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Suggestions for a Duck Gun
#7312393
10/12/18 06:37 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 39
jerblack
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 39 |
Looking for a reasonably priced 12 gauge Duck gun that comes with a Camo pattern. I have a great upland gun but don't know where to start for ducks. Would prefer less than $1,000 and can shoot 3 1/2 inch shells. Thanks for the suggestions in advance.
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: jerblack]
#7312440
10/12/18 07:25 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,277
BradyBuck
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,277 |
Everything I would suggest is $1200+
Good luck
HRCH Washita's Kimber Locked N Loaded GRHRCH Firefly's Rally The Troops MH
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: jerblack]
#7312450
10/12/18 07:42 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,024
huck18
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If you could do without the 3.5" shells which you don't really need for ducks you could go with an A300 for about half that price.
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: jerblack]
#7312475
10/12/18 08:06 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 267
AZ_Hunter_2000
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 267 |
For 3" shells, look at the Beretta A300. I have one and love it.
For 3.5" shells, look at the Beretta A350. While I do not have it, it should be pretty darn good and is at your upper price limit.
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: AZ_Hunter_2000]
#7312480
10/12/18 08:13 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,024
huck18
Veteran Tracker
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For 3" shells, look at the Beretta A300. I have one and love it.
For 3.5" shells, look at the Beretta A350. While I do not have it, it should be pretty darn good and is at your upper price limit. I didn't even realize they had an A350. I thought you had to go up to the A400 to get a 3.5" chamber. Since they do. This is the OP's best bet. Right at $1,000 for the camo coated version. You could probably get a blued version a little cheaper. https://www.cabelas.com/product/BERETTA-A-XTREMA-SEMI-AUTO-SHOTGUN/2132218.uts
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: jerblack]
#7312488
10/12/18 08:25 PM
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 107
TXCrossTimbers
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 107 |
Mossberg 835 Ultimag is ultimate waterfowl gun.
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: jerblack]
#7312489
10/12/18 08:28 PM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,005
Whack n stack
Pro Tracker
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check out franchi affinity if you're okay only being able to shoot up to 3" shells, or they make the intesity that shoots 3 1/2". honestly, i believe 3 1/2" shells are over rated and more of a 'magnum factor' duck hunters think they need. i shoot the benelli m2 which is a 3" chamber and have never needed more.
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: jerblack]
#7312500
10/12/18 08:36 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,002
68A
Extreme Tracker
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: 68A]
#7312517
10/12/18 08:55 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,478
4Weight
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 4,478 |
Nice to have for Sandhills.
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: 4Weight]
#7312525
10/12/18 09:01 PM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,024
huck18
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,024 |
Nice to have for Sandhills. Sandhills, Big Geese and Turkey is about the only time I use them.
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: 4Weight]
#7312526
10/12/18 09:04 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,002
68A
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
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Posts: 4,002 |
Nice to have for Sandhills. 3” will do the job. Unless I was hunting sandhills and geese exclusively, I don’t see it as a necessity.
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: jerblack]
#7312539
10/12/18 09:20 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,788
wal1809
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
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Posts: 11,788 |
If you got a grand to spend, why not just wait and save a little more for an SBE? Some things are like smoking hot woman, worth waiting for the right one.
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: jerblack]
#7312756
10/13/18 01:40 AM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 39
jerblack
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 39 |
Thanks all for the great info! Now I have some starting points to really dive into this!
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: jerblack]
#7312870
10/13/18 05:11 AM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,811
TDK
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
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If you think you NEED a 3 1/2” 12ga you probably should have got a 10ga. 3” is fine for geese.
A.M. Little Bespoke Gunmakers LLC
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: jerblack]
#7312924
10/13/18 11:57 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 5,045
David Maas
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 5,045 |
I too would avoid the 3 1/2" shells
Franchi Affinity
Benelli M2 is $699 from Dunn's in camo, I was able to talk Cabela's into price matching them and picked mine up locally, with tax, it was close to the same as buying it from Dunn's with shipping and transfer fees.
NRA Endowed Patriot Life Benefactor GOA Life Member TSRA Life Member NSCA Life Member
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: jerblack]
#7312993
10/13/18 01:39 PM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 463
N.Tx
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 463 |
Just bought a Synthetic A300 from Dunn's for $550. Hard to beat value IMO
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: jerblack]
#7313076
10/13/18 03:08 PM
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Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 618
nate33
Tracker
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Tracker
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Posts: 618 |
If you can hit with your "upland" gun, why would you want to change? My 20 ga o/u has never failed me on ducks. The secret is to hit the target when you pull the trigger,, not blast huge shells into the sky.
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: jerblack]
#7313077
10/13/18 03:09 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 12,344
Duck_Hunter
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 12,344 |
Stoeger M3500 has been great for me. I don’t shoot 3.5 inch shells but I might if I ever go crane hunting.
