Hey guys, i took ym hunters saftey course about a year ago but i havent hunted at all! The reason is im not sure what kind of shotgun to get. I've been look for a shotgun that i could use for almost anything. I know the restrictions for shotgun ammo and how some shotguns cant take certain inch shells, but does anyone know what are the best all around hunting shotguns
Hunting shotgun question
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It depends
It depends on what you can handle well, seems to fit and can afford. You might try a few different shotguns at clay targets and see what is a good match. There are a lot of excellent used shotguns around. So it depends. Take care...
Oberndorf
It depends on what you can handle well, seems to fit and can afford. You might try a few different shotguns at clay targets and see what is a good match. There are a lot of excellent used shotguns around. So it depends. Take care...
Oberndorf
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1,069 Posts
I'm one of those folks who believe you cannot go wrong with a 12ga 3" chambered Remington 870 or BPS (Browning Pump Shotgun). The 3 1/2" guns are heavier than would be comfortable for upland hunting, for me, nor do I see a practical need for the longer shells. The pump is reliable, versatile and carries 3 to 5 shells. The two guns I mentioned are very popular so a good many accessories are available for them. You could shoot geese in the morning and sporting clays in the afternoon with the same gun and all you'd need was the proper shell and a change of choke tubes. Another advantage is price. Since these guns have been made for many years there are plenty on the used gun market, at really good prices sometime.
Of course, none of the above means much if the gun doesn't fit or feel right to you. Nothing beats practice with a gun type before you buy. I've bought far to many guns which I no longer own because they just did not "fit" me!
Of course, none of the above means much if the gun doesn't fit or feel right to you. Nothing beats practice with a gun type before you buy. I've bought far to many guns which I no longer own because they just did not "fit" me!
Remington 870 or 1100 chambered for 3" shells in either 12 or 20 gauge.
They both fit most people purdy well and are good dependable shotguns.
Used or new, they won't break the bank getting started. Lots of optional stuff available for both.
Cheezywan
They both fit most people purdy well and are good dependable shotguns.
Used or new, they won't break the bank getting started. Lots of optional stuff available for both.
Cheezywan
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92 Posts
scatterguns
If there is a skeet/trap/sporting clays range go there meet the folks there and explain your situation. Most shooters would be more than happy to let you try treir guns to see which one feels best for you. As far as brand any of the major brands will serve you well. I have 870,
BPS, Nova, and A-5. The two I prefer are the 870 and the A-5. Others know about my problems with my BPS so I won't go into it here, others are happy with theirs. As to which I would buy it would be either a 870 or a Mossy 500/590. Both are tough as a tank and have a great deal of after market parts, barrels et c, available. Either of these two will give you a life time of service with minimal maintenance.
Just my 2 pence worth.
If there is a skeet/trap/sporting clays range go there meet the folks there and explain your situation. Most shooters would be more than happy to let you try treir guns to see which one feels best for you. As far as brand any of the major brands will serve you well. I have 870,
BPS, Nova, and A-5. The two I prefer are the 870 and the A-5. Others know about my problems with my BPS so I won't go into it here, others are happy with theirs. As to which I would buy it would be either a 870 or a Mossy 500/590. Both are tough as a tank and have a great deal of after market parts, barrels et c, available. Either of these two will give you a life time of service with minimal maintenance.
Just my 2 pence worth.
thanks guys, i actually got the chance to use my grandfathers mossberg 500 A silver shotgun today, shot 3" slugs and did just fine with it, i didint really get the chane to shoot at anythign but targets but the recoil of the shotgun felt perfect,
And unfortunatley the liberals shut down my sportsmans club skeet shooting range due to the lead we were putting in a amrsh thats been having lead balls dropping in it since 1958
And unfortunatley the liberals shut down my sportsmans club skeet shooting range due to the lead we were putting in a amrsh thats been having lead balls dropping in it since 1958
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480 Posts
A 12 gauge Mossberg 500 with accu-choke would be nice. The 500 will handle 2 3/4 and 3" shells. With the choke tubes, you can hunt anything from dove and quail to geese and turkey. Get a slug barrel and hunt deer and bear.
i would use my mossbrg but its a short barrell so if i was going to hunt duck inside a office it woukld be perfect but i need something with a long barrel.
