with tradition. She ran flawlessly today, shot over 2 boxes (dont judge me lol ) and zero cycling issues with the 1300 fps. Time will tell!
Going on one full year (2 seasons) and still pleased with it. The light load cycling issue did not resolve after the break in period but RETAY says I am welcome to send it back. We will see
I actually had a Stoeger M2000 20ga I won at a DU banquet that I replaced with this RETAY. It was giving all kinds of issues with 3" shells. They would get caught and hung up in the chamber and wouldnt kick out. Then it started not cycling light loads for doves so I traded it in. They gave me $400 for it, I was pleased.
Thats pretty sad, that shotgun should cycle any modern 20ga shell with no problem...I have 2 Gordion models (12ga and 20ga) and I have never had either gun fail to cycle a shell
So I reached out to the manufacture and they said if it is not cycling the Top Gun 7/8 oz light loads they deem the gun defective and I need to send it back. Sounds like there could be something wrong with it. Good to know you have not had an issue!
Glad it helped. Might do a 2 year review. REALLY liking it as a primary gun for ducks, especially in the woods and swamps. Been a Browning guy for 18 years, but have really enjoyed this gun so far.
Top Gun loads in my 12 ga 3".
1. No - 1145 fps - 2.75 dram
2. Yes - 1 1/8 oz - 1200 fps - 3 dram
3. Yes - 1 oz - 1300 fps - 3.25 dram
4. Yes - 1 oz - 1250 fps - 3 dram
Federal in Buddy's 12 ga 3.5"
1. No - Top Gun (All)
2. Yes - Upland Heavy Field -
1 1/4 oz - 1220 fps - 3.25 dram.
It may be possible to swap the 3" spring into the 3.5" for light shells. We discussed trying it, but he decided to just uses his A390 20 ga for doves.
I pay $7.70 for the 1 1/8 oz - 1200 fps - 3 drams I use mostly so it's not cost prohibitive to bust doves with it.
You rock !! Thank you ! I shot 2 more boxes of the 1,300s yesterday with no issues. Ran out of shells and borrowed some TopGuns hoping just maybe they would magically, run... NOPE. Oh well !
@Yellowlab247_NC_Outdoors
3.0 drams
3/4 oz @ 1305 fps
7/8 oz @ 1270 fps
1 oz @ 1235 fps
1 1/8 oz @ 1200 fps
Aguila Competion - 7/8 @ 1275 fps
Cheddite- 7/8 @ 1280 fps
Winchester USA Dove & Clay 7/8 @ 1275 fps ($79 a case locally)
Winchester Super Sport AA 7/8 @ 1300 fps ($110 a case,, but it's the good stuff).
I have the Masai Mara 12ga. Absolutely love it. Wouldn't trade it. I know I had cycling issues at first during the break-in process and that was it. Retay says to put three to four boxes of heavy game load through your gun to fully break it in. After I shot three boxes of heavy duck loads, it has cycled everything I've put through it. I even tested the lowest required dram for shots and it's been great. I feel like a lot of the people who've had issues with Retay in the past just thought they could throw anything in and it would be fine. Stick to the chart and you'll be just fine.
That is what I am finding. The chart is accurate, people (including myself) need to do their research. Cant run Gas through a diesel!
A little hint
If u're having cycling issues in your inertia driven shotgun especialy new one just when you store it keep the bolt open after a while it will digest anything u throw at it...
I have used the monarch 20 gauge shells for years. I will live by these. There dove slayers. I just went and got the retay gordian 20. Can’t wait for dove season
That’s great to know, I went to buy a case of them, and they have been sold out, I’m gonna keep looking
@@Yellowlab247_NC_Outdoors I’m going to start buying a few boxes here and there. I went and bought a case a couple weeks ago and still have left from past season.
Good review, have a retay masai Mara 12 gauge ( 3 inch chamber) never had an issue with it cycling wise. My issue was the point of impact- didn’t matter the choke, ammo, person shooting it, shims and shooting position the gun was always 4 inches low. Being in Canada it is very hard to get a hold of them for warranty. Bought an Sx4 and haven’t looked back.
I have not shot it on paper, you have me wondering now! Overall, I have shot well with it so I dont think there is an issue. Maybe I am a bad shot and the gun is adjusting for it! lol
Definitely would send it in for warranty
Same here. I reload for most of our group. We have a couple retays and a couple franchi affinity 20 gauges. My go to recipe is 7/8oz 1300fps and all the guns run perfect. Good looking gun
Shot over 2 boxes today (dont judge me lol ) zero cycling issues with the 1300 fps
@@Yellowlab247_NC_Outdoors no judgment here bud. We did well. As a group we killed 202. Most folks got a limit. Best part is we can hunt early tomorrow in Virginia so we are headed to our other field at daybreak.
