Best Duck Hunting Shotgun
- Thread starter gunbug
- Start date
Oh good Lord. There are as many answers to that one as there are guys to give them. How much can you spend? Do you want a $200 Mossberg or a $100,000 Purdey?
Both would be someones idea of best, given their personal tastes. I would advise a synthetic stock for starters. If it's going to be a dedicated waterfowl gun, camo is the way to go. (Waterfowl is the only thing I'm worried about wearing camo for) A 3 1/2 inch chamber is great. If I were to suggest a gun to someone, and there was no budget, I might suggest a Benelli Super Black Eagle. It's tough and reliable, but expensive. Beretta's Xtrema is good too, but still pricey. I'm a Browning fan, so it's only natural I would suggest a Gold autoloader, or BPS pump. Really, the most important factor is a gun that either fit's you, or is adjustable to fit you. That is very important with shotguns.
Both would be someones idea of best, given their personal tastes. I would advise a synthetic stock for starters. If it's going to be a dedicated waterfowl gun, camo is the way to go. (Waterfowl is the only thing I'm worried about wearing camo for) A 3 1/2 inch chamber is great. If I were to suggest a gun to someone, and there was no budget, I might suggest a Benelli Super Black Eagle. It's tough and reliable, but expensive. Beretta's Xtrema is good too, but still pricey. I'm a Browning fan, so it's only natural I would suggest a Gold autoloader, or BPS pump. Really, the most important factor is a gun that either fit's you, or is adjustable to fit you. That is very important with shotguns.
arcticcathonda
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
I think it depends on whether you are looking for an autoloader or a pump action, I think there are several other posts like this if you search back a little bit.
With the requirement for steel shot and the chance of running into Geese I believe that some of the newer semis that can use 3 1/2" shells are the ticket, and this is from someone who likes SxS guns. As soon as we get one in the shop, i will be wringing out a new Browning Maxus camo, but i also like Bennelli and Beretta semis as well as the MP153 for the budget minded, I don't like the prospect of having to "break" that gun in!!
Turkeyslayer 1300
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Russell, Ontario
Browning BPS, mine has seen alot of goose fields and a fair share of swamps. The group I normally hunt with carries the following: Me-BPS Stalker 31/2in chamber, My brother-Winchester 1300, Buddy#1-Win Ranger 1300, Buddy #2 -Win Ranger 1200 Buddy #3 Remington 870. We kill alot of geese and despite what some in experienced critics say steel will reliably kill at 50 yards not that that is a realistic range but it is possible for a few folks who practice enough.
The best duck hunting shotgun floats, repels water and muck, doesn't rust, levitates above the ground so that no dog can step on it, and has a tripod to keep it handy while you take a leak. Oh, and it allows you to redirect the shot after you've pulled the trigger.
Otherwise they're pretty much all alike.
Otherwise they're pretty much all alike.
"Best" is a tall order but based on my shopping and experience, the aforementioned Browning (and Winchester - same internals) autoloaders as well as those from Benelli and Beretta are, quite frankly, awesome guns. Buy the one which fits you and your budget best.
ok well since everyone is giving you the "what suits you best" treatment .. ill put up my recommendations
Beretta ExtremaII (24" bbl).. to date best shotgun i have used for ducks and geese, light enough, good recoil reduction even without the kickoff pad, 3 1/2" chamber
Fabarm H38 Lion(24" bbl) .. a very close second .. the fabarm is lighter than the beretta, very well made, has a heavy bolt which soaks up a fair ammount of recoil. cycles very smoothly
mossberg 930 .. great for a cheap waterfowl semi auto. cycles most ammo and comfortable to shoot with
remington 870 .. good solid pump.. good to start with, very reliable
Beretta ExtremaII (24" bbl).. to date best shotgun i have used for ducks and geese, light enough, good recoil reduction even without the kickoff pad, 3 1/2" chamber
Fabarm H38 Lion(24" bbl) .. a very close second .. the fabarm is lighter than the beretta, very well made, has a heavy bolt which soaks up a fair ammount of recoil. cycles very smoothly
mossberg 930 .. great for a cheap waterfowl semi auto. cycles most ammo and comfortable to shoot with
remington 870 .. good solid pump.. good to start with, very reliable
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beretta boy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Orillia, Ontario
I have an old 3" Remington Express pump that has ( sans braggadocio ) killed literally hundreds of ducks, certainly hundreds of geese, and countless dove and quail (not in this country).
It is absolutely reliable, relatively inexpensive, made of cheaphardwood & steel (other than the pot-metal trigger guard), is NOT camouflaged, and is definitely NOT pretty. It is suitable for use witheither lead, steel or other non-toxic shot with the appropriate choke, and if need be, buckshot or rifled slugs.
By altering the face of the buttstock where it joins the receiver, I've changed the height of comb to raise it and altered the angle to provide cast-off to suit me, changed the recoil pad ( to a Pachmayr Decelerator Old English ) and altered the pitch to what I like while I was at it. It's also had +/- 8 oz. lead added to the buttstock so that the balance point falls through the extractor plunger hole.
