collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: Best duck hunting auto-loader for the money?  (Read 5207 times)

Offline NORRISKI2

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Tracker
  • **
  • Join Date: Feb 2008
  • Posts: 62
  • Location: SW Washington
Best duck hunting auto-loader for the money?
« on: February 09, 2008, 10:27:23 AM »
I consider myself a gun nut when it comes to rifles or maybe just a nut who knows, but when it comes to shotguns I'm not that educated.  My intent is to do mostly duck hunting and maybe some upland bird hunting.  My wife thinks my budget is $300-$500, but If you ask me I'm looking to spend between $1,000-$1,500 on a semiautomatic shotgun. :chuckle:  I have researched three shotguns so far, which include: Berreta Extrema 2, Winchester SX3, and Benelli Super Black Eagle.  Any thoughts, pros, cons, etc.

Thanks.

Offline dbllunger

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Nov 2007
  • Posts: 1072
  • Those who can do. Those who can't complain.
Re: Best duck hunting auto-loader for the money?
« Reply #1 on: February 09, 2008, 01:53:17 PM »
Of those three Benelli no question.  Super reliable, light, and operating system is very simple. 

Offline ICEMAN

  • Site Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: May 2007
  • Posts: 15575
  • Location: Olympia
  • The opinionated one... Y.A.R. Exec. Staff
Re: Best duck hunting auto-loader for the money?
« Reply #2 on: February 09, 2008, 03:41:27 PM »
Just picked up a Mossberg 935 semi auto today, $525.00

3 1/2 mag, overbored, 3 chokes, advanced recoil compensated (everyone says this...) MOBU finish. (Non ported, yay! )Plan to use for Duck/Goose, and maybe Turkey this spring.

Not the lightest, not the cheapest. Twas a good compromise IMHO and fit the budget. Big seller his year, been trying to get one for a while...
molṑn labé

A Knuckle Draggin Neanderthal Meat Head

Kill your television....do it now.....

Don't make me hurt you.

“I don't feel we did wrong in taking this great country away from them. There were great numbers of people who needed new land, and the Indians were selfishly trying to keep it for themselves.”  John Wayne

Offline jackelope

  • Administrator
  • Trade Count: (+29)
  • Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2007
  • Posts: 50220
  • Location: Duvall, WA
  • Groups: jackelope
Re: Best duck hunting auto-loader for the money?
« Reply #3 on: February 09, 2008, 09:52:05 PM »
we have put a bunch of rounds(1000's) through a couple of al391's and had nothing but good results from them. they are not xtremas and we are not duck hunting, but they are no doubt reliable and bombproof.
i don't have any experience with the SBE,  but undoubtedly a good gun.
this is a chevy vs. ford vs. dodge discussion i think, you won't go wrong with either of them.
:fire.:

" In today's instant gratification society, more and more pressure revolves around success and the measurement of one's prowess as a hunter by inches on a score chart or field photos produced on social media. Don't fall into the trap. Hunting is-and always will be- about the hunt, the adventure, the views, and time spent with close friends and family. " Ryan Hatfield

My posts, opinions and statements do not represent those of this forum

Offline Ray

  • Washington For Wildlife
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Feb 2007
  • Posts: 6817
  • Location: Kirkland,WA
    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1475043431
    • Hunting-Washington
Re: Best duck hunting auto-loader for the money?
« Reply #4 on: February 09, 2008, 10:02:45 PM »
I've experienced that some semi autos have a hard time with light loads (less than 1 1/8 for example) during cycling. I believe it has to do with how tight the springs are made for these guns and some might even outright declare that they don't work below a certain threshold. The thing that I don't find much of a problem with is that I don't use loads that light. But if you shoot a lot of these loads it pays to read up and see if other users have had any problems with them and your particular shotgun of interest.

