New Wildfowling Gun - 3" or 3.5"

[Cranborne]

Although I've enjoyed duck flighting and inland goose shooting over the years, I've no real experience of coastal wildfowling. I've applied to join a wildfowling club, and am considering what gun to buy. The Franchi Affinity is favourite at the moment. I'd welcome your views on whether the extra £200 or so for a 3.5" chamber is money well spent.

 

[deerstalker.308]

Depends whether you’re targeting goose a lot or majority ducks, if the latter that’s just chucking more metal out for no real gain I’d say,

 

[Cranborne]

Thanks; it will mainly be ducks, but with some geese.

 

[Basil H]

I wouldn't buy a new gun for the job if you have a used knockabout piece already with a 3" chamber to start off with. However a quick look online suggests that the price of this model is more dependent on how pretty the finish is rather than the chamber so I would go for the longer chamber and you won't feel undergunned - BUT all the normal provisions apply. You won't fire a lot of shots so good fit and confidence in the gun are very important. You do not of course have to use big cartridges all the time.
I currently have a two x 3.5" : a mint A-400 and a well-used Browning Waterfowl which cost half of a new Affinity. They both go bang and I miss as often. TBH I would be as happy shooting my Silver Pigeon below high water but would not like to drop it on the mud or in the bottom of the boat.

 

[nic531]

firstly which gun fits you best
secondly what action do you prefer
thirdly what range are you trying to shoot geese at? and what sort of geese?

personally i have a 3 1/2 chambered browning 425 waterfowl (not made anymore), however i hardly ever use 31/2 cartridges but mostly use 3 inch. even for canadas. by having an ou or sxs you can easily change cartridge if you want and dont spend time searching for empty cases spewed out across the marsh.

 

[Rob-E]

I have a 3” chambered Maxus. I’ve never felt the need for a 3.5 yet.
Pro of the maxus is it as the cartridges stop so you can change load easily.
What I would suggest though is getting one wrapped or cerakoted I went with wood and steel and have watched it tarnish before my eyes on the marsh.

 

[Kalahari]

The one thing about the longer chamber is if you get lent a round because you have dropped yours into the water it doesn't matter about the length as you have covered all the bases.

David.

 

[Longstrider]

My experience of 'fowling' would suggest buying the 3" and spend the rest on warmer, more waterproof clothes than you have ever owned before. Lets face it, you're very likely to be sat, up to your nuts in cold wet sludge, for hours and hours, in the pouring rain, on the promise of perhaps one shot or two and then sod-all will come anywhere near you and you'll go home cold, wet, filthy, and disillusioned with the whole silly lark. Then at least you can use the 3" as a fox dropper whilst keeping your feet and bum dry

My 'vast' experience runs to one whole trip. That was enough

 

[Tony Morgan]

My 'vast' experience runs to one whole trip. That was enough

Lightweight!

 

[Longstrider]

Lightweight!

Not quite ... I'm just (just) bright enough to know the difference between 'fun' and a ruddy useless waste of effort and misery

 

[Big Mat]

You'll not struggle to kill anything with a 3" chambered gun, but given the choice i'd buy a 3 1/2" just because it gives the extra option.

My own fowling gun these days is a Beretta Silver Pigeon 3 1/2" chamber, its the only fowling gun I own.

 

[Bowland blades]

Although I've enjoyed duck flighting and inland goose shooting over the years, I've no real experience of coastal wildfowling. I've applied to join a wildfowling club, and am considering what gun to buy. The Franchi Affinity is favourite at the moment. I'd welcome your views on whether the extra £200 or so for a 3.5" chamber is money well spent.

yes! not just for Ballistic advantage on the Geese when getting into bigger steel shot but the advantage of being able to put any 12 bore shell in the chamber . I am just in the process of selling up my Kit after many years of a wildfowler, Local club has changed a lot and not for the better management wise and a really need more time for the Deer
Its a great sport though in general terms, don't neglect the pump i have a mossberg in the 3" and a Benelli in 3 1/2" . They are more reliable and easier to fix and that's important and you might appricaite things like the benelli that can be stripped using the mag end cap tool, fixing my sx3 after a dunk in the mud really aint so easy and quick and both my Double tens likewise

 

[Stimo444]

Although I've enjoyed duck flighting and inland goose shooting over the years, I've no real experience of coastal wildfowling. I've applied to join a wildfowling club, and am considering what gun to buy. The Franchi Affinity is favourite at the moment. I'd welcome your views on whether the extra £200 or so for a 3.5" chamber is money well spent.

Have a as new 3” affinity coming up for sale £460 with Benelli hard case , only had couple of boxes of shell through it, near Milton keynes

 

[Heym SR20]

Just go with the 3” Affinity. I really don’t think the extra cost both in terms of money or recoil of the 3 1/2” is worth it. Wait till the birds are well within range and then hit them in the head.

You have to be a really good shot to make use of the extra few yards the 3 1/2” might give on paper.

Geese, graylags in particular, are big tough birds, and shotgun pellets won’t penetrate through to the vitals, especially at longer range. Trick to bringing them down dead is hit them in the head and neck, and indeed treat the head as if its a small or clay. A standard game load of No6 works perfectly well if you are patient and pick your shots.

Saying that I use an affinity with 3” high speed steel No 4 as I think denser pattern of the 4’s works better than bigger shot.

The Affinity is a brilliant and handles and soaks up recoil very well. The stock is also adjustable by shims so that you get it to hit where you look. If buying second hand make sure it has its shim kit.

