I'm looking into buying a new shotgun for goose hunting. I shoot a 12 ga. 870 now and love it for ducks. I'm wondering if i should step up to a 10 ga. or get a 3 1/2 12 ga. What are the range differences in these two guns? Any help would be appreciated.

I would just stick with your 12g. and save the money. Just shoot different
shot(s), what do you use for ducks?? 2-4? Just shoot some BB's and you should be fine.

Stay with the 12. Like Idaho Hunter said step up your shot size. Depending on range you might want to look at T's for geese that's all I shot at geese for the simple reason one T pellet will knock a goose deader than S#*t.

Yes, you deffinately NEED a new gun, I guess you missed the paragraph were it states "for duck and upland hunting only, not intended for use on goose or larger game birds"lol . Seriously though, you and I are in the same boat or blind, so to speak. My Browning A5 is now officialy retired so i'm also looking for a new waterfowl gun. So far the two most likely choices are the MP153 by Baikal and the Mossberg 935. Both shoot up to 3 1/2" shell, which I feel has it's advantages. As you can see I'm staying in the low end of the price ranges, makes no sense to beat up a $1,200 gun in the blinds and pits.

A favorite goose gun of mine is the Benelli Camo Nova Pump for under $400.00. It shoots 2 3/4 to 3 1/2 inch shells.

STICK WITH YOUR 870!!!! I have your exact gun and have never had any problems with power. I know someone who also has a 12 gauge 870, and he has had his for about 10 years and also dosen't think 12 g, is too small. In my opinion getting into the most powerful kinds of guns just gets u skybusting more. People who think 12 gauges are too small for geese are probably those people you see shootin at geese as soon as they can tell wat they are!![:@]