Cheap shotguns with short legal barrels an you hunt?
- Thread starter delavan
- Start date
"Handgun – is a firearm that is designed, altered or intended to be aimed and fired by the action of one hand or that has a barrel less than 305 mm (12 in.) in length."
No, 12" is OK for hunting in BC. Less than 12" it is defined a handgun and cannot be used for hunting in BC.
Urbansherpa
Regular
- Location
- Hamilton, Ont
I bought (and since sold) a Benelli Supernova Tactical with a 14" barrel. It had sights and a collapsible stock, although I replaced the stock with a normal one. Anyway, it was great for grouse with its fixed cylinder choke, and I intended to make it my deer gun (controlled season) because of the sights. It was SUPER handy in the bush, being so short. Probably my 'coolest' gun.
I ended up selling it because I felt the longer 28" barrel Supernova would be more versatile....and it is.
Also, the 'Zombie Apocolypse' never really happened, like they said it would. I guess i got some bad information. What a let down! ;-)
Be warned.....a short barrel is deafeningly loud without pro.
I ended up selling it because I felt the longer 28" barrel Supernova would be more versatile....and it is.
Also, the 'Zombie Apocolypse' never really happened, like they said it would. I guess i got some bad information. What a let down! ;-)
Be warned.....a short barrel is deafeningly loud without pro.
Alright,
A few more questions come to mind...chokes or no chokes if I want to use slugs? I assume you have to buy a smoothbore shotty without any chokes to shoot slugs or the barrel could blow up?
Is is better to get a 20" barrel, or it's the exact same as a 18.5" in terms of accuracy and tight pattern?
Also, I shopped around and this is what I figures, feel free to chime in on my (probably) crappy analysis..
Mossberg 500/maverick 88s
ROS= cheap, plenty of accessories, ejector is user replaceable CONS= plastic trigger guard that is SUPPOSEDLY notorious to break
REM 870: PROS= cheap, plenty of accessories, steel receiver, metal trigger guard CONS= ejector is riveted in place, non user-serviceable, quality control SUPPOSEDLY lacking as of late...
Mossberg 590 variants: PROS= Tacticool, milspec, sturdier design,, all metal trigger guard, user serviceable ejector CONS: Expensive
Weatherby PA459 tr: PROS, tacticool, picca rail, ghost ring and metal protected front fiber optic sightandpistol grip CONS:= Imported from Turkey, so mid to long term customer support might lack at some point.
So, for a shotty that HAS to cost below 500$ what would be my best bet? The Weatherby is sure looking cool. i wanna use slugs, bird shot, double odd, bear banger, etc...and keep the darn thing for 20 years lol.
Thanks in advance!
A few more questions come to mind...chokes or no chokes if I want to use slugs? I assume you have to buy a smoothbore shotty without any chokes to shoot slugs or the barrel could blow up?
Is is better to get a 20" barrel, or it's the exact same as a 18.5" in terms of accuracy and tight pattern?
Also, I shopped around and this is what I figures, feel free to chime in on my (probably) crappy analysis..
Mossberg 500/maverick 88s
ROS= cheap, plenty of accessories, ejector is user replaceable CONS= plastic trigger guard that is SUPPOSEDLY notorious to breakREM 870: PROS= cheap, plenty of accessories, steel receiver, metal trigger guard CONS= ejector is riveted in place, non user-serviceable, quality control SUPPOSEDLY lacking as of late...
Mossberg 590 variants: PROS= Tacticool, milspec, sturdier design,, all metal trigger guard, user serviceable ejector CONS: Expensive
Weatherby PA459 tr: PROS, tacticool, picca rail, ghost ring and metal protected front fiber optic sightandpistol grip CONS:= Imported from Turkey, so mid to long term customer support might lack at some point.
So, for a shotty that HAS to cost below 500$ what would be my best bet? The Weatherby is sure looking cool. i wanna use slugs, bird shot, double odd, bear banger, etc...and keep the darn thing for 20 years lol.
Thanks in advance!
Alright,
I'm sill hesitating between a 18.5"/20" barrel and a 26"/28"...I guess 26" is a little better than 28" for lightness, easier to carry in the brush... but it's not as common in the stores as a 28".
