Author Topic: Shotgun for Ducks... (Read 4822 times)

Nealyo · « **on:** August 04, 2010, 04:49:00 PM »

Ok all, I am new to the duck hunting scene. I am trying to decide on a new gun. I have a Mossy 500 that has done everything I have ever asked of it, But I am looking into a Nova, and a Mossy 535. Iknow that there are so many people who will saythe 870, to be honest, I dont like the feel to a new one. So I figured I would ask the experts. What do y'all think? Any experiance? I truly want the good the bad and the ugly that you can give.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #1 on:** August 04, 2010, 05:16:05 PM »

I like 870's, but if they don't feel good to you, then go with what does..a shot gun that feels good to me will most times shoot well for me..I have an 835 I don't dislike it but it doesn't feel as nice as my 870's to me...My Browning BPS is aclassie gun, but I dont like the bottom ejection, and the fact that I cannot open the action and drop a round into the chamber...but it is still a nice gun...if 870's were made in 10 bore, it would go for an 870.....I would suggest if you can, shoot some pals shotguns and see what handles nice, and shoots well for you and go from there...

dukkillr · « **Reply #2 on:** August 04, 2010, 06:03:46 PM »

In order of choice for watefowling from best to worst:
BPS
870
Nova
SBE II
Various other Autos
Any double
Any winchester pump made after the Model 12
Any single shot
A large dip net
A quality softball bat
Any mossberg product

*This list does not take cost into consideration and it handles only guns currently being made.

Nealyo · « **Reply #3 on:** August 04, 2010, 06:11:33 PM »

I would take it your not a Mossberg fan DukKillr..... lol Any reasons why your not?

Why would you choose the BPS over the Nova?

dukkillr · « **Reply #4 on:** August 04, 2010, 06:59:14 PM »

I have never seen a mossberg product that was worth owning. A shotgun is should be a lifetime purchase. Buy one good shotgun and your grandkids will be using it long after you're gone. No cheaply made mossberg will stand up. That is to say nothing about the poor quality, plastic parts, bad fit, and rough action. I cant count the number of times I've seen a $200 gun fail in a real duck hunt and it's always the same: "Oh man. I've had this gun forever and shot 2,597,251 cases of shells through it and it has never failed." I just smile...

I like the BPS because it cannot be jammed. There is no loading gate to block shells in or out. I shoot left handed so it is nice that the safety is on top and the ejection is on the bottom. Both the 870 and the Nova have more parts and more places for ice or mud to jam something up. I currently own an 870 and used a different 870 as a kid when I was learning. I've owned and shot several others since then. None were particularly well made or fit. The worst BPS is a better product.

A late season solo hunt in iced up flooded timber (with a dog)... One of the toughest hunts for a shotgun.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #5 on:** August 04, 2010, 07:26:59 PM »

I have a number of Shotguns.
Like shotguns.
Depending on where and how you hunt. Some guns are better than others.
I hunt here in CA in a salt flat. My blued guns get eaten up before we can get back to the truck. My previous duck gun was a S&W 3000 basiclly an 870. And having hunted everything with it for years it still looked good. One trip to the Salton sea and I have pits in the reciever. So far the Nova has made a Dozen trips and works and looks fine.
I bought a NOVA for this. It still rusts at the screws and a couple other places but I like the gun, it shoots well and gives me a choice of ammo, from 2 3/4 trap loads for sporting clays to 3.5" heavy shot for snow geese on O2.
Hunting in NC with Dad, we hunt in the swamp for woodducks and on the river in blinds and in boats for river and puddle ducks.
In the swamp we can walk around and my quail gun works fine with Non tox loads.
In the boat I use another Nova my step mother won at a DU dinner. Dad has problems with anything but his Auto 5 but uses a Mossburg 835 he had to have. Too heavy for him and he does not like the recoil of the heavy shells. But My step mom bought it for him and he continies to use it. On long walks I steal it from him. If I can find a used 11- 87 in duck camo or black I will get it for dad as he forget to shuck the pumps. The nova is good about this as it starts to move the slide for you.
I have an uncle that had a 500 he called "rusty butt" he would use it unloaded to find the bottom of the swamp when wearing waders and when he found a good spot out in the beaver pond he would load it and wait for the woodies to fly in. That swampy rusty thing worked every time. he also had Win 1300's, Rem 870's, and an Ithaca 37 to choose from. He now only has an 870 and likes it.
I think Shotguns are like hammers. All work, all have a few unique features that make them better for this task or that. But no matter what a 12 ga gun is your standard claw hammer. will it frame a house? yep will it hang a picture?, yep will it put brads in a small box? Yep.
re there better hammers for each job? yep but your standard claw hammer works. The Mossberg 500 you have as long as it is not a slug gun will work for all wing shooting with a proper wing barrel 26 -32" and choked to something.

