Does an all-around gun exist?

A older 870 with 28-30" barrels and changeable chokes is as close as you can get. But any jack of all trades will be a master of none. There will always be a better gun for each individual task.
 
Brian46 said:
Is your attention span that short that you failed to read the long explanation below?

with what? (action type, barrel length, screw in chokes, etc) one configuration is certainly not ideal for all those in the varying types of hunting and terrain, but yes, you can make do like my example in the original post
not with a long barrel, but again, I posted what I would use to maximize my results
swapping barrels? that is not something that was on the table or that I posted about. A do all shotgun to me is only switching ammo types, not re configuring the firearm at considerable expense for a band aid solution (also not practical while in the field) when a different gun would be a better option for me.

The OP has $2000 to spend, I would buy a good autoloader and a baikal over under in that budget
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Many people use long barreled 12 ga for skeet.
 
1 gun? Why limit yourself like that? I would suggest getting a 12g, .22, .223 (or 5.56), and a .308.

Own a gun in each of those calibers and you can hunt close to anything and target shoot all day.
 
Brian46 said:
where did I say something could not be taken? why do you try and put words on my keyboard I didnt type?

I'd use a semi auto 20 ga with scope, short rifled barrel and premium sabots for deer to maximize my results and range.

For waterfowl and trap I would have a longer barrel, 12ga, 3.5" chamber with removable chokes to maximize results and range.

For upland birds, rabbits and skeet I would prefer a smaller gauge over under with a shorter barrel for fast handling and quick followups, again to maximize results.

I never said you couldn't with one gun, just that you would be sacrificing a lot with one gun if you just varied ammunition and nothing else
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I shoot everything with a hammer gun and fixed chokes, for waterfowl I load Bismuth or Nice Shot.
I sometimes shoot smokeless, sometimes black
I also shoot a SXS Pedersoli hammer gun with screw in chokes that is steel approved if want to.
At times I have been seen shooting a 16 gauge O/U with IC/MOD chokes and i shoot every critter walking or fling with it as well as the first two guns.
I can shoot a 20 gauge O/U well over decoys , or upland, and deer .
Yes, the one gun does exist, it is the gun you want to shoot. !
or a novice, a semi or pump with screw in cokes will do, but if the barrel s IC or Mod that will do as well.
Cat
 
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"and few of those shooters are consistently 25 for 25 using a 28" or longer barrel"



I have 3 at my club, 2 shoot a K80 Sporting with 32" barrels, the third shoots a 725 Browning with 30" barrels.
 
Maritime Storm said:
"and few of those shooters are consistently 25 for 25 using a 28" or longer barrel"



I have 3 at my club, 2 shoot a K80 Sporting with 32" barrels, the third shoots a 725 Browning with 30" barrels.
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how many do it with shorter barrels in comparison? Rarely see it out where I am, probably 1 in 20 shooters or less and still inconsistent.
 
catnthehatt said:
Yes, the one gun does exist, it is the gun you want to shoot. !
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then tell the op which one that is, because I have not found one that does everything I want it to, always a sacrifice, that is why I won't just have one.

By your post above, you don't have just one either, so not sure how you can post one will do everything without some sort of sacrifice.
 
When I was 16, one gun had to do it all, and that gun was a Cooey 12 gauge single shot. That time was more than 50 years ago.
I soon saw that a double gun was more useful, interesting and versatile. The first two double barreled shotguns that I had were hammer guns, one Birmingham made and one Italian. The issue of non-toxic shot had not raised it's ugly head at that time.
If limited interest and limited funds were an issue, I would say that one could be well served by a reliable pump gun with interchangeable chokes, or barrels. A pump gun is less than ideal for shooting doubles at clay targets, but more than adequate for hunting and recreational clay shooting.
That said, very few shooters stay with one do-it-all gun over the long haul.
 
Brian46 said:
and few of those shooters are consistently 25 for 25 using a 28" or longer barrel
Click to expand...

