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Best Waterfowling Shotgun #6645346 01/23/17 09:22 PM
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Matagorda Mud Pig Offline OP
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So I'm retiring my Remington 1100. Need a gun to be used exclusively for waterfowl, budget is less than $2000. What is your opinion, or can you point me in the direction of a good article reviewing the make and model. Regardless, it has to shoulder well for me, but I'm curious what the expert waterfowlers here think. Also, make your argument for what gauge you like. I'm open for considering either a 10 and a 20 gauge.

I know this has been addressed, but none of the searches seemed adequate. Thanks in advance.




Re: Best Waterfowling Shotgun [Re: Matagorda Mud Pig] #6645352 01/23/17 09:28 PM
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Which ever one fits you best, they are all good. Go to a gun store and shoulder them all. The one that has you looking straight down the barrel is the winner.


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
Re: Best Waterfowling Shotgun [Re: Matagorda Mud Pig] #6645366 01/23/17 09:35 PM
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A300 for under 1000. Go w 400 extrema 1500+\_

Easy clean- 2 pieces plus trigger. I am left-handed and there isn't a gun that fits me perfectly off the store shelves. Use the shim kit that comes with guns. I typically drop the stock with the shims so the barrel is basically blocked from my view. I tend not to mount perfectly while duck hunting. I don't pick up gun until call the shot.

If your cheek is not firmly on gun- this keeps you from shooting high. Works well. Go to patterning board and see if your pattern is dead center. I was high- hence dropped the stock


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Take a kid Huntin
Re: Best Waterfowling Shotgun [Re: Matagorda Mud Pig] #6645392 01/23/17 09:52 PM
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+1 on the A400 Xtreme. Great gun!

With your budget you can buy whatever waterfowl gun fits you, though.

Re: Best Waterfowling Shotgun [Re: Matagorda Mud Pig] #6645418 01/23/17 10:04 PM
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I love the ease of breaking down my SBE so I can thoroughly clean it. Been shooting it for 10 years and love the gun.

Won't say it is the best because I haven't shot a whole bunch of other guns, but I have zero regrets in that purchase.

Re: Best Waterfowling Shotgun [Re: Matagorda Mud Pig] #6645449 01/23/17 10:25 PM
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My favorite shotgun was the Remington 1100, but I wanted something that was newer..... I really liked the feel of the Remington V3, so that is what I bought. I really like the feel of it !

Re: Best Waterfowling Shotgun [Re: Matagorda Mud Pig] #6645460 01/23/17 10:31 PM
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This needs to be a sticky.


Originally Posted By: Fooshman
I'll take a Black Female every time.

Re: Best Waterfowling Shotgun [Re: Matagorda Mud Pig] #6645549 01/23/17 11:17 PM
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I'm happy with my Franchi Intensity (3.5"). I'd imagine the Franchi Affinity (3" version) is just as good for a little less if you don't plan on shooting 3.5" shells.


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Re: Best Waterfowling Shotgun [Re: Matagorda Mud Pig] #6645556 01/23/17 11:24 PM
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popcorn



Re: Best Waterfowling Shotgun [Re: Matagorda Mud Pig] #6645625 01/24/17 12:15 AM
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I own and hunt with the new A5 and I like it a lot. I've shot the SBE II, A400, Maxus and SX3. I can personally vouch for the A400 and SX3 as very reliable. My buddy has put his SX3 though the gauntlet and it's still kicking.

The A400 is nice but IMO it has a weird feel to it but I think it's just something you can get used to.

If I was wanting a gas gun I'd go Maxus or SX3, inertia I'd go new A5.


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Re: Best Waterfowling Shotgun [Re: Matagorda Mud Pig] #6645635 01/24/17 12:20 AM
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I've used a Vinci for 2 seasons now and I've been happy with it...I like how easy it is to break down and clean. Prior to that I shot a Beretta 391 and I still love that gun. I've had to make an effort not to pull it out of the safe. Any of the B guns (Winchester is a Browning) are good and I'd get the camo wrap just from the protection aspect.


Originally Posted by Phil Robertson
Don't let your ears hear what your eyes didn't see, and don't let your mouth say what your heart doesn't feel
Re: Best Waterfowling Shotgun [Re: Matagorda Mud Pig] #6645678 01/24/17 12:43 AM
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Order urself the new browning sweet 16

On a budget?
I bought the remington V3, and i am very happy with that $899 gun in camo

Last edited by beaversnipe; 01/24/17 12:46 AM.

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Loved my 4 inches. Well needed.

Originally Posted by bill oxner
Hate Russians. Love happy endings. I saw snot fly. cheers


Re: Best Waterfowling Shotgun [Re: Matagorda Mud Pig] #6645758 01/24/17 01:28 AM
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Less than 2K? You can buy whatever shotgun fits you best.

SBE II = fantastic
SBE III = surely the same
Browning Cynergy = Fantastic
Other Brownings, Berettas, Benellis, some Remingtons... you get the idea.