I don't recall ever short-stroking it, stovepiping a cartridge or any other kind of malfunction. It's been in the mountains, foothills, flat-assed prairies, what passes for desert, uplands, farm fields and, every kind of wetland - including salt marsh and mangrove swamps - and has performed beyond all reason in every kind of nasty weather imagineable, from the steamy sub-tropics to the sub-arctic. ( A minus 34 C. January goose hunt stands out ... a few guns [ and hunters ! ] weren't working properly that particular day )
It's won a few "Pump-gun" only Sporting Clay shoots for me ... cash, prizes and even another 870 Express (go figure !) I've shot several "straights" with it, at both Skeet & Trap, a few perfect rounds of 5-Stand, and once managed 7 stations ( 70+ targets) straight at Sporting Clays before the first miss. Lots of pure "triples" in the field with waterfowl, both ducks and geese, 23 doves for 25 shells and a "quad" on a single rise of Quail ... in a country where a plugged magazine is not required.
Is it perfect or the best ... hard to say, but with a few very inexpensive modifications for "fit" sure works good for me. I'd look at an autoloader too ... but more than likely a
Beretta 391 or Benelli Cordoba (just don't like the porting !) Not a fan of 3-1/2" shells, if I feel I need them, I go to Kent Impact non-tox with full choke. They will do anything that the best 3-1/2 steel will do, albeit, a bit more expensive. (But worth it ! )
Just my 2 cents worth !
It is absolutely reliable, relatively inexpensive, made of cheaphardwood & steel (other than the pot-metal trigger guard), is NOT camouflaged, and is definitely NOT pretty. It is suitable for use witheither lead, steel or other non-toxic shot with the appropriate choke, and if need be, buckshot or rifled slugs.
By altering the face of the buttstock where it joins the receiver, I've changed the height of comb to raise it and altered the angle to provide cast-off to suit me, changed the recoil pad ( to a Pachmayr Decelerator Old English ) and altered the pitch to what I like while I was at it. It's also had +/- 8 oz. lead added to the buttstock so that the balance point falls through the extractor plunger hole.
I don't recall ever short-stroking it, stovepiping a cartridge or any other kind of malfunction. It's been in the mountains, foothills, flat-assed prairies, what passes for desert, uplands, farm fields and, every kind of wetland - including salt marsh and mangrove swamps - and has performed beyond all reason in every kind of nasty weather imagineable, from the steamy sub-tropics to the sub-arctic. ( A minus 34 C. January goose hunt stands out ... a few guns [ and hunters ! ] weren't working properly that particular day )
It's won a few "Pump-gun" only Sporting Clay shoots for me ... cash, prizes and even another 870 Express (go figure !) I've shot several "straights" with it, at both Skeet & Trap, a few perfect rounds of 5-Stand, and once managed 7 stations ( 70+ targets) straight at Sporting Clays before the first miss. Lots of pure "triples" in the field with waterfowl, both ducks and geese, 23 doves for 25 shells and a "quad" on a single rise of Quail ... in a country where a plugged magazine is not required.
Is it perfect or the best ... hard to say, but with a few very inexpensive modifications for "fit" sure works good for me. I'd look at an autoloader too ... but more than likely a
Beretta 391 or Benelli Cordoba (just don't like the porting !) Not a fan of 3-1/2" shells, if I feel I need them, I go to Kent Impact non-tox with full choke. They will do anything that the best 3-1/2 steel will do, albeit, a bit more expensive. (But worth it ! )
Just my 2 cents worth !
Well said.
- Location
- Ol' North Shore
Mp-153
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Best Duck Shotgun? You just can't go wrong with any of the AL-prefix Berettas. Best autos on the market, both in the field and at the range.
Stick with 3" shells. The longer ones offer you no advantage, and the shorter ones are difficult to find most time.
Stick with 3" shells. The longer ones offer you no advantage, and the shorter ones are difficult to find most time.
I have only had my beretta Xtrema2 for about 7 months now....but have had it out a lot. It has preformed without fail on skeet , crows , and geese. I have had all kinds of loads in it and so far it has not failed me. I like the fact that it will cycle any load it is given and has built in protection from the elements. It is FAR better then ANY shotgun I have ever used.
The benelli shotguns have a loyal following as well...I have never owned one...but most people who have them really love them.
The benelli shotguns have a loyal following as well...I have never owned one...but most people who have them really love them.
Duck Gun
Best duck gun eh? When you find it please let me know! I have been through a few guns over the years and if you are looking for a gun for waterfowling you cant really go wrong with a nice synthetic autoloader. There are nice ones in the $600, $1000, $1500 and $2000 range how much do you wanna sink into one?
Me I wanna hurl when I hold almost any synthetic shotgun, I do see their utility in the field and marsh. I have owned a few synthetics, but I just got a brand new Remington 870 Wingmaster 12g, 3" and 28" barrel that I look foward to spending a lifetime with!
I have found out I am a man of taste and tradition I like companies such a Mcalister and Filsons that stay true to their waterfowling roots. Remington 870 has prolly killed more ducks than any other shotgun PERIOD.
Best duck gun eh? When you find it please let me know! I have been through a few guns over the years and if you are looking for a gun for waterfowling you cant really go wrong with a nice synthetic autoloader. There are nice ones in the $600, $1000, $1500 and $2000 range how much do you wanna sink into one?
Me I wanna hurl when I hold almost any synthetic shotgun, I do see their utility in the field and marsh. I have owned a few synthetics, but I just got a brand new Remington 870 Wingmaster 12g, 3" and 28" barrel that I look foward to spending a lifetime with!
I have found out I am a man of taste and tradition I like companies such a Mcalister and Filsons that stay true to their waterfowling roots. Remington 870 has prolly killed more ducks than any other shotgun PERIOD.
