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Posted: 7/23/2023 7:10:53 PM EDT
[#1]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Buy a new barrel for the 870. 26 - 30 inches with interchangeable choke tubes. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: What is a good shotgun for duck hunting on a budget? I have a friend who can take me out duck hunting this fall. I’ve never done it but I’ve been interested for a while. I only own 1 shotgun - a 12ga Remington 870 express with an 18” barrel. Just a fun blasting stuff shotgun and not for hunting. I’ve been interested in buying an over/under and this gives me a legit reason for doing so. But the budget is small. What is a good gun for a newb that’s in the $500 range? I could maybe go a couple hundred more but not looking to get close to the $1k mark. $500-700 is probably realistic. Buy a new barrel for the 870. 26 - 30 inches with interchangeable choke tubes. This. Spend the extra on ammo and fees for sporting clays, trap, and or skeet for pre season practice |
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Posted: 7/23/2023 7:13:43 PM EDT
[#2]
My 870 and I have killed many , many ducks and I've had it since aabout 1990 . Never had an issue with it even covered in mud . I would not buy a Stoeger over a 870 barrel ever .
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Posted: 7/23/2023 7:14:55 PM EDT
[#3]
Just buy a barrel for the 870.
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Posted: 7/23/2023 7:16:52 PM EDT
[#4]
Benelli Supernova. You don't need an auto to kill ducks or geese. They are nice and I own a SBE 2 and Extrema2, but you can fuck shit up with a pump.
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Posted: 7/23/2023 7:20:22 PM EDT
[#5]
Quote HistoryI have one that I've been impressed with. From what I understand if anything breaks on it you can replace the broken part with Benelli parts. |
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Posted: 7/23/2023 7:21:30 PM EDT
[#6]
Another vote for the Stoeger M3500. I have several buddies with them and they have all run flawlessly. Definitely the best deal in duck hunting shotguns.
Pumps are cool and all but to say they’re the functional equivalent of a modern semi-auto is like saying your 1970 Mustang Mach 1 could take a 2023 GT500 on the track. |
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Posted: 7/23/2023 7:23:15 PM EDT
[#7]
Quote HistoryThis or save a couple hundred more and get a Franchi Intensity. Built in the same factory as the Benelli M2. |
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Posted: 7/23/2023 7:23:47 PM EDT
[#8]
Does the 870 have removable chokes?
If it does, pout in the modified choke and go hunting. Hell, even if it doesn’t have removable chokes it should do fine if you are just going once. |
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Posted: 7/23/2023 7:25:56 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryI bought my son one for Christmas in 2021. Its a great shotgun. He's killed a shitload of duck, quail, dove, and geese with it. I like shooting it myself. |
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Posted: 7/23/2023 7:26:34 PM EDT
[#10]
Pawn shop score or buy a second barrel for the 870.
My 870 super mag has a 20" turkey barrel for Turkey and Defense. I have a 28" barrel I put on it for Duck. Takes less than 15 minutes to swap the 28" barrel and remove the extended tube. |
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Posted: 7/23/2023 7:32:35 PM EDT
[#11]
I didn’t even think of buying a new barrel for my 870
 That’s probably the smartest move. If I end up really liking it, I can always save up for something nice. I might try hitting some pawn shops around here just to see what they’ve got, too. |
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Posted: 7/23/2023 7:33:02 PM EDT
[#12]
Saw a good camo Remington 870 super mag 3 1/2” mag for $430.00. At the pawn shop a few days ago.
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Posted: 7/23/2023 7:35:22 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I read the thread title as "Deck Gun".  https://laststandonzombieisland.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/us-navy-submarine-deck-guns.jpg?w=860 That definitely isn’t in the budget. Then I’d have to buy a ship to go with it. I’m just a poor
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Posted: 7/23/2023 7:37:42 PM EDT
[#14]
Quote HistoryQuoted: A good gun in the $500 range is a second barrel for the 870. QFT |
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Posted: 7/23/2023 7:40:17 PM EDT
[#15]
If you want a new gun and not a 2nd barrel I’d go with the M3000. 3 1/2” isn’t necessary. Especially for ducks.
