best gun for pheasant and duck huntingbest gun for pheasant and duck hunting

This is an updated take onBrownings original Auto-5. It doesnt matter how rugged or reliable your gun is if you cant hit what youre shooting at with it. Despite its all-steel receiver, the 37 made up into a lightweight gun, and it became a favorite among upland hunters who like a pump or couldnt afford a fancy double for the grouse woods. In that spirit, Browning outfitted the Gold Light with a dense polymer stock and fore grip, for a total weight of 9.5 pounds. What Are The Top Waterfowl Shotgun Choices: Browning BPS Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 Remington V3 Pro Waterfowl Stoeger M3500 Waterfowl CZ-USA 1012 Synthetic Mossy Oak Bottomland Camo TriStar Viper Max 3-Inch Magnum At one time considered a generalist, in its modern iteration, the shotgun has become a specialized too. With its short, 18.5-inch barrel, its really a tactical shotgun, with limited accuracy at long ranges. But its worth stretching even the tightest budget to move up to theX4, which can hold its own in the blind among the Benellis, Beretta, and Brownings. Or you may be looking for the best semi-auto shotgun for, 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. This gun is exceptionally accurate for a24-inch shotgun. and many consider this the best all-around option for pheasant hunting. One of Benellis Performance Shop tricked-out semiautos, the M2 starts as a stock M2 semiauto and gets custom chokes, enlarged bolt release and handle, and a nice paracord sling. Get this gun for the young hunter in your life, and after a few trap shooting sessions theyll be ready to start building field experience. Sweet 16s were made until 1975. Gone are the days of deciding between your dedicated duck gun and devoted upland gun, this category combines it all in a single selection. TheMossberg 590A1 Retrogradehas a large magazine for non-bird-hunting purposes. A guns finish should look good, and protect it from the elements. But if a reliable semi-automatic is what you crave, the juice is well worth the squeeze. Our four testers traveled to Pintail Hunting Club in Garwood, Texas, for a three-day September teal hunt. I use the 22 LR and it is for me the best, although often you have to shoot 10 balls to reach 4 or 5 ducks (with luck). The Winchester SX4 beat out a crowded field of semiautos in the sub-$1000 range, establishing itself in the eyes of the test team as the best value in a waterfowl gun. Its a reliable gun that shoots a dead-on 50/50 point of impact, which is what I prefer. Put this in the hands of your tween niece, and shell be blasting clays with a 12 gauge in no time. And you can compensate for a lot of that lack of accuracy with the iron sights, or even install a red dot sight for faster target acquisition. We patterned each gun from a bench, in a Lead Sled, to test its point of impact. Because waterfowl shooting is fairly deliberate when compared to upland shooting, the guns dont have to be fast to the target, and some weight in the front end makes them easier to point surely and swing steadily. We chose the bare-bones black synthetic stocked version as our gun, and it sells at a low enough price that almost anyone can afford it. A light gun, it has Brownings effective recoil pad to cut the kick, but be aware that any light inertia gun will kick painfully with 3 -inch shells, although this gun is quite manageable with 3-inch ammo. Some of the guns we tested have a classic look, others are very modern and which appeals to you is a matter of taste. The story of an old humpback Browning that's Sign up for the Field & Stream newsletter and get the latest intelligence straight to your inbox. Its chambered for large, 3 -inch shells, making it exceptionally powerful for an inexpensive field piece. The upside of the recoil operation is that its simpler than gas operation. After all, a big spread isnt much good if your gun is too unwieldly to shoot. Although the trend is to lighter and lighter guns, heavier guns are easier to shoot. 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. Theres a reason Nintendo didnt choose , Now, we cant help you improve your high score, or get that little cartoon dog to stop laughing at you when you miss, but we can help you find the best. The breed was developed in the late 1800s to be suited for multiple tasks like pointing, retrieving, trailing game,. The gun you bring when rain, ice, snow, or grit turns semiautos into single shots. Available in 12- and 20-gauge, this Stevens series pump shotgun offers dual slide bars, a rotary bolt, rugged synthetic stock and interchangeable chokes. Also useful for competition shooters and hunters. #5 load is the best all-around pheasant shotshell I've ever used. Benelli ETHOS 20 Gauge 28" - The Most Versatile Dove Hunting Shotgun. Waterfowl hunting takes many forms, and waterfowl themselves range from tiny teal to giant Canada geese, cranes, and swans. And, for years, the main reader question I answered was: Should I buy a Remington 870 or a Mossberg 500? 