Duck hunting shotgun question...

[RLP]

Camo or black it doesn't matter, either works.

But get a Benelli.

Agree on all above.

 

[HankBuck]

I can’t tell. Juvenile Ross and Snow geese are hard for me to tell apart…Especially in flight!

I’ll ask my guide…

@NIGHTHAWK - agree, I could never tell until “one hit the ground”, they are 1/2 the size of a Snow and that bird in your hand looks to be a “Ross” (Mallard size goose).
Looks like you had a good day overall !

 

[Philip Glass]

A couple of weeks ago I was in ND for pheasant hunting. After filling my limit in the morning (3/day), I went duck and goose hunting and really enjoyed it.

I borrowed a semi-shotgun for the duck hunting. I really enjoyed it, so decided to get my own lefty shotgun for the future. Based on an earlier post here and my own research I decided on a lefty Beretta A400 Extreme Plus.

Question for those that have a lot of experience, does the camo pattern really matter for ducks? I am leaning towards no camo.

I bought that exact gun for my lefty son. I'm no expert but for those birds I think camo is a good idea. I love Beretta!

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

@NIGHTHAWK - agree, I could never tell until “one hit the ground”, they are 1/2 the size of a Snow and that bird in your hand looks to be a “Ross” (Mallard size goose).
Looks like you had a good day overall !

From my guide in Alberta:

 

[BeeMaa]

@Tanks - If you are considering a gas gun, you may want to hold off until one of these is available. Looks to be an incredible waterfowl shotgun. Looks like it will be available in 26", 28" and 30" barrels with seven different color options...including black.

 

[HankBuck]

@Tanks - If you are considering a gas gun, you may want to hold off until one of these is available. Looks to be an incredible waterfowl shotgun. Looks like it will be available in 26", 28" and 30" barrels with seven different color options...including black.

@BeeMaa - interesting video and very “slick Marketing”. It will definitely “sell” semi autos to an already flooded market and Beretta was smart to focus on hunters that shoot 3” to 3 1/2” shells because that is a majority of waterfowlers today. I wouldn’t rush to buy this shotgun until it is “proven” and has 2-3 years in the field - a “recall” is almost certain….so let Beretta sort that out before purchasing. Also, for Me - I’ve never used 3 1/2” shells for ducks or geese as 2 3/4” does fine, even in steel shot but especially with the Hevi Shot, TSS and other “heavier-then-lead” materials now used. But I’m in the minority and if I ever decide to buy a New VERY “Ugly” gun for Waterfowl, that could handle the Howitzer Level Recoil from excessive 3 1/2” 12ga loads - I would look at this Beretta in a few years….(of course by then there will be 4” shotgun shells in production, throwing 5oz of shot at 2000 fps….and an entire NEW generation of shotguns made to handle them !!)

 

[BeeMaa]

As for the reliability of the AX800, yes...it needs some time. I would suspect that shooting lighter loads of the 1 oz kind will be a much bigger problem than field loads that are normally in the 1.5 oz and up range. But this isn't made for sporting clays, trap or skeet. It's what I would call the Glock of the shotgun world and I can't believe it took this long for a company to come up with this. It's not pretty, but it was made for function over aesthetics, and most waterfowlers will appreciate that. Tell you the truth, a wood stock on this shotgun would look out of place IMO. Like putting wood grip panels on a Glock...LOL.

Hold on guys, I know you can't put wood grip panels on a Glock. Just making a point. Or am I?

 

[HankBuck]

As for the reliability of the AX800, yes...it needs some time. I would suspect that shooting lighter loads of the 1 oz kind will be a much bigger problem than field loads that are normally in the 1.5 oz and up range. But this isn't made for sporting clays, trap or skeet. It's what I would call the Glock of the shotgun world and I can't believe it took this long for a company to come up with this. It's not pretty, but it was made for function over aesthetics, and most waterfowlers will appreciate that. Tell you the truth, a wood stock on this shotgun would look out of place IMO. Like putting wood grip panels on a Glock...LOL.

Hold on guys, I know you can't put wood grip panels on a Glock. Just making a point. Or am I?
View attachment 728206

@BeeMaa - I really like those wood laminated grips on that pistol - looks good and they should be very durable….although I’m Not a Glock fan - they seem reliable

 

[Altitude sickness]

Be careful as the season gets later and water gets colder.

My brother in law drowned years ago in similar circumstances.

Champlin man drowns saving dog stuck on ice during North Dakota hunting trip | FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul

A Minnesota man tragically drowned while trying to rescue a dog in the Eszlinger Waterfowl Production Area in North Dakota last week, according to the McIntosh County Sheriff's Office.

www.fox9.com

 

[Tanks]

As for the reliability of the AX800, yes...it needs some time. I would suspect that shooting lighter loads of the 1 oz kind will be a much bigger problem than field loads that are normally in the 1.5 oz and up range. But this isn't made for sporting clays, trap or skeet.