Specklebelly · « **Reply #6 on:** August 05, 2010, 10:12:12 AM »

Save your money and buy an automatic.

I would use your Mossy until you get the cash for the gun you really want. My choice is an SP-10 or SX3.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #7 on:** August 05, 2010, 01:18:54 PM »

While you may try and auto, they are heavier, and from all I have seen more prone to jamming..as for the Mossberg, it seems we were down this road before...Some one maybe Dee point out that Moss. shotguns had been tested and found extremely durable....I haven't shot my 835 much, but it has never had a problem...

born-to-hunt · « **Reply #8 on:** August 05, 2010, 01:33:12 PM »

I don't have one but I heard remington 1100s are great the remington SP-10s I heard are great but very heavy anyone use or own a 887?

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #9 on:** August 05, 2010, 01:35:58 PM »

Quote from: Wyo. Coyote Hunter on August 05, 2010, 01:18:54 PM

.Some one maybe Dee point out that Moss. shotguns had been tested and found extremely durable....

The Marine Corp adopted it as their BB gun. i don't see the marines issuing a problem child to their troops.
Don't get me wrong, "BB gun" is a good thing. Unlike the red rider this thing launches large parts of the carton at one time.

Nealyo · « **Reply #10 on:** August 05, 2010, 03:24:59 PM »

My 500 is 28". Full choke I bought from them for steel (havent shot it since I got the choke). Choke adds another inch or so. The thing has shot everything I ever asked it to from dove and quail to the 23lb turkey I shot at 40 yards in April. It is the beast. The only down fall is that it is not camo. It is wood and blued. Thus the look for a new one.

As for the auto's I have heard the same. Jams, and more parts mean more to malfuntion. I was looking at a Stogger m2000. Olatha Gun shop (I live in Kansas) has them for $375.00 camo'd. I am not brand loyal, Just want a good gun.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #11 on:** August 05, 2010, 03:33:02 PM »

$:-\$ Nealyo,I have hunted all my life for all kinds of game with a shotgun...if you want camo shotgun fine...but for years we have been killing game with std. blued guns...personally, I wouldn't own a camo gun or plastic stocked gun....nothing wrong with them, they are just not my taste...unless you feel it is your taste, maybe the old 500 is all a guy needs...but any reason is a good one to get a new shotgun...but I would buy a nice wood stocked weapon....let us know what you decide...I am not familiar with the gun you mentioned you liked in the Ks. gunshop, but consider this, in the future should you need repair or a part, will they be available?

? I have had off beat guns, and if something goes wrong, parts can be a problem .....just a thought.....

Nealyo · « **Reply #12 on:** August 05, 2010, 03:38:15 PM »

well I guess I need to proof read a bit better. Its the stoeger m2000 auto

dukkillr · « **Reply #13 on:** August 05, 2010, 04:15:03 PM »

Quote from: Nealyo on August 05, 2010, 03:38:15 PM

well I guess I need to proof read a bit better. Its the stoeger m2000 auto

I recently saw a BPS 3" in 26" black at a pawn shot listed for $400... IN OLATHE! I live in Shawnee but an in the process of moving to Spring Hill. Small world.

If you are seriously considering buying a Mossberg send me a PM and I'll buy you lunch somewhere and convince you otherwise.

born-to-hunt · « **Reply #14 on:** August 06, 2010, 06:21:52 AM »

I personally would stick with a pump gun. much less jams and I don't know about you but I can pump it fast enough after a shot to get a second off no problem. About the wood vs synthetic stock debute I like wood stocks but synthetics are pretty cool too I have a wood stock on my 870 but would like synthetic stock NOT to replace it but to have one with flashlight and all that like a little project to put stuff on it.

blacklab · « **Reply #15 on:** August 08, 2010, 03:27:07 AM »

When I started hunting ducks in 1950`s the Mod. 12 or A-5 Brownung was the gun of choice. After the coming of non-tox the 870 was the go to gun. I have a Nova that shoots nice, a BPS that is a solid gun and I to shoot lefty but never notice empties out of an 870 or an A-5. I guess it`s just what fits best.

As for moving to Spring Hill Duk I was born and raised there and lived there for 50 years but have since moved about 15 miles west across Hillsdale Lake. Can`t understand what would be the attraction there now. Killed a ton of ducks on the city lake but the golf course stopped that. Buy the way Duk,how are your Kansas Banana`s coming along.

dukkillr · « **Reply #16 on:** August 08, 2010, 03:48:21 AM »

Funny you should mention that... I found those on a place down by Fort Scott last September during the teal season. They had mostly fallen on the ground by then and the ones that were still on the trees were very ripe. I figured mid-august would be the time to really pick a bunch. Last week I had to meet with a farmer and a heavy equipment operator down there so I took a cooler and some towels thinking I'd pick a big batch.... Every one of those things was slightly larger than a golfball and hard. It seems like they've got more than a couple of weeks to go... Those things are something of a mystery to me.

