Duck hunting questions

[Alderman]

My young grandson has a youth duck hunt coming up.
I'm going to surprise him with a Remington 870 Express 20 gauge on Sunday.
Pretty much the extent of my budget at the moment.
Any comments on the choice of gun?
What choke and shot size is recommended?
The last time I hunted ducks we were still using lead shot so I am out of the loop.

 

[IdahoCTD]

I personally prefer a auto but I did hunt for a year or two with a 870. They are tough guns. At close range over decoys #4 shot is my preferred size but #2 through #6 works well also. We just went out this morning and while we saw a lot of ducks not many wanted to visit. Most of what we saw were 1/2 mile or so north of us over the corn fields.

 

[baltz526]

Kent Fast steel #2, Remington #2, Federal or Estate #2. Ducks are getting their heavy winter feathers and Geese are around. Screw in the Imp Cyl choke to get him started.

 

[Elkman]

Whats a duck?
I had an 870 for years, couldn't hit a 747 with it, but I can't hit "anything" with a shotgun. The 870 is a dandy!!!

 

[IdahoCTD]

BTW Remington has a 10.00 per box rebate on hypersonic steel shot right now. It's good until 11/30.

 

[salmonchaser]

I too like Kent fast steel. Go with the 3 inch mags. I typically shoot #4 for all around work on ducks. The 870 is a great shot gun

 

[Anonymous]

My son has a 20ga 870.... works fine. His came with one choke- modified.

For ducks I like Federal Black Cloud. #4s or #2s.

 

[Silentstalker]

I have owned a handful of shotguns. I duck hunt quite a bit. I keep going back to the 12 ga. 870. It is a very user friendly, functional gun. The action actually gets smoother with about 100 rounds through it.
I shoot a carlson's mid range choke. I do a mixture of pass shooting and hunting over decoys. I hunt ducks with Winchester 3 or 4 shot, and geese/swans with 3" Hevi shot B or BB's.
If you want the best pattern, buy a few different boxes and go out and pattern them. It will pay off in the long run. They do not all pattern equally.
Good luck and have fun!

 

[OU812]

Kent Fast steel #2, Remington #2, Federal or Estate #2. Ducks are getting their heavy winter feathers and Geese are around. Screw in the Imp Cyl choke to get him started.

That would be my choice as well. I waterfowl hunt a lot and over the years all the guys kids, mine included started with 20 ga, #2 shot and Cyl choke.

 

[salmonchaser]

..812 are you seeing many ducks in the valley? Heading over from Pendlton for thanksgiving to shoot a few.

 

[OU812]

..812 are you seeing many ducks in the valley? Heading over from Pendlton for thanksgiving to shoot a few.

To be honest I have not been out for ducks yet so I don't have real info on numbers around. I have seen a fair amount of geese moving about though.

What part of the valley you heading to?

 

[salmonchaser]

Grew up in Corvallis, still have siblings there, my BIL has a pond south of town near the wildlife refuge.

 

[Alderman]

Asa with his new shotgun

 

[OU812]

Grew up in Corvallis, still have siblings there, my BIL has a pond south of town near the wildlife refuge.

I'm over in Albany but have worked in Corvallis most of my life, HP and now GSRMC.

Well if ducks are around you should do well down that direction. I have a friend whose family has a pond by Finley but have not talked with him recently to see how he has been doing on ducks.

 

[OU812]

Asa with his new shotgun

He looks serious, as any waterfowler should. He's going to love waterfowl hunting, you done very well with your choice of shotgun.

 

[salmonchaser]

Asa, keep the muzzle swinging, think butt, belly, beak then whack em and stack em buddy.