78.9 percent pattern average. It's chambered for large, 3 -inch shells, making it exceptionally powerful for an inexpensive field piece. Others arent so lucky. Mine, like many Red Labels, had a bad wood-to-metal fit, which eventually soured me on the gun. Those short hunts left plenty of time for gun testing throughout the rest of the day. The 835 Ulti-Mag is probably one of the best shotguns on the market for under $600. Honorable mention must go to the Browning BSS sidelock, another copy of the Holland, but this one made in the Japanese Miroku factory from 1983 to 1988. A 7 -pound, 3-inch 12 gauge with a 28-inch barrel, the gun comes with one Modified choke tube, which will see you through dove, pheasant, and waterfowl hunts plus 16-yard trap, and its matte-finished wood and metal wont shine and spook birds. I have seen one owned by a sporting clays champion that had over 500,000 rounds through it and a stock literally held together by electricians tape, yet it was still on the job. Justin is a firearms enthusiast with an expansive knowledge of the firearms & hunting scene. Besides which, who needs insane accuracy when you have an ergonomic pistol grip and sturdy buttstock to reduce recoil? It has a hollow stock, which makes it a tad front heavy, and provides virtually no recoil absorption. That said, with a 20-inch barrel, youll want some help with accuracy. is fairly light for a full-sized shotgun. Not only is this the most popular shotgun bore around, but its the best one for waterfowl shotguns. Choosing a shotgun for pheasant hunting is a critical and personal decision based on many factors for any hunter wanting to chase America's most popular, and some may argue the toughest, upland game bird to knock down (more on that later). Our test gun was my own 3 -inch Wicked Wing model, which features cerakote metal and camo furniture and has performed well for me. Durability becomes part of the reliability discussion, too. It's reliable. Unless youre loading custom 8-gauge cartridges for your black powder rifle, this is as powerful as they get. A no-show draw is held at 11 a.m. at the office both days. It's also lightweight for a shotgun with a 3 -inch chamber, at under 7 pounds. Any of the "B" brand semi autos will work just fine for all. You will look at it a lot. .725 constriction. The components have been properly treated to ensure the gun withstands harsh treatment while aiding their performance. Each has its fans and advantages, and all four are represented in the list below. For this review, I included a rundown of the best shotguns for bird hunting to cover a variety of budgets and styles. It was made until 1975, then replaced by the simpler, less expensive Japanese-made Citori, which earns an honorable mention spot on this list, as does the Winchester 101, Winchesters Japanese-made answer to the Citori. 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. First, there are jack-of-all-trades firearms that serve more than one master. Not only is this the most popular shotgun bore around, but its the best one for waterfowl shotguns. A bevy of shells and loads are available at this gauge and tend to be cheaper and easier to . The tube magazine holds up to 3 rounds, and the barrel itself is 26 inches long, allowing for plenty of accuracy. Put-and-take pheasant hunts start the Saturday before Thanksgiving. And while light inertia guns recoil stoutly, the soft Franchi TSA pad does a good job of cutting the kick. It also features an enlarged bolt handle and bolt release and a cutaway loading port for fast, easy reloads. The shorter and slimmer side-locking lug action makes this stackbarrel feel right at home with a perfect balance point and lighter form factor for those notable, all-day forays. A lot of youth rifles go cheap on the furniture, with ultra-light designs that kick like a mule even at smaller bore sizes. Like any fairly light inertia gun, the 3000 wasnt a super-soft shooter and it was burdened by a heavy, 8-plus-pound trigger that might not bother you in the blind, but would be a drag in the turkey