I use a Benelli SBE for all my waterfowl hunting in salt water. 12 ga. with a modified choke. In extremely harsh conditions I use a Browning Citori in 12 ga., 3 1/2". That's the back up gun for those times that the Benelli won't go bang. King Eiders in the Bering Sea would be a prime example of needing a back up gun. I also took one of the first A10's to the Bering Sea. A rose and scroll A10 with exhibition wood covered in salt spray and ice will make one shake is head.
Most of my Ptarmigan have been taken with an AyA 4/53 in 12 ga., choked .012 & .021. One of the deluxe ones that Cabelas had a few years ago. I usually shoot 1 1/8 oz.,
# 7 1/2's for Ptarmigan. I bought the AyA with prairie birds in mind but it makes a great Ptarmigan gun also.
If I get back to Cold Bay in the near future I think the SBE may become my back up gun. Since my North American Waterfowl Collection is complete the pressure is off so I will go back to a vintage SxS. Finding the perfect vintage Brant gun could be as much fun as the trip itself.
Dennis
