Need some input on a new Waterfowl shotgun (ducks and geese)

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Brodie69

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Im looking to buy a new shotgun for this up coming season (still a long ways away) Been looking at getting an Autoloader but with so many options out there its a hard choice!

Guns ive been interested in and looked at have been: Benelli SBEII, Benelli Super Vinci, Beretta A300, Beretta A400, Mossberg 930 and a few others I cant remember. What other options should I also check out? My local shops are fairly limited and I plan on buying one online or used to save a few bucks.

I really liked the way the Super Vinci fit me aswell as the Beretta A300 & A400. The Super Vinci seemed to fit like a glove I liked it a lot more than the SBEII.

Im just having a hard time justifying the cost of a high end autoloader and want to know what other people did in this situation! Is the high cost really worth it? I could buy a good pump gun for 1/4 the cost and have all that extra cash for more gear and decoys. The season is still a long ways away and I understand the term "Buy once Cry once"
 
stubblejumper said:
The Winchester SX3 is a very good shotgun for the price.
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Winchester SX3/Browning Silver are both great choices!
But as everyone always says, you must see which gun fits you the best. I was in your position where I could have bought an 870 but I decided to splurge and buy a life gun instead.
 
Buy what fits you, then what you would like, dont worry if its only 3", its all you would need. See how the balence of it is like, how it swings and how fast and easy you can bring up and get sighted on it.
 
Well.... a real duck hunter is always going to scrape up money for more gear and decoys. Buy what is going to fit the best with what you have to wear through the hunting season.
 
So far I really like the way the Vinci and Super Vinci felt. I killed a ton of ducks this year with an old school 2 3/4" 870 Wingmaster so Im not worried about having a 3.5" gun. 3.5 is just an extra expense every time it goes bang!
 
Brodie69 said:
Im just having a hard time justifying the cost of a high end autoloader and want to know what other people did in this situation!
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I bought the high end autoloader. I figure if I'm already going to put upwards of $1000 into a mid range autoloader, I might as well just pony up the extra $700-800 to get the top end one, because I KNOW that if I don't I'll be agonizing over what I might be missing out on. For me the extra $ is worth it just to avoid second guessing myself (or worse, after buying and using the cheaper gun, discovering a good reason why I should have gone with the pricier one). Currently shooting an A400 that I enjoy very much.
 
Good friend has the SX3, mean pea shooter man. Its a work horse, seen a lot of hard use and hasn't let him down yet. My next scatter gun will be an SX3...that being said you need to find a gun that fits, this is very very important to becoming a proficient shot gunner. Pay for a good piece now and it'll look after you for years to come. Nothing more frustrating then working a flock into range and having your gun #### the bed. Some waterfowling gear you can cut costs on, a shotgun isn't one of them.
 
Shotgun advice is harder than any other firearm advice... it is a very personal thing... it is like recommending a putter for golf...

For waterfowling shotgun fit is overrated... your LOP fit will change drastically from early to late season... also weird body angles when taking shots on waterfowl cause fitment issues... you should choose and LOP that is on the short side to allow you to maneuver and shoot in awkward positions... as far as which gun? Buy what you like the feel and looks of... personally I don't much care for Benelli's... I would vastly prefer a Beretta 391 or Browning Maxus... I don't think the Maxus has been mentioned, but try one before you buy.
 
I was looking at the Remington VersaMax and Maxus late last fall. Ended up with the VersaMax because it went on sale first.

So far, very happy with it. I've shot about 10 boxes through it at the trap range 2 3/4 to 3 1/2 with no malfunctions. Mine came with an adjustable stock and after a few adjustments, it fits me like a glove! I bought the plain black version and covered it duck blind camo skin wrap. I will pattern it in the spring.

The only consideration with the VersaMax is it's not ideal if you reload. The gas system deforms the longer shells when they are expelled.
 
Thanks for all the help and input. I know it all boils down to personal preference in the long run and fit. Everyone likes something else. It sucks that between the local shops that carry these guns I have to drive back and forth to get an actual comparison because they each have a couple different guns. So far I really like the feel of the Super Vinci and also the Beretta A400 but im holding out to see if something good pops up on the Exchange.
 
I was in the same situation with the Vinci, but ended getting the Franci Affinity. It half the price. Will be using the difference to help offset the cost of. Sporting o/u.
 
Benelli M2 is a superb duck and goose gun. SB2 is also a great gun. innertia guns take less time to clean. Maxus is a good un too but dirtier.... My SB2 jams on skeet loads but I don't use skeet loads to down greenheads. More importantly, save some coin and get an extended choke like a patternmaster code black goose. You will hit birds and kill them dead. Less cripples and more hits.
 
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