Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Lesser Snow Goose Hunting - shotgun question

I got invited to hunt the Lesser Snow Goose migration next month.

I've got a 1970's Ted Williams mod 200 12ga (2-3/4") that I use for grouse hunting. It is essentially a Winchester 1200.

My question is on steel shot. I really don't want to go out and buy a modern shotgun for this if I can avoid it.

Anyone have any REAL experience shooting steel through pre-steel designed shotgun?

I've been told to expect to go through 50+ rounds a day for the hunt.

The plastic wads used in steel shotshells are adequate to protect the barrel, but use an IC choke.....modified is OK too.....just don't use a full choke.

Mine is modified choke - I should have listed that.

I know not what you want to do but I would cruise the lgs or pawn shops and pick up a used 870 with a 3inch chamber and one you can switch chokes...

I went around today and hit 5 shops. I didn't find anything - not many shotguns at all... I found one used 870 that was overpriced.

That's sucks at one time you could pick up 870 pretty cheap..

Call the manufacturer and ask them.
Some,I think ithaca ,for one 0 all of their guns are ok for steel.

If you will share a goose or two, I'd loan you an 870 magnum. I live in Erie, CO.
Also have a Savage Model 12 (humpback) that takes 2 3/4 if you wanted to borrow that, but it's hard to beat an older 870.

Send a pm and we can link up
Jon

Umm...you are not going to want to hunt with a pump of any type. Most guys will not be satisfied using 2 3/4" on snows either. I would be asking the fellows who are taking you out what they find acceptable, because your current setup is very limiting and they may find that to be a chore for them. That is--you become the limiting factor of the group and they won't want to wait for your birds or for you. That can ruin a hunt fast.

Find a cheaper magnum gas-operated auto, put an extended magazine tube on it, and enjoy yourself!

For a one time hunt, borrow a gun.

3 inch I'd want, 3.5 could be better. 2.75, well in the old days, we killed LOTS of geese with them.

All depends on how close the geese get before you shoot.....

It won't hurt it.

The Mod Choke will be perfect for the Geese you will be hunting

Fugg shooting 3.5's all day at snow geese, even in a heavy gas autoloader. 3" will give you a little extra pattern density and/or velocity over 2.75". Borrow a gun if you can, but I wouldn't spend the money for a 3" gun for 1 time hunt

Go buy a new or used Rem 870 express, probably $300
Shoot 3" steel with it
If you don't like it, sell it after the hunt and maybe lose a few bucks
Or, unless there is sentimental value in the other gun, sell it and keep the 870 express

I did that, bought, used an 870 express and sold it

Mossberg 500s are cheap and imo are better than the NEW 870s. The modified on your current gun will probably be OK but I don't know if I would shoot steel in it. I.C. would be OK for sure.

Have hunted with 2 3/4" all my days and never thought I needed more gun.

I usually use my 3.5" 12 on any goose hunt but sometimes I like to pull out the old 311. It has 2.75 chambers choked mod- IC. For large ducks or small geese the #3 Kent Tungsten-Matrix works real nice. Out of the Mod barrel it will knock them down as good or better than lead.
It's a little spendy ($70 for two boxes) but it lets you shoot your gun.

Took my dad goose hunting years ago and used a win 1400 auto of the same vintage as your gun . Worked fine and the steel didn't harm anything. Mine was a fixed modified too, which most mfgs. Recommend for steel. Just go ahead and get your ammo and don't wait till the last minute as 2 3/4 inch while it works fine can be harder to find than 3" ammo in shot size bb and bbb.

I disagree that you will be at a disadvantage using a pump gun. I'm using my inherited 870 Wingmaster and loving it. Pick out a bird, shoot and make sure it is going down, shoot another. It took me a while, but I figured out leading and shot drop pretty well finally. The biggest problem I saw was some of the young hotshots not following up on a hit or paying too much attention to bird count. I got on a couple of em and (while I was there at least) they were chasing cripples down. They had the newest and best autoloaders. Can't wait till next year.I did however convert the 870 to 3". Have fun, its addicting.

50 heavy shots, or hopefully a lot more, through a pump gun in one day is brutal on the shoulder and cheekbone.

Get an extended magazine tube also, and have some fun!