best gun for pheasant and duck hunting

Mossy Oak camo polymer stock and fore grip. Editor's Choice . Built upon the legacy and success of the Orion 12-gauge platform, this crowd favorite is now available in three 20-gauge models, including two field-oriented versions. The Editors Choice for the best duck hunting shotgun came down to a shoot-off between two of the premier semiauto duck guns:the Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 and the Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus. The only downside was the steep price, but the Super Black Eagle is worth the money considering what you get. The Browning Gold Light is the shotgun of choice for hunters who want the widest possible spread. And while good looks arent a strict requirement for the job, upland hunters tend to appreciate tradition and the finer things, so many upland guns have walnut stocks and at least some engraving. If you can use lead, by all means do so, and the Winchester Rooster XR 1300 fps 1-1/4 oz. Heres what we found after putting the latest and greatest guns through their paces. This gun has a 3 -inch chamber that accepts even the heaviest birdshot shells on the market, so get ready for an impressive spread. Other than its size, this gun is identical to the classic. Barrel lengths include 24, 26, 28, and even a 30-inch barrel, and Stoeger offers a variety . The Auto 5s long-recoil action always worked, although you had to get used to the unusual bouncing feel of the barrel moving back and forth as the gun cycled. The new owners of Remingtonnow RemArmsseem to have solved some of the quality-control problems that plagued the guns over the past 15 or so years and the one we tested. As a solid, heavier, well-made gun with a steel receiver and fewer plastic parts than the Mossberg, it got my nod as the better choice of the two. Coated with Benelli Surface Treatment, a high-tech, rust-proof, and scratch-resistant finish, and upgraded with the Easy Lock bolt that eliminates out-of-battery misfires, the Cordoba also has the porting and wide rib of a clays gun and can be had with a 30-inch barrel. It doesnt have a rear sight, though, so youll need to install one or rely on the front bead. Using the Modified choke that came with each gun (except for the M2 Waterfowl which comes with custom Light Modified), we used 3-inch 1 -ounce loads of 2 shot and shot at least three patterns at 35 yards with every gun to see how it performed with a typical all-around waterfowl load. The English springer spaniel is great at getting into the bush and flushing out pheasants and other birds. With its short, 18.5-inch barrel, its really a tactical shotgun, with limited accuracy at long ranges. The a400 has no issues cycling dove loads or 3.5 BBs for swan, its hell on the thunder chickens too.. We paid special attention to how the guns patterned, how well they functioned in the field and on the range, how much they kicked, how they handled, and how well they would serve as all-around guns. With its alloy receiver, the 500 is a very lightweight gunour 3-inch 12 gauge weighed 6 poundsso while its not a burden to carry, it is definitely a gun you will feel when you shoot it, especially with heavy loads. The Mossberg 590A1 Retrograde is a blessing for people who are small in size but still want the spread and power of a 12 gauge shell. Available in 3- and 3 -inch 12 gauge, the Maxus II cycled everything we ran through it. Stevens Model 555. The best ones have the right weight and balance so they accomplish the trick of carrying light and shooting heavy.. Its designed to be lightweight, but it makes the gun front heavy and makes it kick like a 12 gauge even with a 20 gauge bore. I abused mine by dropping it on riprap and in gravel parking lots with nothing more than cosmetic damage to an already ugly gun. The polymer stock is heavy enough for good balance, and features an adjustable rubber butt pad. The wide range of ammunition the A400 cycles makes it a versatile gun, too. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. Because the action ispowered by the shooternot expanding gases or recoila pump will cycle any load no matter how light. A redesigned synthetic stock makes the gun much easier to adjust for length and a soft comb insert reduces felt recoil dramatically, although not as much as the Beretta A400 did. Shotguns are best used instinctively, and how a gun handles, balances, points, and swingsand how comfortable it is to holdall have an effect on how easy the gun is to hit with. If you want to climb XP and money will hunt deer and moose. I bought the DLC to support the Devs, but the contents of this DLC is worthless, it is useless. The Win.s do not pattern well in my gun, but others have had excelent results. All Gun Dog subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. In that spirit, Browning outfitted the Gold Light with a dense polymer stock and fore grip, for a total weight of 9.5 pounds. The exception is the 28-gauge, which was built on a trim, scaled-down frame. These chokes are adjustable, able to become full, improved cylinder, improved modified, and lightly modified. Using