Duck (and goose) hunting today is more about ammunition than guns.
Since the mandate of non-toxic shot, anything shy of the 3" 12 gauge Magnum with steel shot represents a real handicap.
My son started with 3" 20 steel shot on waterfowl and quickly put it aside.
Now with shells such as HeviShot, the 3" 20 represents an option for ducks and possibly geese at close ranges. I have killed both with an RBL 20 and HeviShot but don't reccamend it for everyone except for jump shooting.
I would first advise the member to determine what shells he will be using and then determine the gauge , then gun whether o/u or whatever.
t
The reason that autoloaders have risen in popularity is strictly on recoil from the 12 gauge 3" and beyond shells.
I have been contemplating for a number of years switching fro a 12 3" o/u to a semi auto for exactly that reason.-Dick
