Hunting Deer and other game with a pump action

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New2Lead

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So I have a love affair with shotguns, and have always enjoyed hunting with one when I lived in the US. However, it was always with a buddies gun and not sure what make model etc. I was using. Does anyone here hunt game with their shotgun? What makes and models do you suggest for it? Is a rifled barrel a must or can you get away with a smooth bore with rifled slugs?
 
the obvious question here is what about the Remington 760/7600?
that is ,a pump action rifle. shotguns are only used generally for hunting in heavy bush. the rifle extends the range to 300 yards.

i suggest a little research into the 7600
 
I have an 870 that I purchased in the mid 70s and I have a smooth bore slug barrel with fibre optic sights for it. I shoot Challenger slugs through it and find it to be quite accurate. Where we deer hunt a 50 yard shot is about max so rifled barrels and sabot slugs aren't necessary.
 
I usually hunt with a rifle but when I hunt up at CFB Borden, it's shotgun/muzzle loader only. I have an older Remington 870 in 20 ga. that's a very nice little game getter. The 20" rifled barrel loves sabots and I can comfortably shoot 100 yd. with a certainty that I'll take down my game quickly and cleanly. Those sabots hit like a freight train!
 
Hmmm, I actually think that Remington 7600 is a really cool gun. I am going to see if anyone local has one I can shoot and try out. But it seems from others that hunting with a shotgun is viable at least. I'd hate to lose a deer but I think until that happens I'll be content with the pump action shotty. I'll make sure to post my embarrassing story about how I missed my deer due to using a pump shotgun when it happens. So those that told me to go to a rifle can do the 'I told you so' dance. (rightfully so)
 
You cant blame gun for missing... If you've put in the proper time sighting it in that's all on you as the shooter.

For instance. I made the stupid mistake of forgetting my gun last year on day 2 of the hunt.... I borrowed a friends Mossberg with a rifled barrel and red dot. (I sold the gun to him 2 years prior oh and I shot a deer with it 2 years prior)

I waffled the shot over the back of a 8-10 pt buck at about 40 yards....


Moral of story don't forget your gun and spend some time practising with it... (I still say it wasn't sighted in at all)
 
I shot both a rem 870 with rifled barrel and mossy 500 with rifled barrel. I have seen deer bears and moose all shot and killed with slugs out of shotguns.the secret is to practice with your gun and the shells you will be hunting with.
 
Ouch, sorry to hear that! I'll do my best to learn from that one. It's funny but I'll see 8 pts at the end of my driveway and in my yard, but scarcely anywhere I'm allowed to shoot em.
 
I use sxs guns now but have used my mossberg 535 ats with a rifled barrel and challenger slugs for deer and 600 gr brenneke golds for bear

Know you limits. Hunt within them. An oz of lead makes a big hole if placed right
 
I have used several shotguns for small game/upland bird hunting.
My favorite brand is Ithaca M37s, but I have used a replica blunderbuss too, an M6 Scout combination gun, & an SKB O/U.
Planning on using various hinge actioned 10 gauges this fall and winter season.

lots of fun
 
You mean like this....late 60s 870 made in Canada.



PS - that is buckshot damage and yes it is legal to take a teensie tiny anterless where I live as the last time I put this pic up there was explaining...That little yearling yielded 28 pounds of ground total (with 5 pounds of pork chucked in).
 
Where I live it's shotgun and muzzle loader only for deer, I like 3 in 00 buck shells for deer under 40 yards but it will also depend on how your gun patterns. Past that to 60 yrd I use Challenger slugs. If you want longer than that I would suggest a rifled barrel and sabot slugs. I will also mention that I will have a combination in my gun sometimes like buck filled by slugs
 
I use a smooth bore, rifled sighted 870 Wingmaster. It is a great gun for short range deer hunting. I would use it to 100m without a second thought. My gun didnt like Challengers, however it LOVES Winchester Rackmasters, which are of a similar design.

2013-10-24152029_zps2a24e7e4.jpg
 
I use a 870 Tactical with a Remington Rifled choke and ghost ring sights. I find the rifled choke helps, I can hold about a 3" group at 50 yards off hand with this set up. I have been using Winchester Rack master 3" slugs. Overkill for deer at 50 yards, but I do find them more accurate than standard 2 3/4" slugs and I can handle the recoil so why not?
 
Trimmer 905 said:
I swap barrels on my Remington Wingmaster 870 with a Hastings Paradox 24" (3" 12ga) for rifled slug (sabots). Our WMU is "shotguns,M/L's and archery only-no dogs" during the two-week gun hunt for Deer.
Click to expand...

I've heard a lot of good things about the hastings barrels. Is it a good price to grab one around 250$. I saw a couple for sale.
Thanks
 
Thanks everyone for the info and stories. Love that wingmaster!! I have gone with an 870 express because they went on sale for 350 plus a 50 dollar rebate. I've ordered a hastings rifled barrel and am slowly changing out the weaker internals. Does anyone have a suggestion for a scope or sight. I'd like to extend my range to around 150
 
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