16ga.com ~ View topic - Duck gun options

Joined: 06 Aug 2007 Posts: 127 Location: Alabama

So I'm sure there are a bunch of duck hunters in the 16ga society and I'm sure many of them have had to listen to all the vitriol lately of the most awesome 20ga renaissance. People (I think) are buying 20ga auto loaders and then sending them to guys who do upgrades that at best have marginal increases in performance. When they are all said and done they have over $2500 bucks in what in IMHO is a marginal package at best. Then they go pay way more than we ever had to for ammo and claim victory. They don't seem to bag any more birds but they can shoot more with less wear and tear...go figure.

I'm a 16ga advocate and I'm gonna prove its worth next season with some kind of 16ga duck killer. My issue is I'm not sure yet what that will be. I have a beautiful Rem 1100 fixed choke in IC but that won't ever see the duck blind and my 525 won't make that trip either. So there is a new purchase on the horizon but there are but few options. I was hoping that maybe I'm missing something, so here goes.

In this corner dressed in many new camo patterns, and weighing in at at +/- 7 pounds with a very short and dotted record plus very few knockouts is the new Browning Auto 5. (smattering of applause).

In the opposite corner...wearing wooden underpants with some pitting and a bit of rust, weighing in at 6 to 8 pounds depending many factors, is the tried and true 16ga knockout artist! Pick your fav...pump or auto doesn't really matter as long as you shoot it well. And the crowd goes wild!.

All kidding aside I'm sure the 16 can run with these tricked out 20's but there just aren't any other options that I'm aware of. I was hoping there may be an aftermarket option for old guns that replaces the furniture. I may just have to bite the bullet and pony up for the new Browning. But at $2200 bucks I can get 3 old 1100's and use one for a boat paddle!

Somebody help me! Are there any options out there with synthetic furniture on the market? I love the Tristar but they don't offer that in anything but wood that I'm aware of. I know you can take wood into the duck pit but eventually its gonna swell and fail.

As always...thanks in advance!

P.s. I load my own 16ga so i can put together some great duck killing bismuth. I ran some 12ga 2 3/4 bismuth this year and it performed great...#3.5 bismuth was just like the old days with #4 lead! I'm sure the 16ga bismuth loads will be just as deadly...and you can bet your sweet ass it'll be patterned and ready.

Orwell

https://www.browning.com/products/firearms/shotguns/a5/a5-wicked-wing-sweet-sixteen-mossy-oak-bottomland.html

Member Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 2346 Location: West MI

A 16ga 1100 for $700? Holy cow; where's the BI(right)N button??

Is having 3 shells in the gun a major factor? How much do you hunt? i.e. how many waterfowl shells a season do you shoot?

If budget is <$1k'ish and only a couple boxes a season and 2 shells is acceptable, get one of those Turkish O/U's and if camo is that important to you, spray paint some camo on it or colored duct tape or have it dipped & go hunt'em up.

If gotta have 3 an older A5, R11, 11-48, S48, 870, 37 or 500, replace OEM with a Boyds stock or spray paint or dip, go get'em.

If grinding through a case or more of shells a season then an 870 or nothing new under $1.5-2k and learn how to deep clean it or have your gunsmith learn how to clean it.

https://www.gunsinternational.com/guns-for-sale-online/shotguns/shotguns-16-gauge/cz-redhead-premier-16-ga.cfm?gun_id=101843408

Cabelas has two of these marked down. Leaves some money leftover for cerakoting.

Or find a GDR simson/Sauer from https://simpsonltd.com/ . They tend to be heavier than the prewar guns and can be had for $450-600. Again, finish as you see fit. Usually choked tight, which is fine with bismuth as your aware, if you wish, opening the chokes to suit your needs is completely doable.

Joined: 22 May 2020 Posts: 268 Location: Ky

I bought one of these to do what you are thinking about Poldi elktro thick barrels and m/Im chokes. Tough as nails and ugly but I thought perfect for 16 duck and goose gun. Usually 500.00 or so

maybe an old Savage/Stevens double . they are heavier framed , tighter choked and should be great for Ducking with Bizz ! Usually not too expensive .

Joined: 24 Jul 2016 Posts: 548 Location: Ohio

Wood stocks have been surviving duckblinds for well over 100 years. I shoot 1 oz of Bismuth 4's out of my 37's with no adverse affects to anything but ducks and the occasional goose. Tristars have been getting some good reviews over on Shotgun World.

Joined: 04 Mar 2019 Posts: 1837 Location: Central ND

How about a new A5 using TSS shot.......done.

Joined: 19 Jun 2004 Posts: 1480 Location: Mpls, MN.

I was shocked at the price of 1100s. After they quit building them, the prices went nuts.

I’m not a duck hunter, but, would think an older A5, maybe a little shop worn, would be a great option. Unfortunately, they are sometimes priced as much as the new version. I recently watched an A5 16 gauge, that was painted camo, go for $750, which, was more than I would have paid.

But, it would have been a sound duck gun.

Best,
Ted

Member Joined: 09 Jan 2013 Posts: 2168 Location: Florida

Joined: 09 Mar 2016 Posts: 753 Location: Mn.

https://www.budsgunshop.com/product_info.php/products_id/128753/tristar+viper+g2+16+gauge+28+5%2b1+3+bronze+cerakote+semi-gloss+turkish+walnut+right+hand+3+choke+tubes

H. Orwell -- If you want a reliable, inexpensive duck gun it is really hard to beat a slide action -- a pump. You won't have any fiddling around with what load cycles your gun under what conditions of weather, lubrication or the hull or brand choice of your ammo. If you can shuck it, a pump will eat it. You have several good choices in inexpensive pumps: Ithaca 37, Browning BPS, Winchester Models 97, 12 and 1200, Remington Models 31 and 870, and actually a lot of others like Savage/Stevens and High Standard and Mossberg, Marlin, various stuff under the Monkey Ward Western Field brand and Sears JC Higgins and Ted Williams. Commit yourself to learning to use a pump, if you haven't already. It actually is quite natural.

I use my Citori WL for all my duck hunting unless I'm near the salt, or have the possibility to shoot passing geese that won't decoy. I have shot it with both camo tape & nekkid, the ducks don't seem to care but I still do if the sun is out. I have taken a few geese with it.

I would also have no problem shooting ducks with my Savage SxS, but I just shoot the Citori better, especially on those faster ducks that only buzz the tower.

Would have no problem using an old Ithaca 37, either, other than fumbling for the safety and shucking.

The Flues, however, would not see a duck load. I think just putting one in the chambers would cause it to shatter, never mind the mud from the swamp.

Joined: 07 Jun 2020 Posts: 224

I have long thought the Winchester Model 21 in 16ga is an ideal Duck gun for shooting over decoys. One day I hope to find a good candidate with double triggers. They come onto the market time to time, but to date my pocket book and the right gun have not met timing wise.

My current duck gun is a 12 ga M21 is poor shape looks wise, but solid.