Duck Gun?
- Thread starter bmars
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MCgunner
Member
I own a Mossberg 500 camo, been using for 20 years. My ultimate pump duck gun would be a Browning BPS. However, there is something to be said for a gas operated auto with those heavy steel loads and for 1000 limit, there are options there. My fave, and I've thought about getting one a lot, would be a new Mossberg 935. A 930 would be fine just for ducks, but I like to shoot geese, but I do have this 10 gauge I've been using I REALLY like on geese because of how well it patterns. Nothing wrong with my 500, so I've resisted the urge to get a 935.
I do like the BPS, though. They fit me out of the box and I shoot lefty so I like the ergos of the tang safety. I also like the smooth action of the BPS/Ithaca design and like the fact that there's no shell elevator in the way for loading, points shared by the 500 at lower cost.
I'm not a real fan of the 870 because of ergos and the expresses are rust magnets in the salt marshes and bays where I hunt. Be okay in a camo finish or painted, but me, I'll take the Mossberg over the 870 if only for the ergos.
I do like the BPS, though. They fit me out of the box and I shoot lefty so I like the ergos of the tang safety. I also like the smooth action of the BPS/Ithaca design and like the fact that there's no shell elevator in the way for loading, points shared by the 500 at lower cost.
I'm not a real fan of the 870 because of ergos and the expresses are rust magnets in the salt marshes and bays where I hunt. Be okay in a camo finish or painted, but me, I'll take the Mossberg over the 870 if only for the ergos.
oldwheelieguy
Member
I most all cases it is the the lose nut behind the gunstock. Benelli is the finest but you can do well with most any auto or pump. As I said , it is the lose nut behind the stock more than the gun.
Virginian
Member
A good gas auto from any of the major makers; whichever one feels best to you. If you gave me a Benelli or any other "inertia" or long recoil action gun I would sell it ASAP. I just don't like them. 'Best' in every action type is constantly debated and there is no one best gun, unless you believe the advertising.
If your dream gun is under $1000 in 2011, you need to start having something different before you go to bed at night. You can get some very good guns for that, but dream big.
If your dream gun is under $1000 in 2011, you need to start having something different before you go to bed at night. You can get some very good guns for that, but dream big.
Sav .250
Member
You can buy a "duck" gun for a whole lot less! Gun Shows are a great place to find one.
Under $1K, I'd buy 2-3 Remington Express guns. At a little over $1,000 I like the Benelli M-2, or look for a used Benelli M-1 for less than 1K. I actually use a M-1 I bought lightly used for around $700 a few years ago. I've owned just about everything out there and love this gun.
Mossberg 930
Can be pruchased for under $1k as can a Berretta 3901. You maybe able to find a Browning Silver for under $1k. Back a couple of years ago I purchased a Browning Maxus in black w/a 28" barrell for under $1k.
My personal recommendation is save a little over a grand and go for the Maxus. My girlfriend loves duck hunting and that is what she uses. Duck hunting is not top on my list. I like to walk the fields so upland works for me.
I hate spent too many years trialing on ducks at herding trials and doing set for herding trials with ducks. I love cooking duck though.
O/U there aren't a new ones that are reliable etc for under $1k.
Can be pruchased for under $1k as can a Berretta 3901. You maybe able to find a Browning Silver for under $1k. Back a couple of years ago I purchased a Browning Maxus in black w/a 28" barrell for under $1k.
My personal recommendation is save a little over a grand and go for the Maxus. My girlfriend loves duck hunting and that is what she uses. Duck hunting is not top on my list. I like to walk the fields so upland works for me.
I hate spent too many years trialing on ducks at herding trials and doing set for herding trials with ducks. I love cooking duck though.
O/U there aren't a new ones that are reliable etc for under $1k.
MCgunner
Member
My buddy has a CZ O/U, Turkish built, loves it. He shoots it well, too. I wouldn't say there are NO O/Us under 1000 dollars that are reliable cause I know his gun is. It's on its second dove season. He usually shoots a Mossberg 835 on duck hunts.
oneounceload
member
As much as I love my O/U and SxS, for duck hunting with that budget - a semi would be the ticket, especially one with lots of plastic and aluminum to mitigate rust factors
At that price, Benellis will be used, but the aforementioned Beretta 3901 would definitely be worth the look
At that price, Benellis will be used, but the aforementioned Beretta 3901 would definitely be worth the look
MCgunner
Member
I would prefer an auto, too. Heavy steel load recoil is mitigated by a good gas gun. I'd get a gas operated gun for this reason.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
870. Spend the rest of the money on guides,ammo and licenses.....
Tom Held
Member
remington versamax
I had a chance yesterday to shoot one of the new Remington Versamax shotguns at a sporting clays range in PA. Remington sponsored one of the stations and everyone had a chance to shoot 2 flurries of three birds thrown simultaneously (incomers and outgoer). You could put one of the following remington shells in the gun in any order: 2 3/4 inch #8, 3 inch #1 steel, 3 1/2 inch #2 steel (first time the course every allowed anyone to shoot steel or 3 shots).
Gun functioned perfectly with shells in any order. Recoil was minimal. I was pretty impressed at how well it functioned. I don't know of any other autoloader that would handle multiple length ammo and a combination of light, heavy, and heavy loads in any order.
They were taking orders for the gun at $1000.
Tom
I had a chance yesterday to shoot one of the new Remington Versamax shotguns at a sporting clays range in PA. Remington sponsored one of the stations and everyone had a chance to shoot 2 flurries of three birds thrown simultaneously (incomers and outgoer). You could put one of the following remington shells in the gun in any order: 2 3/4 inch #8, 3 inch #1 steel, 3 1/2 inch #2 steel (first time the course every allowed anyone to shoot steel or 3 shots).
Gun functioned perfectly with shells in any order. Recoil was minimal. I was pretty impressed at how well it functioned. I don't know of any other autoloader that would handle multiple length ammo and a combination of light, heavy, and heavy loads in any order.
They were taking orders for the gun at $1000.
Tom
oneounceload
member
Sorry Dave -= I'll disagree - with heavy duck loads, a semi will be a little more forgiving - and a new 870 WM will cost as much, if not more, than the 3901
MCgunner
Member
If it fits right, recoil is less a problem. I never shoot up a box of ammo on ducks and rarely on geese. Limit on ducks is 6 here and it has to be a good day to burn a box on snows. But, I like gas autos a lot. With a K to spend, well.....
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
So who buys NEW 870s? Out of 6 I've owned, the only new one was the 20 ga YE.
Heck, I built my duck.goose gun out of parts.....
Heck, I built my duck.goose gun out of parts.....
Tom Held
Member
870 failures
Dave, I talked to a lot of guys at the Remington Booth on Sunday and many were complaining about the ejector and loading problems on their new 870s to the factory reps. I think Remington has a real problem here. something has definitely gone haywire with their quality control. One guy sent his back to the factory twice and it was returned with the same ejector problem.
I suspect the profit margin is so low on the 870s that they are concentrating more on their autoloaders and centerfire rifles. They did not have a single 870 in the booth.
Tom
Dave, I talked to a lot of guys at the Remington Booth on Sunday and many were complaining about the ejector and loading problems on their new 870s to the factory reps. I think Remington has a real problem here. something has definitely gone haywire with their quality control. One guy sent his back to the factory twice and it was returned with the same ejector problem.
I suspect the profit margin is so low on the 870s that they are concentrating more on their autoloaders and centerfire rifles. They did not have a single 870 in the booth.
Tom
GreyCoupe
Member
Browning A5, pick your pill size. Put a Japanese barrel on it for steel. The best there is.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Sorry to hear that,Tom. I'd hate to see something start like the "Pre-64" mystique another firearms maker has to deal with now.
Meanwhile, I may incur the Wrath Of W/W if I see another old WM at a reasonable price and in a decent shape.....
Meanwhile, I may incur the Wrath Of W/W if I see another old WM at a reasonable price and in a decent shape.....
Rem-brent-browning
Member
Look for an older 12 bore 870 express with 3" chamber and screw chokes. Waterfowling is hard on any gun, but this one is VERY reliable- It will handle ALL forms of non-toxic shot and with the right chokes it will MURDER ducks and geese as long as you take care of it and do your part. I'm partial to the 20 bore with Hevi-shot on decoying ducks..... I would get a 16 bore, but the ammo is too hard for me to get unless I order it.........
MCgunner
Member
Waterfowl, stick with 12 gauge. Choice of gun is up to you, but 12 will outperform 20 every day and twice on Sunday and not cost any more to shoot. I like 20 on doves, but I ain't found a steel load yet that patterns worth a toot in 3' and hevi shot costs too much. I'd be out 750 bucks a season at least on ammo with that stuff at 3 bucks a shot figuring I can burn up 10 boxes of 25 if I hunt the season pretty heavy. Figure on .35 cents a shot with WW hi speed steel.
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