A deep dive into the best shotguns to help you have a successful 2024 season. (Photo credit: Dean Pearson.)
October 01, 2024
By Jace Bauserman
There wasn‘t a huge pile of ducks in the hole, but there were enough. Every pond and reservoir in the area was frozen solid, and the sub-zero temperatures choked the river with ice. The ducks—a hundred or so mallards and wigeon—found sanctuary on the tiny, no-name creek. A family of busy beavers kept pockets of the water open, and the ducks found it. It was perfect. The walls of the creek bank were steep. There were no quick escapes, giving us time to pick out drakes and the luxury of shooting sub-gauges. I can’t take the credit for the find. My 18-year-old son, Hunter, is waterfowl crazy. He discovered the birds one evening while scouting for geese.
“Dad, it was awesome,” he said. “They came off in twos, threes, and fives. They are using a cornfield a half-mile away. We could hammer them in the morning when they return from feeding.”
Hunter has become a savvy hunter, making dear old dad proud. His plan was solid, and though I wasn’t looking forward to the forecasted double-digit negative temps, I wasn’t about to miss an excellent duck shoot.
Hunter was on fire. He had five drakes quickly with his Weatherby 20-gauge. After he filled his tote, I joined the fun with my Browning 20-gauge. Few things trump shooting drake mallards at less than 20 yards on a winding creek with steep banks, especially when you get to do it with your soon-to-graduate son.
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We ended the morning with 10 greenheads and shot only 13 rounds. I’ve had some remarkable waterfowl hunts over the years, but this will be one my duck brain regularly calls on. I’ve learned that I love sub-gauge shotguns. They bring a new, fun challenge to any waterfowl hunt—the good news: Shotgun manufacturers cooked up an excellent crop of new models.
Browning A5 Hunter 20-Gauge Browning A5 20-gauge Browning’s A5 Hunter 20-Gauge is already making waves in the waterfowl world and shoots as good as it looks. With a fighting weight of under six pounds, this sub-gauge auto-loader comes with a trio (F, M, IC) of Invector-DS choke tubes. Another recoil squelcher, the Inflex II Recoil Pad, lets you get back on target quickly, and the ivory mid-bead and fiber-optic front sight promise more doubles and triples. The Kinematic Drive System allows this shooter to cycle shotshells fluidly, and Speed Load Plus makes for rapid loading and unloading. And hey, it’s gorgeous!
Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 BE.S.T. 28-Gauge Benelli Super Black Eagle 3 28-gauge The waterfowl crowd highly regards Benelli’s SBE 3 series, and in 2024, SBE 3 lovers can add a new 28-gauge shotgun to their collection. Dubbed the SBE 3 BE.S.T. Black Synthetic, this 28-gauge shotgun comes in barrel lengths of 26 and 28 inches. The oversized bolt handle and safety are a win, and of course, many years later, the chevron system is still robbing recoil. Another must-mention is the BE.S.T. treatment, making this shotgun ready for waterfowl warfare. The surface treatment stops rust and corrosion from damaging any steel working parts. The Combtech pad reduces cheek abuse while ensuring exact eye-to-rib alignment. Other must-note features of this sub-gauge wonder include the Inertia-Driven System, Crio System Technology, and the Crio Chokes.
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Weatherby Sorix Weatherby Sorix We wore out the snows this spring with a gun that Weatherby will wow waterfowlers with in 2024—the new Sorix. The shotgun features oversized controls (safety, charging handle, and slammer button) for maximum functionality, even when wearing bulky winter gloves, and the competition-style cut on the receiver ensures rapid reloading. The Sorix’s biggest win, though, is the SHIFT SYSTEM. This system allows shooters to quickly swap the charging handle and safety to create an ambidextrous shotgun. The 7.1-pound 12-gauge shotgun measures 49 inches long, and adjustable stock shims allow for exact cast and fitment. Available in 12- and 20-gauge options, with camo patterns of Storm, Slough, and Midnight Marsh. All SORIX shotguns come with five Crio Plus chokes.