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Posted: 7/23/2023 7:47:44 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted: If you want a new gun and not a 2nd barrel I'd go with the M3000. 3 1/2" isn't necessary. Especially for ducks. Bought my son an M3000 a couple of years ago at Academy for $499. Been a workhorse. No issues, action is really smooth. He slays doves with it. A coworker has one and shoots a bunch of ducks with his. |
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Posted: 7/23/2023 7:55:37 PM EDT
[#17]
Beretta A300 outlander is all the gun you could ever need. Had one and absolutely loved it. I miss it and now I have the “better” version, A400 extreme. I don’t use 3.5” shells, and it’s heavy.
A300 is light, gas operated, and don’t have to deal with the extra weight of the bigger frame for the 3.5” shells bc you don’t need them. |
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Posted: 7/23/2023 7:58:15 PM EDT
[#18]
Mossberg 835
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Posted: 7/23/2023 7:59:32 PM EDT
[#19]
Geez. I should sell my SBE! I thought you'd be able to get one of those for 500! Not according to the sold gunbroker listings!
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Posted: 7/23/2023 8:09:58 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I would expect used double barrels are the way to go, I know far more people who tried hunting or clays then upgraded or quit than still use the original gun. Just Cabelas used gun section has options in that range. That said an 870 with a long barrel is a more versatile choice. You aren't going to find even a barely adequate Turkish SxS or OU for 500 bucks, much less anything that will last though a flat of shells without requiring a return trip to the factory (if the company even exists any more) The days of 200 dollar 311s and 500 dollar SKBs are so past they qualify for an AARP membership. |
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Posted: 7/23/2023 8:13:48 PM EDT
[#21]
Don’t overthink this. A 28” barrel for $100-150 is the way to go.
A 3” chambered pump is fine for ducks. I like 3.5” for geese. My 30 year old 870 Express has never let me down, and is still a backup goose/duck gun. You can upgrade to something a little faster if/when you decide to keep going duck hunting. And 870 parts are common as hell at shops, gun shows, and online. Good luck finding parts for some of the less common stuff suggested by others. Also I was an armorer with a bunch of 870’s to maintain. Only saw one or two broken ejectors, and they are not that hard to replace, though admittedly are not as easy as some other brands. My Browning sat out a whole season due to difficulty in finding some replacement parts, and I had to finally just make do with something that was not perfect to get it up and running again. That won’t happen with an 870, as it is probably the most common 12 gauge in the USA… |
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Posted: 7/23/2023 8:20:39 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Buy a new barrel for the 870. 26 - 30 inches with interchangeable choke tubes. This you don't need anything else |
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Posted: 7/23/2023 8:25:10 PM EDT
[#23]
Another vote for a longer barrel for the 870 with chokes, the extra money you can spend on decoy's
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Posted: 7/23/2023 8:25:45 PM EDT
[#24]
Franchi Affinity 12g, 3". You should be able to find one for $700. Awesome gun for the money!!!
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Posted: 7/23/2023 8:31:33 PM EDT
[#25]
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Posted: 7/23/2023 8:32:20 PM EDT
[#26]
26 incher here.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1005267288?pid=842042 |
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Posted: 7/23/2023 8:36:11 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Does the 870 have removable chokes? If it does, pout in the modified choke and go hunting. Hell, even if it doesn’t have removable chokes it should do fine if you are just going once. I like this response. If you can put a choke tube in it, or perhaps even an extended choke, that would be a good way to start out. All of the duck/goose hunting, and deer during gun season, I did, when younger, was with an 11-87 SP Turkey gun with a 21 inch barrel. Other than that, I read the Stoeger responses. I haven't shot anything other than my M2000, SP turkey with a 24" barrel, IIRC. I like it over the heavier gas guns for carrying around, and I shoot it well; works good on doves as well. If the M3500 does as well as the M2000, seems like a decent option; assuming it will handle loads from trap/dove up to the heaviest 3 1/2 in magnums. |
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Posted: 7/23/2023 8:36:22 PM EDT
[#28]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Bingo. I like 28" but YMMV. I prefer shorter than that, but its a question of how good your fundamentals and follow through are. For layout, sbs please, I wanna be able to engage as I'm clearing the gunwales, and I don't want my barrel catching on or banging stuff |
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Posted: 7/23/2023 8:36:23 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryGave less than 200 with shipping and transfer for a Mossberg 835 from gunbroker |
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Posted: 7/23/2023 8:40:09 PM EDT
[#30]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Gave less than 200 with shipping and transfer for a Mossberg 835 from gunbroker Okay. |
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Posted: 7/23/2023 8:46:48 PM EDT
[#31]
Buy a barrel for the 870 and be done with the problem.