But I found a grove on the new place in spring hill too...

BTW, I killed more than 1 limit of ducks last year with a Model 12... I've never noticed the shells coming across my view but the gasses from the 870 gets in my eyes.

Specklebelly · « **Reply #17 on:** August 08, 2010, 08:05:30 AM »

Quote from: born-to-hunt on August 05, 2010, 01:33:12 PM

I don't have one but I heard remington 1100s are great the remington SP-10s I heard are great but very heavy anyone use or own a 887?

They are only 12 1/2 pounds or so.

As for the 887, I want one as well and have heard both good and a lot of bad about them. It seems that the bad stories that I have read are all from guns bought prior to this year. If you get one, from what I have read, make sure it was made in 2010 and you should be OK.

born-to-hunt · « **Reply #18 on:** August 08, 2010, 08:24:30 AM »

wow 12 pounds seems a bit heavy to be carrying around and for the 887 I like the polymer coating should be great for ducks but I don't know anything about the action and all that I heard it's a lot different than the 870 though not sure for the better or for the worse.

Nealyo · « **Reply #19 on:** August 10, 2010, 04:42:01 AM »

Duk thats cool about Sprint Hill. That is one of the places I hunt. There and southeast Kansas. There are a lot more duck hunters around here than what I thought. I am still not sure what I am going to do, but I do have a couple more months to think about it.

Has any one actually shot the 887? I hae read a ton of reviews recently, spoken with everyone from Bass Pro, Cabelas, Rogers Sporting goods, and everyone I can, but I have yet to see someone who has actually shot the 887.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #20 on:** August 10, 2010, 12:56:01 PM »

Quote from: born-to-hunt on August 08, 2010, 08:24:30 AM

wow 12 pounds seems a bit heavy to be carrying around and for the 887 I like the polymer coating should be great for ducks but I don't know anything about the action and all that I heard it's a lot different than the 870 though not sure for the better or for the worse.

You start blazing away with a 10 ga and the weight is a good thing.
Also as a blind gun the 12 pounds is not as bad as if you were trying to hunt Quail in CA with it.
All you have to do is walk to the blind and from with the gun resting most of the hunting time.
I also doubt it is 12.5 pounds just feels that way.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #21 on:** August 10, 2010, 01:17:05 PM »

Mc, what are your favorite waterfowl loads for your 10 bore?

Used up some of the stuff I got with the gun...but need a few more boxes..originally, was was going to shoot the ammo away, then sell the gun...but I like the 10 ...but need to resupply my steel shot ...have some lead, but it is not to be used on watefowl...I just read an article where the guy says use 1's for geese and 3's for ducks..makes sense and he is one person I do admire that writes today...have you used the 10 on turkey?

?? I took one...then saw a little book where the guy uses a 10 bore double for gobblers and # 2 lead shot..he made an excellent case for 2's...I have 2 bx of good WW XX copper plated buffered #2's......may try them this spring or maybe this fall. I am not hot on a shotgun for turkey, but it sure is a deadly method to kill 'em.....

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #22 on:** August 10, 2010, 02:30:59 PM »

Quote from: Wyo. Coyote Hunter on August 10, 2010, 01:17:05 PM

Mc, what are your favorite waterfowl loads for your 10 bore? Used up some of the stuff I got with the gun...but need a few more boxes..originally, was was going to shoot the ammo away, then sell the gun...but I like the 10 ...but need to resupply my steel shot ...have some lead, but it is not to be used on watefowl...I just read an article where the guy says use 1's for geese and 3's for ducks..makes sense and he is one person I do admire that writes today...have you used the 10 on turkey??? I took one...then saw a little book where the guy uses a 10 bore double for gobblers and # 2 lead shot..he made an excellent case for 2's...I have 2 bx of good WW XX copper plated buffered #2's......may try them this spring or maybe this fall. I am not hot on a shotgun for turkey, but it sure is a deadly method to kill 'em.....