I just turned it on . I was looking bird dogs in the butt this morning.
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: jerblack]
#7313139
10/13/18 04:46 PM
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Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 108
KingHunter17
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 108 |
Browning A5. By far the best gun I have ever bought. It is more than 1000 though.
If the trigger is gold, the birds will fold.
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: jerblack]
#7313331
10/13/18 08:21 PM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,177
sallysue
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
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Posts: 3,177 |
I hunt a lot and treat my gun bad so I would go with a Benelli Cordoba
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: nate33]
#7313725
10/14/18 03:36 AM
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,428
BDB
Pro Tracker
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If you can hit with your "upland" gun, why would you want to change? My 20 ga o/u has never failed me on ducks. The secret is to hit the target when you pull the trigger,, not blast huge shells into the sky. My "upland" gun is a Browning Citori featherlite 20g O/U. I'd NEVER take that gun to the duck holes. My duck gun gets wet and abused FAR more than my upland gun. Why on earth would anybody want to ruin a classic....hell I could step off a magazine cover with that browning it looks so good.
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: jerblack]
#7313729
10/14/18 03:44 AM
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,428
BDB
Pro Tracker
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I'd get the 3.5 gun just in case you want to shoot geese or Sandhills I guess but I'd never shoot 3.5 at ducks...absolutely not need. Whatever you get just remember its going to get used and abused like a New Orleans whore. Just treat like a high class New York whore when the hunts over.
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: TDK]
#7314311
10/14/18 09:46 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,788
wal1809
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,788 |
If you think you NEED a 3 1/2” 12ga you probably should have got a 10ga. 3” is fine for geese. I see it different. If you go with a 10ga, that's all you got. The 3.5 12ga and the 10ga are extremely close, in the world of ballistics. With that being said, a 3.5 12ga can shoot 2.75, 3 and 3.5 inch shells. So the way I see it you get a much more versatile weapon, all the way up to something very compatible to the 10ga. The best thing is you're not paying 10ga prices for shells.
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: jerblack]
#7314345
10/14/18 10:25 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 49
BANDIT_DOC
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 49 |
I shoot a stoeger m3500 with a kicks high flyer extended choke. It has been. Fantastic gun in my opinion. I have a half dozen 12ga and have found myself taking it on every trip afield at the very least for use as a spare.
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: TXCrossTimbers]
#7314350
10/14/18 10:29 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,795
dogcatcher
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,795 |
Mossberg 835 Ultimag is ultimate waterfowl gun. X2
Combat Infantryman, the ultimate hunter where the prey shoots back. _____________"Illegitimus non carborundum est"_______________
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: 4Weight]
#7314428
10/15/18 12:02 AM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,075
aerangis
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
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Posts: 4,075 |
Def a Stoeger M3000 or M3500. Best value in an auto that I'm aware of, particularly in a recoil operated shotgun which is superior (for a number of reasons) to gas operated .
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: wal1809]
#7314444
10/15/18 12:23 AM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,075
aerangis
Extreme Tracker
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If you got a grand to spend, why not just wait and save a little more for an SBE? Some things are like smoking hot woman, worth waiting for the right one. You can get a new auto 12 for a lot less than a grand. A stoeger. Using Wal's analogy, yea, a grand will get you a smokin hot shotgun, but why? I understand some folks will spend the money, but ten benjamins won't do the trick if you aint got the skill. Just like a beautiful women, if you aint got game, paying a grand is the only way a man will ever exprience the thrill of the hunt and undressing that smokin hot hot women you hooked up with in the hotel bar. Some men do just fine with a dirt cheap shotgun.
Last edited by aerangis; 10/15/18 12:24 AM.
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: wal1809]
#7314898
10/15/18 02:32 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 5,045
David Maas
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 5,045 |
If you think you NEED a 3 1/2” 12ga you probably should have got a 10ga. 3” is fine for geese. I see it different. If you go with a 10ga, that's all you got. The 3.5 12ga and the 10ga are extremely close, in the world of ballistics. With that being said, a 3.5 12ga can shoot 2.75, 3 and 3.5 inch shells. So the way I see it you get a much more versatile weapon, all the way up to something very compatible to the 10ga. The best thing is you're not paying 10ga prices for shells. The 10ga will out pattern the 12ga 3 1/2" gun day in and day out, have less felt recoil and pattern the large letter shot that shines in large payloads exponentially better than ANY 12ga
NRA Endowed Patriot Life Benefactor GOA Life Member TSRA Life Member NSCA Life Member
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: BradyBuck]
#7316806
10/17/18 12:39 AM
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,466
ndhunter
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,466 |
Everything I would suggest is $1200+
Good luck I agree. A few hundred can make a big difference.