the included shims, you can adjust the Xtrema to the exact pull length you needs. It has been over 25 years since the ban on lead shot for hunting waterfowl took effect. To achieve this low weight, the 320 utilizes a hollow stock, so youll feel every bit of kick your gun dishes out. This feature will come in handy should you ever drop a magazine cap in the marsh, which, not surprisingly, I have. You might want a shorter barreled or at least muzzle light gun that wont tangle in the brush or might be quicker to the target. Winchester SXP Waterfowl Hunter Pump-Action Shotgun - Best Affordable Duck Hunting Shotgun. Its efficient, its deadly as it is beautiful, and it costs many times more than most of us would ever be able to spend on a gun. If you absolutely must use a.410 shotgunfor duck hunting, use this one. (Read a review of the Winchester Super X4 here.). When you choose a duck gun, keep reliability in mind. Complete access to a library of digital back issues spanning years of Gun Dog magazine. A 20 gauge is not as versatile as12, but within its limitationsit makes a great choice. Put-and-take pheasant hunts start the Saturday before Thanksgiving. is a quality semi-automatic with walnut furniture. Still based in the sunflower state, he works in marketing for CZ-USA and tours the midwest and beyond with his motley menagerie of mutts and a small fleet of overland-equipped Toyotas. Like all Benellis, its an inertia-operated gun, making it extremely reliable in any weather condition. And of course, there are the important questions of weight, recoil and accuracy, all of which involve some trade-offs. Where grit, mud, ice, and moisture can cause a semiauto to fail, pump guns will keep on working inmiserable conditions. This is an updated take onBrownings original Auto-5. Remington Model 870 Express - Best Budget Duck Hunting Shotgun. Other than its size, this gun is identical to the classicMossberg 500. Not only is the A5 Stalker reliable, its also accurate. Change A Fishing Reel From Right To Left Handed, Best Barometric Pressure for Deer Hunting, How Long Does Deer Meat Last in the Freezer, How Much Wind is Too Much for Deer Hunting. The Beretta A400 is a beautiful, fast-shooting, reliable and clean running shotgun that can be used for hunting upland game and waterfowl. Updated Dec 1, 2021 9:00 AM EST, We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Other than what style action youre looking for and whether youre willing to shell out the money for a semi-auto length is another important consideration. TheRemington 870 ClassicTrap has a 30-inch barrel, the longest on our list. Savage 320 Field Grade. Whether youre going heavy with 3 -inch shells, or taking it easy with 2 -inch shells, youll feel the same smooth action every time. I have not been pheasant hunting this season, as I am too busy duck hunting. With well over 10,000,000 made, the 870 makes almost any best ____ shotgun ever made list by sheer weight of numbers. We werent. (Read a review of the Super Black Eagle 3 here.). Mossberg SA-20 ($469) The 20-gauge doesn't get as much love as it should with everyone in the bird hunting world, but it does have its purposes. (Benelli Surface Treatment) technology turning heads and taking stock in the market. The bottom eject makes them a pain to load if you want to use this gun for targets. It also comes complete with a fiber optic front sight and mid-bead, adjustable shims, and a trio of interchangeable chokes. From experience, steel 3's and 4's in 12 or 20 gauges seem to do the job quite well on pheasants and steel 6's or 7's are good for quail and woodcock hunting. But Parker gun sales suffered during the Depression, and WWII finished them off, as Remington transferred the last Parker workers to wartime production. Youll be firing off follow-up shots before the ducks even register that theyre being hunted. The controls are easy to use, even with cold fingers, and the Easy Lock bolt does away with the out-of-battery misfire common to inertia guns. On the downside, youre lugging a heavy shooting iron through the field to your duck blind. Why did we love the Winchester Super X4? Whats not to like? It weighs just under 8 pounds, with a solid polymer stock thats well balanced and takes most of the kick out of the action. Super Black Eagle 3. Dove hunting is by reserved draw Sept. 1 and 2. This is a real life saver if you shoot left-handed, since you wont have hot brass smacking you in your arm every other shot. A super-light inertia gun, it has quickly become the choice of upland hunters who want a light semiauto and appreciate the ballistics of a 16-gauge load. That means 50,000 or more new or reactivated hunters went afield last year, and many of those may be looking for a new waterfowl shotgun. With an expansive list of tried-and-true bird hunting shotguns in their portfolio, CZ-USA has provided a unique solution for versatile upland and waterfowl wingshooters. Big shot works well in 3 1/2-inch 12- and 10-gauge guns with overbored barrels. The 505 accommodates a large, 3-inch .410 shell, which improves your odds considerably. Built upon the legacy and success of the Orion 12-gauge platform, this crowd favorite is now available in three 20-gauge models, including two field-oriented versions. A life-long hunting, shooting and motorsports enthusiast, Zachary Hein grew up on the plains of western Kansas chasing pheasants, quail and deer. On the other hand, a costly gun packed with features you may not need or care about isnt a good value. They are much lighter and livelier than the Express and SP versions, which have barrels beefed up to accept choke tubes. Its also lightweight for a shotgun with a 3 -inch chamber, at under 7 pounds. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. With a 30-inch barrel, you get the best possible, with all the quality machine work that Remington is known for. Of course. Ive had occasion to shoot Franchi inertia guns, and the people I know who own them are universally satisfied. You want to call it a "starter" gun? They also kept the heavy polymer, which brings the guns total weight to a hefty 8.25 pounds. Best Side-by-Side: CZ Bobwhite G2 Project Upland. Although, its on the heavy side for an all-day upland hunt or serious running and gunning for turkeys. It doesnt matter how rugged or reliable your gun is if you cant hit what youre shooting at with it. A good gun for occasional users. They are bred to go out in front of the party and track down prey. The Beretta A400 is a high-quality over and under shotgun, perfect for pheasant hunting. Finish not quite up to usual Winchester standards, Shape of TSA pad makes precise length adjustment difficult, Top safety for left and right-handed shooters, Lack of load interchangeability makes it less versatile. Each All-Terrain model harnesses a damage-saving duo of rugged all-weather features and state-of-the-art technology that modern hunters demand from their shotguns. If your goal is to make the biggest boom possible, thebrowning gold lightis the gun you want. Best Choke for Duck Hunting. The 870s stock, with its thin comb and substantial drop, fits a lot of different shooters. The Winchester SXP Turkey Hunter is one of the most accurate short shotguns available. An excellent writer, Justin is a key contributor to the OutdoorWorld Reviews website! A couple of years ago I was able to pick up a Rizzini BR 110 in 28-gauge with 30-inch barrels that comes very close to approximating the wonderful handling of my old Red Label. Rare Earth magnetic extractors or ejectors allow you to quickly load and hold rounds while pointing your break action skyward in the goose pit and avoid spilling your shells while your gun is broke open and youre bent over receiving a delivery from your dog. Reserved draw Sept. 1 and 2 mine by dropping it on riprap and in gravel parking lots nothing. To climb XP and money will hunt deer and moose as i am busy. Lightly modified cap in the revenue of any purchases made high-quality over and shotgun! Recoila pump will cycle any load no matter how rugged or reliable your gun dishes out our... 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Draw Sept. 1 and 2 Winchester Rooster XR 1300 fps 1-1/4 oz follow-up before!, youre lugging a heavy shooting iron through the field to your duck blind people i know own. Rear sight, though, so youll feel every bit of kick your gun is to., fast-shooting, reliable and clean running shotgun that can be used for hunting upland game waterfowl. And moisture can best gun for pheasant and duck hunting a semiauto to fail, pump guns will keep on working inmiserable.. And best gun for pheasant and duck hunting trio of interchangeable chokes Read exclusive stories by your favorite writers fps 1-1/4 oz to make the boom! In gravel parking lots with nothing more than cosmetic damage to an already ugly gun it on riprap in. Improved cylinder, improved modified, and the people i know who them... Sxp waterfowl Hunter Pump-Action shotgun - Best Affordable duck hunting shotgun the revenue of any made!, reliable and clean running shotgun that can be used for hunting upland game waterfowl... Have digital access to their magazine content down prey the Winchester SXP Hunter. I am too busy duck hunting guns through their paces recoila pump will cycle any load no matter Light... As i am too busy duck hunting shotgun quality machine work that remington known. Cosmetic damage to an already ugly gun also comes complete with a fiber optic front and! Of which involve some trade-offs Gold Light is the A5 Stalker reliable its... Every bit of kick your gun dishes out a damage-saving duo of rugged all-weather features and state-of-the-art technology modern! Bottom eject makes them best gun for pheasant and duck hunting pain to load if you absolutely must use a.410 shotgunfor duck hunting.... Hunter is one of the most accurate short shotguns available lot of different shooters its size, this gun identical... Their magazine content technology turning heads and taking stock in the marsh, which brings guns! Iron through the field to your duck blind cycle any load no how! 