Shotgun for goosehunting

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stubblejumper01

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Hello all,

I'm thinking about buying a shotgun which I can use for upland game and goose hunting and I don't know which direction I should go. I would like to have an overunder but i'm not sure if it'll do a very good job for goose hunting. I was looking at a mossberg over/under (28" barrel) if I did go that way. If I didn't get the o/u I think i'll buy an older 870 wingmaster. I'm inexperienced when it comes to goose hunting so any advice would be much appreciated.
 
My only advice would be to suggest you get something that will chamber 3" or even 3.5" shells due to steel shot regs for waterfowl.
In that regards if the budget is tight, a 200.00 maverick 88 is 3" and IMO a lot of gun for the hunting dollar, even if it is on the ugly side. :p

My suggestion of a step up would be a mossberg 535 ATS for 350.00 that will chamber a 3.5" round and comes with interchangeable chokes.

I have no experience with an O/U, but an older used SXS can be had quite cheaply since new one's are now only just over 400 bucks.

If you like SXS's as well as the O/U might I suggest a good used SXS for an upland gun, and either a mav, or moss. for waterfowl, and still being under the budget of an O/U?

Unless O/U's have come down in price, I'm not sure.

An older wingmaster is IMO a great choice for upland, but 2 3/4" chamber with fixed choke and not really made for steel shot, not a great waterfowl gun. (and I say that as I'm debating selling my old wingmaster since I just bought a new mossberg for geese, haha.)

Others may have better advice, but that's what I"d suggest. :)
 
It's quite an extreme from upland to goose hunting and pretty difficult to have one gun do both properly. Yes, it can be done as in the old days many hunters only had one gun. But back then they didn't think 3" or 3 1/2" chambers were necessary either and they got the job done. But back to modern times. If you are going to hunt upland game, you don't want to lug around a heavy gun all day. Plus you don't need 3' or 3 1/2 chambers to do so. On the other side if you want 3" or 3 1/2" chambers for geese, you sure don't want a light o/u or it will kick the snot out of you. If it were me, I would do as suggested and get a 3 or 3 1/2" Mossberg for not that much and look for a nice used SxS for upland hunting.
 
depending on your budget I would look for a good used semi auto with 3 or 3 1/2" capabilities and screw in chokes, allows you to hold 3 shots instead of only 2
 
For a double duty gun I'd look at a 3" gun as they are usually lighter and will work for geese with premium loads and do well on upland. I'd avoid a3.5" shotgun in a pump or O/U as the recoil is quite fierce compared to a semi auto. As mentioned above when you get more into shotgunning you will find that you will want guns specific to the game you are hunting.
 
I prefer 3 rounds when hunting geese, just for the security of having an extra round. I once shot two geese with my double, the first one hit the ground dead and the second one which I thought was hit solid recovered just before hitting the ground, I couldn't reload fast enough. Now I use my pump Maverick which I bought when they were first put on the market, it's a workhorse.
 
stubblejumper01 said:
Hello all,

I'm thinking about buying a shotgun which I can use for upland game and goose hunting and I don't know which direction I should go. I would like to have an overunder but i'm not sure if it'll do a very good job for goose hunting. I was looking at a mossberg over/under (28" barrel) if I did go that way. If I didn't get the o/u I think i'll buy an older 870 wingmaster. I'm inexperienced when it comes to goose hunting so any advice would be much appreciated.
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From my experience hunting geese in your province you will want that 3rd shot and there will be many days glad to have the 3 1/2".
I would not be looking at a o/u or any 3" guns
 
There are a few used 3" wingmasters that can be found for a decent price and would be sufficient for all your needs, from clays to upland to geese to deer. If a semi-auto is needed, perhaps a used remington 1100 chambered in 3". If an O/U is what you REALLY want, I recommend this be what you get. The reason being that if you dont get it now, you will regret it. There's just something appealing about them for whatever reason. There is a nice SKB that just came up on the EE for a reasonable price of $650. 3" chambers so sufficient for geese and the classic O/U configuration you may desire for upland. It may not be ideal with 1 less shot but just means you have to make the first 2count. People say reloading in a layout blind can be a PITA with break opens but I would just suggest you reload while out in the field retrieving the two honkers you just downed.
 
From my experience hunting geese in your province you will want that 3rd shot and there will be many days glad to have the 3 1/2".
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I for one, will never see the need for a 3-1/2" 12 gauge. If I can't get it done with a 3" 12 gauge, which hasn't happened yet, I will go to a 10 gauge.
 
it all depends on your price range and what fits you. I would stay clear from these cheap shotguns on the market and go with something that is proven. Rem 870 supermag or Mossberg 535. If you want to spend some cash I would look far away from any new production remington autoloader. Prophet River has some beretta xtrema 2's for the lowest price I have ever seen. They are a great gun I have one personally. I would not spend the extra for kickoff unless you are very recoil sensitive.
 
stubblejumper said:
I for one, will never see the need for a 3-1/2" 12 gauge. If I can't get it done with a 3" 12 gauge, which hasn't happened yet, I will go to a 10 gauge.
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Nice to have for snow geese when you only have one gun and they are up there. When I go to sask I take two 10ga semi but the OP is wanting just one all around gun which is why I said 3 1/2 12 is nice to have the option with. Plus a 3 1/2 if he doesn't like it will hold it's value better than a 3" and will sell much quicker. That I have proven time and time again
 
Thanks for the feedback guys. I think i'm going to end up buying an older 870 supermag for the geese from my uncle if I can pry it away from him. Not sure what i'll do for the upland game yet. Might end up just getting a trade ex special. How are the Baikal o/u?
 
stubblejumper01 said:
Thanks for the feedback guys. I think i'm going to end up buying an older 870 supermag for the geese from my uncle if I can pry it away from him. Not sure what i'll do for the upland game yet. Might end up just getting a trade ex special. How are the Baikal o/u?
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Why bother with another gun?
The versatility of the Wingmaster is just that, versatile.
Just change up the ammo selection for the game you are chasing.
3 inch magnums for geese and 2-3/4 inch No.4 or No.5 for upland birds...
Tiss your choice to spend money, but spend it wisely.
Rob
 
stubblejumper01 said:
Thanks for the feedback guys. I think i'm going to end up buying an older 870 supermag for the geese from my uncle if I can pry it away from him. Not sure what i'll do for the upland game yet. Might end up just getting a trade ex special. How are the Baikal o/u?
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The Wingmaster is a good choice. However if you want and are going to spend money on a different gun for upland game, in my opinion there are better choices than a Baikal o/u. Don't just buy because it is low priced or as some say "built like a tank". There is more to an upland gun than that. For upland game, why not get something that is pleasing to look at, is a joy to carry, fits you well and still goes bang when you pull the trigger? But, it is your money.
 
I'll probably use #5 or #6 for sharp tailed grouse with a mod choke. I've been using my dad's mossberg 500 with a full choke and it seems to be blowing the hell out of the meat.
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When I used a full choked 12 gauge for sharptails and Hungarian partridge, I used #7-1/2 shot, and let them get out a bit. Now I use a 20 gauge, and still use #7-1/2 shot. I have never had any reason to use larger shot. I do switch to #6 shot for pheasants though.
 
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