Waterfowl gun enthusiast

[Jhow1990]

Hi all, new here.

If anyone wants to discuss favorite/different waterfowl guns, different chokes, paper patterning, POI vs POA, I am your guy. Not saying i know a bunch but i love generally discussing them. Been doing a lot of research via google on changing the pitch, different common problems with different guns, and how to make the gun fit you.

I recently had some newer shotguns such as a Franchi Affinity, SBE 3, a maxus 2 and currently own/use a Beretta A400. So far my favorite has been the Maxus 2. Most disliked was the SBE 3. Tell me your experiences.

I have used kicks chokes, jebs, Carlson, and a couple others. So far the stock do just as good as the aftermarket in my experience. Been pretty much just messing around with different options.

[NapalmCheese]

I'm shooting a Benelli Nova. It is not the best handling pump gun I have but it's mostly impervious to the elements and has killed plenty of ducks (I do prefer other guns).

I've been shooting with an extended Carlson Modified choke for years but recently switched to the stock IC choke after taking my skeet choked A5 out for a weekend and killing plenty of birds. I haven't patterned my favorite load with the IC choke, but the Mod choke was giving me full (choke), even, patterns at 40 yards.

I decided a long time ago that pattern density is the bigger proponent to cleanly killing and retrieving ducks; more so than speed, such that chasing the fastest steel shells is a dumb idea. Looking at the real world data, gel penetration, and the crappy ballistics of round shot it's pretty plain to me that inside of 40 yards (or even 45) there's basically no difference to the duck if the shot started at 1400 fps or 1700 fps; but I would certainly rather have 1-1/4 oz of #3 steel @ 1400 fps than 1-1/8oz of #3 steel @ 1550. For my part, more shot in the pattern seems to have been more likely to break a wing or hit the CNS dropping the duck right there rather than having it fly off another 100 yards before dying. And for all the ducks I've shot I've not caught that many pellets in the meat. So far as I'm concerned, all extra speed over 1400 fps does is make it easier for rusty hunters to hit the duck with the edge of pattern because they weren't giving it enough lead.

Also duck guns should pattern 50/50, longer barrels swing better and deafen fewer people in the blind, brass beads are better than fiber optic sights, most duck guns come with too long a stock (especially when taking clothing into account), you should remove your sling once you're in the blind (if you have one), if you want to shoot 3.5 inch shells you should have bought a 10 gauge, I've rarely ever had the 3rd round be useful (if I didn't hit it with the first two, the third has practically never made a difference).

And just to really rile people up... spoonies aren't bad (just not great), ring necked ducks are never good, ruddies are fine, and every red head I've eaten has been fantastic.

[bigbossman]

For shooting ducks over decoys, I prefer a plain-jane 870 Express for a few reasons. First, it fits me really well and I kill a lot of ducks with it. But also - it is inexpensive, mechanically simple, and I won't cry if it gets banged up or falls out of the boat.

Regarding chokes, I'm a big fan of the IC (or even Skeet) choke with steel - it just works well and gets me a lot of birds. As Napalm mentioned above, they pattern more densely with steel, and give a ton of coverage over decoys out to 30 - 35 yards. And - if the ducks come in close, I can occasionally get a double with one shot. I just use the standard Remington chokes, as they seem to work really well and are inexpensive.

[2761377]

in terms of successful duck hunting, the gun/load is about 3rd or 4th in importance.

spot, concealment, spread and weather all account for more. FWIW, I shoot a Model 12 that started as 30" full. in 1991 I had Briley install their steel shot modified and cut it down to 27".

1 1/18th oz of #2's at 1375 has worked well for me as long as the bird is legitimately in range and I make a good shot. used to find a lot more lead pellets in the bird; steel just chugs on through.

spoonies work pretty well as live decoys- I always let them land if they will.

[JagerDog]

every red head I've eaten has been fantastic.

Noted.

[racinjason233]

Does anyone have thoughts on the mossberg 935 with 3” and 3 1/2” chamber? I’m looking at a A400 as my options are limited with anything that ejects shells out of the wrong side but our financial future is more important right now.

I have had good luck with 2 1/2” and 3” fast steel.

I also agree gun is less important then location. I can’t miss if the birds don’t fly in.

[NapalmCheese]

Noted.

I highly suggest giving them a try! Especially if you can get them to come into your spread.

[NapalmCheese]

Does anyone have thoughts on the mossberg 935 with 3? and 3 1/2? chamber? I?m looking at a A400 as my options are limited with anything that ejects shells out of the wrong side but our financial future is more important right now.

I have had good luck with 2 1/2? and 3? fast steel.

I also agree gun is less important then location. I can?t miss if the birds don?t fly in.

Given my druthers I'd just as soon have a 2-3/4" and 3" gun rather than a 3-1/2" gun just to save some length on the receiver and magazine tube. It's not so important for semi-autos (though it does affect balance), but definitely a preference for pump guns.

[MeatyMac]

Does anyone have thoughts on the mossberg 935 with 3? and 3 1/2? chamber? I?m looking at a A400 as my options are limited with anything that ejects shells out of the wrong side but our financial future is more important right now.

I have had good luck with 2 1/2? and 3? fast steel.

Maybe our OP can elaborate on the Franchi Affinity, I’ve talked with several users who have all reported good results, you might want to give it a look see yourself.

My duck gun for the past 8 seasons has been a 12ga. A400 Xtreme Optifade, I use a Light Modified Beretta DLC extended choke and #4 Hevi-Bismuth. My son fielded a 12ga. Winchester SX3 for 7 seasons with great success, he switched to a 20ga. Benelli SBE3 mid-season last year and did very well with it.

I agree with the red head eater, 3 1/2? isn?t all that for ducks, I too prefer a bead over a fiber optic sight.

[pzbike]

My favorite is a Beretta AL391 Extrema. Hevi-Bismuth works.

[bigbossman]

I highly suggest giving them a try! Especially if you can get them to come into your spread.

>snicker <

[NaClAddict]

From one spoonie eater to another, I’d like to hear about the affinity as well. I shoot a mossberg 500, never needed more although I’m thinking about getting a 20 gauge.

[Dr_Kevorkian]

I used an old hand me down Remington Spartan 310 O/U for waterfowl, dove, band tailed pigeons, etc for about 8 years. Love that thing. I recently purchased a weatherby element because the price was right. Dont know how I feel about it just yet. Need a couple more trips!

[THBailey]

I use a Remington 1187 20 ga most of the time and my Pedersoli 12 ga muzzle loader some of the time. 7/8 oz steel #4's in the 20 and Rotometals bismuth/tin #2 shot in the front stuffer.

[newbutold]

When I shot ducks, I used a Winchester 1200.