What is the best waterfowl gun???

Quick Luck · Aug-18-2007, 02:27 PM

So this is a question shared in many duck and goose camps. What do you think is the best shotgun for waterfowling (brand, style)? Is it a pump, autoloader, double gun? Is it an Extrema, M1 Super 90, SBE, Gold, model 12, auto 5, BPS, Wingmaster?

I must say my preference for geese is still the Benelli SBE and for ducks it is the Benelli M1 Super 90. I have been able to do some great comparisons in Argentina as well as Canada with a bunch of different shotguns and the blow back Benelli's seem to be the most reliable (I have a friend who is a veteran Argentina hunter that spends a month a year down South hunting, he argues that the Browning B2000 is better). Last year Jonathan Pool of Fine Firearms in La Mesa gave me a new in the box Beretta Extrema II to bring up to Canada and test. While it was not as clanky as the Benelli and had far less felt recoil, as well as being very reliable...the Extrema II felt rather fat in the hands as well as slow to point and cumbersome. Very similar to the Browning 3.5" Gold. Both soft shooting guns but chubby to the feel. I have not shot the 3" version but would like to.

This could be a great discussion. Why don’t you sit down in my goose camp, pull up a stump by the fire pit and tell me what your opinion is on the subject?

Huntndogs · Aug-18-2007, 02:46 PM

For me, its the one thats in my hands at the time the birds are cupped and committed. I am partial to auto's for waterfowl and I shoot a Beretta 390 3" for ducks, but I really want the Extrema II. Never fired a Benelli auto but I can tell you that my Nova pump knocks you into the next County with 3.5" heavy shot....OUCH! One of the two guns you speak of will be my next firearm purchase.

**Marcus** · Aug-18-2007, 03:34 PM

I started with a 870 wingmaster. Moved to a Benelli M1 field and then to my current SBE II. I've fired the Extrema but really like my SBE II better.

This is going to open a can of worms.....

**Smudge** · Aug-18-2007, 03:42 PM

I'm about to move from an 870 to a SBE II. I've spent most of the off season pulling guns up to see how they point for me. I have to echo exactly what John says about the Baretta and Browning Autos. They just don't come up for me like the Benelli does. I did take a look at one of the new Remington 105 CTI's last week. Very nice gun, weighs nothing and points nice. So light though I'd almost be afraid to put a 3.5 heavy through that one, OUCH!....

doughnut · Aug-18-2007, 05:33 PM

Ditto Black Eagle

Rubberhook2 · Aug-18-2007, 06:03 PM

Like most, I started with a Remington 870 Express. I bought my first Benelli Super Black Eagle over 12 years ago and never looked back. Very, very reliable, and super easy to clean. Years later I picked up a Remington SP 10...11 pounds of gun with a 30 inch barrel. Great pass shooting gun but I still favor my Benelli.

I have introduced it to many, many geese...

Quick Luck · Aug-18-2007, 07:39 PM

The SBE seems to be the favorite so far.

Where was the picture taken Tim?

Fresh One · Aug-18-2007, 10:20 PM

I don't notice the kick in the SBE or SBE 2. My wife might but I certainly don't

The Benelli comes up perfect for me. Nice and level without having to hunker down on the gun. I have had a few issues with shells not ejecting fully but that was due to shooting dirty hulls through a hot gun in Argentina.

Quick Luck · Aug-18-2007, 10:38 PM

Hey Brent. We have had the issue of shells sticking while in Argentina as well (the Argentine gun virus). We think it was due to the shells and not the gun. It only happened one year.

Nice picture. Our best was 212 birds...

Jerky · Aug-19-2007, 01:47 AM

I am with you John on the Benelli SBE and the Super 90. Have two of each. Beretta makes a good gas gun but you can't beat a spring gun when you want it to work (when RREEAALL Dirty) all the time..... I think that this can'O worms is going to go on for a few days.

Vermonster · Aug-19-2007, 02:53 AM

Granted, if I hunted more and wanted to spend the money, I'd go for an auto. However, for the amount I go, the Benelli Nova performs perfectly for me. Very happy with it, especially for the right price.....

Rubberhook2 · Aug-19-2007, 08:09 AM

John, that pic was taken in Saskatchewan.

Your camp pic looks like the Cibola/Palo Verde area with the Chocolate Mountains in the background.

I have introduced the Benelli to the geese that winter there as well...

As I mentioned, I have owned my original SBE for well over a dozen years and in that time have literally fired thousands of shells through it. The only problem I have ever had with the gun was that I snapped the claw extractor bar in half after firing 450 3 1/2 inch shells in 5 days of hunting in Canada. When I bought the gun it only came in black. I had it camoflaged 4 years ago for $150.