What are you talking about?? Spend a lot of time on a skeet field ?? Not
I am the odd ball now shooting my old 26" barrel shot guns. 28″ has been the standard O/U skeet barrel length for about 25 years with many running 30" and no they don't run the 25's they run the 50's, and 100's consistently
The longer barrel is the norm now and I have been in this game since probally 1964
Cheers
 
Op, I personally went with a Mossberg 835 with the 28" shot barrel and a full set of choke tubes. Then picked up the 24" rifled barrel with fiber optic sights. I love the setup.

3.5" slugs for some serious knockdown on deer and swamp donkeys. 3 or 3.5" steel bb rounds for ducks and geese with the modified choke. 2.75" with #4 shot for rabbits and grouse with full choke. Skeet I'd go with 2.75" target loads with cylinder choke.

The slugs can be punishing on the shoulder after a few shots. I put a Knoxx SpecOps recoil reducing stock on it after I had injured my rotator cuff. Very nice to shoot even the stoutest loads now.
 
saskbooknut said:
When I was 16, one gun had to do it all, and that gun was a Cooey 12 gauge single shot. That time was more than 50 years ago.
I soon saw that a double gun was more useful, interesting and versatile. The first two double barreled shotguns that I had were hammer guns, one Birmingham made and one Italian. The issue of non-toxic shot had not raised it's ugly head at that time.
If limited interest and limited funds were an issue, I would say that one could be well served by a reliable pump gun with interchangeable chokes, or barrels. A pump gun is less than ideal for shooting doubles at clay targets, but more than adequate for hunting and recreational clay shooting.
That said, very few shooters stay with one do-it-all gun over the long haul.
Click to expand...

Pretty much sums it up. We all started it seems with one old shotgun what ever it was and it did us just fine as an all in one gun, Today the same thing can be achieved with one with choke tubes
Cheers
 
I do everything but hunt deer with my Beretta 391 extrema semi auto OP. I'm sure I could throw a slug in with the right choke and try to bag a deer but I use my hunting rifles for big game. It comes with a full range of chokes and shots 2 3/4 to 3 1/2. It's super reliable after proper break in and a good quality shotgun overall. I chose it over the remington versa max at the time.
 
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My best answer for you is a Remington 870 Express , 12 ga. bought with 2 barrels. One for shot with choke tubes & 1
with a rifled barrel for slugs . The slug barrel may have sights & you may wish to add a scope latter , which can be done
easily with a receiver mount. Other specialty barrels can be bought latter ( like 4 trap) if desired .
This is a common & good gun with accessories readily available & for a low price.
I love SxS doubles but they do not meet your 1 gun requirements . ,,,,,,,,,, my 2 cents ,,,, Frank
 
The 870 is a good choice all around. The only issue I'd have is pump 12ga is heavy to tote through the bush I hunt rabbit in. And depending how serious you are into skeet you may want an O/U, but it could be an upgrade later. I like shooting skeet with my pump to keep in practice for duck hunting.

The thing is for 2000 dollars you could have 3 shotguns.
Used mossberg 500, used single shot 20ga for rabbit ie. Baikal or Cooey, That leaves lots of room for a decent O/U for skeet and a slug Barrel for the 12ga. That's what I would do.

I recommend used for hunting because you will drop them in salt water and scratch them and beat them and they will get damp. It's easier to baby a range gun but enevitably the choice is yours.

Oh and remember, many millions of ducks were taken with 2-3/4" shells, so don't let the 3-1/2" magnum craze trick you. 3" are all you need imho.
 
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Hahahaha...........Martha.........dem Gummutters izz fewd'in agin.......................:runaway:

Butt why-oh-why wood yewse limit yerself tuh only uno shewter?.................:sok2
 
SilverBaller said:
1 gun? Why limit yourself like that? I would suggest getting a 12g, .22, .223 (or 5.56), and a .308.

Own a gun in each of those calibers and you can hunt close to anything and target shoot all day.
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I meant one shotgun. Not rifle.

The reason for a deer shotgun is because of hunting restrictions in the area. I do have an Excalibur crossbow as well.

Thanks for all the replies!

I'm leaning towards a used 870 wingmaster, which would get me going. This will leave a little cash to put towards a decent o/u or browning bss if I can find one.

I appreciate all the comments and am still very open to suggestion
 
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