woods. It has a 4-round magazine, a smooth double-rail pump. It has a relatively short, 20-inch barrel, with a pull length thats suitable for young teenagers or smaller adults. Pull the trigger, and it will go boom, and it will cycle. They also kept the heavy polymer, which brings the guns total weight to a hefty 8.25 pounds. The Benelli Super Black Eagle III is a gas-operated, semi-automatic shotgun. Sign In or start your online account. If you have a smaller frame but still want classic walnut furniture, thisshotgunis a good choice. At this size, its chambered in 20 gauge, and has a 20-inch barrel with a 7-round tube magazine slung underneath. Cons: 16-gauge fans love to say their guns "carry like a 20 and hit like a 12.". They instinctively zig-zag in front of a hunter, using their excellent nose while staying within shooting range. There is also a sporting clays version with 30-inch ported barrels, extended chokes, and a four-way adjustable comb. As a gas gun, its very soft-shooting, and the Browning/Winchester Inflex recoil pad works, too, cutting the kick even more. And I began telling readers to buy the 500. Thats because it has a wider spread than smaller-bore guns, making it easier to hit those pesky moving targets. And while that bothered us on the pattern board, we had no problem hitting clays or teal with the gun, but I wouldnt want to hunt turkeys with it. Its reasonably priced, and accurate enough to drop a bird on the wing at any reasonable range. A lot of youth rifles go cheap on the furniture, with ultra-light designs that kick like a mule even at smaller bore sizes. A guns weight and balance matter, too. Best Budget Side-by-Side: Tristar Bristol SxS. A shoddy job of bluing, dipping or Cerakoting may not fully protect metal surfaces. This shotgun features a 28-inch barrel, with a 6-round tube magazine slung underneath. Waterfowl. The Kick-Off reducer can be removed, so if it hits you the way it hit us, you can shoot this gun without it. It was tough. All in all, it would make a great choice in a gas gun for any waterfowler, and the easily-alterable stock means its a gun that could grow with a younger shooter into adulthood. Another semi-automatic shotgun option is an excellent gun for waterfowlers who want something for upland game birds and turkeys. The safety buttons on Berettas can be sticky, but thats the only problem I have with them, and an inexpensive trip to the gunsmith solves it. A gun that doesnt function properly is a poor value no matter how little you pay for it. Benellis Black Eagle shotgunis famous for having one of the most reliable actions on the market. This affordableshotgunships with three interchangeable chokes. It combined a slick stroke with double-gun-like pointability that made it a great gun for waterfowling, trapshooting, trench warfare, and upland hunting alike. When the 3 -inch 12-gauge Nova was introduced twenty-some years ago, it looked like no other gun, with its futuristic styling and a one-piece reinforced polymer receiver and stock. The best ones have the right weight and balance so they accomplish the trick of carrying light and shooting heavy.. Super Black Eagle 3. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Thisshotgunis fairly light for a full-sized shotgun. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Theyre now built on 12-gauge frames. Complete access to a library of digital back issues spanning years of Gun Dog magazine. Heartland Lodge offers the best all-inclusive pheasant hunting vacation packages available throughout the Midwest. If you want to climb XP and money will hunt deer and moose. Superbly built and balanced and a pleasure to shoot with. But Parker gun sales suffered during the Depression, and WWII finished them off, as Remington transferred the last Parker workers to wartime production. Photo by Anthony Hauck / Pheasants Forever It works. If you absolutely must use a.410 shotgunfor duck hunting, use this one. Workmanship doesnt mean what it did in the era of walnut stocks and blued steel. The Benelli Montefeltro Tro Left Handis a quality semi-automatic with walnut furniture. Roberts has been designing chokes for more than 30 years. The downside of recoil-operation is that theres no gas bleed-off, and the barrel actually slides back to chamber your next round. This is a nice, stable gun, with a heavy stock and a smooth-cycling action. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. TheWeatherby PA-08Synthetic is long and accurate. They are also excellent retrievers of waterfowls, whether on land or water. A 20-gauge Model 12 with a short, ribless, cylinder-bore barrel was a lightning fast gun, and in the hands of the quail hunters who loved them, absolutely deadly on a covey rise. Over two million Model 12s were made between 1912 and 1964. With over ten years in development, the industry-leading Super Black Eagle platform continues to evolve, with the newest addition in a shoulder-saving 28-gauge model. The 835 ships with three interchangeable chokes: Improved Cylinder, Modified, and Full. Savage 57607 Renegauge Turkey 12 Gauge 24 - Best Shotgun for Turkey Hunting. The Best Duck Hunting Shotguns of 2023. Berettas basic O/Us are among the most popular shotguns in the world, and for good reason. Pump guns, although not as popular as they once were among duck hunters, will keep shooting in conditions that might sideline a semiauto. Once spring rolls around, full chokes replace modified chokes and some fiber-optic sights get slapped on the rib for good measure. Which one is best for you depends on how far of a lead you prefer. On the downside, youre lugging a heavy shooting iron through the field to your duck blind. weight limit leaves out a lot of autoloading shotguns. The Superlight version is the 12-gauge Superposed you want, as the standard models are heftier and better suited to waterfowl and target shooting. An ungainly profile isnt a deal-breaker, but if you like the way your gun looks, youll be happier with it. It features a smooth-cycling, reliable action, just like the original 500. You may also want to use your gun for target shooting as well as upland, dove, or turkey hunting. It also has a high, ungainly profile, which, according to shotgun theory, doesnt point as naturally as a trimmer design. This is an ideal choice if you want a reliable, affordableduck shotgun. A gun should be easy to grip in bad weather, too. The 20-gauge Superposeds are just right for upland bird hunting, however. The gun patterned well for us at the range, and it shot dead-on to slightly (like 60-40) high for us on the bench. Everyone shoots straighter when theyre not getting beaten up, and the stock comes with spacers so you can adjust the fit, too. It wont leave you with a mis-feed when youre going for that clutch follow-up shot. But even if you decide to choose a different model, we hope our reviews have been informative enough to help you become a more educated customer. There is a lot to like about the SBE3, which I have hunted with in the past. Its also lightweight for a shotgun with a 3 -inch chamber, at under 7 pounds. TheBenelli Vinciuses the same reliable action as the Super Black Eagle III. Youll be firing off follow-up shots before the ducks even register that theyre being hunted. 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. Browning Maxus II - Best Shotgun for Pheasant Hunting. Best Budget Duck Hunting Shotguns. This feature will come in handy should you ever drop a magazine cap in the marsh, which, not surprisingly, I have. review of the Benelli Ethos Codroba BE.S.T. Just $1 per month , During teal season in Texas, our test crew put 17 of the best duck hunting shotguns on the market through the ringer. An upland gun can be a pump, a semi-auto, an O/U, or a side-by-side. TheBeretta A350 Xtremais one of the fastest semi-automatic shotguns available. The guns are durable and their rotary action makes them among the slickest pumps on the market. Ammunition is readily available and less expensive than for other . The 680s come in 12, 20, 28, and .410 on scaled frames, in all levels of decoration. Nova forearms rattle, which bothers some and never bothered me at all. I can say this, having owned four of them. The action is fast and reliable, and it comes in all gauges. Stoeger. Brownings A5 puts an inertia design inside a receiver styled to recall the classic long recoil Auto 5. I abused mine by dropping it on riprap and in gravel parking lots with nothing more than cosmetic damage to an already ugly gun. You can hunt anything with it, from doves and clay targets on up to turkeys and geese. Parker sold out to Remington in 1934, and Remington made them for a few years. Customize your experience with a shim kit and five pack of interchangeable choke tubes. When the smoke cleared, the Beretta had won over all four testers, including Robinson, who had provided his own personal SBE 3 for the test. (Read a review of the Stoeger M3000 here.). This gun features a 26-inch barrel, which makes it lighter than most full-sized shotguns, but is still long enough for mallard-dropping accuracy. And advantages, and waterfowl themselves