I'm going on my first Duck hunt

[Austrian Hunter]

Hi all,
I am invited to go on a duck hunt.  Need some help on choosing the right choke.  I have a Remington 870 and I plan on using this gun for ducks.  All I have is Turkey chokes.  Any advice on chokes and shells is greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

[CedarPants]

DON'T SHOOT a duck load through your turkey choke, your face will thank you for it 

[Austrian Hunter]

DON'T SHOOT a duck load through your turkey choke, your face will thank you for it 

  I was not planning on that!  But now I'm curious what would happen?   

[Goldeneye]

Since you shooting steel, use a modified or improved cylinder choke.  Steel tends to hold a tighter pattern than the old lead loads.

Shot size:  #2 or #3 is what I use.

Shell size:  Depends on what you doing.  Pass shooting, decoying, of jump shooting.  2 3/4" shells will handle a lot.  If you think you need more range go for the 3" or 3 1/2" shells.

Brands: lots of good shells out there.  Winchester, Kent, etc...  Take your pick.

[CedarPants]

DON'T SHOOT a duck load through your turkey choke, your face will thank you for it 

  I was not planning on that!  But now I'm curious what would happen?   

Think of the old Loony Tunes cartoons with Elmer Fudd covered in black gunpowder while staring at his gun with a barrel peeled back like a banana peel 

[Austrian Hunter]

Since you shooting steel, use a modified or improved cylinder choke.  Steel tends to hold a tighter pattern than the old lead loads.

Shot size:  #2 or #3 is what I use.

Shell size:  Depends on what you doing.  Pass shooting, decoying, of jump shooting.  2 3/4" shells will handle a lot.  If you think you need more range go for the 3" or 3 1/2" shells.

Brands: lots of good shells out there.  Winchester, Kent, etc...  Take your pick.

That's exactly the info I'm looking for, thanks!! 

[hdshot]

Those turkey chokes might not be rated for steel shot.  870 easy to get chokes, might want to get a mod size for steel decoy hunting.  I use a pattern master mid range but might want to get more experience first since tighter patterns.  Good luck.

[lokidog]

Don't bother with 3 1/2" shells, if you are going to hit the bird, you'll hit with 2 3/4 just as well IMHO.  I hunted ducks with my fixed FULL choke 1963 wingmaster almost all my life and have had no problems with it.  However, I might have gotten a few more close in birds with a modified one.

[Stilly bay]

when in doubt use modified. your going to get shot opportunities where you will regret having an IC choke screwed in.

Don't bother with 3 1/2" shells, if you are going to hit the bird, you'll hit with 2 3/4 just as well IMHO. 

there is a difference in performance among the different shell lengths and load combinations contained within, but probably not something a first time duck hunter should worry himself with.
buy three inch shells, better to have a little more than a little less. especially if your not going to the patterning board before  your hunt.

[WSU]

Not know exactly what you will be doing, I would get a modified choke (or the stock one your gun came with) and some kent #2s.  3 inch 1 1/8 or 1 1/4 ounce.  Either will kill the duck if you do your part.

[hntrspud]

IMHO there is also no need to shoot a 3 1/2 inch shell unless you want your shoulder to hurt for days. They are a waste. There have been many articles that show that the kinetic energy produced by a 3 inch shell is just the same as a 3.5 inch shell at 40 yards, and they dont hurt as much. Kent, winchester is all I shoot. Good price, and they put em down. Good luck, you will be hooked after your first trip, if your not, there is something wrong with you!     

[et1702]

Use IC if close shooting and Mod for a little extra distance.  Steel shoots tighter groups than lead thru the same choke.  3" is more than enough shell.  3.5" not worth the extra $$ or punishment.  Plus, not really any more effective than 3" shells.

[lokidog]

For decoying birds, I would use #4 for the first and #3s behind it.  For jump shooting, I used to use a #3 for the first shot with #2 behind. 

[Austrian Hunter]

We will hunt over decoys.  Thanks for al the suggestions.  So, a Modified choke and 3" kent #2 or #3 and I am good to go? 