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Posted: 7/23/2023 8:47:40 PM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I prefer shorter than that, but its a question of how good your fundamentals and follow through are. For layout, sbs please, I wanna be able to engage as I'm clearing the gunwales, and I don't want my barrel catching on or banging stuff I actually put the longer 26" barrel on my 20ga. 500 in a SOT kayak for jump shooting. 3" #4 Blackcloud with a mod choke are perfect for mallards and woodies, #1 for canadas. (Steel) Rather have the weight forward for swing through. |
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Posted: 7/23/2023 8:48:53 PM EDT
[#33]
Tristar Raptor G2
can be had for under $500 and is a copy of the Beretta 390/391 family Love the two I have and I have 5 Beretta Shotguns. |
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Posted: 7/23/2023 8:51:48 PM EDT
[#34]
Quote HistoryBenelli design with $500 machining and tolerances. I have been around 4 different ones in my blind and every one was a hunk of shit. Ripping brass, all types of jams from stovepipe to shells getting stuck and having to take the gun apart to get the spent shell out. Maybe find a used Franchi? I don't like the forearm on them, my preference, but they seem to function. And for the love of god, if someone tries to sell you a Remington 887 kick them in the nuts. |
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Posted: 7/23/2023 8:54:22 PM EDT
[#35]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Mossberg 835, look at pawn shops. I got mine at one for about $200. You honestly don't need the extra half inch of chamber if you're willing to buy shells better than basic steel |
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Posted: 7/23/2023 8:54:23 PM EDT
[#36]
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Posted: 7/23/2023 8:58:02 PM EDT
[#37]
Quote HistoryI was looking at that. I’m going to keep searching a bit to see what else is out there but this seems good. |
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Posted: 7/23/2023 8:58:49 PM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Buy a new barrel for the 870. 26 - 30 inches with interchangeable choke tubes. This. Migrant bird hunting really wants an auto, I use my O/U for pheasant and turkey. But a decent pump with some good loads (steel, not lead), and you’re fine. Get a 3” or 3 1/2” inch chamber barrel if you can. They’re farther away than you think, leading is a thing. ETA: the Stoeger option is a good one. |
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Posted: 7/23/2023 8:58:54 PM EDT
[#39]
maxus
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Posted: 7/23/2023 9:02:21 PM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryQuoted: I actually put the longer 26" barrel on my 20ga. 500 in a SOT kayak for jump shooting. 3" #4 Blackcloud with a mod choke are perfect for mallards and woodies, #1 for canadas. (Steel) Rather have the weight forward for swing through. Yeah, that's basically what I meant about follow thru I dont really have a pausing or stutter swing issue, my granda fixed that with a wood dowel (by whacking the fuck out of me when I didn't push thru lol) My stepdaughter took most of her geese with a bantam 24 inch mod choked 20 gauge 500 shooting 2¾ heavi steel #2s I prefer short and quick, but I also have some joint and nerve issues, so like anything else it's "what works for you |
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Posted: 7/23/2023 9:08:04 PM EDT
[#41]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Center fire rifle with a scope. Headshots. You're welcome. A true sportsman has spoken. |
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Posted: 7/23/2023 9:08:47 PM EDT
[#42]