Also, what kind of 870 would you guys prefer? theres about nine or ten versions, which ones do you guys use
Also, what kind of 870 would you guys prefer? theres about nine or ten versions, which ones do you guys use
Hey bud, congrats on going through the hunter ed course! I consider myself quite at home with shotguns, I've been shooting them since I was 10 years old.
What do you intend to hunt with the shotgun? I think is very important, because while there are some "universal" shotguns, there are much better guns for different things.
For example, if you intend to hunt deer with a shotgun, I'd recommend a 20 guage with rifled slug barrel 22-24". I've killed deer at 100 yards easily with my 20ga. slug gun, but that's all this gun is used for.
For upland, I shoot a Browning Gold Hunter 12ga. chambered for 3" with a 28" barrel. Soft recoil allows quick target re-acquisition after a shot and believe it or not, the 28" barrel forces you to slow down you swing and overall "slows down" the shooting process, which allows for better shot placement. Many a pheasant and quail have fallen to that Browning Gold. Beautiful gun for upland and for skeet shooting.
Now for waterfowl hunting, which is my self-declared speciality, I pull out all the stops. Because hunting conditions are near/over water and typically in wet, cold weather, many shotguns would leave you burned on these days. I think duck hunting can present the most difficult weather conditions for a shotgun. While a Remington 870 pump will never let you down, a Benelli shotgun will not only never let you down, but it will drop ducks like rain.
I own 2 Benelli shotguns - an M1 field and a SBEII. The M1 was a sweet deal I purchased new the last year they made them. $850 out the door - brand new. The SBEII I just got a couple years ago for $1300. Between the two, the M1 is my go to machine for dropping waterfowl. She's a 12ga. with a 26" barrel and patternmaster waterfowl choke. Any duck inside 50 yards is in serious trouble with this weapon.
I live and waterfowl hunt in New Jersey along the Jersey coast. Last season I hunted in many snow storms, but one in particular stood out. Was hunting with my brother, who also has a Browning Gold Hunter. Conditions were horrible, visibility less than 1/4 mile in heavy snow. Ducks were just pouring into the decoys. My brothers browning actually had a few cycle jams (due to the cold weather, gas operated guns will operate slower). My M1 on the other hand, was knocking birds down all morning and never skipped a beat.
So you really need to think about what you're going to be doing with the gun. If its mostly target/upland, I would definitely look at the Browning Gold series. They are affordable and I absolutely love my Gold hunter for upland and target.
If you're going to be duck hunting, I'd definitely look at the Benelli line. Most reliable and durable shotguns in my opinion.
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What do you intend to hunt with the shotgun? I think is very important, because while there are some "universal" shotguns, there are much better guns for different things.
For example, if you intend to hunt deer with a shotgun, I'd recommend a 20 guage with rifled slug barrel 22-24". I've killed deer at 100 yards easily with my 20ga. slug gun, but that's all this gun is used for.
For upland, I shoot a Browning Gold Hunter 12ga. chambered for 3" with a 28" barrel. Soft recoil allows quick target re-acquisition after a shot and believe it or not, the 28" barrel forces you to slow down you swing and overall "slows down" the shooting process, which allows for better shot placement. Many a pheasant and quail have fallen to that Browning Gold. Beautiful gun for upland and for skeet shooting.
Now for waterfowl hunting, which is my self-declared speciality, I pull out all the stops. Because hunting conditions are near/over water and typically in wet, cold weather, many shotguns would leave you burned on these days. I think duck hunting can present the most difficult weather conditions for a shotgun. While a Remington 870 pump will never let you down, a Benelli shotgun will not only never let you down, but it will drop ducks like rain.
I own 2 Benelli shotguns - an M1 field and a SBEII. The M1 was a sweet deal I purchased new the last year they made them. $850 out the door - brand new. The SBEII I just got a couple years ago for $1300. Between the two, the M1 is my go to machine for dropping waterfowl. She's a 12ga. with a 26" barrel and patternmaster waterfowl choke. Any duck inside 50 yards is in serious trouble with this weapon.
