Waterfowlers are always buying new equipment, so it’s the wise retailer that stocks shotguns designed specifically for them. Waterfowl shotguns have evolved a lot over the years. Camouflage and black synthetic are still the standard, but tough Cerakote finishes on the barrel and receiver are gaining popularity. A 12-gauge with a versatile 3 1/2-inch chamber is preferable, but not necessarily required. Gas-operated semi-autos absorb recoil nicely, but low-maintenance inertia-powered semi-autos are desired for their reliability and ruggedness. There’s still a place in the marsh for doubles and pumps, too. Here are some current models that are sure to attract customers like a high-ball hen call attracts ducks.
Mossberg Silver Reserve Eventide Waterfowl
Mossberg’s newest fowling shotgun is the Silver Reserve Eventide Waterfowl. This 3 1/2-inch 12-gauge over-and-under has a Patriot Brown Cerakote finish on the receiver and 28-inch barrels, while the synthetic stock and forearm are finished in Mossy Oak Vintage Shadow Grass camo. A fiber optic front sight and set of five chokes round out the package. MSRP is $980. www.mossberg.com
Mossberg 940 Pro Waterfowl
Mossberg’s 940 Pro Waterfowl is also now available in Patriot Brown Cerakote and Vintage Shadow Grass, as well as Mossy Oak Original Bottomland. This 3-inch-chambered 12-gauge semi-auto has a 28-inch barrel with HIVIZ fiber optic CompSight and extended X-Factor modified choke tube. Corrosion-resistant internal components make the 940 Pro one of the most durable and reliable gas-operated semi-autos out there. MSRP is $1,281. www.mossberg.com
Browning Maxus II Wicked Wing
For 2025, Browning’s Maxus II Wicked Wing is available in Auric, Browning’s newest camo pattern. It joins several other camo options offered in the Wicked Wing lineup. A tough Burnt Bronze Cerakote finish is on the receiver and 26- or 28-inch barrel. This 3 1/2-inch 12-gauge gas-operated semi-auto features grip-enhancing rubber overmoldings on its synthetic stock and forearm, recoil-absorbing SoftFlex cheek pad and Inflex 2 recoil pad, oversized controls, and three extended Invector-Plus Goose Band chokes. MSRP is $2,299.99. www.browning.com
Browning A5 Wicked Wing
The A5 Wicked Wing is Browning’s take on the inertia-operated autoloader. It has features similar to those of the Maxus II, including Auric camo and Burnt Bronze Cerakote, 26- or 28-inch barrel, Inflex 2 recoil pad, and three extended Invector-DS Goose Band chokes. The A5 Wicked Wing is offered as a 3 1/2-inch 12-gauge or 2¾-inch 16-gauge. MSRP is $2,329.99 12-gauge and $2,429.99 16-gauge. www.browning.com
Legacy Sports Pointer Acrius Cerakote
The Pointer Acrius Cerakote from Legacy Sports is sure to appeal to customers looking for a tough yet affordable over-and-under suitable for waterfowling. This 3-inch 12-gauge double gun features a Turkish walnut stock and forearm and a gray, bronze, or OD green Cerakote finish on its receiver and twin 28-inch barrels. A fiber optic front sight and five extended chokes complete the package. Best of all, MSRP is just $499. www.legacysports.com
Spandau Arms S2
The Spandau S2 is one of the latest entries into the ever-growing field of inertia-operated semi-autos. This Turkish-made 3-inch 12-gauge has a 28-inch barrel with a fiber optic sight and is threaded for Benelli/Mobile-style choke tubes, three of which are provided. The entire gun is covered in waterfowl-worthy Realtree Max-7 camo, while the synthetic forearm’s shape is reminiscent of the Benelli SBE II. MSRP is $499.99. There’s also an all-black model with similar features for only $399.99. www.spandauarms.com
Franchi Affinity 3.5
Franchi’s Affinity 3.5 is now available in Max-7, Realtree’s newest waterfowl pattern. This reliable inertia-operated semi-auto cycles virtually all 12-gauge loads, from 2 ¾-inch target ammo to 3 1/2-inch thumpers. It’s versatile, too. I’ve hunted everything from doves and quail to geese and turkeys with my personal Affinity 3.5. Standard features include an oversized bolt handle, 28-inch barrel with fiber-optic sight, three chokes, and absorbent TSA recoil pad. MSRP is $1,379. 3-inch 12- and 20-gauge Affinity 3 models are also available if super-magnum firepower isn’t required. www.franchiusa.com
Stoeger M3500 Waterfowl Special
Stoeger’s M3500 has become a mainstay in marshes across the country. Many waterfowlers swear by the efficiency of this affordable, inertia-operated autoloader. For the truly die-hard hunter, there’s the Stoeger M3500 Waterfowl Special. This 3 1/2-inch 12-gauge is cloaked in Max-7 camo on the stock and forearm and Flat Dark Earth Cerakote on the receiver and 28-inch barrel. Other amenities include a sling, red bar sight, IC and modified flush chokes, Close-range, Mid-range, and XFull Turkey extended chokes, and a recoil reducer that fits in the stock, all for a MSRP of $899.
