Want To Get Back Into Waterfowl Hunting Questions

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I have been out of Migratory bird hunting for a long time now, but my Son has asked if we could get into it this fall, needless to say spending some quality time with my teenage Son sounds like a good plan to me.

Both of my 12 gauges are older 2 and 3/4 inch chambers. The 2 and 3/4 inch chambers don't bother me, it is having to use steel shot, which I believe is not recommended for older shotguns designed to use lead shot.

What type of metal can a person buy in a 2 and 3/4 shot shell that is legal for waterfowl and wont harm my shotgun?
 
Bismuth shot works in old guns but its $$$$. You can fire steel in most Modified or Improved cylinder bores especially if the forcing cone is modified by a gunsmith. A definitive answer cannot be given without knowing the model of shotgun and the chokes.
 
Try Tungsten Matrix or Bismuth both manufactured by Kent. The Tungsten Matrix is very expensive but deadly, I like #5 shot. Bought some Bismuth but haven't tried it yet.

RB
 
What brand and model of guns are you using? Steel is fine in many older guns depending upon choke constriction. It could be as simple as spending $60-$80 to have a choke opened a bit rather than double or triple the price of bismuth or tungsten/polymer blend over steel.
 
The first shotgun is a Mossberg & Sons 12 gauge, model 195-K-A, bolt action with that select choke.

The second shotgun is a Ithaca model-37 feather light, pump action, manufactured in the late 1950's, I don't know what choke it has other than it is a fixed non-interchangeable choke.

Both shotguns are only chambered for 2 and 3/4 inch shells.

What sort of ballpark price would one be paying for a box of tungsten or bismuth shells?

I don't mind paying a bit more for shells that wont hurt my shotguns as I wont be going exclusively for migratory birds just ducks and geese we happen to run into as we hunt grouse, so I don't imagine shooting a tremendous amount of shells.
 
You would be better off to buy a used waterfowl gun and sell off that bolt action.
I also have my doubts about modifying the model 37.
I have well less than $400 in a Benelli Nova camo. Not expensive. You don't need 3 1/2 inch but 3 inch has a better payload. 2 3/4 will do well if you decoy them close.
 
saskbooknut said:
You would be better off to buy a used waterfowl gun and sell off that bolt action.
I also have my doubts about modifying the model 37.
I have well less than $400 in a Benelli Nova camo. Not expensive. You don't need 3 1/2 inch but 3 inch has a better payload. 2 3/4 will do well if you decoy them close.
Click to expand...

X2
I agree with sasbooknut
sell off both the bolt action and mosel 37
then you could buy a nice 870 pump or Benelli Nova pump
if you watch the EE forums you maybe able to get a M3500 stoeger with choke tubes
or other model or make
as its with both you and your son
you might want to look into getting a second shot gun as well,
just make sure before purchasing them
that they are steel shot capable,
I had a friend that had a model 37 Ithica
he always said all this talk about not use being able to shoot steel in a fixed choke was BS
until one day our goose hunt was called short
for a trip to the ER
because his barrel split and shards of barrel and shot split his hands and for arms all to rat crap
39 stiches in his hands and for arms and 12 in his cheek with a forever scare fixed his stubborn attitude
he went out and made sure he bought a steel friendly browning maxus after that
 
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