I’ve had two Masai Mara 12 ga 3 1/2 guns and neither one would cycle 2 3/4, 3”, and 3 1/2 shells unfortunately. I sent the first gun in two times. One time was because of course cycling issues, but also because the trigger assemble wouldn’t come out. Retay sent me another gun and this gun will not cycle any length of shell. I’ve also had issues with the for-end coming loose. I called Retay and explained to them what was going on with the second gun and they told me that they test fire their guns with Rio ammo and to use Rio Ammo. I’ve shot many Rio loads and I like them but if I can’t run anything but Rio through the gun then I’m moving on. I wanted to like the Retay line but unfortunately I’ve had two now and neither one will work for me. I know of a few guys that hunt in this area and they own the same gun and haven’t had the issues I have but after two guns and no luck I’m moving on. It’s unfortunate because the gun fits me very well. Oh well. 🤷🏼♂️
I’m glad you put this review up. Had the same issue with my retay this dove season. Wish I would’ve bought a Winchester sx4
I figured I wasn't the only one so i decided so share! I had zero issues opening weekend shooting the 1,300 FPS shells. They are the same price as the others, just have to be able to find them.
@@Yellowlab247_NC_Outdoors Yeah I thought I did my homework on the gun only reviews I saw had nothing but great things say about it but I had nothing but issues with it last weekend. Cabelas and Midwest USA have the shells in stock for ordered so I went ahead and just snagged some.
I have two relays love them both never had any issues debating on getting a third
Good to hear! I have always ran Brownings (and still do) but just wanted to try something different. I shoot well with it, so we shall see how it holds up!
Any update on the gun? Looking at a new 20 GA. Wondering if break in would help. Have a stoeger 3020 for my daughter (fun to hunt with) and it jad light shell issues until I had shot a box of duck load through it and now it runs good
Ever since switching to 1300 FPS dove loads , zero issues! Might do a 3 year review soon. Hunted ducks pretty much all season last year with it
I have a franchise affinity 3 and it was the same but it would cycle 1200 per feet per second double AA so I shot a box and all cycle and went on a duck hunt with it shooting Winchester 2 shot and it sucked and they all cycled even when my gun fell in the water but I 0:05 tried to shoot some Winchesters 1200 but no cycle so I clean my gun really good and shot four boxes and double AA in it shoots Winchesters and federals 0:05 1200 feet per second 0:05 now
This is the video I've been looking for. Thanks for posting the review.
I've shot a SuperX2 for about 15yrs now and have been thinking about picking up a retay 20ga.
Other than the light load malfunctions, have you had any more issues and are you liking the gun still?
No issues so far, but again, this is only my first year owning it. I had no issues last duck season or this dove season other than the cycling issue that seems to be resolved.
Issues I’m seeing online with out of the box failures with their GPS’s as well.
Unfortunate reality of modern auto's I think. My 3" chambered 2012 A5 will truly run anything which is nice!
Retay guns are horrible. I had the 12g and the forend never fit properly. It was always loose. I traded the gun for a 12g Beretta A400 and I love that gun. Looking forward to buying the A400 in 20g. The fit and finish of the Retay is not even close to a A400 or even a SBE 3. Don't waste your time with Retay guns.
This is my first so we will see how it does. I have owned 5 different brownings so this is my first breaking with tradition. She ran flawlessly today, shot over 2 boxes (dont judge me lol ) and zero cycling issues with the 1300 fps. Time will tell!
Looks Nice '' Great Stuff 💯💥💥💥💥💥💥💥
Going on one full year (2 seasons) and still pleased with it. The light load cycling issue did not resolve after the break in period but RETAY says I am welcome to send it back. We will see
I Would luv to purchase one , but can not here in the UK , Hope you Resolve your problem 👍@@Yellowlab247_NC_Outdoors
Should have just bought a Stoeger m3020 for 500. It will cycle all shell from day one
I actually had a Stoeger M2000 20ga I won at a DU banquet that I replaced with this RETAY. It was giving all kinds of issues with 3" shells. They would get caught and hung up in the chamber and wouldnt kick out. Then it started not cycling light loads for doves so I traded it in. They gave me $400 for it, I was pleased.
Thats pretty sad, that shotgun should cycle any modern 20ga shell with no problem...I have 2 Gordion models (12ga and 20ga) and I have never had either gun fail to cycle a shell
So I reached out to the manufacture and they said if it is not cycling the Top Gun 7/8 oz light loads they deem the gun defective and I need to send it back. Sounds like there could be something wrong with it. Good to know you have not had an issue!
Yeah i bet they fix you up and your gun will shoot any loads you want....Good luck
Very informative👍
Glad it helped. Might do a 2 year review. REALLY liking it as a primary gun for ducks, especially in the woods and swamps. Been a Browning guy for 18 years, but have really enjoyed this gun so far.
What about for duck? What would you use?
This is now my preferred duck gun too. I have been shooting 3" #3 Hevi Hammer and they do very well. Great pattern and kill
Molto interessante,ho lo stesso fucile, con lo stesso problema.peccato che non è tradotto in Italiano.
Le cartucce da 24 Grammi non me le caccia fuori, si inceppa forse sara un problema di fondello, ma da ,28 grammi in su spara e non si inceppa.
Oh man, how did you go from Browning to Retay!!!??? Say it ain't so! Stick to those 3 Bs.
My primary gun is still going to be my A-5 done worry! . Just wanted to try something different for shooting doves.