Retay Masai Mara
The Retay Masai Mara features an enhanced Inertia Plus operating system on par with that of similar semi-autos costing twice as much. Bolt to barrel lockup is positive every time thanks to this well-designed system. In testing, the Masai Mara proved extremely reliable with a variety of loads and is one of the softer-shooting inertia guns. An oversized bolt handle and bolt release button make gloved operation easy. The Masai Mara is available in 3 1/2-inch 12-gauge and 3-inch 20-gauge, both with either 28- or 26-inch barrels. It comes in a variety of finishes, but the model in Realtree Timber would be a good choice in areas where flooded timber hunting is popular. MSRP is $1,399. www.retayusa.com
Weatherby Element II Tungsten
Weatherby has entered the inertia autoloader market in a big way, with several different models offered. However, it’s the Element II Tungsten model that’s sure to stand out from other shotguns on the shelf. This stunning semi-auto has a black synthetic stock and forearm that contrasts beautifully with a tough Tungsten Cerakote finish on the barrel and receiver. Other features include an oversized bolt handle, bolt release button and three Crio Plus thread pattern chokes. It’s available in 3-inch 12- or 20-gauge, both with 28-inch barrels and fiber optic sights. MSRP is $729. www.weatherby.com
Ammo
The fanciest waterfowl shotgun in the world is worthless without some good ammunition to feed it. Of course, 12-gauge ammo always flies off the shelves fast, but the smaller gauges are also gaining popularity, especially among duck hunters. Be sure to have plenty of all it on hand before the season starts. Here are the latest and greatest non-toxic loads from some of the best ammo companies in the business.
HEVI-Shot HEVI-Hitter
This year HEVI-Shot introduced HEVI-Hitter, a new non-toxic load featuring 20% 12g/cc tungsten shot and 80% steel shot for affordable lethality. It’s initially available in 3-inch 12-gauge with 1 ¼ ounces of size BB, 2, 3 or 4 shot at 1,500 fps, 2¾-inch 16-gauge with 1 ounce of number 2 or 4 shot at 1,350 fps, 3-inch 20-gauge with 7/8-ounce of number 2s, 3s or 4s at 1,450 fps, and 3-inch 28-gauge with ¾-ounce of 2s or 4s also at 1,450 fps. MSRP per 25-round box is $49.99 for 12- and 16-gauge and $48.99 for 20- and 28-gauge. www.hevishot.com
Winchester Last Call TSS
Last fall Winchester introduced Last Call TSS, loaded with ultra-dense 18g/cc Tungsten Super Shot. It’s available in 3-inch 12-gauge with 1 ¼ ounces of number 5s, 7s or 9s at 1,500 fps, 3-inch 20-gauge with 1 ounce of 7s or 9s at 1,425 fps, 3-inch 28-gauge with 7/8-ounce of 9s at 1,550 fps, and 3-inch .410-bore with ½-ounce of 9s at 1,350 fps. Retail price per box of 10 shells is around $54 for 12-gauge and $44 for 20, 28, and .410. www.winchester.com
Kent Bayou Blend
Kent’s new Bayou Blend has a duplex payload of larger and smaller plated steel shot for greater versatility when both ducks and geese may be encountered on the same hunt. It’s available in 3-inch 12-gauge with 1 3/8-oz. of 2s and 4s at 1,300 fps, 3-inch 12-gauge with 1 ¼-oz. of 3s and 5s at 1,450 fps, and 3-inch 20-gauge with 1-oz. of 3s and 5s a 1,350 fps. Retail price per 25-round box averages around $14.50, $14, and $13 respectively. www.kentcartridge.com
Federal Ultra Steel
Federal Premium Ultra Steel features the FliteControl wad and single shot size or duplex payloads of zinc plated steel shot. This year, 3 1/2-inch 12-gauge and 3 1/2-inch 10-gauge loads will be joining the lineup, something to keep in mind for those customers who still use a 10-gauge. Duplex 3 1/2-inch loads will include BBB/1, BB/2, and 2/4 shot size combos. (Other specifics were not available at press time.) These new loads join 3-inch 12-gauge with 1 ¼ ounce of 2s, BBs and 2s, 2s and 4s, or 3s and 5s at 1,450 fps and 3-inch 20-gauge with 1 ounce of 2s, 2s and 4s, or 3s and 5s at 1,400 fps. MSRP per 25-round box is $42.99 for 3-inch 12-gauge, $37.99 for 20-gauge. www.federalpremium.com