Mossberg International Silver Reserve Eventide Mossberg International Silver Reserve Eventide A theme is emerging: Many waterfowl hunters have an affinity for quality over/under builds. Enter Mossberg’s International Silver Reserve Eventide. A reliable and durable break-action, this 3 1/2-inch chambered gun has a camo-cloaked synthetic stock and forearm, a logo-engraved receiver, and a set of five chokes. The corrosion-resistant chrome-lined barrels married with the top-end chokes ensure consistent patterns while reducing barrel wear, and the Cerakote Patriot Brown barrel finish completes the stay-concealed design. The barrel length is 28 inches, and the total length of this vent rib shotgun is 45.5 inches.
TriStar Hunter Mag II Tri Star Hunter Mag II Offered in multiple camo and metal finishes, TriStar’s Hunter Mag II is chambered for 3 1/2-inch shotshells, balances like a dream, and will handle the worst conditions Mother Nature can dish out. The frame is a rock, and the sealed actions keep dirt and debris out, boosting longevity and giving you peace of mind. This waterfowl buster has five Beretta /Benelli Mobil style chokes (SK, IC, M, IM, F) for maximum customization. The molded stock and forearm keep overall weight down while boosting durability, and the top tang barrel selector is ideally located and easy to operate. Other must-note features include the vent top rib, fiber optic sight, swivel studs, and chrome-lined chamber and barrels.
Stoeger M3020 20-Gauge Stoeger M3020 20-Gauge Built to dominate the fields, rivers, swamps, and every terrain your waterfowl dreams take you, Stoeger’s M3020 20-Gauge features a Realtree Max-7 stock and forend, with Cerakote Burnt Bronze on the receiver and barrel. The inertia driven system negates recoil and easily handles 2 3/4 and 3-inch shotshells. You’ll love the included shim kit and red-bar fiber-optic sight. This shotgun balances and swings like a dream and comes with a trio of chokes (IC, M, XFT) that boost pattern density and allow you to adjust to any in-the-field situation.
Fabarms XLR Chesapeake Fabarms XLR Chesapeake Ready to rip in 12-gauge models in barrel lengths of 28 and 30 inches, this composite stock shooter with Cerakote Midnight Bronze helps the hunter reach out and touch ducks and geese on the edge of the spread. Three Inner HP flush-fitting chokes and one extended choke with the same Cerakote finish as the barrel and action provide fantastic pattern density while giving you options. The Pulse Piston gas-operated action is fast, efficient, and reduces recoil, and TRIBORE HP barrel is worth its weight in gold. Weighing 6 pounds 14 ounces, this 48.5-inch shotgun comes with a hard case and a five-year warranty.
Browning Citori Hunter Grade 28-Gauge 3” Browning Citori 28-gauge You don’t know what you’re missing if you’ve never hammered fast-flying teal or smashed puddle ducks dropping into a tiny creek with an over/under 28-gauge. We’re thrilled Browning added the 28 to its legendary Citori line, with barrel options in 26 and 28 inches. This 3-inch chambered shooter pushes the scale to 6 pounds 11 ounces, measures 43 inches long, and with a 50/50 POI (Point of Impact), ensures that 50 percent of the pattern falls below and 50 percent above the point of impact. The satin finish on the American Walnut stock and the blued finish on all exterior metalwork are nice touches and let you know this shotgun is ready for a date with waterfowl. We also applaud the Steel Shot Performance, Back-Bored Technology, and single Standard Invector Choke.
Savage 560 Field Savage 560 Field New from the innovative minds at Savage is the 560 Field. An economical 12-gauge warrior, this 28-inch barreled semi-automatic beauty easily handles 2 3/4 and 3-inch loads via gas operation. The Turkish walnut stock and fore-end give the shooter some eye candy, and the raised ventilated rib with fiber optic front sight keep you on target. The carbon steel barrels are lightweight and durable, and the trio of chokes (IC, IM, F) means you’re ready to dominate everything from in-your-face teal to big honkers on the edge of the decoys. You’ll tip a hat to the oversized controls, which boost functionality, and the trigger guard safety is easy to access.