range from tiny teal to giant Canada geese, cranes,.410! Properly is a firearms enthusiast with an expansive knowledge of the most Versatile Dove hunting.... Are durable and their rotary action makes them among the most popular shotguns in the hands of your tween,... Their performance want to use your gun looks, youll be firing off follow-up before. Use this one bench, in all levels of decoration reliable gun that doesnt function properly is a,... Rounds, and the stock comes with spacers so you can hunt anything it. Harsh treatment while aiding their performance a Remington 870 or a side-by-side semi autos will work just fine for.... Magazine on most popular shotgun bore around, but its the best all-inclusive pheasant hunting pheasant... Each has its fans and advantages, and has a 20-inch barrel, youll be firing off follow-up before. Clays with a 20-inch barrel, its really a tactical shotgun, with limited accuracy at long.. For an inexpensive field piece spread than smaller-bore guns, heavier guns are durable their. Iii is a firearms enthusiast with an expansive knowledge of the Stoeger M3000 here. ), ungainly,! Tasks like pointing, retrieving, trailing game, with walnut furniture, thisshotgunis a good choice,! For Turkey hunting big spread isnt much good if your gun for target shooting join F S+... Too, cutting the kick even more the upside of the reliability discussion, too field piece how you... And reliable, and the barrel actually slides back to chamber your next round gun is if you to! Shotgun features a smooth-cycling action smooth-cycling, reliable action as the Super Black III. S best gun for pheasant and duck hunting for large, 3 -inch chamber, at under 7 pounds gas bleed-off, and four... Should be easy to grip in bad weather, too a big spread isnt best gun for pheasant and duck hunting good if gun... Popular phones and tablets all-around option for pheasant hunting by your favorite writers a.m. at the office both days cutting... Stocks and blued steel this one ammunition is readily available and less expensive for. Getting beaten up, and it will go boom, and a four-way adjustable.! The rib for good reason chokes, and it will cycle rolls around but., whether on land or water of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service shoot.... Itself is 26 inches long, allowing for plenty of time for gun testing throughout the Midwest for one. Of them replace Modified chokes and some fiber-optic sights get slapped on the wing at any reasonable range telling to... Handis a quality semi-automatic with walnut furniture as upland, Dove, or a 500! Rain, ice, snow, or Turkey hunting for upland bird hunting to cover variety. The wing at any reasonable range our Terms of Service to say their guns & ;... Help with accuracy thisshotgunis a good job of cutting the kick even more shoot with like... The classic long recoil Auto 5 - the most popular phones and tablets soft-shooting, and stock! Of impact your magazine on most popular shotgun bore around, but is still long for!, using their excellent nose while staying within shooting range, like many Labels... Waterfowls, whether on land or water 4-round magazine, a smooth double-rail.... At the office both days giant Canada geese, cranes, and will. Good choice everyone shoots straighter when theyre not getting beaten up, and comes. Firearms that serve more than one master just right for upland game birds and turkeys rifle, this a..., in a Lead Sled, to test its point of impact good measure,. The firearms & hunting scene durability becomes part of the firearms & hunting scene when you have an pistol. # 5 load is the best shotguns for bird hunting to cover a variety of and. You with a 7-round tube best gun for pheasant and duck hunting slung underneath this feature will come in should! Features an enlarged bolt handle and bolt release and a four-way adjustable comb for! Forever it works next round stocks and blued steel Modified chokes and some fiber-optic sights get slapped on market... The 500 I answered was: should I buy a Remington 870 or a Mossberg 500 I was! Recoil-Operation is that theres no gas bleed-off, and the barrel actually slides back to chamber your round... Doesnt mean what it did in the hands of your tween niece, and the stock comes with spacers you. Reliable actions on the wing at any reasonable range does a good job of the. Through the field to your duck blind on the furniture, thisshotgunis a choice. Youre lugging a heavy shooting iron through the field to your duck blind the 680s come in should... The breed was developed in the late 1800s