Duck hunting with a 590A1?

[Kevinq6]

Yes, OP borrowing is the right thing. You want to be polite when asking of course, but many of us (myself included) are more than happy to loan guns. My hunting Remington 870 is at my brother's house (I don't bird hunt in TX) and I'm always happy when someone can make use of it.

Also for the budget minded don't discount a single shot break action with a full choke.

 

[Crawdad1]

Yes, plus that shotgun is illegal for ducks (Waterfowl) because you can load more than 3 rounds into it and you can't plug it to limit the magazine.

 

[entropy]

Yes, plus that shotgun is illegal for ducks (Waterfowl) because you can load more than 3 rounds into it and you can't plug it to limit the magazine.

Saw a piece of wood dowel to length, open the mag tube, pop it in, done.

 

[Crawdad1]

If he has time to do that then he has time to call around and borrow a proper shotgun for hunting waterfowl.

 

[LoneGoose]

OP, whatever way you go with this, please let us know how your first hunt went. Try to recount every shot.

 

[AJumbo]

Borrow a gun. You may find that wallowing around in semi-frozen mud isn't your idea of a good time after all, and you'd have spent money on a gun or barrel that you won't use again.

 

[shiftyer1]

I'd try to have a loaner lined up, but if it was me i'd look for an ugly but serviceable bird gun cheap. If you decide you like duck hunting you can save for a nice bird gun if you like and keep to beat up one to loan out......if you really like duck hunting, you'll need it for newbies.

I've never tried but I don't think i'd like the way my 590 swings for wing shooting.

 

[dodo bird]

I am in the boat of buy a single shot 12 with a full choke.

 

[Stumper]

I'm inclined that all the experts espousing buying something with a full choke haven't done much pattern testing. Especially testing with steel shot. It is true that some cylinder bored guns throw very open patterns with holes......but most tend to throw very even patterns that are a lot easier to hit with than a choked boring at the ranges at which most of us can hit stuff consistently(under 40 yards) As for full choke and steel.....it can work ...but usually doesn't work well. My modified choke still throws extra full patterns with steel after some honing to loosen it up. Perhaps the 590 doesn't have the best balance/ weight distribution for wingshooting (I don't know) but I'd suggest shooting a couple of steel duck loads through it at paper or a snow bank at 30 yards and if they look nice, plug the magazine with a dowel and hunt with it. If you buy something for duck hunting try an improved cylinder choke first. IMP CYL is really the most versatile choke with lead shot throwing nice open patterns with cheap promotional loads and 35-40 yard capable patterns with premium shot/trap loads....and is likely to shoot the equivalent of tight modified patterns with steel shot.

 

[1KPerDay]

A very timely response

 

[Stumper]

Yes haha. After I posted I realized that I had an old thread opened rather than a new one. Silly me.

 

[MCgunner]

I shoot 2 3/4" steel 3s fasteel on ducks, have hunted ducks since age 14, but at 66 with heath issues, I can't do a lot of walking in the public marsh anymore. I choke modified, find it best. Also, if that gun has sights, remove 'em. Just POINT that shotgun, don't try to aim it. You can point it with the sights in the way, but I'd take 'em off. If it's got a bead, you're in business.

Spread is why it wouldn't be good for ducks?

Yeah, too open a pattern with cylinder choke. I/C or Mod would work best over decoys.

 

[MCgunner]

Yes haha. After I posted I realized that I had an old thread opened rather than a new one. Silly me.

Hmm, now you tell me.

 

[Stumper]

Nah, I told you two weeks ago.....you just weren't listening.
Sounds a bit like something one might hear from a wife doesn't it.

 

[MCgunner]

Well, I do get enough of that from the wife.

 

[hq]

As a sidenote, I've been duck hunting with a C-choked M97 trench gun in a pinch. It was a very refreshing experience, you knew NOT to attempt any long distance shots, only 20, maybe 25yd max, and let the ducks come to you. It was a very refreshing experience and great reminder of patience being rewarded.

It wouldn't necessarily have worked had my hunting buddies utilized their IM/F/XF chokes and Hevi/UNA tungsten alloy ammo to their full potential. They more or less have twice the effective range compared to cylinder choke and soft steel ammo.

 

[gulogulo1970]

He has a 590a1. Different magazine tube and barrel attachment than a 500 or 590. Needs to change magazine tube for a 500 barrel to work. Though I've read you can just unscrew the tube on a 590a1 and install a 500 tube and barrel and it'll work. No actual experience doing this though.

This is a good idea. You can buy the 500 magazine tube and spring and follower for maybe $50.00 then go to ebay and find a good 28" VR hunting barrel with chokes, they are the most common and about $50-100. So for $100+, if you shop around, you can do both with the same gun. I've removed the tubes and they are tough to first time to take off but after that easy <5min job.

You will also gain more familiarity with the platform by using it in multiple ways.

 

[Zerodefect]

If the man standing next to you can't let you borrow his, how much of a friend can he be? Or does everyone hunt simultaneously? Chances are someone in that group has a spare shotgun.

I wish they'd stop making shotguns that aren't threaded for chokes.

When I invite someone shooting, all of my gear is available to them. Nothing I have is fragile or pristine. Just bring ammo and maybe some gas money.

Kinda like the 3 gun is expensive, myth. All you need is a pistol, belt, mag pouches, and shot shell holders to compete. We'll loan you shotguns and rifles. There's only 2 or 3 ranges open, but nearly 50 rifles and shotguns lying about.

 

[Frostbite]

I wish they'd stop making shotguns that aren't threaded for chokes.

I don't. Some things should not be done with interchangeable chokes. I have two barrels for my shotgun: 18" cylinder bore for deer (slugs or buckshot) and survival (ability to shoot a distress signal, to use an emergency cut shell slug), 28" interchangeable chokes for waterfowl, turkey and clays.

I appreciate you willingness to share your shooting equipment with others. We need more people like you on this earth. I try my best to do the same with what I have. You should see the smile on a younger man's face when he shoots a slug for the first time. It is like you just acknowledged his becoming a man. It is worth every penny it cost, and then some.

OP, sorry for getting out of way a little, I don't want to hijack your thread.