Best Semi auto shotgun for waterfowling with a budget of $2000 CAD? EDIT-Purchased an A400 Xtreme Plus. Thank you to everyone who gave me their 2cents

BigNorth

BigNorth

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Howdy folks!

I’m just getting into waterfowling so I’m looking to pick the brains of you experienced folks about what worked for you and what didn’t. I’m of the mindset that if you buy quality equipment, there’s no excuses left for the operator.

All the best,

BigNorth
 
You’re going to get advice to buy20 different guns. All have pluses and minuses. I’d suggest handling all the upper end guns and picking what feels the best whether it’s a Binelli,Beretta,Browning,Winchester or others. Shoot and practice,keep it clean and have fun.You also don’t need 3 1/2” shells for waterfowl or anything else other than poor patterns and unnecessary recoil!! Have fun!!
 
Longstud said:
You’re going to get advice to buy20 different guns. All have pluses and minuses. I’d suggest handling all the upper end guns and picking what feels the best whether it’s a Binelli,Beretta,Browning,Winchester or others. Shoot and practice,keep it clean and have fun.You also don’t need 3 1/2” shells for waterfowl or anything else other than poor patterns and unnecessary recoil!! Have fun!!
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What’s your waterfowling gun of choice?
 
I’m a gunaholic, so I have many but I have a Winchester SX3 that’s been probably my favourite semi of the very many I’ve owned. I have a Benelli SBE3 20 gauge but I’ll probably buy another SX 3 or 4 in 20 gauge for hunting. They fit me well and I shoot them well.
 
Longstud said:
I’m a gunaholic, so I have many but I have a Winchester SX3 that’s been probably my favourite semi of the very many I’ve owned. I have a Benelli SBE3 20 gauge but I’ll probably buy another SX 3 or 4 in 20 gauge for hunting. They fit me well and I shoot them well.
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I’ve hear lots of great things about the SX4 hybrid hunter! Definitely in the runnings for me.
 
All the high end semis are good. It comes down to what fits you best. Spending $2000 on a gun it would be in your best interest to go handle as many different guns as you can.

I had a a400 extreme unico for a season, worked great, shot a lot of birds. But I didn't like the way it felt shoulding, Sold it and bought a Browning Maxus ($500 cheaper too) and I like it a lot more.

My buddies have SBE2, SBE3, SX3, Sx4, borrowing gold n silver. All great guns, we shoot in any and all weather with not much issue.

Few of us still use old 870s and Winchester 1200s. They kill just as many birds too
 
FLHTCUI said:
Whats yours ?
Buying because if consensus does not make one a wise consumer.
Nor does it make one a waterfowler.
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Fair play. Although buying blind based on the cover of a book doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a good read. I’m actually just getting into waterfowling, myself. Merely looking for people’s experiences as they cycle thousands of rounds and trek through marshes and fields putting wear and tear on their firearms.
 
I have an inertia SBE3 and gas Maxus 2 and My brother shoots a gas a400. They are all nice. The gas guns are the softest shooting which it a consideration if you ever go for geese with 3.5" shells. I don't shoot 3.5s so not an issue.

Fit is ultimately the most important thing. Off the shelf, the Benelli fits me best, but fortunately all can be adjusted. If you need a shorter LoP than about 14.5", you have to get the Maxus stock cut which is a pita.

Go and handle them and that will tell you a lot. They all feel quite different.
 
BigNorth said:
Fair play. Although buying blind based on the cover of a book doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a good read. I’m actually just getting into waterfowling, myself. Merely looking for people’s experiences as they cycle thousands of rounds and trek through marshes and fields putting wear and tear on their firearms.
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Thousands of rounds in a lifetime or a season?
It aint about killing, its more than that, much more than that.
Buying a shotgun is like buying a car, Ford, Chevy Dodge, Toyota or Subaru, Tesla they all are ice (save for the tesla) have tires and will eventually give you trouble.
There is No easy answer.. so I'll bite with Remington 1100 or to learn the finer points of self control an 870.
 
Learn about shotgun fit, it is very important, if you want to shoot to your potential. Learn about drop at comb and cast, so the shotgun points where you are looking, as you don't aim a shotgun like a rifle. That being said, the A400, SX-4, Maxus, and Silver are all excellent shotguns if they fit you. I use an SX-3 and a Maxus for waterfowl, because they fit me, and are totally reliable.
 
I'm also in the Beretta/Benelli/Browning camp. I know there are other solid choices out there but it's always these guys for me. The inertia-driven guns are a bit slimmer and simpler than the gas guns, but I find the gas guns cycle light loads a bit better and kick a bit less, all things considered. Fit will be of paramount importance so I would at least try them all out in-store and go from there to see which one lines up easiest out of the box. Some are highly adjustable so a shim here and a spacer there could get one of them from 80% -> 100% with just a screwdriver.

I have a Supernova and I think I've fired like 5 3½" shells out of it, and that's it. I simply see no need for anything more than 3" after having my brain rattled like that (patterning 3½" off a bench in a pump is BRUTAL). Any 3" 12 gauge autoloading B-gun would be my first choice, I'm running a Browning Silver on the autoloader side and have for about 17 years now. Outside of those, I'd probably consider a Winchester or Franchi due to provenance (Winchesters relation to Browning and Franchis to the Beretta group) or a Weatherby due to support (and price, let's face it).
 
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