r/canadaguns • u/Lego_Kode • Aug 12 '26
Buy recommendations What is truly the best bang for the buck )all-rounder or) goose gun?
I am mostly looking for a good goose gun, but if it's also an all rounder, great!
My FiL has a 20ga mossberg 500, I've heard that it's not really enough for geese.
I've been going down separate rabbit holes, comparing pros and cons, different price points, etc...
So as much as I love the 'vibe' and simplicity of an O/U, I don't know if it would be quick enough for snow geese. I am relatively flexible with my budget, but I would like to stick around $1000.
I thought about semi-autos, beretta a300 or winchester sx4. Then my main question, the pro and cons of a semi auto vs a pump, is it better to get a good pump shotgun or a semi-automatic?
The main use for this shotgun would be for shooting geese in the farmers field where I live. Mostly Canadian goose, but also the odd straggle group of ross/snow geese.
I'd also be using it for practicing skeet/trap shooting. And maybe using lighter loads for rabbit and hare (which is why I know I'd need to spend more on the semi-auto).
TL;DR: What action, brand, price point- shotgun is the best bang for the buck?
4
u/preferablyoutside Aug 12 '26
Whomever told your FIL that is probably the same loudmouth who thinks anything under .300Win isn’t suitable for elk, it’s not bad but there are better options.
Go to a quality gun store and try the fit on you of 8 or 9 semi autos, personal fit and preference of stock, and grip with shotguns are more important than brand loyalty. I prefer a piston gun so my SX3 ticks all my boxes. 3.5 guns are for masochists who hate money and I’ve yet to pick up an Italian gun that wasn’t made for mincing soccer players with the daintiest of hands.
8
u/VanillaHighlights Aug 12 '26
Anyone that spent a significant amount of time hunting migratory birds will probably say the same thing:
Invert in a nice 12-gauge semi-auto. There is no recoil to speak of - when you're 25 you're can be a Chad about recoil, when you're pushing 49 you want to fill the freezer. I've had my xtrema 2 for 15+ years and it's been the most reliable piece of kit I could hope for.
Rabbits will eat bird shot just fine.
1
u/Lego_Kode Aug 12 '26
Another commenter mentioned that the 20ga would still be okay for geese.
So I think i'll hold onto my dabloons to invest into a better semi-auto.
What price point do you see as being good? The a300 is one I've heard a lot about, roughly $1300-$1400.
3
u/Reighzy Aug 12 '26
I think for the price point, the A300 is the top quality choice for you! You may be able to find one used on Gunpost closer to or under $1000.
My stepdad has an A300 and I have an A400 Xtreme Plus, which I got used for $1600 or so. Both are immaculate and I don't really have too many arguments right now to say that the A400 is that much more noticeably better for hundreds of bucks more.
3
u/VanillaHighlights Aug 12 '26
20 gauge will do the job just fine. I'll be honest, I'm a fudd they won't even look at a 20 gauge. 12 gauge works for me, I own an 870, an old single shot, a baikal sxs and my beretta. For cost/availability of ammo the 12 gauge it's really hard to beat.
I personally wouldn't buy a turkish seminauto. They're fine range toys but I've seen enough burn down videos to think the quality just isn't there for a gun you need to trust.
8
u/SpinachStunning5547 Aug 12 '26
Well first of all, 20ga is more than good enough for geese. You just get a slightly less dense pattern. Second, for waterfowl hunting, semi is really nice. For 1k, you won't get much in the semi or O/U world. If your budget is 1k, I wouldn't recommand getting a 1k semi. A good pump is better than a cheap semi but a good semi is better that pretty mucj everything else. I heard good thing on the A300. You might also want to check frenchi affinity. They are a bit more expensive but they are basically benelli SBE but slightly cheaper
2
u/AlmightyJumboTron Aug 12 '26
Old 11-87s can be had for under 1k afaik and mines been putting meat on the table since it was my grandfathers
3
u/SpinachStunning5547 Aug 12 '26
Well I mean yeah, My great-grandfather had an single shot old .410 that has been popping grouse since the 1910s. OP asked for the best bang for his buck and wether he should buy a semi or pump. To me, taking a change on an old gun from someone you don't know is not something I would recommand for someone who wants something to reliably hunt with.
4
u/AlmightyJumboTron Aug 12 '26
Fair enough.
I've never had a problem with my 11-87, which is why I recommended it, but I see your point
3
u/Substantial-Onion-92 Aug 12 '26
Everyone over looks the Franchi Affinity. In all black they can be found around $1000. Smooth and reliable semi.
3
u/Familiar_Hunt_5164 Aug 12 '26 edited Aug 12 '26
My FiL passed away but I inherited his Remington 1100. Just watch the first 60 seconds of this YouTube video and see what I mean.
They made them for over 50 years, they are very soft shooting and they are in your price range too.
3
u/DoYouGetSarcasm Aug 12 '26
Assuming you can use/borrow the 20ga: try that for a year and see how it goes.
A 20 ga will have a limited range relative to a 3" or 3.5" 12ga. But if you're able to get them in close then it's fine.
I personally love my versamax, the recoil with 3.5 inch shells isn't too bad and i can put the lightest trap shells i can buy by the case through it. But their not in production (maybe they will coming l come back some time.
