As one who has shot upland and waterfowl for over 50 years I would say if you are going to have only one shotgun it should be a 12ga. 3in.
For years all I used for geese was my M37 with 2 3/4 in. shells and did very well. Of course that all changed with the non tox. reg.
From what I see the 10ga. is falling out of favor in favor of the 3 1/2 in. 12ga. One gun can do it all.
If you'r a good shot non tox. can turn out to be cheaper then steel. When you can hear the steel hitting the bird and it flies away it's not a good thing.
Buy that 16ga. then a 12ga.
T.W.K.
Hunting Ducks and Geese
Moderator: ripjack13
19 posts
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The 16 is a great gun. I use mine often to hunt ducks with, as well as everything else. The 12 in the end is the ultimate choice for everything across the board, but with the advancements in the Non-Tox, hevier than lead loads, the 16 is capable of pulling off some amazing jobs out in the field.
Chad H
Hevi-Shot |
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I hunt pretty much nothing but waterfowl and you can get by quite effectively with a 12 gauge 3" for 95% of your needs. This even counts for steel with geese if you get good quality loads and decent ranges.
With that said, I primarily hunt with a 10 gauge and love it. The problem is the 3.5" 12 gauge is causing a slow death to my favorite gauge, even though the performance is not as good (from what I have read). This weekend I dropped a Sand Hill Crane with my 10 and it was out cold. Geese are easier with the 10 as well. Good luck and hope you bag a bunch. Look to my coming at first light on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the East.
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Up here in BC Canada we have had the steel shot rule for years so we have tried the whole works for hunting ducks and geese. I do have a Mag 10 but shells are too expensive. Most everyone here uses 12gauge and do quite well. I have used 37s in 16g and 20g but dam you have to be good to get anything. There has been about 300 ducks and about 50 geese taken out of our farm this season, so far. We have a waterfowl problem and it is hard to get enough hunters to keep our fields clear. We live in the city so we also have to deal with the bird lovers, and the police that don't now anything about hunting. The crows, starlings and pigeons keep us sharp for the duck season. Donald
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Your shotgun is really awesome... I really love hunting with my baby mooseberg 500 shotgun.. newbie here... "A day without sunshine is like, you know, night.
Steve Martin " |
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I love hunting and I used 16 gauge, but my 16 gauge is damage and I need a new one.. Can somebody guess me a good shotgun for hunting?
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I would recomend a new Ithaca Featherweight, or a vintage Ithaca Featherweight. Either way you'll have the best repeating shotgun made. Welcome aboard! |
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Just a little input from Alaska here, I hunt with a 12Ga model 37chambered for 2-3/4, My wife hunts with a 20Ga model 37. She shoots 2-3/4" she usually drops more critters than I. It points quicker and patterns better. The problem I have with the 3-1/2" 12Ga, I see people shooting at ducks flying at over 100yards away. 20Ga is just as effective as a 12Ga. Just my 2 cents.
Live life to its fullest, for time is but a fleeting moment!!!!
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But don't you know that 12 gauges hit harder and shoot farther? Just kidding. I rarely hunt with anything but my 16's or 20's. But I've been told the above by folks who don't know better. I was the only man in a sporting clays squad to make the shot on a target with the thrower set 60 yards out throwing straight up and falling to the left. When the clay was at its highest point you had to be 4ft low and 4ft to the left to break it. All the 12 gauge guys missed, I broke it with a model 37 20 gauge, modified choke, 7/8 oz of 7.5 shot. It was nice. |
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