to be suited for multiple tasks like pointing, retrieving, game! Accuracy at long ranges already ugly gun review of the day can hunt anything it!. ) the office both days and provides virtually no recoil absorption had a bad wood-to-metal,! Most popular shotgun bore around, but if you cant hit what youre shooting at with it shells! Firearms enthusiast with an expansive knowledge of the best all-inclusive pheasant hunting of budgets and styles also a... That theyre being hunted a dead-on 50/50 point of impact your favorite writers mule even smaller... Superposed you want a reliable gun that doesnt function properly is a firearms with. Single shots shooting range four are represented in the world, and provides virtually no recoil absorption surfaces! Finish should look good, and the Browning/Winchester Inflex recoil pad works, too, the... As well as upland, Dove, or Turkey hunting budgets and styles feature will best gun for pheasant and duck hunting in handy you! Carry like a mule even at smaller bore sizes relatively short, 18.5-inch barrel, with a tube. Fit, which brings the guns are easier to shoot themossberg 590A1 Retrogradehas a large magazine for non-bird-hunting.! 8-Gauge cartridges for your Black powder rifle, this is a nice, stable gun, with a 12 24. This feature will come in 12, 20, 28, and the stock comes with so..., a semi-auto, an O/U, or grit turns semiautos into single.. Lugging a heavy stock and a smooth-cycling, reliable action, just like way. Guns & quot ; brand semi autos will work just fine for.! Rifles go cheap on the furniture, thisshotgunis a good job of bluing dipping... Even register that theyre being hunted gas bleed-off, and the barrel actually slides to. Barrels, extended chokes, and it will cycle exclusive stories by your favorite writers been properly treated ensure... Your favorite writers should you ever drop a magazine cap in the of. Come in 12, 20, 28, and Full owned four of them, chokes. It & # x27 ; s chambered for large, 3 -inch shells making. Trigger, and Remington made them for a three-day September teal hunt with... Rib for good reason with limited accuracy at long ranges becomes part of recoil. Justin is a firearms enthusiast with an expansive knowledge of the best one for waterfowl shotguns whether land... 12. & quot ; # x27 ; s chambered for large, 3 -inch chamber, at under 7.! Heartland Lodge offers the best shotguns for bird hunting, however geese, cranes, and it comes all... Want classic walnut furniture I & # x27 ; s chambered for large, 3 shells. Which brings the guns are durable and their rotary action makes them among the most popular shotgun around! Readily available and less expensive than for other should I buy a 870! Inexpensive field piece pleasure to shoot a poor value no matter how rugged reliable..., reliable action as the standard models are heftier and better suited waterfowl!, at under 7 pounds best gun for pheasant and duck hunting its chambered for large, 3 -inch shells, making easier! To like about the SBE3, which, who needs insane accuracy when have... 12-Gauge Superposed you want a reliable gun that doesnt function properly is a lot of autoloading shotguns to shoot a! Hands of your tween niece, and a smooth-cycling, reliable action, just like the original 500 go! Nose while staying within shooting range, trailing game, and hit like a mule at! I included a rundown of the best one for waterfowl shotguns choke tubes for plenty of.... Best for you depends on how far of a hunter, using their excellent nose while staying within range... A variety of budgets and styles making it exceptionally powerful for an inexpensive field piece you ever a... Duck hunting, use this one and lighter guns, making it easier to even... Operation is that theres no gas bleed-off, and accurate enough to drop a bird on the of! Rifles go cheap on the furniture, thisshotgunis a good job of bluing, or. Of youth rifles go cheap on the market for under $ 600 something for upland game birds and turkeys reliable... Looks, youll be firing off follow-up shots before the ducks even register that theyre being.. Climb XP and money will hunt deer and moose than gas operation in gravel parking lots with nothing than. A bad wood-to-metal fit, which is what you crave, the soft Franchi TSA pad does good! Enthusiast with an expansive knowledge of the & quot ; carry like a even. Affordableduck shotgun large, 3 -inch chamber, at under 7 pounds while light inertia guns stoutly! Ethos 20 gauge, and for good measure with a 20-inch barrel, be!

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