auto loader for waterfowl.

[D-Rock425]

I'm thinking about a new semi auto for duck hunting any recommendations.  There is no price range and doesn't have to shoot 3 1/2 inch unless you guys think if you're going to get a new gun you may as well get one that can shoot 3 1/2.

[Curly]

I'm interested in seeing what everyone has to say.  I haven't hunted ducks in the last 10 years or so, but I keep thinking about getting back into it.  I started out with a 20 ga 1100 (back when lead was legal) and then switched to a 12ga 870.  Now, I think that if I get back into it, I'd like to have an auto and so far the gun I have my eye on is the Benelli Vinci.

I don't see the need for 3 1/2" for ducks, but I can see the need for geese.  So, if you also plan on goose hunting, it seems like 3.5" would be in order.  Myself, I think I'd just opt for Hevi-shot loads for the few times I might go goose hunting.

Anyway, I'm curious what the guys have to say on the subject since I may be looking for an autoloader in the future.

Here is an interesting article on the Vinci.  Link

[SnowDog]

I've been shooting the Vinci for two seasons now and love it. I've had no issues with it and even use it for upland hunting on most days.

Cheers!
SD

[WDFW-SUX]

391 beretta..

[pjb3]

100% benelli SBE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[fishermanjoe]

100% benelli SBE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cant go wrong with the super black eagle 

[Crispy]

I haven't heard much bad about the Maxus? I picked up an SBE2 at Cabela's and didn't like the feel of it as much as I did the Maxus, so I think I'm going to pick up the browning for next season.

[Bigtine96]

I will only shoot a pump, semi autos jam up in extreme cold and just simply have more parts that can fail. I can shoot my pump just as fast as someone shooting a semi auto. And there cheaper, just my 2¢

[Jekemi]

I really like my Weatherby SA08. It was inexpensive and works well regardless of the conditions. It hasn't given me any problems and is easy to clean.
However, there is no substitute for a Remington 870 pump for all purpose shotguns. They never fail, they take extreme punishment, and the parts aftermarket is unmatched. Plus, they are inexpensive. My son and I have had 3 of them in 6 years; various configurations (still have two). Waterfowl, Turkeys, home defense, upland game. You simply can't go wrong.

[boots]

I shoot a Benelli M2. If the Vinci was offered in left hand i probably would put my M2 for sale and pick up a Vinci.

The beretta xtrema 2 has pretty good reviews as well. It is gas operated versus the inertia system in the benelli

[ducks55]

I don't see the need for 3 1/2" for ducks, but I can see the need for geese.  So, if you also plan on goose hunting, it seems like 3.5" would be in order.  Myself, I think I'd just opt for Hevi-shot loads for the few times I might go goose hunting.

Here we go again.... please tell me all of us why 3.5" and/ or hevi-shot is necessary for geese?

Last time I checked I stoned a goose at 20 yards with 2 3/4" 3 shot... maybe its the fact I got it in close.

You must like those challenging 60 yarders... how many birds have you winged? 

[Curly]

At 20 yards there is no question that anything will work for geese.  The last time I went goose hunting I was using 3" mag 12ga and they weren't decoying that great and I was wishing I had a 3.5" mag at the time..........or if I would have had hevi-shot it would have worked as well as the 3.5".  I don't go goose hunting enough to justify having a 3.5" mag, but if I did go goose hunting at least a few times a year, I think I'd opt for the 3.5"....

oh, and I never once said 3.5" or Hevi-shot is necessary for geese, did I?  (Ok, I can see how you could interpret what I said before as being "necessary", but that isn't what I intended.) 

[FC]

I have a baikal MP153 aka Remington SPR453 that I would recommend, it's gas operated and chambered in 3.5".

[bobcat]

It makes no sense to spend time and money hunting geese but use inferior loads that require the geese to be within 20 yards. Unless you simply have no interest in killing geese, and that's fine too. But you can't argue that more shot and/or more velocity is not a good thing when shooting geese at 50 yards. And don't try to tell me that most goose hunters only take shots at 20 yards or less.  

[FC]

And don't try to tell me that most goose hunters only take shots at 20 yards or less.  

Maybe it's easy to do if you make your decoys out of french bread?