Waterfowl Guns: 13 Great Duck and Goose Hunting Shotguns
From classic pumps, to new semi-autos, this gallery has the duck and goose gun for you.
Summer is the best time to buy a waterfowl gun. You have months to get comfortable with it, blasting away 2 3/4-inch loads at the trap range before really breaking in the gun and your shoulder in the fall. But choose carefully. Waterfowl hunting has a way of weeding out the weak and vulnerable shotguns (and hunters). Only the most reliable, durable designs will stand up to year after year of autumn migrations. The duck and goose guns on this list are among the best ever made. AdvertisementRelated PhotosSUBMIT YOUR PHOTOSADVERTISEMENTAdvertisement |
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Comments (4)
Been reading a lot of new shotgun data, & like the idea of min recoil. I'm going to pick one since I don't have the money to get 10 or 13 as the article judged & measured. Id like to stick with American, we still make good stuff to be proud of & the Wingmaster kinda jump out there at me for reliability. Yes it comes down to wood grain, design, handling & shine in the end but first it has to punch the ticket for operation. Thanks for the comments guys it all helps make a good decision.
They should have listed the Winchester Model 97 as it was used side by side with the model 12 for years and was a classic in its own right. They also should have included the Ithica pump gun which was a classic. All three of these are probably used still in duck and goose hunting though my 97 is cut down for a defense gun as it was cut down when I traded for it. But some of these new guns will never see duck hunting like the old ones did. I do not know about other parts of the country but in WI duck hunting sucks the flyway moved west to the Dakotas. There is no diver flights anymore in WI and darn few puddle ducks and they leave right away. Seldom do we get northern flights of mallards. In many parts of the country duck hunting is getting to be a lost cause.
How could they have left off the Browing Maxus? I'd choose that sweetie over most of the guns listed-certainly over the SBEII or that ugly Vinci! Both of those guns kick like angry mules comparatively!
I like the select of shotguns listed. As a hunter of migratory birds for the last 50 years I think the most significant change has been in shotgun shells not so much firearms. Specifically, I am referring to the advent of steel shotshells which require greatly increased velocity to allow the steel pellets a chance to kill anything pass 40 yards. We see more auto loaders as a consequence of the steel shells. Increased velocity translates into way more recoil and the need to dampen the effects of that recoil on our poor shoulders. Most experienced water fowlers would never have traded in their pumps for autoloader except for the beating they were taking. The auto's tame the recoil and regardless of what any tough guys have to say it needed to be tamed in order to be enjoyable to shoot. Firing 3 inch shells loaded at 1550 fps right up the the Remington Hyperspeed loads at 1700fps snaps the shotgun back like a centerfire rifle, even the report of the gun has become sharper. Ask your hunting dog if you need confirmation. Thank goodness for my new auto as i make it home without a headache or sore shoulder.
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I like the select of shotguns listed. As a hunter of migratory birds for the last 50 years I think the most significant change has been in shotgun shells not so much firearms. Specifically, I am referring to the advent of steel shotshells which require greatly increased velocity to allow the steel pellets a chance to kill anything pass 40 yards. We see more auto loaders as a consequence of the steel shells. Increased velocity translates into way more recoil and the need to dampen the effects of that recoil on our poor shoulders. Most experienced water fowlers would never have traded in their pumps for autoloader except for the beating they were taking. The auto's tame the recoil and regardless of what any tough guys have to say it needed to be tamed in order to be enjoyable to shoot. Firing 3 inch shells loaded at 1550 fps right up the the Remington Hyperspeed loads at 1700fps snaps the shotgun back like a centerfire rifle, even the report of the gun has become sharper. Ask your hunting dog if you need confirmation. Thank goodness for my new auto as i make it home without a headache or sore shoulder.
They should have listed the Winchester Model 97 as it was used side by side with the model 12 for years and was a classic in its own right. They also should have included the Ithica pump gun which was a classic. All three of these are probably used still in duck and goose hunting though my 97 is cut down for a defense gun as it was cut down when I traded for it. But some of these new guns will never see duck hunting like the old ones did. I do not know about other parts of the country but in WI duck hunting sucks the flyway moved west to the Dakotas. There is no diver flights anymore in WI and darn few puddle ducks and they leave right away. Seldom do we get northern flights of mallards. In many parts of the country duck hunting is getting to be a lost cause.
How could they have left off the Browing Maxus? I'd choose that sweetie over most of the guns listed-certainly over the SBEII or that ugly Vinci! Both of those guns kick like angry mules comparatively!
Been reading a lot of new shotgun data, & like the idea of min recoil. I'm going to pick one since I don't have the money to get 10 or 13 as the article judged & measured. Id like to stick with American, we still make good stuff to be proud of & the Wingmaster kinda jump out there at me for reliability. Yes it comes down to wood grain, design, handling & shine in the end but first it has to punch the ticket for operation. Thanks for the comments guys it all helps make a good decision.
Post a Comment (200 characters or less)