Franchi Affinity 3 Cerakote Franchi Affinity 3 Cerekote For 2024, Franchi adds to its top-of-the-line Affinity series with the Affinity 3 Cerakote. Heralded for their accuracy, dependability, and ergonomics, this inertia-driven shooter boasts a slim, streamlined profile with no bulky gas cylinder under the forend. Chambered for 2 3/4 and 3-inch loads, this shotgun is available in 12- and 20-gauge models, and no matter if you sling high-brass 2 3/4-inch #6s for teal or heavy magnum goose loads, the TSA recoil pad reduces felt recoil up to 50 percent so you can bag more birds when the feet come down. A fun and dependable rig to tote to the woods, we praise the vented rib with a front red fiber-optic sight. The gun comes with Franchi’s 7-Year Warranty that guarantees repair or replacement of any defects in workmanship or materials.
Caesar Guerini Woodlander Caesar Guerini Woodlander Just looking at one of these guns makes me feel nostalgic. One glance at the Woodlander’s color-hardened action and Turkish walnut stock, and I imagine slipping along a creek bank with my favorite retriever, ready for a gentleman’s morning afield. A wood butt-plate means no snags when shouldering and promotes an excellent feel in the pocket. The lightweight barrels are remarkable; mid-ribs keep debris at bay, and the 7mm top rib in 12 gauge and 6mm rib in sub gauges provide a superior sight plane to ensure right-now target acquisition. The shotgun has a velvet-lined lockable hard case and five precision flush chokes (CYL, IC, M, IM, F). The Woodlander comes in gauges of 12, 20, and the growingly popular 28.
Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus Synthetic Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus Synthetic Beretta’s A400 Xtreme Plus Synthetic will save you some coin over the camo-cloaked Beretta A400 Xtreme builds, and you get a barrel that Beretta claims will provide the best, most consistent patterns you’ve ever experienced. A bold claim, but it’s hard to argue with Beretta’s engineering and remarkable track record. Another must-note feature of this waterfowl wrecker is the stepped rib, which Beretta took from its competition-style shotguns to ensure proper fit and feel while creating a perfect sight picture regardless of weather conditions. The barrel sports a mid-bead and fiber optic front bead, and the extended charging handle and bolt release allow for perfect operation when your hands are covered in bulky gloves, and the shooting is fast and furious. The shotgun comes in multiple 12-gauge models and a 20-gauge with a 28-inch barrel.
Winchester SX4 Left Hand Waterfowler Winchester SX4 left-handed A gas-operated autoloader reliable as the day is long and cloaked in camo choices of Mossy Oak’s Bottomland, Shadow Grass Habitat, and Realtree Max-7; Winchester’s SX4 Left Hand Waterfowler was made for southpaws. The Invector-Plus Choke System is a big win, and when combined with the vented-rib barrel and TRUGLO fiber-optic front sight, this 3 1/2-inch chambered, 7-pound shotgun will easily handle Mother Nature’s worst moods and fill your bag limits while doing it. We applaud the sizeable cocking handle and larger bolt release. The Active Valve Gas System self-adjusts for the exact pressure needed to run a wide range of loads. The shotgun’s functionality is perfect for cold, moisture-filled, dreary days.
Weatherby Orion Matte Blue Weatherby Orion Matte Blue An over/under wonder ready to set the marshes and swamps on fire, Weatherby’s Orion Matte Blue comes in 12- and 20-gauge models and barrel lengths of 26 and 28 inches (28 in. 12-gauge only). The matte Turkish walnut stock is a gem, and the matte blue metal reduces duck-spooking shine. Automatic ejectors toss spent hulls up and away, and the slim action features dual locking bars above the ejectors. We like the top-tang safety, 3-inch chamber, and trio of chokes that come with this streamlined shooter.
