Pump or Automatic

[spock]

What's your preference for waterfowling pump action or automatic.

[Bow Walker]

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.

[HighCountry]

For me I preference automatic way more faster.

[K-1]

Remington Automaster 878, 2 3/4 12 ga.

[Crazy_Farmer]

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.

[rishu_pepper]

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.

Sounds just like me! I learned with my 870, then moved on to the SX3. All I need now is an O/U to finish the cycle.

[Ian F.]

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

[spock]

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.

[Dano]

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.

I shoot a lot of birds with my third shot but we decoy birds in close. Like CF mentioned, you have to learn what is a quality shot and not throw out the "Hail Mary" long bombs that are low percentage kills and high percentage misses or winged birds that aren't recovered.
Dan

[Dano]

My first gun was also an 870 Wingmaster. I used this gun for almost 30 years although I bought many others. I always ended up with the old Wingmaster when I found myself questioning my shooting with any of the newer guns. When my kids came along, I didn't hunt much so the 870 worked out fine for the few occasions I went out.
A few years ago I hooked up with Ol' Dan and got back into serious waterfowl hunting. I was lent a Ithaca/SKB XL900 auto from my buddy Tom and I shot it well, I really liked the feel of the gun and found I felt less recoil. I decided to look for an auto. I ended up with a Browning auto-5 mag that a guy at work was selling from his fathers estate. This gun fits me well and I've probably shot more birds with this gun than in all the years I used the 870 combined. I also bought an SKB autoloader (same as the Ithaca, which SKB made) and I use it for upland and the occasional duck hunt. I doubt I'll shoot the 870 much anymore other than to revive the memories of hunting with dad and past hunts.
For me, the auto is my #1 gun.
Dan