The Affinity is pretty much a Benelli M2 with its simple inertia action which I have found very resilient to marsh and foreshore type Wildfowling. But do give a good rinse to get rid of the salt, especially in the trigger where there are a few coil springs that a bit of rust would quickly eat away.

The other gun I would go for, if you can find is the Browning BPS. They are very good guns, but like chickens teeth. The Benelli Nova is also good - had one for a while and really liked it, but mine was an early non adjustable stock and it shot too low for me. The ducks didn’t mind though.

Depending on where you shoot, I think a lot of wildfowlers err on the side of a big heavy gun and end up banging away at birds far too high out of range. Instead I think you need and easy to handle gun that shoot instinctively allowing to keep low till geese and ducks are right on top of you, then its an instinctive reaction at two or three before they get out of range. I always the best results are over splashes at high tide, or right down on the river bank at low and getting yourself into the flightlines. Then pick your shots. Don’t bother shooting at out of range birds and big skeins let go through and then pick of the individuals that are trying to catch up - they are usually lower and respond to a call. I think the affinity is superb for this type of shooting.

Don’t look at the Hatsans - they have a plank like handling by comparison.

 

[Heym SR20]

As for clothing. Simple. Neoprene waders. Don’t bother with breathable. They get shredded and have no warmth. Neoprene gives you the warmth and allows you to sit and lie down on river banks. And to wade in amongst the ice flows when the hound has decided that she is too much of a princess to do such work. She does rather think she is a deer dog and thus above Wildfowling duties. She will retrieve ducks and geese, but phaesants are definitely a job for spaniels.

 

[stalkerboydy]

Just go with the 3” Affinity. I really don’t think the extra cost both in terms of money or recoil of the 3 1/2” is worth it. Wait till the birds are well within range and then hit them in the head.

You have to be a really good shot to make use of the extra few yards the 3 1/2” might give on paper.

Geese, graylags in particular, are big tough birds, and shotgun pellets won’t penetrate through to the vitals, especially at longer range. Trick to bringing them down dead is hit them in the head and neck, and indeed treat the head as if its a small or clay. A standard game load of No6 works perfectly well if you are patient and pick your shots.

Saying that I use an affinity with 3” high speed steel No 4 as I think denser pattern of the 4’s works better than bigger shot.

The Affinity is a brilliant and handles and soaks up recoil very well. The stock is also adjustable by shims so that you get it to hit where you look. If buying second hand make sure it has its shim kit.

The Affinity is pretty much a Benelli M2 with its simple inertia action which I have found very resilient to marsh and foreshore type Wildfowling. But do give a good rinse to get rid of the salt, especially in the trigger where there are a few coil springs that a bit of rust would quickly eat away.

The other gun I would go for, if you can find is the Browning BPS. They are very good guns, but like chickens teeth. The Benelli Nova is also good - had one for a while and really liked it, but mine was an early non adjustable stock and it shot too low for me. The ducks didn’t mind though.

Depending on where you shoot, I think a lot of wildfowlers err on the side of a big heavy gun and end up banging away at birds far too high out of range. Instead I think you need and easy to handle gun that shoot instinctively allowing to keep low till geese and ducks are right on top of you, then its an instinctive reaction at two or three before they get out of range. I always the best results are over splashes at high tide, or right down on the river bank at low and getting yourself into the flightlines. Then pick your shots. Don’t bother shooting at out of range birds and big skeins let go through and then pick of the individuals that are trying to catch up - they are usually lower and respond to a call. I think the affinity is superb for this type of shooting.

Don’t look at the Hatsans - they have a plank like handling by comparison.

Totally agree with your advice I personally use a old Aya no3 3" magnum 1/4 an 1/2 chokes SBS 36grm steel 4-3-2- foreshore or inland Geese steel 32grm 6-5-4-3 for Duck but also shoot a lot of geese with the same load doing as your advice getting the main pattern on the head

 

[Basil H]

The OP did not mention waders, but the topic has been raised. Neoprenes are great to keep warm, and are ideal if going afloat, but if you have a long walk to your flighting spot as in many areas then you will boil. There are spots I have been in Scotland where just a pair of wellies would suffice. This is very much a question of knowing the ground.

 

[Overlay]

i used the bulk standard old type of browning auto for many years with Hv 3 shot and nailed stacks of geese and ducks with it, never had a problem
getting a shotgun that still fits after you’ve stacked more than enough coats on to keep the sea chill off you is always a thing to remember
gun never seems to fit always tooooo long on the stock
if you’re going get one, get a 31/2 chamber send whatever you like then, anything stainless in the make up will help long term

 

[Heym SR20]

Totally agree with your advice I personally use a old Aya no3 3" magnum 1/4 an 1/2 chokes SBS 36grm steel 4-3-2- foreshore or inland Geese steel 32grm 6-5-4-3 for Duck but also shoot a lot of geese with the same load doing as your advice getting the main pattern on the head

And those No3 Magnums are lovely guns. I had one for a while but it just didn’t fit and had too low a comb so sold it. Sad to see it go. To be honest I think a side by side non ejector is in many ways the best gun for the foreshore. Its action keeps all the muck out. And after you have fired you remove the empties and insert fresh cartridges. With a semi automatic you fire three shots. And then either spend the next few minutes trying to find the empties, or watch as drift off on the ebbing tide only to add to yet more litter in the seas.

 

[Cranborne]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll have a look at both the Affinity 3 and 3.5, and see which feels best for me. There's also a used Benelli Supernova on here at a reasonable price, so another option.