Although I used a 20 gauge for ducks for many years, I did it because it was the only shotgun I had at the time. Did just fine with it, though. On the other hand, given that 20 gauge steel ammo isn't really any cheaper than 12 gauge, I don't see any particular reason to shoot a 20 in the duck blind, unless you plan to also make a 20 do double duty as an upland gun. For a duck gun, I'd opt for a 12. Lot more options as to ammo and 12s typically do a better job with the larger shot sizes as far as patterns.

 

I may eventually be hunting upland birds but by then I will be able to buy another gun by then so I may just buy another 12 and use that for ducks. 2 3/4" or 3"?

 

20ga will work but a 12 is better....if you're going to be hunting over decoys a modified choke is good...or a double barrel IC and Mod...brand and type is up to you...mossberg wont break the bank...

 

Been debatin' the same thing.... Lookin' to get my son a shotgun for duck. He wanted a 20 due to the recoil, but shot my 12gauge 1100 the other day and liked it! Unfortunately can't shoot the steel outta the 1100. Now I'm thinkin' maybe goin' with a 12 (he likes the black synthetic stock) instead of the 20 but the semi autos are a little pricey!

 

More ammo choices with a 12ga, especially when your looking at steel shot. Also, there is not real price difference between 12ga or 20ga ammo.

As far as recoil, shoot a 20ga on the range in a 3" high power load and you might be surprised just how much recoil even a 20ga has. In the heat of the moment when shooting birds out of the air, you will probably never notice the difference in recoil of a 12ga over a 20ga.

Lastly, insure to buy something that you can change the chokes on the barrel. Most shoot guns made over the past 10 or even 15 years have removable chokes that you can change to suit your hunting needs. You can pick up interchangeable chokes for most Remington's and Mossberg's for as little as $8 - $16 each; check out the "CDNN Investments" or "Mid West Gun Works" sites.

 

Got a Remington 870 Super Mag about 3 years ago that was under $300 with the rebate. Shoots 2 3/4, 3 and 3 1/2 inch shells. Its 12 gauge with the removable choke tubes. Very versatile shotgun. Use the 2 3/4 for most upland shooting, the 3 or 3 1/2 for ducks or turkeys. Though I have yet to shoot the 3 1/2, don't know how well my old bones would like that anyway!

 

Under $350. Easy. Mossberg 500 Flex ($250 around here on clearance - couple 'adopted' boys have and love them), Any other Mossberg 500 (I love mine and one son and a DIL does too), Rem 870 ( I don't care for them, but my boys - 3 of 5 - love theirs), or a used Mossberg 835 - Oldest (I have 5 boys and 2 DILs) love his that I bought him.

Me personally, I like my Mossberg 500, and bought a Weatherby PA-08 that I bought for duck hunting. Buddy bought the same gun for ducks as well.

I have 5 boys, 2 DILs and a lot of my sons' friends, plus buddies. Everyone has been very happy any of the Mossbergs and 870s, plus the Weatherby.

Last thing I will suggest is, get one you won't feel bad about taking under water when duck hunting! In the last 10 days, have had two of the kids take two in the drink!

Last sage piece of advice - get Eezox - and use it on you duck guns! It WORKS!

 

Absolutely go with the 12. I would also highly recommend the Mossberg 500. I've used one exclusively back when I duck hunted, and have not been without at least one for more than 30 years. Can't go wrong with the Mossberg!!

 

I like my Mossberg 500. I f you really want a Remington look for a model 31. Got my old 31 in 16 gauge and it is a shooter.
Remember when duck hunting go to a zoo in a big city takes longer for the cops to show up and you can get your limit before they get there.

 

Since I'll be around water, would a synthetic stock would be a good choice?

 

Decided its going to have to pull triple duty, ducks, upland and rabbits and occasionally squirrels. So I may go with a double barreled 20 gauge. 3 inch chambers of course

 

Wood or synthetic is fine in the duck blind. From painful personal experience, though, I can tell you that a duck blind is no place for a beautifully crafted and highly finished double or OU. If you're afraid to get it wet and muddy, it doesn't belong in the duck blind. As for me, much prefer having that third shot capability for waterfowl and opening and closing a double in a tight or crowded duck blind can be a hassle. Have finished off a lot of cripples with that third shot that might have otherwise been lost. Each to their own, though.

 

True, but I just love the look of a double and have wanted one since I was little. It'll kind of be half my 18th birthday present to myself, I shoot clays with my neighbor too. He uses it to practice wing shooting, if I'll be practicing I'm sure I have to use the loads I'll be hunting with correct?

