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?

[87Ford]

Benelli!

If you WANT 3.5" then SBE, otherwise M2.

[400out]

Winchester sx2 is a good one but I think mine stays in the safe more than my old 870! it kills better! don't need a semi auto

[CP]

I got a Browning Maxus and love it.  No you don’t NEED 3 1/2” but why not give yourself the option?  My Maxus with cycle anything from the lightest trap loads to the heaviest 3 ½” shells, without adjustment, without any issues.   Quail to turkey and geese, it does it all.

[Fishnclifff]

Escort magnum by Legacy Sports.
I shoot 3 in for ducks and geese.
It never jams in cold weather, or under water.
easy to field strip and clean and weighs about 6 lbs.

[h2ofowlr]

I have several 3-1/2" guns.  I like the option of the 3-1/2".  If you only are shooting birds over the decoys you could get away with 2-3/4" shells, but that isn't always the case.  I liked the way the Maxus feels, but wasn't thrilled with the lever on the left side.  I seemed to slide my hand over it to frequently.  I do like the Benelli's.  They are a good gun.  I have the Nova, M2, Super Black Eagle and the SBEII.  I picked up the SX2 a few seasons ago.  I also purchased the Extrema 2 from my buddy, but I will probably not keep it.  Still like shooting the SBEII.  Most of your new $1500 shotguns will function very similar, fast and cycle the shells.  Main difference is inertia vs. gas systems.  I like the wider vent ribs vs. what the Extrema 2 has.
I would have the gun shop place them all next to one another and see which one throws up the nicest along with the best fit for your body.

[yelp]

Mossberg 935.  I love it!

[Quackwhacker]

I have had the extrema for five years now. Love the gun. If your going with an auto loader I would suggest the extrema or sbe. Both are great guns. Depends on which one fits you. Good luck

[D-Rock425]

I'm shooting a 1187 now but was looking for an upgrade.  I like the feel of the m2.  Thanks for the input guys

[ducks55]

Youre kidding me.. 50 yards shots?

[ducksdoom12]

391 beretta..

thats what ive shot last year and so far this year and absolutly love it!  I did have some issues with it during the "break in period" with it jamming if i did not keep it clean after every hunt, but I have not had a single mishap this year, including putting 300+ rounds through it without a cleaning during dove hunting! it is an extremly smooth swinging gun too.

[270Shooter]

Get an M2 and don't look back

[ducksdoom12]

haha, would not recomend the m2, WAY to light and not balanced in the barrel enough (for me at least) when I was shooting one of those i kept jerking my swing too much and would not shoot very well, switched to a little heavier gun and the problem stoped. but thats just me, everyone likes something different

[270Shooter]

You are right it is a really light gun, and probbly more suited to upland hunting than duck hunting, but with a 28 inch barrel it works well enough... I am by no means a great shot btw

[Antlerking]

Oh come on now you all now the Beneli super black eagle is undisputed
my choice and has never let me down.

[Balladeer]

My ol' school SBE continues to be bullet proof. I'm surprised no one has brought up any over/unders yet

[Stilly bay]

  I liked the way the Maxus feels, but wasn't thrilled with the lever on the left side.  I seemed to slide my hand over it to frequently. 

thats my only complaint about my maxus, I would flip the switch and forget to flip it back causing a jam. its completely operator error but I removed that switch anyway.

I also have a SBE II and can't find a darn thing to complain about with that gun.

[Superhunter333]

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

X2

[CP]

  I liked the way the Maxus feels, but wasn't thrilled with the lever on the left side.  I seemed to slide my hand over it to frequently. 

thats my only complaint about my maxus, I would flip the switch and forget to flip it back causing a jam. its completely operator error but I removed that switch anyway.

I also have a SBE II and can't find a darn thing to complain about with that gun.

That wouldn’t be a jam, that lever is the magazine cutoff, it’s supposed to prevent the next round from chambering.   All my Browning Autos have that lever, it’s a very useful feature.

