Your next waterfowl shotgun might be listed below. (Photo courtesy of Mossy Oak)
September 03, 2019
Whether you’re in a duck blind or on foot in search of ruffed grouse, there’s a shotgun that’s perfect for your bird-hunting style.
Highlighted below are great choices if you’re looking to upgrade your waterfowl or upland bird shotgun arsenal.
Compiled from Game & Fish Magazine’s summer gear issue. Text by M.D. Johnson, Scott Haugen and Adam Scepaniak.
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BENELLI Super Black Eagle III Performance Shop Benelli created a third generation Black Eagle — the SBE III — and sent it to Benelli’s Performance Shop for a make-over. Polished action, custom trigger group, Rob Roberts choke tubes, oversized operating handle. This is the real deal. $3,199
FRANCHI Affinity 3.5 Elite Franchi autoloaders have joined the ranks of the must-haves among American waterfowlers in recent years, and for good reason. Check out the Franchi Affinity Series . The Affinity 3.5 Elite is a top-notch waterfowl gun sporting a Cerakote finish, oversized bolt release/handle and Franchi’s precision forcing cone. $959
STOEGER 3500 Waterfowl Special Rain, sleet, freezing temperatures, mud, grime and dirt are only the beginning, and often the end of lesser equipment. Stoeger’s new M3500 Waterfowler is anything but less. This inertia-driven 3 1/2-inch autoloader has gained a huge following afield. $849
MOSSBERG 930 Magnum Pro-Series The Model 930 is the little brother to the company’s beefy 3 1/2-inch Model 935 semi-automatic, but don’t worry. This sibling can more than hold its own in the marsh. This 3-inch autoloader features a 28-inch barrel, Accu-Set chokes, Mossy Oak Blades finish and a reputation for reliability. $770
FRANCHI Instinct LX 20 With her satin walnut stock/forearm and long list of niceties, including auto-ejectors, auto-safety, and interchangeable choke tubes, the Franchi Instinct LX 20 is tailor-made for the dove field. Also available in 28-gauge and .410, both with the same 28-inch stacked barrels. $1,299
BROWNING Citori Feather Superlight 16 Sixteen-gauge fans rejoice. Browning’s Citori Feather Superlight is now available in a 6.4-pound 16-gauge version. Simple yet beautiful, the Superlight 16 is, unfortunately, a limited-edition piece; however, find one, and it’s sure to please. $2,500
REMINGTON Model 870 American Classic 20 There’s a reason why the Remington Model 870 pump-action is often referred to as America’s Pump Gun, and that reason is reliability. Beauty, too, has become a characteristic of the venerable M870, thanks to the introduction of the American Classic. The 6-pound 20-gauge is all dove! $1,250
MOSSBERG Silver Reserve II 28-gauge The proof is in the performance of the Mossberg Silver Reserve II , and this wonderful stacked barrel truly performs. Use them for everything from tidal marsh mallards to California quail. And, come September, mourning doves, Eurasians and pigeons. $773
WINCHESTER SX4 Upland Field This satin-finished, premium walnut autoloader is touted by Winchester as the fastest shotgun in the world, which could come in handy while staring down grouse. The TruGlo front sight will help, too. Improved ergonomics in the stock and forearm mean quick shouldering and tracking of fast-moving quail. Larger operating buttons make for faster and safer handling. 12 gauge. 6 pounds, 10 ounces. $1,110
BROWNING Cynergy Field An over/under shotgun that has superb ergonomics to fit nearly any hunter’s body type. It pulls up as quickly and makei it more of an even playing field when you hit the woods. $1,910
CZ USA Bobwhite G2 This updated, hardy black chrome side-by-side has a CNC-machined receiver for a better fit and finish in an economic upland shotgun with two triggers to make quick-reaction shooting decisions in the field. $655
STEVENS 555 Enhanced This new 16 gauge over-and-under boasts an auto shell ejector, manual safety and selective mechanical trigger. At 6.45 pounds and combined with a sleek-fitting design, it’s fast and comfortable. $879
BENELLI Performance 828U Upland Expanding their 828U over-and-under lineup , this new model weighs only 6.4 pounds with a sleek design for efficient operation. 12 gauge, 2 3/4- and 3-inch chamber; 24-inch barrel. $3,499
CZ Wingshooter Elite Built on a one-piece receiver, the pistol grip stock, comfortable design and white bead expedite target acquisition. 12 and 20 gauge with selectable 28-inch barrel, 3-inch chambers; five flush-mount choke tubes. $1,059
REMINGTON V3 Field Sport A semi-auto that’s sleek and easy to work with minimized recoil. 12 gauge, 22-inch barrel; 2 3/4- and 3-inch. $895
