Geese with a HD shotgun

[dfaugh]

OK, the only shotgun I own is a Mossberg 20" cylinder bore. Can't afford anything else, right now, and because its got the extended magazine, I can't buy another barrel for it.

Now there is a pond on my neighbors property, so SOMETIMES the geese come in pretty low, right over my backyard/woods (maybe 50-60 feet), although they are often much higher.

Do you think I can down a few with this gun, with maybe #4 shot, assuming they come in low?

[FrontSight]

I'd say yes, a shotgun is a shotgun, right? Even with the short barrel. Just make sure you follow all the regulations, such as: does the shottie hold more than 3 rounds? Seems as if the answer would be yes since it has an extended mad, so you'll have to plug it, use only non-toxic shot, federal duck stamp, register with HIP in your state, etc. Violate any rules and get caught and you're going to the slammer...definitely do some research if you haven't hunted waterfowl before.

I would go with larger shot, tho...either 2 or even better BB, and in Tungsten, not even steel, with that short barrel.

Good luck!

[jhgreasemonkey]

Darn I wish I could remember where but I just read an article about a berreta 20" barrel hd shotgun. A hunting guide had used the heck out of it for hunting geese and loved it.
If its what you have and its legal then I say go for it. Sounds like you can get pretty close up too.

[dfaugh]

Yeah, I wouldn't try it, except that they sometimes come in quite low. I'm gonna put up some larger shot sizes and see how they pattern, at reasonable ranges.

P.S. I have the "plug" that imits the number of rounds, just have too put it back in..

[Art Eatman]

If you can change choke tubes, you're golden.

The only real reason for the different barrel lengths on hunting-type shotguns is the balance and rate of swing on different types of birds. An extended-mag shotgun is roughly equivalent to a 30" barrel, if only three shells are in the gun.

(I had a long discussion about this sort of thing with John Satterwhite, years ago.)

If you don't have the threaded insert for various choke tubes, it's a worthwhile investment for a one-gun deal.

Art

[mete]

You might be surprized at the patterns .For example steel shot doesn't deform and the shot cups are thicker so the patterns are tighter ! My Benelli ,with BB steel 3", with MOD choke shoots a extra extra full choke !!! I've been just shooting head shots like turkey shooting ,works fine ! Always pattern your loads !!!