School Me on Shotguns

[Black Bart]

Like I mentioned in a previous thread, I have an opportunity to do a good bit of duck hunting this year. Y'all provided a ton of good info regarding waders, so please tell me what I need to know about a first (waterfowl) shotgun. I have a cheap Mossberg 20-gauge I got as a present several years ago, but I'm sure that won't cut it (no pun intended). Who makes a decent shotgun that won't cost me a kidney? As usual, thanks in advance.

[Gregory]

Cry once. Don't buy a cheap gun. Most duck hunters I know shoot Beretta or Benelli. I prefer the old Auto-5.

[kquinn]

Beretta A300 if you are on a budget

[Catdaddy]

Beretta A300 if you are on a budget

This



And in before someone tells him to get a 870 pump.

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[Bigtimber2]

Beretta A300 if you are on a budget

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[fowlshot]

Franchi affinity is a good one and pretty common. Some of the newer Remington stuff does not have the best reputation. I did pick up a 20 gauge 870 a few years ago that hasn't had any issues. You could always go the used route too and find a benelli, beretta, or browning for decent price. Some models can shoot 3.5" shells, but that isn't necessary for ducks. Some people say not even necessary for geese, but I don't have any experience with them myself. I'm sure others will have more help but the franchi would definitely be worth a good look, IMO.

[Islandguy85]

Franchi affinity is a good one and pretty common. Some of the newer Remington stuff does not have the best reputation. I did pick up a 20 gauge 870 a few years ago that hasn't had any issues. You could always go the used route too and find a benelli, beretta, or browning for decent price. Some models can shoot 3.5" shells, but that isn't necessary for ducks. Some people say not even necessary for geese, but I don't have any experience with them myself. I'm sure others will have more help but the franchi would definitely be worth a good look, IMO.

3.5” is basically not necessary at all in my opinion. Hammered geese for a week in October with 3” #2’s.

I bought a used SB2 on here a year or two ago and it has performed flawlessly, even with light loads.
As someone else said here, cry once. If you can find a good one used it basically will retain the value you pay for it so you could always turn around and sell it if you dont like it. Benelli, Beretta. One shotgun could last you a lifetime of shooting recreationally.



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[Rabbitman09]

3.5” is basically not necessary at all in my opinion. Hammered geese for a week in October with 3” #2’s.

I bought a used SB2 on here a year or two ago and it has performed flawlessly, even with light loads.
As someone else said here, cry once. If you can find a good one used it basically will retain the value you pay for it so you could always turn around and sell it if you dont like it. Benelli, Beretta. One shotgun could last you a lifetime of shooting recreationally.



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I don't know where you were hammering geese in October but it wasn't in sc. I've never shot lesser canadas but snows and specks will fold up like a wet paper sack with ease. These damn magnum honkers we have in sc can take a beating. I most definitely shoot 3 & 1/2 when hunting geese and still have to finish off 50% with a swat.

[Islandguy85]

I don't know where you were hammering geese in October but it wasn't in sc. I've never shot lesser canadas but snows and specks will fold up like a wet paper sack with ease. These damn magnum honkers we have in sc can take a beating. I most definitely shoot 3 & 1/2 when hunting geese and still have to finish off 50% with a swat.

Not in SC. When they are feet down 30yds out 3” works just fine. Choot em in da face


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[Rabbitman09]

Not in SC. When they are feet down 30yds out 3” works just fine. Choot em in da face


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Shit...at 30 yards these big geese we got will soak up the shot like a house cat, wave, and check out!

[Catdaddy]

These damn magnum honkers we have in sc can take a beating. I most definitely shoot 3 & 1/2 when hunting geese and still have to finish off 50% with a swat.

Heavy shot #6s or #4s and the large geese will have a bad day.

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[willyworm]

Heavy shot #6s or #4s any and large geese will have a bad day.

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This man gets it. By the time you spend the extra money on the kill shots and birds that flew away despite you hitting them in the face you coulda just bought the good stuff and been done, with less heartache, cussing and fussing.

[willyworm]

Some of the newer Remington stuff does not have the best reputation.

My V3 has performed flawlessly so far.

[Duck cutter]

Winchester SX3 is an affordable, reliable gun.

The SX4 is out now as well but there is no mechanical difference between the two

[Phone Man]

Buy my 10ga sp-10 in trading post and youll be best duck hunter around

[Colin4]

I've got a Winchester sxp that has been a great gun so far. I'll put it to the test here in a couple weeks

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[Interceptor4]

Remington 870

[Saltydog235]

Buy an OU with 30” barrels, that way you can do clays or anything else. You can even get an ugly synthetic stock on one these days. But yes, buy once cry once.

[theoldblackdog]

I’ve got a couple benellis. Sometimes on a colder morning and woh a lighter load they will be slow to cycle or not cycle completely. Also the grip cap just fell out of my m2 in the field so I have to get benelli to send me one ASAP. Gun isn’t even a year old so that’s frustrating

[camotoon60]

Another vote for the a300 beretta