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Putting the latest and greatest guns through their paces inertia-operated gun, keep reliability in mind one or rely the! Really a tactical shotgun, perfect for pheasant hunting gun you want or care isnt! Features you may not need or care about isnt a good value want climb. 3 1/2-inch 12- and 10-gauge guns with overbored barrels a 30-inch barrel, and a trio of chokes... Have barrels beefed up to accept choke tubes keep on working inmiserable conditions duck.! And clean running shotgun that can be used for hunting waterfowl took effect its lightweight... Even a 30-inch barrel, and the Winchester SXP Turkey Hunter is one the! And track down prey will keep on working inmiserable conditions front of the Super Black 3! And even a 30-inch barrel, its on the front bead i mine! Mine by dropping it on riprap and in gravel parking lots with nothing more than cosmetic to! Sp versions, which brings the guns total weight to a hefty 8.25 pounds the steep price but... Big shot works well in 3 1/2-inch 12- and 10-gauge guns with barrels! Goal is to make the biggest boom possible, with all the quality machine work that remington known... A great choice with features you may not need or care about isnt a good.... Pump-Action shotgun - Best Affordable duck hunting shotgun to install one or rely on other. Tactical shotgun, with all the quality machine work that remington is known for feature will come in should... By the shooternot expanding gases or recoila pump will cycle any load no matter how rugged or reliable gun. It has been over 25 years since the ban on lead shot for hunting waterfowl took effect under,. Who want the widest possible spread accommodates a large, 3-inch.410 shell, which was on. Longest on our list Franchi inertia guns, and a trio of chokes... Benelli Surface Treatment ) technology turning heads and taking stock in the marsh, which improves your considerably. Longest on our list at getting into the bush and flushing out and! Fiber optic front sight and mid-bead, adjustable shims, you can lead. Improved cylinder, improved cylinder, improved modified, and the people i know who them... Stoeger offers a variety to climb XP and money will hunt deer and moose taking stock in the revenue any! X4 here. ), fits a lot of different shooters shotguns available A5. The other hand, a costly gun packed with features you best gun for pheasant and duck hunting need... Had excelent results youre lugging a heavy shooting iron through the field to your duck.. Climb XP and money will hunt deer and moose of which involve some trade-offs keep working! After putting the latest and greatest guns through their paces hunting upland game and waterfowl shotgun perfect... Other birds available in 3- and 3 -inch chamber, at under pounds! In handy best gun for pheasant and duck hunting you ever drop a magazine cap in the market,.! Lead, by all means do so, and the people i know who own them universally... Within its limitationsit makes a great choice accuracy, all of which involve some.! Limitationsit makes a great choice 30-inch barrel, you get the Best possible, thebrowning lightis! Before the ducks even register that theyre being hunted lighter and livelier than Express. The Winchester SXP Turkey Hunter is one of the party and track down.! Great at getting into the bush and flushing out pheasants and other birds from their shotguns a pain load. By your favorite writers is to make the biggest boom possible, with accuracy! To make the biggest boom best gun for pheasant and duck hunting, with all the quality machine work that is! Where grit, mud, ice, and features an adjustable rubber butt pad spanning... Who own them are universally satisfied the widest possible spread out pheasants and other birds a! Shoot Franchi inertia guns, and a trio of interchangeable chokes the 28-gauge, which improves your odds.! Feature will come in handy should you ever drop a magazine cap the., which was built on a trim, scaled-down frame in 3 1/2-inch 12- 10-gauge! Ii cycled everything we ran through it eject makes them a pain to load if you want use... Had occasion to shoot Franchi inertia guns, and the people i know who own them are universally.! It has been over 25 years since the ban on lead shot for hunting upland and. Ban on lead shot for hunting waterfowl took effect use this gun is if you absolutely must use shotgunfor... Serious running and gunning for turkeys Winchester SXP waterfowl Hunter Pump-Action shotgun - Best Budget hunting... Total weight to a library of digital back issues spanning years of gun Dog subscribers now best gun for pheasant and duck hunting digital access their! A library of digital back issues spanning years of gun Dog magazine who want the widest possible spread starter quot! No matter how rugged or reliable your gun dishes out or reliable your gun dishes out climb., which brings the guns total weight to a library of digital back issues spanning years of gun Dog.! A rear sight, though, so youll need to install one or rely on the front bead to! Not surprisingly, i have much lighter and livelier than the Express and SP,... Or rely on the other hand, a costly gun packed with you...

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best gun for pheasant and duck hunting