A good hunting shotgun

[yankee-pete]

I've never been duck hunting before and want to start. I have friends that do and I want my own gun (I want a shotgun anyway). What are some good ones that will serve as a good hunting rifle and also be good for clay pigeons? What gauge is best for hunting? I would like to spend under $800 if possible. Thanks for helping out a shotgun noob.

[Nickbowen5]

I'm in the same boat as you. I bet a lot will recommend a Benelli shotgun or other make that is good. I personally have a budget of ~500, so I'm looking at Benelli pumps, SuperNova and Nova. I bet a decent semi-automatic would be recommended as well. I prefer 12 gauges as it is one of the more popular ones, but I bet people that hunt already will have great suggestions. Good luck

[CSACANNONEER]

You can't go wrong with a Mossberg 500 or a Remington 870 with a 26-28" barrel with removable chokes. That said, this week I picked up a new Remington 887 for under $500 otd.

[CSACANNONEER]

I use a Benelli Super Nova and its a great shotgun for the money - and well within your budget. I keep telling myself to upgrade to a semi auto Benelli or Beretta, but can't really justify it in any practical terms. If you can shoot a pump they are fine. For waterfowl 12 gauge is what you want. 3.5" chambers are nice if you ever get a chance to hunt honkers, but I have only ever used 3" - even for local snows.

Have also had a couple Remington 870s they are good as well but get the Wingmaster over the Express. Not a fan of Mossberg shotguns. I have seen them fail in the field more than once

LOL. I don't consider a semi auto an "upgrade". In fact, I bought the 887 so that I'd have another reason not to use my Beretta 391. Also, I've never seen a Mossberg fail. What happened? I've been shooting both +50 year old and newer 500s for the last 30 plus years without any issues. I prefer my 500s to my 870s except for my 870 in .410.

[therealnickb]

The benelli super nova is good for waterfowl. I've used it only for geese so far though. Can't imagine why it wouldn't be good for ducks. Smooth as heck, light felt recoil even with heavy loads.

It also works great for turkey, dove and clays, but toting it around for quail was a chore.

I think I spent $600 for the camo, but black was $100 less. Haven't checked prices in a while.

[CSACANNONEER]

How many of these do you need?

How many of what? Shotguns? .410s? 870s? 42s? In any case, I don't see what "need" has to do with it. It's about "want", isn't it?

I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree about a semi being an "upgrade". I own more semi shotguns than pumps and I just see them as "different". Each has it's pros and cons but, neither one is always superior to the other. I'm also willing to bet that there have been far more waterfowl shot with pumps than semis over the last 100 years or so.

[Legasat]

Winchester SX3 is a good choice, and about 1/2 the price of the Benelli Super Black Eagle.

[Nickbowen5]

Winchester SX3 is a good choice, and about 1/2 the price of the Benelli Super Black Eagle.

I kind of agree with this although it is a little out of your budget new. You have to decide if you want used or new and pump or semi. Then evaluate your budget to that capability. Don't forget to factor in certification course for hunting and hunting license along with necessities such as ammo, if you have not already done this.

[dangerranger]

Waterfowl hunting is a mud sport at least where I hunt. The pump has been king there for as long as I can remember, because it works well in all conditions! Mud, freezing rain, snow, etc..... The two best for me are the remington 870, and the Mossberg 500. for me the differance is where the safety is located. It would be hard to beat a 12 ga pump as a hunting gun. DR

[mjsweims]

Here are a couple of Remington 1100's that would make excellent double duty guns.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=353228789

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=353291290

Plenty more out there. Remember if you buy a gun at auction allow about 75-100 for your local ffl to receive the gun and do the DROS and there may be sales tax. There will also be a fixed shipping charge from the seller anywhere from 40-75. Even with those costs you will be getting a good gun at a decent price unless you can find one locally.
IMHO there are few reasons to buy new, unless you just can't find a used gun that meet your specs.

[NRai2001]

I usually use my saiga 12.. with 20 round drums duck is always on the menu..

[triggs75]

The beretta A300 outlander is a great entry level gun.

I just picked one up for $649 sticker price, $730 out the door. Just came back from shooting some sporting clays at camanche hills to break her in. .

[Gutpile66]

Best for upland birds and/or ducks with decoys: 20 GA Ithica Mod. 37 Featherweight, modified or improved cylinder (I have mine customized between the two). Terrible trap/skeet gun if you're going to shoot more than one box.

Best for pass-shooting ducks: 12 GA 870, full choke. You can dink around at the trap/skeet range with this one too.

[Whiterabbit]

I like my handi rifle. it is cheap cheap cheap and light light light.

It also has a 3.5" chamber which is NOT fun to shoot when the shotgun weighs less than 6 pounds. But the bottom line is, its strong enough for any shotshell, and light enough to carry where no one else hunts chukar.

[yankee-pete]

I went to one of the my LGS today and checked out shotguns. Held a Mossberg 500, Remington 870 and a Benelli Supernova. All very nice guns but I loved the look of the reeltree Benelli and the cushioned stock. Leaning toward that right now but at $629 it was on the higher price side. Now I need to rent a couple and try them out. The sales guy agreed that all of those would meet my requirements.