What's your preference for waterfowling pump action or automatic.
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What's your preference for waterfowling pump action or automatic.
How much money ya got??
First gun for me was a 16 ga. sinble shot - loved that gun. shot my first greenhead with it, in Buttertubs Marsh. Then shot my first double with it out on the Nan. River estuary.
Next was a 12 ga. Mossberg pump from Crappy Tire. I thought I was in heaven - until I realized the amount of ammo I was using compared to the number of edibles I was pluckin'. Tried awful hard to take my time and aim after that.
I tried an auto for a couple of hunts. Went thru a pile of ammo then, I can tell you. Way too easy to fire that third shot when it wasn't doing any good.
My fav? a pump action.
For me I preference automatic way more faster.
Learned how to shoot ducks with an 870, bought my first shotgun an 870 express pump, then sold that and moved up to a winchester sx2(auto) then bought a browning citori o/u. I still use the auto for pretty much everything I do and the gun fits me like a glove, I can say when I first got it the first couple hunts I really went through the shells but ever since then I've noticed myself only trying to take 2 quality shots instead of 3 random ones into the air.
Remington Automaster 878, 2 3/4 12 ga.
Waterfowl 3 half inch pump upland 20 gauge.
hard to beat a pump, I used a BPS 3" for years and was happy with it. Now I got nothing, borrow a Nova 3.5" when I go out the few times I do now.
I've got them all, single, S x S, O/U's, Pumps and Auto's, well not all I don't have the 1897 browning design lever, but there's still time?
I take what I feel like that day, plain and simple.
The 3rd shot is nice, especially as either a cripple smacker or if you are hunting tougher birds like divers and sea ducks were making them dead, stone dead is very important.
If pumping slows you and makes you pick your shots better get a pump, if pumping is more motion then your brain can handle to stay on target, get an auto.
If budget is tight, or you aren't sure waterfowling is your game, pick up an 870 express, $200-$300 and you won't loose a penny if you end up selling it.
Very best,
ian
I have both that is why I'm asking I've got a BPS and a Browning Gold. I got the automatic because it is faster but it seems like I put a lot more holes in the sky than I did with the pump.