New Guns & Ammo 2008

By Gary Koehler

While this may not be the most momentous year in the number of waterfowl-specific shotguns entering the market, manufacturers have nevertheless introduced many intriguing new firearms. The same is true on the ammunition front, where some companies are standing pat on their tried-and-true products while others have added to their lineups. Following is a roundup of some of the latest developments in shotguns and ammunition, as well as a selection of handy shooting accessories for waterfowl hunters.

Beretta Ducks Unlimited Dinner Gun

Those who favor smaller-gauge shotguns will love the 2008 Ducks Unlimited Dinner Gun (1), a 20-gauge Beretta White Onyx over/under. This fine gun features the same artwork as the 12-gauge White Onyx offered two years ago. Built for the field, the DU Dinner Gun is a 3-inch magnum and comes with 28-inch chrome-lined barrels, vent rib, and three interchangeable choke tubes. It boasts a European walnut stock with a semi-gloss finish and classic checkering. The receiver has a jeweled finish set off by gold-filled engraving. The package includes a polymer Giugiaro case and trigger lock. This 20-gauge White Onyx will be available at Ducks Unlimited events throughout the year.

Browning

Browning’s Silver Hunter (2) semiauto series just got bigger. First, there is now a 20-gauge, 3-inch version, which features a ventilated rib, interchangeable chokes, and a satin walnut stock. The Silver Micro is basically the same shotgun, but has a compact stock to better fit smaller shooters. The Browning BPS is now available in two 16-gauge models. Take your pick from the Hunter, which is offered with a 26- or 28-inch barrel, or the Upland, available with a 24- or 26-inch barrel in a straight-grip English walnut stock. Browning has also upgraded its Citori line with the Citori 625 12 gauge. The 625 features a new trigger design, checkering, and engraving. This shotgun will be available in Field, Sporting Clays, and GTS High Grade versions. www.browning.com

Winchester

Speed kills. That being the case, Winchester has brought back the Speed Pump (3), recognized as one of the fastest-cycling pump guns ever produced. The Speed Pump’s rotary-bolt design features four massive lugs that allow inertia to start the forearm and slide mechanism rearward as the stock recoils against the shooter’s shoulder. Dual steel action bars eliminate binding and twisting. The value-priced 12-gauge Speed Pump is available in Walnut Field and Black Shadow Field models. Both feature 3-inch chambers, chrome-lined barrels, and interchangeable choke tubes. www.winchester-guns.com

Mossberg

Mossberg has rolled out a brand new Reserve series side-by-side shotgun line, joining its over/under line of the same name. These affordably priced double guns are available in 12-, 20-, and 28-gauge models. The Silver Reserve (4) comes with blued barrels, satin-finished silver-colored receivers, and a Turkish black walnut stock. Chrome-lined barrels, 3-inch chambers, five interchangeable choke tubes, and gun locks are standard. www.mossberg.com

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TriStar Sporting Arms

TriStar adds a fresh look to the waterfowl gun market with its Viper semiauto in Mossy Oak Duck Blind camouflage (5). The Viper is available in 12 gauge only and includes 2 3/4-, 3-, and 3 1/2-inch models with either a 26- or 28-inch barrel. This package includes three choke tubes (improved cylinder, modified, and full), a fiber optic sight, and a five-year warranty. TriStar has also introduced Hunter Ex and Field Hunter model over/unders. The Hunter Ex is available in .410 and 28-, 20-, and 12-gauge configurations, while the Field model comes in 12- and 20-gauge versions. There is also a sporting clays model for target shooters. www.tristarsportingarms.com


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Benelli

Benelli has gone light, as in the Ultra Light 20-gauge M2 Field semiauto (6). According to Benelli, the 5.2-pound Ultra Light is the lightest 20-gauge autoloader on the market. A shorter magazine tube and forearm maximize weight reduction. Both the Ultra Light M2 Field and the company’s new Legacy Sport feature Benelli’s inertia-driven action. The Legacy Sport (7) is designed as a clay target gun and is available in 12 gauge only, with a choice of a 28- or 30-inch barrel. A gel recoil pad has been added for maximum shock absorption. www.benelliusa.com