[snocohunter]

I was in your situation a couple months back. I came very close to getting a SBEII. But then I went and held one next to a SX3, and a Maxus, and a few other guns. I'm a fan of benelli but one thing i always hated about my Nova and the SBEII is how the forend is shaped. The SX3 feels much better in my hands and shoulders great for me. I had a tough time getting used to it at first because it swung so much better, at least on clays, but i've had no issues on live birds.

[Balladeer]

My ol' school SBE continues to be bullet proof. I'm surprised no one has brought up any over/unders yet

HA! I just realized what the title of the post was.  

[Stilly bay]

  I liked the way the Maxus feels, but wasn't thrilled with the lever on the left side.  I seemed to slide my hand over it to frequently. 

thats my only complaint about my maxus, I would flip the switch and forget to flip it back causing a jam. its completely operator error but I removed that switch anyway.

I also have a SBE II and can't find a darn thing to complain about with that gun.

That wouldn’t be a jam, that lever is the magazine cutoff, it’s supposed to prevent the next round from chambering.   All my Browning Autos have that lever, it’s a very useful feature.

if you need tools to fix it and it turns your gun into a single shot... thats a jam in my book.

have you ever accidentally left that lever up and tried to slide a shell into the magazine? it holds them so tight you need plier to get the shell out of the magazine.

[CP]

No, I’ve never done that in 30+ years of operating Brownings. 

[goosegetter79]

Mossberg 935.  I love it!

X2 love mine as well never had a hiccup.

[Phantom Gobbler]

Definitely agree with going in and buying the 3.5 auto-loader that fits, feels and points the best for You!

I have the Mossberg 935 and Remington 1187 Super Mag, both good waterfowl guns.

[krbyers84]

Has anyone seen the new Remmington Versamax in person, I am curious about this gun. Currently I am shooting my brother's SX3 and really like it but it never hurts to look at the new stuff.

[mkcj]

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

[thomasmx]

Personally I dont think you need a 3 1/2 shot for ducks. if your a good shot, 2 1/2 is great!

I was a remington 870 guy all the way. I was going to get a super black eagle 2 but with the Stoeger M2000 auto loader sitting next to it for under half the price i couldnt pass it up. Its almost the same gun as the B.E.2. Same internals except for the recoil system. All the same chokes and sights, it comes with an extra barrell for other game for under $600 retail. The gun was really tight at 1st but after about 200 rounds and some oil she spits the shells out of there like crazy!

Great gun and would buy another anyday!!!

[CountryslickR]

Remington 870 supermag will do the trick...will shoot in all conditions, and if needed u can put 3 1/2 through it!

[ICEMAN]

Mossberg 935.  I love it!

X2 love mine as well never had a hiccup.

x3

[Widgeondeke]

I love my 870. Its 21 y/o an never had an issue. A few years ago I got the Weatherby SAS (semi-auto synthetic). Its been a great gun. It did take me a few outing to stop trying to pump it. I love the reduced recoil felt with the auto loader. 

[J Snow73]

I have a Winchester SX3 and absolutly love it. I can carry her all day long and not know it and have not missed a bird yet. IMO it is a very comfortable gun and paid around $800 for it

[PNWsportsman]

I bought a Browning Silver 3.5" about 4 years ago and absolutely love it!  I wold recomend it to anyone.  Overall it is about how the gun fits you and how comfortable you are with the particular gun.  The biggest factors for me are drop at heel and drop at comb. 

[brew]

you cant go wrong with the benelli SBE II.....anything you can shoot well with a recoil reduction system and you"re golden....3 1/2" recoil reduction tends to make the initial outlay worthwhile after a box of shells.....IMO shooting a Mossberg 835 while laying on the ground goose hunting is the best reason to upgrade to one....been there-done that!

[Ceddy50]

can i just say that my remington 870 defines what a man is..... i have picked that gun up off the bottom of the river and shot a duck from the sky. you want tough buy 870, or that new remington that is supposed to be the toughest gun ever!? i will admit though ive been tempted by a semi-auto lately