Your budget is not a hindrance. You just need to buy for quality, fit, and preference.

Last edited by jdk1985; 01/24/17 01:28 AM.

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Re: Best Waterfowling Shotgun [Re: Matagorda Mud Pig] #6645778 01/24/17 01:38 AM
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I love my SBE II, going on 9 or 10 years now. I got it because I don't like to clean guns. Get a 12 ga, shells are cheaper and more plentiful.

Re: Best Waterfowling Shotgun [Re: Matagorda Mud Pig] #6645928 01/24/17 02:44 AM
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+1 vote for Benelli. SBE2/3 or Vinci. I also have the new A5 and like it a lot - but I pick up the SBE2 90% of the time. Good luck with your decision - let us know what you decide!

Re: Best Waterfowling Shotgun [Re: Matagorda Mud Pig] #6645941 01/24/17 02:52 AM
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I really like my Stoeger M3500 wrapped in Max5. Its perfect for duck hunting day in and day out.

I had a different middle of the road (price) semiautomatics and really fell in love with the M3500.


Richard Edwards
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Maverick Outdoors Texas Guide Service
Waterfowl Hunting, Dove Hunting, Freshwater Fishing
www.maverickoutdoorstx.com



Re: Best Waterfowling Shotgun [Re: Matagorda Mud Pig] #6646233 01/24/17 12:03 PM
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The best shotgun is the one that brings you the most joy in shooting.




The relevance of this 125yr old gun would shock most.


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Re: Best Waterfowling Shotgun [Re: Matagorda Mud Pig] #6646241 01/24/17 12:17 PM
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A400 Maxus A5 old A5 sbe11 the new remington V3 I hunt with a old model 37 and a model 311 they both are great guns but my go to gun is the A400 I don't use any of my Benelli anymore but they are good guns


If it bleeds I can KILL IT
Re: Best Waterfowling Shotgun [Re: Matagorda Mud Pig] #6646300 01/24/17 01:22 PM
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The new browning a5 "kinematic" action is almost identical to the SBEII since the patent expired. I have one and love it. Not one fail to fire, and I often hunt in mud and waist deep water.
I too had my heart set on the beretta a400 prior to this purchase, but after handling, the a400 seemed a bit to bulky for me. The a5 shoulders perfectly and shoots the lightest of loads with ease. I was in OK a few weekends ago on a goose hunt and the 3.5" magnums shot nicely as well. I do not have a complaint. Go handle all of them and see what you prefer.

Re: Best Waterfowling Shotgun [Re: beaversnipe] #6646499 01/24/17 03:20 PM
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Originally Posted By: beaversnipe
Order urself the new browning sweet 16

On a budget?
I bought the remington V3, and i am very happy with that $899 gun in camo


My father picked up two old A5s at an auction a few years ago. I love using them. The only problem is the ammo is pricey.

Re: Best Waterfowling Shotgun [Re: Matagorda Mud Pig] #6646645 01/24/17 04:26 PM
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Stoeger seems great for the money.

Browning maxus, easy choice. Can shoot any load and shoot them softly. Points well, is lightweight too.


Originally Posted By: Fooshman
I'll take a Black Female every time.

Re: Best Waterfowling Shotgun [Re: Matagorda Mud Pig] #6646656 01/24/17 04:33 PM
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My A300 has been pretty solid. I love the gun for the price. I don't ever shoot 3.5"; so that wasn't a factor.

Re: Best Waterfowling Shotgun [Re: Matagorda Mud Pig] #6647008 01/24/17 08:44 PM
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I have a A400 extreme and love it. Shoots 2 3/4 3 and 3 1/2. Any charge, any shot size with no alterations. I took mine downtown Dallas to the Beretta gallery and the gun smith fit it to me for no charge. I am left handed as well so it really made a difference on where the gun pointed after he worked on it. I comes in a nice hard plastic case with chokes and all the shims and such. It is a heavy momma but great in a blind. It knocks the Damn it out of ducks!!

Re: Best Waterfowling Shotgun [Re: mavericktx] #6647390 01/25/17 01:19 AM
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Originally Posted By: mavericktx
I really like my Stoeger M3500 wrapped in Max5. Its perfect for duck hunting day in and day out.

I had a different middle of the road (price) semiautomatics and really fell in love with the M3500.


I love mine too. The M3500 uses the inertia system. Plus, with his budget, he can buy three of them (although I don't think they make a 10 gauge, so he will have to go with the 20 gauge.)


Originally Posted by bill oxner
I just turned it on . I was looking bird dogs in the butt this morning.


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Re: Best Waterfowling Shotgun [Re: Matagorda Mud Pig] #6648116 01/25/17 04:01 PM
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I haven't really shot the new ones all that much. I'm still rocking my 391 eXtrema 2 and I will be until the saltwater rust takes it


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