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Bayslammer · Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2007 7:23 am Post subject: Waterfowl Shotgun

I own two guns, a pre-64 Winchester 30-06 (springfield) and a 12 guage pump- Winchester. I use the shotgun for dove, quail and waterfowl, but I was told I needed a different shotgun with at least a 3" chamber or bigger for duck hunting. I believe mine is under 3". My shotgun works fine using Winchester XX #4 steel shot, but I notice I don't have the reach that say a mossberg 3.25" or even the 870 with a 3" chamber has. Is it worth buying a new shotgun to take out into the corrosive elements to duck hunt with just for the extra distance orknock down power? Is the old ranger pump fine for ducks? If I had plenty of money to spare, then I would not even be asking this question.

Joe
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the troutman · Flour Bluffian in training Joined: 07 Mar 2006 Posts: 316

The costs of high quality pump guns has come down alot recently. My advice, go to Academy and buy a Benelli 12 gauge Nova pump for 299.00. It will be the best money you ever spend. It will shoot 2 3/4-3 1/2 inch loads and the gun itslef is damn near indestructible. They used to be twice this much before Academy got into selling them. Take advantage of it and you'll have a cheap but high quality waterfowl gun for years to come.
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The Troutman

Love em and leave em, otherwise known as Catch and Release!

ArtificialB8 · Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2007 7:47 am Post subject:

If you're shooting ducks that are decoying in close then 2.75" shells are fine and your Winchester probably is too. If you end up having more passing shots at greater distances (such as late season and/or decoy shy birds), then you might consider moving up to something with a 3-inch chamber. My auto shoots up to 3.5" shells simply because I wanted the option should I ever hunt geese on a regular basis. My Beretta has a camo wrap finish and has performed real well in the salt with no evidence of corrosion...but I'm a maintenance freak too. Most manufactures offer some type of camo finish that acts as a barrier to corrosion.

IslandMike · Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2007 9:23 am Post subject:

Both guys are right, but one of my good friends uses a 20ga and shoots 2 3/4 and 3 inch shells and does just fine. I don't see a need to shoot ducks with a 3 1/2 inch shell. Chokes are important too. Modified vs Imporved Cylinder. Check the patterns. I have a Benelli SuperNova and they are real nice. It has a recoil pad built into the stock. I can shoot it all day and not be sore. Last season I used an old Mossberg that my Dad bought back in the day and it worked just fine.
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Save the seagrass......Shoot some ducks

Big Sherm · Horse Mullet Joined: 22 Mar 2006 Posts: 208

my son (15) shoots a Mossberg 835 Ulti-mag and it's suited to shoot 3.5". It's got some protective coating on the barrel. Only bad thing about Mossbergs are that they tend to be a little heavier than most.

sotx23 · Horse Mullet Joined: 12 Jul 2006 Posts: 245

Drake · Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2007 4:13 pm Post subject: Shotgun

if your on the bird when you shoot shell siza and gauge do not matter. They are more forgiving since they have so many more pellets per round. With some of the new alloys per shot weight and speeds are about the same (in some cases better) than they were pre-steel only.

Shoot what feels right.

Sotx 23 what issues have you had with the nova? I was thinking about getting one for my nephew this year.

IslandMike · Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2007 4:23 pm Post subject:

I have heard complaints about the nova - but man - that super black eagle is $1500 - I like the Super Nova casue it has the added recoil reducers and it is a third of the cost of the Super Black Eagle (which I hear is an awesome gun).

http://www.benelliusa.com/firearms/large/sNovaCTMax412Ga.jpg

There are some really good guns out there, and even Mossberg has stepped up with better guns, but you won't see another one in my hands unless I get it free.
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Save the seagrass......Shoot some ducks

Drake · Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2007 4:50 pm Post subject: Duck Gun

One word - Citroi. Both the White Lighting and the Hunter are great guns, cost less than the benelli Eagle or SBE, will never jam and should own for the rest of your life.

sotx23 · Horse Mullet Joined: 12 Jul 2006 Posts: 245

oldsaltyone · Horse Mullet Joined: 21 May 2006 Posts: 171

Maybe try different ammo first. Lots to choose from out there besides steel.

dave · Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2007 2:55 pm Post subject:

I have a 12 guage Remington 870 express super mag. It shoots up to 3 1/2's and is the synthetic black model. Great gun, I can use it for everyhing and it is fairly cheap. I got mine from Academy for somewhere around $315.

pir8dan · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 4:32 pm Post subject:

There is just something about the Remington 870 thats magic to shoot. plus there is plenty of after market stuff if you end up with a corrosion problem. just sumthing ta think about.
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pir8dan

Quote of the day - "Salad is what food eats"

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ArtificialB8 · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 5:31 pm Post subject:

The 870 is a time proven design and probably a staple of many hunter's arsenal...I have a 20-ga magnum that's great. The only problem I have is the feeling of getting my shoulder jack-hammered with waterfowl loads stuffed to the brim with powder....although that is incentive to improve your aim. That aftermarket supplies are definately a plus.

Drake · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 7:45 am Post subject: Waterfowl Shotgun

Atrificial 88 - try a ported choke tube. They will reduce the felt recoil some and reduce barrel jump pretty significantly as well.