3
u/tmwildwood-3617 Aug 12 '26 edited Aug 12 '26
Plenty of guys use 20g for geese...myself and the guys I hunt with are all using 12g. One guy uses 20g for upland and a couple use 20g for deer.
Semi vs pump...of course you can hunt anything with a pump...I started with that. Can use an O/U too...and I have. I would say that I'm faster on two shots with my O/U than I am with my pump...but that's just me and lack of pump action practice.
But...I would 100% absolutely get a semi if I had to start over from scratch for waterfowl. It's just plain faster for follow up and multiple targets.
Many of the best waterfowl hunts we've been lucky enough to have have been absolutely frantic/fast and furious. Not that you severely hard done by using a pump...it's just not as fast.
Two of us have Win SX4's. They've been through thick and thin. I would 100% buy another.
Other guys I hunt with use Benelli...same performance/sentiment.
Next waterfowl shotgun for me will likely be a Benelli SBE (just to try something different)...or another SX4.
The price is what it is. They never get any cheaper.
Buy quality and it'll last 1000's of rounds and years of use. All of the brands you listed are quality.
Camo vs black...we all have camo guns.
You can absolutely hunt turkey with the same guns. Mine shoots decently with plain slugger slugs with an improved choke...for deer. But I do have a pump setup with a rifled barrel and cantilever scope for that.
Can absolutely use it for upland as well. I do prefer an O/U for that. Classic...and easy to have broken open safe and clear.
2
u/S0F7 Aug 12 '26
I dont get to hunt duck/goose as much as id like so i cant really justify buying a semi. I like the SX4, but my old 870 express is my dedicated goose gun. Ive got 2 mossberg 500s in 20ga i use for deer and turkey, havent shot a goose with it yet.
2
u/Outrageous_Order_197 Aug 12 '26
My go to is my winchester sxp waterfowl. Had it for many years and have bagged countless geese/ducks with it.
2
u/pyates1 Aug 13 '26
pumps aren't great for skeet, Semi's have that third shot ready.
For geese you do want a 12 gauge. I have hit them in the chest with #4, seen them recoil in the air and then keep going. Those chest feathers are like armor.
You did't mention where you are but in Canadian Pesos you can get a Remington 1100 with chokes for $1000 (gun store just had a used one) and its a great all around gun.
Perfect for goosing the gooses.
1
u/Lego_Kode Aug 13 '26
I'm located in Alberta. Definitely noted about that Remington 1100. I've been getting some mixed messages about the 12 vs 20, I think that when people say you can use a 20 they're really close.
What's your usual set up for geese? Right now I'm in more of an opportunist setting. We get lots of geese landing in the field cause of the grain. So I'd be more likely to (I believe what is called) jump shoot them.
My main goal is that, we supply most of our meat through deer, (hopefully elk this year), and moose. I've got a good 22 for grouse and hare. But I need something I can use on geese and maybe the odd duck.
Thanks for the comment.
2
u/pinktie7418 Aug 14 '26
I got a second-hand camouflaged Mossberg 940 Pro in December 2025 for 1200. It's a semi auto with a good reputation. Haven't gone hunting with it yet but shot a few rounds of trap/skeet. Worth a consideration. Surprised no comments have mentioned this yet...
1
u/CanadianGunBunny Aug 13 '26
12 ga Benelli Super Novas can be bought used for 600-800$ and they make for a perfect goose gun though it is a pump action.
Turkish guns are your only option for semi's at this price point (unless you find a wicked deal on a used A300). I've owned a Stoeger M3000 12 ga, and a Tristar Raptor 20 ga, both work well enough to put ducks and grouse on the ground, but the quality of the firearm leaves a lot to be desired, they rust easily, and parts wear fast on them (locking bolts have a history of breaking at 500-1000 rounds). Honestly if I could do it all over again I would have completely skipped buying turkish guns and just put my money into a Benelli M2, and bought a break action 20ga for grouse.
1
u/pyates1 Aug 13 '26
I go full choke on my 12 gauge and usually #4 shot.
I will use an over under since I sold 1100.
1
u/skabuda Aug 13 '26
I've used the same Remington 870 express magnum 12ga for almost 30 years, no issue.
8
u/airchinapilot Aug 12 '26
Team SX4 here. It's a good gun, fairly light and fast shooting. No complaints though I've beat mine up salt marsh hunting over the years and I could probably replace it with .. another SX4 maybe.
20g is fine for goose. You just have to find the right load for it. These days with even light loads with alloys will kill them good. And of course everything dies if you let them get close in. Your main issue with 20g is that you are less likely to be able to depend in your buddies if you run out as most have 12g.
There is nothing wrong with your FiL's Mossberg 500. Sure a semi is better than a pump for quick shooting but also not miles better with practice. But the ability to keep on target and just bang bang bang is great and I wouldn't trade my SX4 for a pump ever.
$1000 you may be looking in the used section or Turkish. You can take a chance with a turkish semi but they have QC issues so you may get a good one, you may not. I've had a couple friends who have no issue with their Girsans.
Only snooty ranges will look down on you bringing your hunting gun to the trap and skeet game. Just make sure you pick up your shells or rig a shell catcher so you're not raining hulls on your neighbour. if you are practicing for hunting, skeet is the better game for learning how to shoot birds on the wing, especially duck. Ducks will present lots of crossing shots. Geese are more direct.