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Franchi

Franchi has unveiled several new offerings this year. The new lightweight Model I-12 Upland Hunter (8) carries and handles like a 20 gauge. But this trim semiauto, which features an inertia-driven action and A-grade walnut stock, still packs a punch. Clay target shooters should check out the Model I-12 Sporting (9), which utilizes a lightweight aluminum-alloy receiver strengthened with steel inserts. The 30-inch ported barrel has a 30-millimeter tapered target rib. And then there is the Highlander (10), a side-by-side available in 12- and 20-gauge versions. Both are fast, light, and feature cut checkering. www.franchiusa.com

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New England Firearms

New from New England Firearms are the Pardner 12- and 20-gauge pump-action shotguns dipped in Realtree All-Purpose camouflage (11). The 12 gauge features a 28-inch ventilated rib barrel, while the 20-gauge version comes with a 26-inch ventilated rib. Each has a 3-inch chamber. Special turkey and compact (for small-framed shooters) models are also available. Affiliated company Harrington & Richardson has also introduced the Topper (12) trap gun this year. www.hr1871.com

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Remington

Remington is celebrating the company’s 100th year of making pump shotguns with a commemorative edition of the ever-popular Model 870 Wingmaster (13). The commemorative gun will feature fine embellishments and gold plating on the receiver, a unique checkering pattern on a walnut stock, and a 28-inch ventilated rib barrel. Lefties take note: Remington is also now offering a Model 1100 G3 designed for southpaws. This gun features a 28-inch vent rib barrel, PVD coated receiver with nickel-plated internal parts, and a high-grade Realwood stock and forearm. And for clay target shooters, Remington is touting its upgraded Model 1100 Premier Sporting Series, now available in .410 and 28-, 20-, and 12-gauge models. www.remington.com

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Weatherby

Those looking for value may find it with Weatherby’s new line of Turkish-made pumps and semiautomatics. The SA-08 Upland semiauto (14) comes with a quick-change, dual gas valve system—one for heavy loads and one for light loads—to ensure reliability. The receiver is made of machined, aircraft-grade aluminum alloy. The SA-08 Upland is available in 12- and 20-gauge designs with 26- or 28-inch barrels (a youth model is also available in 20 gauge). The PA-08 Upland pump comes in 12 gauge only, with a 26- or 28-inch vent rib barrel, black matte metal work, a sling, and three interchangeable choke tubes. Weatherby has also introduced no less than seven new models of its D-Italia line of Athena and Orion over/unders and a new entry-level side-by-side in its Orion series. www.weatherby.com

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Smith & Wesson

Smith & Wesson introduced its 1000 Series semiauto line last year, and in 2008, the company has added a 20-gauge model with a Realtree MAX-4 camouflage synthetic stock (15). Chambered for 2 3/4- and 3-inch loads, this newcomer features a 26-inch barrel, TruGlo bead site, and five choke tubes. www.smith-wesson.com


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Caesar Guerini USA

If you are in the market for a high-end trap gun, Caesar Guerini offers a new shotgun line featuring the Dynamic Tuning System (DTS). The DTS (16) includes a fully adjustable rib that allows shooters to change the point of impact by hand, as well as a stock that is fully adjustable for drop, comb height, cast, and offset. Guerini’s Magnus Trap is available in three models. Each comes with chrome-lined barrels and a Turkish walnut stock. www.caesarguerini.com

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Ammunition & Accessories

Federal

Federal Premium has added a new premium pellet, known as Heavyweight (17), to its Ultra-Shok waterfowl ammo line. This super-dense (15 g/cc), tungsten-based shot retains plenty of energy downrange. Cartridges are available in 12-gauge, 3 1/2-inch, 1 3/8-ounce loads of 2, 4, and 6 shot and 3-inch, 1 1/4-ounce loads of 2, 4, and 6 shot. On a related front, Federal’s Black Cloud FS Steel line has expanded to include 12-gauge 3 1/2-inch loads of 4 shot and 3-inch loads of 3 and 4 shot.
www.federalpremium.com

Winchester

Winchester’s popular waterfowl ammo line, which includes Supreme Elite Xtended Range Hi-Density, Supreme Drylok Super Steel (18), Super X Drylok, and others, saw no new additions this year. The company did, however, add a couple of Xpert steel upland and target loads. These cartridges come in 12- and 20-gauge, 2 3/4-inch loads of 6 and 7 shot. www.winchester.com