Remington Premier Bismuth
For customers who shoot older shotguns, non-toxic bismuth shot, being softer than steel, is the safer alternative. Remington has a good selection of bismuth shotshells in its Premier Bismuth line. 12-gauge options include 3-inch 1 3/8-ounce (MSRP $75.99 per box of 25) and 2 ¾-inch 1 ¼-ounce ($67.99), both with either 2s or 5s at 1,400 fps. There’s also 3-inch 20-gauge 1 1/8-ounce 2s or 5s at 1,400 fps ($68.99), 2 ¾-inch 20-gauge 1-ounce 5s at 1,300 fps ($61.99), 2 ¾-inch 28-gauge 7/8-ounce 4s at 1,200 fps ($79.99), and 3-inch .410-bore 5/8-ounce 4s at 1,200 fps ($65.99). www.remington.com
Apex Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Blades Waterfowl Blend
Apex Ammunition is introducing 20-gauge Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Waterfowl Blend shotshells. This 1 1/8-ounce duplex load offers a blend of No. 3 S3 Steel and No. 8 TSS for lethal performance at varying distances to improve your opportunity for a clean kill with fewer shots. The APEX S3 Steel shot is zinc coated to ensure optimum patterning and, when combined with 18.1 g/cc Tungsten Super Shot, which has higher retained energy at longer distances, the APEX blends deliver a harder-hitting payload with improved terminal performance to reduce crippling. It also comes in 12-gauge. MSRP is $47.99 for a 25-round box of 20-gauge and $49.99 for a 25-round box of 12-gauge. www.apexammunition.com
Rio Ammo Royal Bluesteel Magnum
Rio’s Royal BlueSteel Magnum cartridge is designed to be ideal for waterfowlers, offering a powerful combination of knockdown power and high velocities. It’s manufactured with a proprietary steel shot that Rio calls “perfectly spherical,” offering velocities of 1,500 fps+. That means impressive energy on target and great efficiency in bringing in ducks and geese. Get it in 12-gauge 1 1/8-ounce, 1 ¼-ounce or 1 3/8-ounce, all in 3-inch shells, in shot sizes 2, 3, 4, 5 and BB. www.rioammo.com
Old Standby Shotguns
While a lot of shotguns are labeled “waterfowl” these days, sometimes you just can’t beat the classics. These three legendary scatterguns are synonymous with duck and goose hunting.
Mossberg 835
The Mossberg 835 pump is the original 3 1/2-inch-chambered 12-gauge shotgun. As such, you can’t go wrong with stocking it. For waterfowlers, there’s the 835 Ulti-Mag Waterfowl. Its 28-inch barrel has been overbored to near 10-gauge dimensions for improved patterns with steel shot. Concealment is provided courtesy of full-coverage Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Blades camo, one of the best waterfowl patterns ever created. MSRP is $661. www.mossberg.com
Remington 870
More Remington 870 pump guns have been sold than any other shotgun, ever, so carrying it is a good bet. The 870 SPS Super Magnum Waterfowl is a new take on an old standard. The 28-inch barrel and receiver of this 3 1/2-inch 12-gauge have a Burnt Bronze Cerakote finish, while the synthetic stock and extended forearm are covered in Krypteck Flyway camo. Super magnum kick is mitigated by a soft comb insert and Remington’s excellent SuperCell recoil pad. MSRP is $820. www.remarms.com
Benelli SBE3
Benelli’s inertia-operated Super Black Eagle 3 is the semi-auto most waterfowlers really want. It was the first 3 1/2-inch 12-gauge semi-auto, although 3-inch 12-, 20-, and even 28-gauge SBE 3 models are now also available. Many models are suitable for waterfowling, but the 3 1/2-inch 12-gauge version in popular Optifade Marsh camo is sure to appeal to today’s hunters. Other features include an oversized bolt handle and safety, while the Comfort-Tech stock manages recoil. MSRP is $2,299. www.benelliusa.com
