Waterfowl Gun
 

Any advice from veteran waterfowl hunters on a good general purpose waterfowl gun? Am considering either a Benelli Super Black Eagle or a Benelli M1 Field. Do I really need 3 1/2" chamber?

RE: Waterfowl Gun
 

I have never needed a 3.5 chamber. Although, I don't goose hunt either. I use to have a SBE and it was a fine gun indeed. However, it just did not shoot that well for me. I currently shoot a Beretta 391 Urika. Best gun I have ever owned. It is light-weight, gas operated (lower recoil than inertia), points and balances very good for me. Also a few $ LESS than the Benelli's.

RE: Waterfowl Gun
 

You can't beat a Remington 870!

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: Waterfowl Gun
 

What the Swamper said!

Ron:D

RE: Waterfowl Gun
 

You don't need a 3 1/2" gun, although it's nice to have the option.If your looking at spending that kind of money on a scattergun, check out the Winchester X2, damn fine guns
http://www.winchester-guns.com/prodi...y.asp?cat=009C

RE: Waterfowl Gun
 

There's no reason for a 3.5 inch gun. If anyone tells you that you need a 3.5 inch to kill geese or even ducks for that matter they have a lot of learing to do. I went with the M1 super 90. While shopping for a gun I never even considered the SBE. I've shot the M1 for 2 years now and I've never had a miss fire or jam up and it has been through hell and back a number of times, when the action has had icicle's forming on it to being absolutly caked with mud it's taken around 175 ducks and about 45 geese in the last two years for me. It shoots any type of shot size wether it's 4 for early season teal to T's for the late season Honkers consistently 3 inch and 2 3/4 inch and it's about 200-400 cheaper than the SBE, it's just a super super gun. I wouldn't traded my M1 for another waterfowl gun period.

RE: Waterfowl Gun
 

I feel that it is all preference and confidence. Use whatever gun feels good and shoots good for you. Same goes for the load.

RE: Waterfowl Gun
 

In my opinion the real advantage to owning a 3.5" gun is that you can shoot anything out of it. If you run out of shells or leave yours at home your alternatives are unlimited as long as your buddies are shooting 12s as well.

My dad hunts with a 2 3/4" and I hunt with a 3". I have seen SBE fail on several occasions however. I like a pump gun for the duck blind. Plus I would hate to spend $1000 on a something I was going to treat like a duck gun. 870s make damn fine boat paddles in a pinch.

Andy

RE: Waterfowl Gun
 

You don't NEED a 3 1/2", but if you want one get one. I only use 3 1/2" shells for geese and the last few day of the duck season. As far as guns recommendations I have a few. I'll list 3 1/2" and 3" guns in different price ranges all are semi-auto's.

Beretta's Pintail/ES100, 390/3901, 391's, Xtrema

Benelli's M1, SBE

Browning Gold's

Franchi's 612, 912

Stoeger 2000

Weatherby SAS

Winchester SX2's

Hold as manyy as possible and pick the one YOU like the best.

RE: Waterfowl Gun
 

when in doubt, buy beretta!!![8D] i am a beretta guy and have been shooting them for years. the beretta semiauto gas are perfect for waterfowl. by the 391 or the 391 extreme if you feel you need the extra length. but i shoot 3" as a last resort. i get by just fine on 2 3/4" most of the time. i have used the 3 1/2" and feel it does give you a slight advantage when you are shooting further out. see the "skybusting" posts.

seriously, i have used beretta and benelli. the benelli is a touch faster, but who can shoot as fast as both guns at a bird, but is much touchier. it jammed more often and did not cycle different types of loads as wel. to test the 2 i shot hundreds of rounds without cleaning to see how far each would go under "dirty" situations. the benelli jammed several times even ocasionally when clean. the beretta shot well over 800 rounds without a single jam. it even shot perfect in the rain, covered in mud (even got stepped on by the dog a few times, unloaded). i have never had a beretta jam on me with the exception of one grouse outing when the key for the trigger lock fell into the receiver without my knowing it. even with the key in it only jammed once. i took the key out and it was perfect again.

but i am a beretta man so take this any way you want.;)

RE: Waterfowl Gun
 

I am happy with my Benelli Nova for waterfowl. I use 3.5" hevi-shot for geese and 3" steel for ducks. The Nova is a bit cheaper too.