The only way I can practice is Sporting Clays, so it is important for the gun to be able to run target loads. That's the reason I had to return the Benelli and get a 20ga A400 for my Argentina trip. It also does not come in LH configuration. I actually got an email from Beretta yesterday that made me research this shotgun.

Be careful as the season gets later and water gets colder.

I was just there a few weeks ago.

 

[BeeMaa]

@Tanks - I also practice with sporting clays, but it's not the "ideal" tool for the job. And then there's the LH thing that you have so that's a limiting factor.

I still fall on the inertia drive option for the reliability factor in all weather conditions. Plus the SBE3 comes in black and LH options. FYI - I run 1 oz target loads in my SBE3 with zero problems shooting clays. I probably have close to 5K shells down the pipe so far.

GB SBE3 LH 28" Black

 

[375er]

Personally I will stick with a sxs, or o/u, but that is just me.

 

[Tanks]

Personally I will stick with a sxs, or o/u, but that is just me.

I don't think my Grulla SxS are proofed for steel or hemi. I also would want to change the chokes depending on game. Not to mention the conditions that would be adverse for nice wood stocks.

 

[375er]

I don't think my Grulla SxS are proofed for steel or hemi. I also would want to change the chokes depending on game. Not to mention the conditions that would be adverse for nice wood stocks.

I have a Citori that I have hunted waterfowl with for over 45 years and you would never know it. Blued steel and wood just takes a bit of simple care. Fixed chokes too. To each their own.

 

[BeeMaa]

I had a Browning Cynergy Wicked Wing O/U with 3.5" chambers and Cerakote finish that I planned on using for waterfowl. It didn't fit me very well and I sold it to @Mekaniks a while back. Last I knew he was loving it.

I believe it had a neutral cast and could be used by left handers pretty well, plus has removable chokes and proofed for steel. Only available in camo patterns.

 

[Russ16]

I have a Citori that I have hunted waterfowl with for over 45 years and you would never know it. Blued steel and wood just takes a bit of simple care. Fixed chokes too. To each their own.

That’s true most of the time. But head out for sea ducks and starting getting sprayed with salt water and you can watch a blued gun rust in front of your eyes. Even my Benelli picks up some spots around the bolt handle and trigger.

I’d you’re in flooded timber or your average Mississippi or central flyway hunt a blued gun is great. Head to big water on the Chesapeake or Atlantic coast and it’s a different situation. Not unusual to have a salt water wave completely cover you and your gun. There are guys that hunt with blued steel guns but none of them look close to decent condition.

 

[375er]

That’s true most of the time. But head out for sea ducks and starting getting sprayed with salt water and you can watch a blued gun rust in front of your eyes. Even my Benelli picks up some spots around the bolt handle and trigger.

I’d you’re in flooded timber or your average Mississippi or central flyway hunt a blued gun is great. Head to big water on the Chesapeake or Atlantic coast and it’s a different situation. Not unusual to have a salt water wave completely cover you and your gun. There are guys that hunt with blued steel guns but none of them look close to decent condition.

All about having the right tool for the right job!

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Get an old "humpback" A5 and trick it out. The infamous Browning "double shuffle" is downright loveable once you get used to it. Recoil is so drawn out it's almost unnoticed. The weight helps too. Swings so sweetly, even when I'm tired. The aftermarket Champion plastic stock set on mine looks like crap but fits me perfectly.

This is this morning's bag limit of three roosters, again in just three shots. Walked close to eight miles for them. I will have to give credit to my dogs, especially the black Lab. An amazing pointer that works very close. Two of these birds were set up so perfectly Helen Keller could have shot them.

Personally, I think skeet is better practice for wingshooting. Low gun of course. And station eight is excellent practice for dropping incoming dangerous game.

 

[DaddyFlip]

When I did duck/goose/sandhill crane hunt a quarter centr'y ago, it was with an all black Browning BPS 10 gauge pump. Loved that gun. Sold that gun. Tried a 3-1/2 12ga later that wasn't near as good, but it was black. Now have a Beretta 1301 Comp if I ever need to bird hunt again- yes, it's black. Camo makes no difference in a duck blind. Let the decoys move, be still, DON'T LOOK UP!

 

[Schüler Jumbo]

If the shotty is going to be a dedicated waterfowl gun then I say camo; every bit of stealth is a hunter’s advantage. Waterfowling, especially in saltwater/brackish coastal waters can take its toll on a firearm. Hence waterfowl shotguns that can be easily stripped and cleaned and have rust protective coating are a real plus.