I live and waterfowl hunt in New Jersey along the Jersey coast. Last season I hunted in many snow storms, but one in particular stood out. Was hunting with my brother, who also has a Browning Gold Hunter. Conditions were horrible, visibility less than 1/4 mile in heavy snow. Ducks were just pouring into the decoys. My brothers browning actually had a few cycle jams (due to the cold weather, gas operated guns will operate slower). My M1 on the other hand, was knocking birds down all morning and never skipped a beat.
So you really need to think about what you're going to be doing with the gun. If its mostly target/upland, I would definitely look at the Browning Gold series. They are affordable and I absolutely love my Gold hunter for upland and target.
If you're going to be duck hunting, I'd definitely look at the Benelli line. Most reliable and durable shotguns in my opinion.
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480 Posts
atb1012,
If you already have a Mossberg 500 with a short barrel, just get a 28" replacement barrel. You can find them on the auction sites fairly cheap. Check out Auction Arms: http://www.auctionarms.com/ and Gun Broker: http://www.gunbroker.com/ . No need to buy a whole new gun. Good luck.
If you already have a Mossberg 500 with a short barrel, just get a 28" replacement barrel. You can find them on the auction sites fairly cheap. Check out Auction Arms: http://www.auctionarms.com/ and Gun Broker: http://www.gunbroker.com/ . No need to buy a whole new gun. Good luck.
well the mossy i have wouldnt be the best for a hunting shotgun, plus its my fathers that my grandfather gave him when he was 10 and hes contempt with keeping it a self defense shotgun. BUt thanks alot for the idea ill definetly keep it in mind for when i get a chance to talk to my dad
okay ive looked on a bunch of sites and i think ive narrowed done my choices between a benelli nova pump, a mossy flyaway, or a remington model 870 wingmaster. IM leaning towards a nova pump because the price is good for what it is, but if anyone has any more info please let me know
Novas are good guns. The Remington 870 is as well and extremely popular. Because of that you're likely to find Remington accessories everywhere. Does either have replaceable chokes? That will give you the most flexability. If you ever plan to use yours for deer hunting, I know you can get replacement barrels for Remington 870s and Mossberg 500s that are fully rifled.
As to which gauge, try a 20ga and a 12ga. The 12 will be cheaper to shoot and it is much easier to find ammo and accessories for, but it is more stout in terms of recoil. I learned on a 12 and thats all I ever shoot now. When you're hunting you will never notice the difference - must be the thrill of the hunt or something.
Hey Airdale, just wondering why you recommend a 20ga for deer? I'm in a similar situation as the original poster... I havent hunted in 15 years, just about to get back into it.
I use to have an 870 with a 20" and 28" barrell. I was 15 at the time, and had very little money, so that set-up fit my needs. The area I live in now only allows shotgun for deer, and I'll be hunting turkey and waterfowl as well.
If it's a better set-up, I don't mind purchasing a 20ga for deer, and 12ga for the rest. Otherwise I'll purchase a higher end 12ga, that I can inter-change the barrells.
What would you guys recommend/do?
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397 Posts
That's the reason I recommended a 3 1/2 inch magnum. I live in New Jersey
we are surrounded by water and there are lots of ducks here and in nearby
Delaware and Maryland. You have to use steel shot for waterfowl now days.
Steel shot stinks compared to lead. There are alternatives to steel that are
legal but so expensive you start to wonder how much a duck is worth.
Zeke
we are surrounded by water and there are lots of ducks here and in nearby
Delaware and Maryland. You have to use steel shot for waterfowl now days.
Steel shot stinks compared to lead. There are alternatives to steel that are
legal but so expensive you start to wonder how much a duck is worth.
Zeke
Joined
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39,105 Posts
A 3" 12ga will pretty much do it all, except fire the 3.5" loads. If you are a dedicate waterfowler then the 3.5 may be your cup of tea.... for the rest of the world, it is just a bruise and bad flinch waiting to get started! My opinion....
I know the turkey hunters like them too but I could never get worked up to even turkey hunt with 3" shells, let alone 3.5."
Again just one opinion.
I know the turkey hunters like them too but I could never get worked up to even turkey hunt with 3" shells, let alone 3.5."
Again just one opinion.
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