I was planning on going on a Swan hunt with my father a long time ago and thought I needed the 10 Ga. Found a SXS 32" Full and Full.
I bought some steel with it I think BB. As you know Steel does not react well to Full chokes. Since then I bought a case of Bizmouth #2's and have been using them. They work well and have taken some small geese Snows and barnicles.
I did get a couple boxes of 2 7/8" shells from RST in #5's for Phesants and other upland birds on or near the blinds.
Shot a couple at the Rabbit shoot and they broke birds I need to pattern them.
I Load 2 Oz of 7 and 6's, and 1 1/4 oz loads fo 7.5 and 9's
Tried a few 2 Oz loads of 9's and they will vaporize birds from the 16 yard line but they fly apart past that.
But since getting the Nova the 10 Ga does not come out as much. Shell for shell the 3.5" 12 ga are cheaper than the 3.5" 10ga.
Something wrong with loading the side by side and realizing you are $3.00 a trigger pull.

dukkillr · « **Reply #23 on:** August 10, 2010, 05:16:28 PM »

I use the 10 for geese. 2s for the first shot, BBBs or BBs for the second and third. Modified choke. I've shot a few turkeys with it over the years too... Copper plated 6s. We can't use shot larger than 4s in Kansas for turkeys.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #24 on:** August 11, 2010, 08:19:17 AM »

Mc & Dukkillr, thanks for the information...I see 2's and BB pretty often at Sportsmans Warehouse...will pick some up for fall...thanks again..

blacklab · « **Reply #25 on:** August 12, 2010, 03:00:21 AM »

Duk,what are you using in your Mod 12? I tried some Bismuth in mine when it first came out but was not happy with it. I bought a Jap bbl for my A-5 and shoot Kent`s with it and Black Cloud #3 in the 870.

blacklab · « **Reply #26 on:** August 12, 2010, 03:03:37 AM »

PS Duk, maybe we can have a cup of coffee in Spring Hill sometime and lie about all the birds we`ve missed.

Specklebelly · « **Reply #27 on:** August 12, 2010, 06:44:40 AM »

RE: I also doubt it is 12.5 pounds just feels that way.

You are correct. I checked the Remington Website and I was wrong. It is only 11 pounds.

dukkillr · « **Reply #28 on:** August 12, 2010, 09:38:15 AM »

Quote from: blacklab on August 12, 2010, 03:00:21 AM

Duk,what are you using in your Mod 12? I tried some Bismuth in mine when it first came out but was not happy with it. I bought a Jap bbl for my A-5 and shoot Kent`s with it and Black Cloud #3 in the 870.

I shoot 2 3/4" steel 6s during teal season and 6s or 4s during the first few weeks of the RDS. It's a 28" modified with a Simmons rib and after market wood. It is not nickle steel. I have always felt like the more modern guns can handle the steel. I've shot cases through this gun in the 10 or so years I've had it and I've never noticed any damage. On the other hand, it this were some pristine collectors version I might spend the extra money on hevi-shot or bismuth or whatever. It is not.

I went a whole season in college shooting my 3" Full M-12 for ducks and geese. That year I killed the only speck taken on public land in the Marais Des Cygne area (remember when you had to apply for those tags?). I shot maybe a case of 3" steel out of it and never noticed a problem, just that it choked tighter than I would like and was too long for me. I killed a turkey with it that spring and then retired it.

If you check the 4-wheeler forum you can find my thoughts on gear, but in short, I own things to use them. I don't set out to destroy anything, but I'm not going to buy a shotgun and then not use it based almost entirely on internet "experts" who kill a lot less ducks every year than I do. I think the steel shot in older guns thing is hype.

I would love to have some coffee some time.

Any thoughts on my Pawpaws? Should they be ripe yet or am I nuts?

dakotashooter2 · « **Reply #29 on:** August 13, 2010, 07:53:44 AM »

Somtimes I wonder If we don't get overly critical about stuff. Sometimes it seems if a particular gun doesn't meet our needs 150% it is considered junk. Anybody that says their particular gun has never had a hicup is outright lying. All mechanical things can and eventually do have a failure, minor or otherwise. It's funny how many guys turn a blind eye to imperfections in their "perfect" gun. . Honestly is one hicup in every 1000 rounds worth even fretting about in anything but a competition gun?

Mossbergs have been on the market for a long time because they work. Novas are a good gun too I just have never been able to get past the rattle accentuated by the synthetic shocks. The 870 is a tough gun to beat and winchesters get a nod for their seemingly shorter stroke.

I often suspect that a "bad" gun is often more of an improper fit with the shooter than a problem with the gun itself.

I personally have gotten away from pumps and have never shot a semi auto. I do just fine with a double no matter what I am hunting. If you watch many waterfowl video's you'll see a lot of spray and pray shooting going on. Seriously when 4-5 guys all empty their guns and only drop a couple of birds that is beyond poor shooting. It's a case of the guys being way too fast on the trigger. I found when I went to a double my hit percentage doubled because I was shooting smarter.

Regarding shooting steel in an older gun. Initial steel loads had a relatively thin wad and many of the guns were/are tightly choked which was the cause of many problems Modern steel loads have a wad that is significantly thicker virtually eliminating any shot cutting through it.