A few more questions come to mind...chokes or no chokes if I want to use slugs? I assume you have to buy a smoothbore shotty without any chokes to shoot slugs or the barrel could blow up?
Is is better to get a 20" barrel, or it's the exact same as a 18.5" in terms of accuracy and tight pattern?
Also, I shopped around and this is what I figures, feel free to chime in on my (probably) crappy analysis..
Mossberg 500/maverick 88sROS= cheap, plenty of accessories, ejector is user replaceable CONS= plastic trigger guard that is SUPPOSEDLY notorious to break
REM 870: PROS= cheap, plenty of accessories, steel receiver, metal trigger guard CONS= ejector is riveted in place, non user-serviceable, quality control SUPPOSEDLY lacking as of late...
Mossberg 590 variants: PROS= Tacticool, milspec, sturdier design,, all metal trigger guard, user serviceable ejector CONS: Expensive
Weatherby PA459 tr: PROS, tacticool, picca rail, ghost ring and metal protected front fiber optic sightandpistol grip CONS:= Imported from Turkey, so mid to long term customer support might lack at some point.
So, for a shotty that HAS to cost below 500$ what would be my best bet? The Weatherby is sure looking cool. i wanna use slugs, bird shot, double odd, bear banger, etc...and keep the darn thing for 20 years lol.
Thanks in advance!
I'm sill hesitating between a 18.5"/20" barrel and a 26"/28"...I guess 26" is a little better than 28" for lightness, easier to carry in the brush... but it's not as common in the stores as a 28".
A few more questions come to mind...chokes or no chokes if I want to use slugs? I assume you have to buy a smoothbore shotty without any chokes to shoot slugs or the barrel could blow up?
Is is better to get a 20" barrel, or it's the exact same as a 18.5" in terms of accuracy and tight pattern?
Also, I shopped around and this is what I figures, feel free to chime in on my (probably) crappy analysis..
Mossberg 500/maverick 88s
ROS= cheap, plenty of accessories, ejector is user replaceable CONS= plastic trigger guard that is SUPPOSEDLY notorious to breakREM 870: PROS= cheap, plenty of accessories, steel receiver, metal trigger guard CONS= ejector is riveted in place, non user-serviceable, quality control SUPPOSEDLY lacking as of late...
Mossberg 590 variants: PROS= Tacticool, milspec, sturdier design,, all metal trigger guard, user serviceable ejector CONS: Expensive
Weatherby PA459 tr: PROS, tacticool, picca rail, ghost ring and metal protected front fiber optic sightandpistol grip CONS:= Imported from Turkey, so mid to long term customer support might lack at some point.
So, for a shotty that HAS to cost below 500$ what would be my best bet? The Weatherby is sure looking cool. i wanna use slugs, bird shot, double odd, bear banger, etc...and keep the darn thing for 20 years lol.
Thanks in advance!
Ahsan Ahmed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
From a perspective of build quality, long term durability, end user satisfaction etc, the Mossberg 590 will be a serious contender.....means some more money but well spent. The shotgun is also equipped with sights that will better facilitate the use of slugs. The firearm will be comparatively heavier and one would need to ensure that the longer length mag tube is adaquately plugged in order to conform to hunting regs.
As also recommended, the SXP Defender has good reviews. One could also shoot slugs although unlike the Mossberg, the SXP only has a bead sight. The shotgun will be lighter in comparison.
Choke question (both brands mentioned have fixed CYL chokes):
Birdshot will be effective out to 25yds.....there shouldn't be issues with bagging your Grouse.
Regardless of the shotgun chosen, you would have to test a variety of Foster type slugs in order to determine which brand(s) may perform the best in terms of shooting nearest to your point of aim on the target. Generally, slugs shot out of a smoothbore barrel will be accurate out to 65 yards. However, there are also numerous exceptions where a smoothbore shotgun is accurate out to 100 yards. If you can effectively place the large chunk of a 12ga slug in Deer (or Bear) vitals, the animal will be anchored.
