Duck gun overkill

[oldguy870]

I went looking for a duck gun today. I have been shooting my 870 Express this season. I like it. But, it feels a bit on the clunky side.

I looked at the SBEII, Vinci, M2, and the Super Vinci. I trust Benelli because I had an M1S90 that lasted 20 years of hard use. I was surprised at how HUGE the SBEII and Super Vinci felt. Those things are beasts! I do not understand the popularity of these two guns. They both made my 870 Express feel like a sleek 20 autoloader.

I bought the Benelli M2. I have hunted duck and geese for 5 years now and have never even wanted anything more than a 3" shell. The M2 is like my old M1S90, light, and points well.

I just don't get the 3.5" duck gun on steroids thing about the SBEII or S. Vinci.

 

[jmr40]

I'm with you. I ran across a very lightly used M-1 a few years ago. A fellow bought it, hunted with it 1 season before the M-2 came out and sold it to me cheap because he just had to have the newer M-2. The M-1 is close enough for me. Best shotgun I've ever owned and I'm sure the M-2 is even better. But for the price I paid I'll keep the older gun.

I have no use for the 3.5" shells either.

 

[Hunterdad]

I prefer a slimmer profile as well with my duck gun. Although, most won't agree, I like a heavier gun for the duck blind.

 

[6x6pinz]

Personally I use 2 3/4 for decoy ducks and 3" for jump shooting. I buy one box of 3 1/2 each year for those days when the Canadians come in. Living in the desert I want all the advantage I can get. After several years on the 3" for the geese kick and watching so man fly off while my buddies with 3 1/2 knocked them down with ease, I became a believer. I have no need for 3 1/2 for duck.
I mainly use a Remington 453 or Benelli Nova. On those days when the birds are thick and I just want to have some fun getting my limit I take my Saiga 12.

So yeah I agree the 3 1/2 is an overkill for duck. Not a big fan of the Vinci, just does nothing for me. Your choice with the M2 was by far the best. It will not let you down.

 

[Virginian]

For some perspective, you should look at some of the early 3-1/2" 12 gauge BPSs built on the 10 gauge receiver. They make the current ones seem svelte by comparison.

 

[MCgunner]

I just don't get the 3.5" duck gun on steroids thing about the SBEII or S. Vinci.

You would if you hunted snow geese on the Texas coastal plains. I have a 10 gauge, myself, great patterning gun with T steel and really reaches out there.

Don't give me that hevishot crap, either. I ain't Bill Gates and don't have his bank account. That's why I wanted a 10 in the first place, T steel.

 

[oldguy870]

MCgunner, I am sure there is some value to the 3.5" shells in your situation. Where I hunt, I just see a lot of guys dragging these big things into the blinds to shoot ducks.

 

[Virginian]

I had three 10s until tungsten came along, and I went back to a 3" 12 gauge. If you look at the difference in price between the 3" 12 tungsten, and the 3-1/2" 10 steel loads, it isn't that much per hunt, and if my kill percentage isn't really better at least I feel like it is.