Remington

Remington’s Wingmaster Heavy Density (HD) (19) is a tungsten-bronze-iron composite (12g/cc) that provides uniform pellet density and long-range knockdown power. New additions to this ammo line include a 10-gauge, 3 1/2-inch, 1 3/4-ounce load of 4 shot; a 12-gauge, 3 1/2-inch, 1 3/4-ounce load of 4 shot; and a 20-gauge, 2 3/4-inch, 1-ounce load of 6 shot. All are rated at 1,300 feet-per-second (fps) muzzle velocity. Remington has also added two new 12-gauge Nitro turkey loads and a .410 target load to its lineup. www.remington.com

Hevi-Shot

Hevi-Shot by Environ-Metal has designed an ammo line specifically for use in the softer metal barrels of vintage and classic firearms. Introduced late last year, Hevi-Shot Classic Doubles ammo (20) is available in .410 and 28-, 16-, 20-, and 12-gauge loads. Selections include 20- and 12-gauge loads of 4, 5, and 6 shot; a 16-gauge load of 5 shot; and 28-gauge and .410 loads of 4 and   6 shot. These new offerings all come in addition to Hevi-Shot’s existing  lineup of duck, goose, turkey, and upland loads. www.hevishot.com

Fiocchi

Fiocchi has been producing ammunition for more than 130 years, and the company’s new Golden Waterfowl shotshells (21) come adorned with a full-color imprint of a duck head. These 12-gauge, 3-inch, 1 1/4 ounce steel loads are available in BBB, BB, 1, 2, 3, and 4 shot sizes. All are rated with a muzzle velocity of 1,400 fps. The company has also expanded its ammo line to include nickel-plated lead shot for wild turkeys and pheasants. www.fiocchiusa.com

Kent

There are no additions to Kent’s high-performance Tungsten Matrix roster or in the company’s Fasteel (22) or All Purpose steel shot lines. Upland gunners, however, will find a plethora of choices in Kent’s Ultimate Fast Lead loads. These shotshells range from 12-gauge, 3-inch, 1 3/4-ounce loads of 4, 5, and 6 shot to 20-gauge, 2 3/4-inch, 1-ounce loads of 6 and 7 shot. Kent has also unveiled a new 12-gauge, 2 3/4-inch load of 7 shot in its Velocity steel target line. www.kentgamebore.com

Nice Shot

Nice Shot (23) is a new player in the nontoxic shotshell game and is now offering both loaded cartridges and bulk shot for those who reload. Approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Nice Shot can be used, according to the manufacturer, in both new and old shotguns with no harm to barrels or chokes. The pellets in these low-pressure loads are made of a combination of tungsten, iron, and tin, and are slightly harder than lead. Currently, only 2 3/4-inch, 1 1/8-ounce loads of 2, 4, and 5 shot are available. Ammo loaded with 6 and 7 1/2 shot will be available later this year. The company is also developing 12-gauge, 3-inch, and 20-gauge, 2 3/4-inch loads for the market this fall. All shotshells are rated at 1,250 fps. Bulk shot is available in BB, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7 1/2 sizes. www.niceshotinc.com

Vellini

There are many gun slings on the market, most of which will do a serviceable job while you are in the field. But few of them are more comfortable than those crafted by Vero Vellini (24). Air-cushion models are extremely flexible and offer the highest level of shock absorption. Available for both rifles and shotguns in a number of styles and colors. www.pioneer-research.com


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Gun Kozy

Available in three sizes, the Gun Kozy (25) is a neoprene sleeve designed to protect your firearm from mud and moisture in the field. This sleeve fits snugly over your shotgun or rifle. It is hand-washable and folds easily to store in your blind bag or pocket when not in use. The Gun Kozy is available in black with a built-in sling.  www.gunkozy.com

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Birchwood Casey

Birchwood Casey has introduced its Universal Gun Cleaning System (26), a self-contained kit featuring a four-piece rod, v-groove handle, slotted patch holder, universal shotgun adapter, a flathead screwdriver adapter, and two jags. The rod will fit most brushes, swabs, and tips on the market. And the entire system can be broken down for travel and storage. www.birchwoodcasey.com
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