I'd recommend reading about topics on http://www.shotgunworld.com/

Offline jackelope

  • Administrator
  • Trade Count: (+29)
  • Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2007
  • Posts: 50220
  • Location: Duvall, WA
  • Groups: jackelope
Re: Best duck hunting auto-loader for the money?
« Reply #5 on: February 09, 2008, 10:08:31 PM »
i have a cheapo 3" gun that will not cycle light loads at all. it will cycle 2 3/4" sporting/hotshot 1500 fps loads , but nothing less than that.

most of the guns in the $1k range will cycle any shells clean in my experience.
:fire.:

" In today's instant gratification society, more and more pressure revolves around success and the measurement of one's prowess as a hunter by inches on a score chart or field photos produced on social media. Don't fall into the trap. Hunting is-and always will be- about the hunt, the adventure, the views, and time spent with close friends and family. " Ryan Hatfield

My posts, opinions and statements do not represent those of this forum

Offline Ray

  • Washington For Wildlife
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Feb 2007
  • Posts: 6817
  • Location: Kirkland,WA
    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1475043431
    • Hunting-Washington
Re: Best duck hunting auto-loader for the money?
« Reply #6 on: February 09, 2008, 10:10:20 PM »
Quote
most of the guns in the $1k range will cycle any shells clean in my experience.

That has been my experience as well. I also believe 3 1/2 inch is not necessary for duck hunting... But I would get one anyway because as soon as you see a goose fly by you will want to shoot it.  :chuckle: :hello: I have to remember that people were drilling geese with smaller sized shells for years though..

Offline NORRISKI2

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Tracker
  • **
  • Join Date: Feb 2008
  • Posts: 62
  • Location: SW Washington
Re: Best duck hunting auto-loader for the money?
« Reply #7 on: February 10, 2008, 11:21:08 AM »
Thanks for all the input it definitely helps and gives me some more things to research before I pull the trigger on a purchase. 

Offline ICEMAN

  • Site Sponsor
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: May 2007
  • Posts: 15575
  • Location: Olympia
  • The opinionated one... Y.A.R. Exec. Staff
Re: Best duck hunting auto-loader for the money?
« Reply #8 on: February 10, 2008, 01:32:39 PM »
Just got back from trying out the new Mossberg, worked awesome. Cant wait for birds to shoot!
molṑn labé

A Knuckle Draggin Neanderthal Meat Head

Kill your television....do it now.....

Don't make me hurt you.

“I don't feel we did wrong in taking this great country away from them. There were great numbers of people who needed new land, and the Indians were selfishly trying to keep it for themselves.”  John Wayne

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

Swakane Ram by hillbillyhunting
[Today at 12:21:34 PM]


Selkirk bull moose. by JakeLand
[Today at 12:16:29 PM]


Mason County Youth Buck Nov 1-16 by Sundance
[Today at 11:36:57 AM]


I’m on a blacktail mission by Sundance
[Today at 11:34:34 AM]


Rimrock Bull: Modern by zagsfan1
[Today at 11:00:13 AM]


Sportsman Alliance files petition to Gov Ferguson for removal of corrupt WA Wildlife Commissioners by dreamingbig
[Today at 10:44:31 AM]


Getting back into dogs by Machias
[Today at 10:40:03 AM]


VA Loan Closing Costs by pianoman9701
[Today at 10:20:51 AM]


DR Brush Mower won't crank by Sandberm
[Today at 09:58:05 AM]


After a couple years of poor health,... by Skillet
[Today at 08:49:46 AM]


Colockum Archery Bull Tag by Gonehuntin01
[Today at 07:15:15 AM]


Drew Cleman Mountain Any Ram! by starbailey
[Today at 07:04:50 AM]


Anybody hunt with a 25 Creedmoor? by Threewolves
[Today at 05:58:47 AM]


2025 OILS! by oldschool
[Today at 05:33:29 AM]


September mule deer velvet by jstone
[Yesterday at 08:43:04 PM]


Jim Horn's elk calling, instructional audio CD's. by WapitiTalk1
[Yesterday at 07:40:33 PM]


Goose hunting with vice grips by Pegasus
[Yesterday at 04:51:23 PM]


Public Land Sale Senate Budget Reconciliation by GeoSwan
[Yesterday at 04:12:47 PM]


Back up camera by Blacklab
[Yesterday at 11:54:30 AM]


Drew Quality by hunter399
[Yesterday at 11:12:45 AM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal