duck hunting

[dixie_717]

Ive recently got interested in duck hunting. I know a lot of guys that duck hunt and most of them use 28 inch barrels. All i have is a mossberg 500 with 24 inch barrel. My question is does 4 inches make that big of difference because a new gun is pretty much out of the picture. And what choke is the best. Thanks

 

[oldguy870]

24" is fine. Use a IC or Mod depending on how your gun patterns.

You are good to go!

 

[rcmodel]

A longer barrel swings smoother, making it easier to maintain the right lead on a passing bird.

Choke depends on your shot size & type of shot.

Since you have to use non-toxic shot for hunting waterfowl anywhere is the USA?
I'd lean to no more then a Mod choke, and also pattern test it an IC choke with the shells you intend to hunt with.

It depends also on if you are pass shooting at longer range, or hunting in flooded timber, or over decoys at closer ranges.

Full choke or any tight choke will not work with steel shot.

rc

 

[jmr40]

I kill more ducks with IC. I have to pass up some longer shots, but hit a higher percentage of the shots I do take with IC rather than Modified. Steel tends to pattern about one choke tighter than lead so I'm actually getting close to Modified patterns with the IC tube in.

I wouldn't buy a 24" barrel as a primary waterfowl gun, but you can do pretty well with it. I actually prefer 26" as an all around length and consider 28" to be pretty much for long range pass shooting only. Given a choice between 24" and 28", I'd pick 24".

You'll find it a bit of a disadvantage on long range passing shots, but an advantage on closer range quick snap shots or when hunting in flooded timber. It depends a lot on where, and how you hunt.

 

[orphanedcowboy]

24" would be handy from a layout blind or in the timber. I prefer a 28" but had a M2 20ga with a 24" barrel and it was a perfect gun for pit blinds, timber and layouts.

Pattern it with some 1450fps loads and your I/C or L/M and you will probably be golden.

 

[Virginian]

24" will work, but it's loud and most prefer longer. I use full or improved modified choke regardless of the type of shot, but whatever you use pattern your gun with the shells you intend to use so you know what you have at what range. As long as you get tubes rated for the shot you will be fine. I think the whole "You need less choke with steel" is hogwash; steel patterns the same way lead does, it just patterns a little better because the pellets are harder. And it packs less punch when it gets there. I have been at it for 49 years - so far. My wife used to say she was going to put "Duck Hunter, Husband, and Father" on my tombstone to get things in the right order.

 

[303tom]

If you have a mossberg 500 with 24 inch barrel, and it`s probably a modified choke you should be just fine hunting ducks with it...........

 

[Spats McGee]

There's nothing wrong with a 24" barrel. I typically use a shorter barrel for hunting the woods, and longer for hunting the fields, but if I have to take a shorter gun to the fields, that's no big deal.

 

[oldguy870]

Because most of us are gun people, we fixate on the gun. The truth is that there are many, many things more important to being a good duck hunter than the gun. The gun is probably the least important item.

Understanding duck behavior
Picking a good spot
Decoy placement
Knowing when to shoot
Knowing how to shoot
Cover
Calling ability

The list goes on and on. Just about any gun will work.

 

[Salmoneye]

Since mandatory non-tox, I shoot steel, and nothing tighter than mod...

Oh, the good old days of lead...

*sniff*

 

[chas08]

Oh, the good old days of lead...

I actually prefer hevi-shot over lead. I just wish it was $3.75 for a box of 25, like High Brass lead used to be, instead of $33.75 for a box of 10!!!!

 

[au_prospector]

If you want a longer barrel, you dont necessarily need a new shotgun when you own a Mossberg 500. Barrels are interchangeable, readily available and somewhat inexpensive at around $100 each.