Experimenting with different slugs at the range could be a bit of a painful process due to felt recoil.
As also recommended, the SXP Defender has good reviews. One could also shoot slugs although unlike the Mossberg, the SXP only has a bead sight. The shotgun will be lighter in comparison.
Choke question (both brands mentioned have fixed CYL chokes):
Birdshot will be effective out to 25yds.....there shouldn't be issues with bagging your Grouse.
Regardless of the shotgun chosen, you would have to test a variety of Foster type slugs in order to determine which brand(s) may perform the best in terms of shooting nearest to your point of aim on the target. Generally, slugs shot out of a smoothbore barrel will be accurate out to 65 yards. However, there are also numerous exceptions where a smoothbore shotgun is accurate out to 100 yards. If you can effectively place the large chunk of a 12ga slug in Deer (or Bear) vitals, the animal will be anchored.
Experimenting with different slugs at the range could be a bit of a painful process due to felt recoil.
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I'll definitely read more on the SXP defender!
Is there issues with magazine capacity, let's say i walk around in the bush, small game hunting season happens to be on, and I get caught by some Ranger that looks at how much rounds the mag can take?
Is there issues with magazine capacity, let's say i walk around in the bush, small game hunting season happens to be on, and I get caught by some Ranger that looks at how much rounds the mag can take?
I had my gunsmith thread the barrel on one of my 20" Mossberg 590 Persuaders. It has a modified choke installed for now. I installed a wood stock/forearm from a 500AB that I used have.
20" is still handy - I should be good for more than 25 yards and still have a chance at an in flight hit based on longer sight radius.
20" is still handy - I should be good for more than 25 yards and still have a chance at an in flight hit based on longer sight radius.
I have an 870 with a 13 1/2 inch barrel. It groups slugs at less than 2 inches at 25 yards, and keeps all 8 pellets of Double Buck onto a sheet of 8x11 paper. I've shot chickens, bears, and deers with it. I generally keep it around for bears, but its multipurpose.
My old 1980's era Mossberg 500A has been abused in every way possible a young geologist could abuse it in trucks, boats, helicopters, snow machines, trikes, ATVs, hunted in all weather including rabbits in Northern Ontario at -30C.
The plastic trigger guard is like new. The safety switch plate broke long ago but the safety still works.
It is a tough shotgun but nice and light to carry because it is an aluminum receiver. It's got an 18.5" barrel on it though the 30" tube is still in my garage.
As for slugs most people say modified or more open are OK.
The plastic trigger guard is like new. The safety switch plate broke long ago but the safety still works.
It is a tough shotgun but nice and light to carry because it is an aluminum receiver. It's got an 18.5" barrel on it though the 30" tube is still in my garage.
As for slugs most people say modified or more open are OK.
Ahsan Ahmed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Is there issues with magazine capacity, let's say i walk around in the bush, small game hunting season happens to be on, and I get caught by some Ranger that looks at how much rounds the mag can take?[/QUOTE]
Prior to venturing out in the field, it would be to one's benefit (as well as a responsibility), to familiarize with Regs pertinent to firearms/hunting. For repeating shotguns, ammo capacity permitted is a maximum of three i.e. 1 in the chamber + 2 in the mag, hence the important need to plug the tube. Yes, there will be trouble should one be checked while out with a repeating shotgun during hunting season even if the intent, for example, was purely to shoot at targets (inanimate objects) in an area where hunting activity may be ongoing.
Prior to venturing out in the field, it would be to one's benefit (as well as a responsibility), to familiarize with Regs pertinent to firearms/hunting. For repeating shotguns, ammo capacity permitted is a maximum of three i.e. 1 in the chamber + 2 in the mag, hence the important need to plug the tube. Yes, there will be trouble should one be checked while out with a repeating shotgun during hunting season even if the intent, for example, was purely to shoot at targets (inanimate objects) in an area where hunting activity may be ongoing.
I used to pack my mossberg 500 around with the 28" barrel for grouse till I saw a friend of mine shooting trap with an 18" barrel and pistol grip and not doing to terribly. Now I use the 18" . Much easier to pack now and I haven't eaten any shot yet
