Buy once cry once shotgun for water fowl

[thinhorn_AK]

Hello,

I’m a fair weather bird hunter but I’m trying to get into it more and more. In the past I didn’t go much because I didn’t really know anybody who was into it. My bird hunting season consisted of a goose or 2 and ducks when I happened to catch them while jet boating on creeks.

I’ve since met a few guys who are all in, they have invited me on a few trips with them this next year to some real legit places for Brandt’s, geese, sea ducks etc.

My current shotgun is a beat up old Remington rust bucket, it works but I want to invest in a nice semi auto, I’m going to have to order due to where I live so I can’t really go and try a bunch. I’m looking for something I’m going to be happy with for years to come, price isn’t an issue but I’d like to stay under 2k.

What would you buy for a one and done waterfowl gun? I’m thinking a benelli super black eagle or maybe some version of the A5.

What would you get?

Thanks!!!

 

[Northpark]

If it was me I’d be looking hard at the A5 wicked wing edition. I’ve shot my buddies and for me it handled really well. Has just enough heft to promote good a swing.

 

[KurtR]

Yep the benelli will be the way to go one thing to remember the Remington always goes bang . I have a wing master my dad bought the year I was born in 1979 won a bunch of trap shoots and it has killed a lot of birds. I am buying a new shotgun this Christmas but the old wing master will always have a spot in the safe. I’m going franchi affinity because it feels the best out of all of the guns I shouldered

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

Beretta A400 XTreme.

 

[Gunnersdad49]

Versamax has a loyal following in our pits!

 

[FOS373]

I have the A5 wicked wing and love it. If you dont like the humpback, the Maxxus is popular in the blind too

 

[PNWGATOR]

I too love my Beretta A400 Xtreme.

Reality is that any of the ‘B’ guns that fit you would be a good choice.

 

[Yukon Cornelius]

Benelli sbe3. Man do I regret letting that one go. However my budget is NOT what it once was so now I’m looking at the Winchester (don’t remember the model) and the berretta a### extreme.

 

[Browtinemt]

I’ve shot a Benelli super nova for 15+ years. Great for river or field hunting. Great for ducks or geese. Everyone I hunt with shoots some kind of Beretta or Benelli semi auto, but that super nova pump action keeps up and hasn’t jammed yet. Great all around weapon that doesn’t need pampered. Plus, you can invest the remainder of your budget and fill a trailer with quality decoys.

 

[Sccritterkiller]

Shot Beretta 391 extreme for 10 yrs...got the A400 1st year they came out...I use the a400, my oldest boy uses the 391....I have used my Beretta for just about everything including a boat paddle...they have both been completely submerged in saltwater multiple times...dump a bottle of fresh water on them to get the grit out of the action and they work just fine...I do disassemble and spray off with hose after the hunt. If only for waterfowl make sure you get a 28" for whatever you get...YMMV

 

[F250]

Remington Versamax has served me well for the past several years. Hunt multiple states and (normally) Canada.

 

[T28w]

Benelli or browning.

Surprised that the verse max got mentioned as I have been in quiet a few pits and have yet to see one. I picked one up when they first came out and did not like it. Never shot one either so not downing it.

 

[SaltyUte]

If you are going to stay away from heavy saltwater get the M2 if not, the SBE with their new coating is bombproof and worth the extra money.

 

[hartigjosh]

I shoot a lot of ducks and in some harsh conditions with fresh, salt, and brackish water
I have owned most of the majors and my current fleet is 2 m2's and one SBE2

If I wanted the most indestructible gun I would get the beretta a400 and make sure its treated or preferably cerakoted.

If I wanted the best shooting gun I would get the benelli m2 and again get a cerakote edition for durability

I like my guns light and shorter (26 preferred over 28 inch barrel especially with the after market chokes adding length)

If you hunt hard just make sure to clean and or disassemble your gun every time before you put it away after a hunt. I made it a habit to at least disassemble and let the parts dry after every hunt and in between days hunted.

If you are looking at guns and worried about 3inch vs 3.5inch DONT
If you cant shoot it with a 3 inch should you really be shooting the bird? Waterfowling is not a long range sport, it is all about your setup and calling and positioning to make the bird think you are other birds... get em in close and don't educate them before they migrate to me please!

 

[Dust Rider]

Own a SBE 2. Never had a jam. Amazing shotgun. I also bought the rifled slug barrel for it. Tack driver

 

[Jagger0502]

I have been shooting my benelli SBE for 15 years and I shoot a lot. Maybe have cleaned it twice. Never had a jam, always goes boom.

 

[Islandchanel]

Benelli super eagle is the way to go

 

[SummitsCalling]

I have the Benelli SBE II, never heard of anyone with a complaint about them

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Thanks for the heads up, I’ll check out the a400 but sort of leaning towards the SBE. Definetly some salt water in the future.

 

[Squirrels]

I've hunted fowl for 30 years. My advice on a bang stick is to get an inertia driven gun. AVOID A GAS DRIVEN GUN LIKE THE PLAUGE. I'd suggest a A5 or a Benelli. Look into the Retays as wellI, have no experience with one but want to pick one up to try. Ever gas gun I've owned jammed and caused me to cuss a lot, no matter how clean or what ammo. My inertia guns go boom....every time.