VTbluegrass
Well-Known Member
New pump of your choice or used Benelli.
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Gas operated semi-automatics kick less, so that's something to consider. A Remington V3 or Versamax would be gentle 'kickers', but a bit beyond your price range unless you can find a used one. Remington 870 (pump) is a great choice. Put a Limbsaver pad on it and skip the magnum shells (not needed) and it'll work fine. Mossberg 500s (pumps) are affordable and reliable, too. Browning BPS (pumps) are awesome, too. Very slick to cycle and they eject out the bottom so you aren't spitting shells out at your friends in the hunting blind. They appreciate that!
You do NOT need 3.5" shell capability. With hevi-shot, bismuth, and TSS now, you don't even need a 3" shell to be effective on waterfowl. People tend to get the biggest, hardest kicking shell to hunt ducks (and geese) and it's counter-productive. Standard 2 3/4" shells with the right shot will get 'er done without all the abuse of the longer, harder kicking magnums.
As for barrel length, in a semi-auto or pump, 26" or 28" is fine, but I like the shorter barrel (26") as it is handier from a blind since the action itself adds about 4" of length to the gun. If you do get an over and under (O/U), I like a 28" barrel to get a little more length/momentum for my swing as there is no additional length from the action to account for, but anything you buy will be fine if you go PRACTICE with it. A 26" O/U is great in the confines of a blind, but people tend to point and shoot and lose some follow through with the light, short barrels.
Shoot some trap and skeet (if you don't already) if you actually want to be able to hit birds. Sporting Clays is great, too. But you need to go shoot one of these shotgun 'games' to get intimate and good with your gun before hunting season rolls around. Good luck. Duck hunting can be a lot of fun.
You do NOT need 3.5" shell capability. With hevi-shot, bismuth, and TSS now, you don't even need a 3" shell to be effective on waterfowl. People tend to get the biggest, hardest kicking shell to hunt ducks (and geese) and it's counter-productive. Standard 2 3/4" shells with the right shot will get 'er done without all the abuse of the longer, harder kicking magnums.
As for barrel length, in a semi-auto or pump, 26" or 28" is fine, but I like the shorter barrel (26") as it is handier from a blind since the action itself adds about 4" of length to the gun. If you do get an over and under (O/U), I like a 28" barrel to get a little more length/momentum for my swing as there is no additional length from the action to account for, but anything you buy will be fine if you go PRACTICE with it. A 26" O/U is great in the confines of a blind, but people tend to point and shoot and lose some follow through with the light, short barrels.
Shoot some trap and skeet (if you don't already) if you actually want to be able to hit birds. Sporting Clays is great, too. But you need to go shoot one of these shotgun 'games' to get intimate and good with your gun before hunting season rolls around. Good luck. Duck hunting can be a lot of fun.
All of the above suggestions are fine choices. Unlike rifles, shotguns really don't get any more accurate from one make/model to another. An $80 pawn shop special will pattern exactly the same as a $25,000 fully custom Perazzi with the right chokes. That makes reliability and how the gun shoulders the prime drivers. It's tough to beat the reliability of the 870 or Mossberg 500. You should go to a cabelas/bass pro and throw a bunch of the used shotguns up to your shoulder and honestly go with what's most comfortable. If you're eyeballing a certain make, just know that most of the manufacturers use the same (or very similar) stock pattern so unless the gun's been carved up (ie modified or custom stock), most Rems will shoulder the same, most benellis will shoulder the same, most mossbergs, etc.
If you're venturing out into auto-loaders, my vote is the Remington 11-87. I've run them since the 90's and they are simple and bulletproof. And, if they mess up, you can pull it completely apart in the blind and clean it and put it back together with no tools. They're clunky, heavy, and definitely not in fashion these days, but they're tough, they shoulder great, they'll keep running when they're absolutely filthy, can be had for $550-$600, and with liberal application of WD-40 will certainly outlive you. That being said, find one with a 3" chamber (so it'll easily run target loads) and a non-"Sportsman" model. They started cheaping out in the mid-2000's and the new 11-87 Sportsman's feel like they're made out of whatever they make factory R700 bottom metal out of. I have 4 and every time I come across one of the older ones on a used gun rack I end up buying it (even if a buddy immediately buys it off me).
If you're venturing out into auto-loaders, my vote is the Remington 11-87. I've run them since the 90's and they are simple and bulletproof. And, if they mess up, you can pull it completely apart in the blind and clean it and put it back together with no tools. They're clunky, heavy, and definitely not in fashion these days, but they're tough, they shoulder great, they'll keep running when they're absolutely filthy, can be had for $550-$600, and with liberal application of WD-40 will certainly outlive you. That being said, find one with a 3" chamber (so it'll easily run target loads) and a non-"Sportsman" model. They started cheaping out in the mid-2000's and the new 11-87 Sportsman's feel like they're made out of whatever they make factory R700 bottom metal out of. I have 4 and every time I come across one of the older ones on a used gun rack I end up buying it (even if a buddy immediately buys it off me).
Okie Whitetail Hunter
Well-Known Member
I just recently got into it myself so I could spend time hunting with my nephews. I ended up buying a Tristar Upland hunter O/U for like 370 bucks. Bare bones O/U that shoots 3 inch shells. Worked great so far. My nephew uses a H&R Pardner that shoots 3 inch. He did have a bit of trouble once we had been shooting a ducks most of the day. Like they said it is addictive.
Can't go wrong with a rem 870. It's not overly high speed and sexy, but, it gets the job done.
When we hunt brackish marsh we leave our autos at home and bring pump guns. Those autos tend to malfunction out there.
When we hunt brackish marsh we leave our autos at home and bring pump guns. Those autos tend to malfunction out there.
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OK, if you say duck hunting you will be dragged into goose hunting at some point so I would stay with 28" barrel. If just sticking toe into water to see, buy a 870, you can always get slug barrel for it if you wanted as well. Tons of used 870's everywhere and they are the AK' of firearms. They will fire under most any condition and tear down real easy. Parts available in 1000 websites probably plus you can whizbang them up for little cash. If you can find one with a rib even better. The rib does help with your sight plane on flying critters.
870 remington pump easy tkke down to clean shot with one for years sold it and bought a browning semi auto
Wish i still had the 870 lol
I've done some duck hunting, I will warn you that it's highly addictive. Your question will get a ton of different answers and probably leave you inconclusive but there are a lot of reliable pumps made by several different manufactures. I wouldn't dump a bunch of money in a pump. Buy a pump for a reasonable price and enjoy.
I hunted with an 870 for many many years and I bought a used sbe 2 in 2003 or 2004. I love it for everything from doves to ducks and geese to turkey's. If it were me I would buy a used sbe 2 and buy once cry once especially if buy a semi auto but there is absolutely nothing wrong with an 870 or a BPS for that matter.
KyCarl
Well-Known Member
Cold.. Wet..Muddy..Too many rules...Not my thing at all.
I would much rather Dove hunt on a pretty afternoon here in Kentucky!
I would much rather Dove hunt on a pretty afternoon here in Kentucky!