Quoted: What is a good shotgun for duck hunting on a budget? I have a friend who can take me out duck hunting this fall. I’ve never done it but I’ve been interested for a while. I only own 1 shotgun - a 12ga Remington 870 express with an 18” barrel. Just a fun blasting stuff shotgun and not for hunting. I’ve been interested in buying an over/under and this gives me a legit reason for doing so. But the budget is small. What is a good gun for a newb that’s in the $500 range? I could maybe go a couple hundred more but not looking to get close to the $1k mark. $500-700 is probably realistic. You do not want to buy a $500-$700 O/U, it will eventually cause you trouble. Doubles are also a PITA in some duck blinds. The entry level into O/U's that will last and have parts available are the Berettas and Brownings. In your shoes, I'd be looking for a 26-28" barrel for your 870, assuming it has a 4-shot tube. Vent rib and choke tubes would be ideal. It not, a plain barrel with modified choke will work too and will be cheaper. It shouldn't be hard to find a used one. Otherwise, just get another 870 in the configuration you want, since you're already familiar with 870's. If you get into duck hunting you may want to upgrade, but a properly configured 870 makes a good duck gun. Don't forget a magazine plug. |
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Posted: 7/23/2023 9:18:16 PM EDT
[#43]
Cheapest option like others said is to buy a new barrel. Pumps kick and I’m not sure how recoil tolerant you are but sometimes duck hunting you shoot a lot. Semi autos reduce recoil a lot. I thought you said you could spend up to 700. Winchester super x3 s we’re running maybe 100 dollars more but a lot of times rebates roll out in September so you maybe able to work that angle.
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Posted: 7/23/2023 9:22:48 PM EDT
[#44]
Hammer a steel pipe onto a saiga12 barrel.
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Posted: 7/23/2023 9:23:05 PM EDT
[#45]
Get a cheap semi auto. They’re out there to be had.
Buy it early and be sure to break it in/put it through its paces |
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Posted: 7/23/2023 9:37:27 PM EDT
[#46]
Quote HistoryQuoted: This is the Best Buy in semi auto shotguns now. Quote HistoryQuoted: This is the Best Buy in semi auto shotguns now. I just bought the oldest boy one, putting them next to my sbe3 there are a lot of parts you can tell come from the same engineers. |
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Posted: 7/23/2023 9:41:47 PM EDT
[#47]
Look for a used Winchester SX3. I bought one new (3.5") chamber under a thousand ten years ago. I shoot that gun better than any other shotgun I've ever shouldered. It's really a re-branded Browning Maxus.
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Posted: 7/23/2023 9:47:04 PM EDT
[#48]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Buy a new barrel for the 870. 26 - 30 inches with interchangeable choke tubes. What he said!!  and be sure you have a limiting plug (you can only have three rounds (1 in chamber + 2 in magazine) when hunting migratory birds (doves, ducks, geese, cranes, etc...) A lot of folks with short barrels set for "Home Defense" no longer have the limiting plug installed and they don't know where it has gone too.  870 barrel with choke tubes on your existing 870 Express will certainly kill ducks & geese as well or better (for a lot less money) than a "new" shotgun. Spend the extra money saved on good comfortable waders & jacket + Premium ammo (Bismith or Heavi-shot) Bigger_Hammer  |
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Posted: 7/23/2023 9:54:10 PM EDT
[#49]
Quote HistoryQuoted: This is the Best Buy in semi auto shotguns now. Quote HistoryQuoted: This is the Best Buy in semi auto shotguns now. Nonsense. Best Buy in semi-auto shotguns is the ATA Cy in either 3” chamber or 3.5” chamber. Check your local Academy Outdoors stores. It is the same shotgun as the Weatherby shotgun. |
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Posted: 7/23/2023 10:00:28 PM EDT
[#50]
I’ve hunted with a Nova for close to 20 years. I doubt I’ll ever buy another duck gun.
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