RE: Waterfowl Gun
 

Of those 2 I would go with the SBE. I am really happy with my Nova though.:)

RE: Waterfowl Gun
 

I've hunted ducks and geese all over the 870 is a good gun, but I like the mossburg 835, less money shoots all shell, though you don't need the 31/2, and I found pumps are better in the cold muddy duck blinds and pit blinds in a korn field. just food for thought.

RE: Waterfowl Gun
 

One vote here for the Remington 870 in 3.5 inch mag. That gun has never jammed on me, and I have taken it through mud, water, sandbars, everything. Easy to clean, raltively cheap, well piece of duck-bustin' hardware.

RE: Waterfowl Gun
 

NO you don't need a 3 1/2 chambered shotgun, I shoot 2 3/4 for goose and ducks using Hevi-Shot in a Beretta 391.

RE: Waterfowl Gun
 

Just my 2 cents but i agree with the pump analagy. I also agree with havin a 3.5 if you can afford it. I own a Browning BPS 3.5 and have never shot one outa it. But i have the option. Seems to kill geese just fine with 3's so ill stick with the cheaper. Im not a big fan of Beneli's or the Beretta's, but the agin im partial :D The 870's and winchester 1300's are way good guns for the money.agin just my 2 cents :)

RE: Waterfowl Gun
 

I would say the Remington 870. I have one and it is nice.

RE: Waterfowl Gun
 

if you want a pump for waterfowl go with the mossberg....... the Remingtons[new] are junk.....
here's an example of there auto......
http://www.refugeforums.com/refuge/s...hreadid=179912

ps
the express line pumps are also trash.....and that comes from Junkington
themselves

RE: Waterfowl Gun
 

Sorry but i had a mossberg and the thing was crap. Sorry I would never buy another in my life again.

RE: Waterfowl Gun
 

Don't say sorry, you got a lemon.....it happens. I know half a dozen guys that have been shooting Mossy for years and not a hint of trouble

RE: Waterfowl Gun
 

I Love My Benelli M1 for ducks. And if it's geese on the list I never leave home without my Browning Gold 10ga. I personally feel you don't need 3 1/2 for ducks, but for those tough honkers i use 3 1/2 BBB out of my Browning.

RE: Waterfowl Gun
 

no, you dont. It would be really good have though. I heard that the Benelli Super Black Eagle is a pretty good gun.

RE: Waterfowl Gun
 

I wouldnt bother with the 3.5 inch.I shoot geese n dont bother.@most you may get an extra 6grams of shot. As the bigger cartridges arnt actually anymore powerful you cant shoot at longer ranges so therefore a 3inch will be fine.
+ 3.5 tend to have problems cycling small low powered rounds so clay shooting is not always going to be an option.

However 3.5 inch look so cool so you know, I dont think You need it but its up2 you.

Tomy D

RE: Waterfowl Gun
 

Ive killed ducks, geese, and sandhill cranes with my $248 3" Winchester 1300 Blackshadow just as good as the $1000+ autoloaders, and I love how smooth the action is too. I will say, though, that Benelli's are some nice shotguns, and everyone I know who had one loves it.

RE: Waterfowl Gun
 

I have killed swans also with my 3 inch sweetheart. If you can afford the extra money, get the 3 1/2 and you will never be mad that you should of got the 3 1/2. As to this whole thing of what gun to buy. It is as hot of a debate as Ford, Chevy and Dodge. All large gunmakers are making good shotguns right now. Pick the one that feels good. You also want to make sure that enough people have shot that paticular shot gun. You don't want to be the first to try out a brand new item. Good luck.