 

I would never argue with someone who wants a double. Nothing finer in the hands than a well made double gun. I do understand, believe me. Best of luck in your selection.

 

Thank you

 

I have an 870 and it is my all around favorite (shotgun). I use it for everything from ducks to squirrels, rabbits and pheasants. Of course I am hoping to get some class someday and get a double something.

 

I was given a 1919 production Model 12 in exchange for mowing a neighbors lawn (been called a lucky SOB by a few). But like I said the steel alternatives are a little too pricey for me from the ones I've seen. Plus it's a fixed full choke

 

A few years back I wanted to purchase an over/under just to have one and came across a Stoeger Combo which came with a 12 and 20 gauge barrel set. It is a little heavy but does the job and has removable chokes. purchased new for 400.00, can't beat it. Good skeet gun, too.

 

I've seen those, I think they go for almost $600 in my area

 

vote for the Mossberg 500 12 gauge for ducks, remember some geese fly by occasionally................

 

I have seen a number of perfect duck guns at summitgunbroker. Google the title and you will find some very nice firearms for a very good price. I bought a Remington 12ga 1100 last year and paid about $250. I think the place is called Marks Store. Anyway just a bit of Google may save you some real bucks on a waterfowl shotgun. By the way, I use a #4 Heavy steel shot 3" shell. I load my own so they tend to carry a bit farther than store bought shells and I use a full choke. I am not to concerned about the ducks dropping to far away, have two dogs who have no problem going and getting them.....they get very upset with you if they do not get the retrieve. In my dogs mind, boats and blinds are meant to stay put, they will get the birds or give you the paw the next time you send them to retrieve a bird, if you moved the boat.

 

'tain't fer everybody, but my all-time favorite duck gun is a 10ga muzzleloader--a pedersoli--i got from caboola's. to git it up to steel shot speed (ya need to shoot steel about 1250ft/sec er better) ya hafta jack up the powder and lower the shot charge down to where yer shootin' about the same ballistics as a regular 2-3/4" 12ga, but that's enough to handle decoyed birds. i can kill more ducks with my old browning a-5 12ga, but the ones i git with the frontstuffer taste better! and ya git wa-a-a-ay more style points!!!
mind yer topknot!
windy

 

If I were out to get a shotgun for duck, it would be 12 gauge, & it would be a Duck Dynasty model.

Id support Phil and his fight against the unGodly masses

 

You can't go wrong with a Mossberg 835, 500 or 935 for ducks, geese, upland birds and small game. I used a 500 then an 835 when I hunted ducks in the Hood Canal and out Yakima way when I was stationed at Fort Lewis.

Get a slug barrel and you have a deer gun for those non-rifle areas.

 

This would only be a bird/rabbit gun. In my area of NY I'm not restricted to just a shotgun, I think most if not all of the southern tier is open to rifles now as well

 

Choices and Budget

I use a Remington 1187 20 gauge for teal hunting and Winchester SX2 12 gauge for big ducks and geese. If your budget can't handle those choices the Mossberg 500 is hard to beat in 12 gauge. Choke tubes are pretty cheap too and stocked at Wally world. I swear by the extended choke tubes. The tubes I use the most are skeet and IC while hunting over decoys.
Good luck

 

When did it become the standard for shotguns to be able to handle steel? I'm curious on how far back I should look into manufacture years on shotguns

 

If you want a pump get the 835 if you want a semi auto get the 935 they both can shoot 2 3/4" 3" and 3 1/2" shells that way from small game to goose to turkey you have it covered

 

dd, the steel shot blitz came along in the 1980's, but some folk started sooner; browning a-5's have chrome-lined barrels after about 1960 or '61, and that makes them good candidates fer steel. they were still making 'em in belgium at the time, so my bet would be that the initial reason they did it had nothing to do with steel shot--just making the barrels last forever, like the rest of that marvelous gun does. my guess is that the remington 870 express, which i'm told is the shotgun of choice fer most police departments around the country, will fit yer budget and keep going bang as long as you and yer son and grandson want it to. remember, yer guns are a part of yer heritage--don't buy one just fer yerself!
mind yer topknot!
windy

 

There are plenty of Rem. 1100 2 3/4" out there. With a mod. fixed choke you can use it for all your needs, including steel shot. I use one as my backup or extra blind gun with steel shot BB's - 4 on ducks and geese. Never a problem with the fixed modified choke. Actually one of the tightest. Great long range goose gun out to 60yds. with 1 1/8 oz. BB's. I would sell my Beretta Extrema Waterfowler before my 1100, Great all around weapon for sure...