[Heartsblood]

We will hunt over decoys.  Thanks for al the suggestions.  So, a Modified choke and 3" kent #2 or #3 and I am good to go? 

Yep. That'll work.
I'm not sure if yer 870 would even accept a 3 1/2" anyways?  Should say on the barrel...

Good luck! Have fun.

[WSU]

We will hunt over decoys.  Thanks for al the suggestions.  So, a Modified choke and 3" kent #2 or #3 and I am good to go? 

Should work great. 

[Austrian Hunter]

We will hunt over decoys.  Thanks for al the suggestions.  So, a Modified choke and 3" kent #2 or #3 and I am good to go? 

Yep. That'll work.
I'm not sure if yer 870 would even accept a 3 1/2" anyways?  Should say on the barrel...

Good luck! Have fun.

It does, I shoot 3"1/2 for Turkey but I'm not so much interested shooting a whole box of 3"1/2 in a few hours  Thanks!

[Heartsblood]

I think my 870 express doesn't take 3 1/2". Didn't know if yours was an express or a what? Wingmaster? Or other.

[Austrian Hunter]

I think my 870 express doesn't take 3 1/2". Didn't know if yours was an express or a what? Wingmaster? Or other.

Mine is a Remington 870 Express Super Magnum.  2"3/4 - 3"1/2

[lokidog]

IMHO 3 1/2" shells are over-rated and over-priced.  I wish I had not bought a 3 1/2" capable gun as it just adds length to the action and slide motion.

[C-Money]

My 4yo son and I went out today for a while and got two. We use an 11-87 with a mod choke. We shot 2 3/4 #6 and it just smashed them. I would use anything from BBs to #4 shot hunting ducks on a goose day. Good luck and let us know how you did!

[Heartsblood]

I think my 870 express doesn't take 3 1/2". Didn't know if yours was an express or a what? Wingmaster? Or other.

Mine is a Remington 870 Express Super Magnum.  2"3/4 - 3"1/2

Right on. I bought my express about 6 years ago used, for a song, and it was my first shotgun. I've had many good times with it. I have a benelli nova that is just more gun than I feel I need to take into the field considering the 870 has done it all for me.... but, I'm hoping to take it goose hunting this year.

[quackattack90]

Modified choke with 3" #4 shot.

[Muleyhunter47]

I prefer 3" # 2's with a tighter choke, either improved modified or i like to use the pattern master choke. I either wanna drop em dead or miss because crippling ducks sucks!

[WSU]

I prefer 3" # 2's with a tighter choke, either improved modified or i like to use the pattern master choke. I either wanna drop em dead or miss because crippling ducks sucks!

My thoughts exactly.  I've experienced too many fliers with shot smaller the 2.  This is especially true if you are shooting over 30 yards, which you inevitably will be.

[fisheral87]

Stay away from the Winchester. Our group had trouble cycling it through 870's

Kent Fast Steel all the way. 

[Kola16]

Stay away from the Winchester. Our group had trouble cycling it through 870's

Kent Fast Steel all the way. 

My .870, and both of my buddies cycle winchesters fine  Someone told me that they had to polish there chamber, or something (I think it was Stilly Bay  ) I like Kents more anyways though 


I like a full choke in mine. I either make the duck hit the water hard, or a complete miss  If I were beginning, I would recommend a mod. choke with 3" Kents # 2

[CP]

Stay away from the Winchester. Our group had trouble cycling it through 870's

Good reason to stay away from 870's -

[Austrian Hunter]

I went today and I learned a lot.  First of, duck hunting is a blast!!!  We got 14 birds (four of us).  I bought a box of Winchester 3" size 2.  I wanted size 4 but they had none.  I also got a Modified choke for my 870.  Lets just say I missed my fair share and I dropped 4.  There is a lot of action in duck hunting that was different and really fun.  These birds are smart or have eyes like a hawk.  Anyways, thanks for all the advice.  Also I have to say I hunted with a pro, his calling and knowledge was incredible! 

[Kola16]

No pics 

[Austrian Hunter]

Can't upload from my phone.  I have a couple I post tomorrow.