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: jerblack]
#7316820
10/17/18 12:52 AM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 447
woodduckhunter
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 447 |
"duck" guns are a marketing thing. You couldn't fit the ducks and geese that have been killed with an original humpback or 1100 in a salt dome...and they didn't make them with camo patterns either, nor did they have barrel stickers. No need for 3-1/2" shells, 3" if you are shooting a lot of big geese, 2-3/4 for ducks. tighten the choke down and shoot something more dense than steel.
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: jerblack]
#7318518
10/18/18 02:11 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 269
QuackerJacks
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 269 |
SBE Browning A5 Franchi Intensity M3500
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: jerblack]
#7318614
10/18/18 03:27 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 5,425
RayB
red bone Bob
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red bone Bob
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 5,425 |
Mossburg 930 $530 at Able Ammo If he's just getting into ducks, he would want to start cheap and start with a throw away gun
Last edited by RayB; 10/18/18 03:28 PM.
There is time, and you must take it, to lay your hand on your dog's head as you walk past him lying on the floor or on his settle, time to talk with him, to remember with him, time to please him, time you can't buy back once he's gone" GBE
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: jerblack]
#7318663
10/18/18 04:15 PM
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,716
duckhunter175
Pro Tracker
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Look used- I've seen plenty of SBEII, Maxus, etc on the market because people decided they want something new. The older Browning Gold is a great gun as well, I've seen good condition 3.5" stalker models for <$800
If you are budget limited I would also stick to a black gun so you can get more actual bang for your buck. No need for camo dip.
Nothing wrong with getting a 3.5"- doesn't mean you need to shoot them for everything but nice to have for turkeys, geese, cranes... and you don't have to tote the heft of a 10ga for the rest of the season.
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: TXCrossTimbers]
#7318694
10/18/18 04:44 PM
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 287
kweber
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 287 |
Mossberg 835 Ultimag is ultimate waterfowl gun. bought one when they first came out.. now have a rifle and riot barrel... blue and wood... added a leather lace-up pad... leggo-gun, can make it do anything
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: wal1809]
#7318698
10/18/18 04:51 PM
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 287
kweber
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 287 |
If you think you NEED a 3 1/2” 12ga you probably should have got a 10ga. 3” is fine for geese. I see it different. If you go with a 10ga, that's all you got. The 3.5 12ga and the 10ga are extremely close, in the world of ballistics. With that being said, a 3.5 12ga can shoot 2.75, 3 and 3.5 inch shells. So the way I see it you get a much more versatile weapon, all the way up to something very compatible to the 10ga. The best thing is you're not paying 10ga prices for shells. shot a lot of doves w/my 835... it was a do-all gun 20yrs ago.. I have other guns now... the big Mossy did it all then when I could only afford one gun... rice geese, dux and doves... even took it to a sporting clay range .. shot about 25 out of 50
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: TXCrossTimbers]
#7318700
10/18/18 04:53 PM
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 287
kweber
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 287 |
if only they made the 935 in blue and wood.. don't care for the plastic guns
Last edited by kweber; 10/18/18 04:53 PM.
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: 68A]
#7318705
10/18/18 04:59 PM
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 287
kweber
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 287 |
rice prarie pass shooting at camp when you only shoot a few times, the 3.5 puts a few more shot up there... they're high and not decoying... not sky-blasting.. just fun camp pass shooting
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: jerblack]
#7319762
10/19/18 03:54 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,659
Hopedale
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,659 |
Go try holding a few that have been recommended and see what fits. I like my Browning Maxus, but its above your price point. After I got my Browning I discovered that Winchester had their SX3 made by Browning. It uses the same gas technology that is in the Maxus. The Maxus is unable to fit an extension tube, but the Winchester can. Winchester has phased out the SX3 and now has the SX4. From what I read it uses the same technology as the SX3, but they made imporvements, such as a bigger trigger guard. Bud's has one in your price range - https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/31131But again, before you buy any of the shotguns recommended, go hold them and see how they shoulder.
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Re: Suggestions for a Duck Gun
[Re: kweber]
#7319798
10/19/18 04:31 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,002
68A
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,002 |
rice prarie pass shooting at camp when you only shoot a few times, the 3.5 puts a few more shot up there... they're high and not decoying... not sky-blasting.. just fun camp pass shooting Putting more pellets in the air doesn’t extend your range. Nor does more powder necessarily help your pattern. If you wanna take long shots, shoot heavier shot and up your choke size. However, bigger shot pushed faster usually equates to less than ideal patterns, at least IME. Read an article awhile back where a guy had tested turkey loads in both 3 & 3.5, from 30 yds to 75 yds. The percentage of pellets in the kill zone for both shells was roughly the same ( wanna say within 2%), for all ranges. When he got to 75 yds, the hits were a foot low and didn’t penetrate cardboard. I’m not saying 3.5 doesn’t have its place but the notion that it’s needed to kill the bigger birds is not true.
Last edited by 68A; 10/19/18 04:49 PM.
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