Birding Shot Gun On The Cheap

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ghillone

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Hey Everyone! It was suggested I repost this here instead of the general firearms discussion where I originally posted it....


I am interested in purchasing a shot gun for skeet/trap shooting and bird hunting. I go on a pheasant hunt with my friends each year and want to practice and get better. I've never owned a shot gun and I'm cheap! Want to find something that will get me into the sport. Our local Canadian Tire has a 8308 Stevens Over/Under 12 GA on sale for $670 and a Churchill Over/Under 12 GA X3 for the same price. Are these guns worth it? Am I being too cheap!?
 
Are you going to shoot actual trap/skeet on a regular basis, or just throw a few targets with a hand thrower or portable thrower? Most guns will stand up to a few hundred rounds per year, but if you intend to shoot thousands of rounds each year, the lower quality guns will not stand up to this for long without issues. I suggest that you also do some research into shotgun fit, as it is very important if you actually want to hit what you are shooting at.

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1632069-Shotgun-fit
 
Are you meaning the Stevens model 555? I just made a trade for one that is brand new in the box. Thought I'd trade just because. Didn't really need the gun but thought I'd give it a try. Had it out on the weekend and fired a box of shells through it. The gun worked without issue . I was using heavy target loads and the gun didn't kick nearly as much as I thought it would. It only weighs 6 pounds. I didn't dare shot any 3" loads through it though. Overall, I'm pleased with the construction of the gun for a low end budget gun. It appears to be much better than the earlier model 512. How it stands up in the long run I will have to see. I can tell you though that it is not intended for high volume clay bird shooting. If you plan on shooting clays a lot then look for a better gun suited for that purpose. These guns are entry level over/under hunting guns.
 
gunsaholic said:
Are you meaning the Stevens model 555? I just made a trade for one that is brand new in the box. Thought I'd trade just because. Didn't really need the gun but thought I'd give it a try. Had it out on the weekend and fired a box of shells through it. The gun worked without issue . I was using heavy target loads and the gun didn't kick nearly as much as I thought it would. It only weighs 6 pounds. I didn't dare shot any 3" loads through it though. Overall, I'm pleased with the construction of the gun for a low end budget gun. It appears to be much better than the earlier model 512. How it stands up in the long run I will have to see. I can tell you though that it is not intended for high volume clay bird shooting. If you plan on shooting clays a lot then look for a better gun suited for that purpose. These guns are entry level over/under hunting guns.
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The gun on sale at our local CT store is a Stevens 8308. Also, I was cruising the Corwin-Arms site and found a sinsinati pump action with a short barrel and pistol type grip but it also comes with a longer barrel, 26 inch, and a regular stock to fit on. The gun is cheap as and crosses off a lot of boxes for me. I'm wondering if this would be a good gun for my pack while I'm hunting then practice with some clay shooting. Ultimately I want to get good and comfortable with a gun then probably buy a more expensive one in the next 8 months or so. Something nice but used. Tire of being the worst shot on the Pheasant hunt! ahah.
 
stubblejumper said:
Are you going to shoot actual trap/skeet on a regular basis, or just throw a few targets with a hand thrower or portable thrower? Most guns will stand up to a few hundred rounds per year, but if you intend to shoot thousands of rounds each year, the lower quality guns will not stand up to this for long without issues. I suggest that you also do some research into shotgun fit, as it is very important if you actually want to hit what you are shooting at.

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1632069-Shotgun-fit
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Great information. I checked out the fitting thread unfortunately I have limited access to firearms in my little town here. As far as how much I'll shoot, I am realisticially in the couple hundred shells a year category then we do one pheasant hunt a year and this will likely see the gun having 40 or so shells put through it - maybe more - in the space of 12 hrs. Does that help you understand my usage? My point is that, while I won't shoot the gun that often, when I do it will have high usage during that time.
 
ghillone said:
The gun on sale at our local CT store is a Stevens 8308. Also, I was cruising the Corwin-Arms site and found a sinsinati pump action with a short barrel and pistol type grip but it also comes with a longer barrel, 26 inch, and a regular stock to fit on. The gun is cheap as and crosses off a lot of boxes for me. I'm wondering if this would be a good gun for my pack while I'm hunting then practice with some clay shooting. Ultimately I want to get good and comfortable with a gun then probably buy a more expensive one in the next 8 months or so. Something nice but used. Tire of being the worst shot on the Pheasant hunt! ahah.
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If you are cheap don't get an over under. Go with a pump if you're really cheap, or a semi if you're a bit less cheap. either of these will last much longer than a cheap O/U. If you can find a good deal on a semi, it it might last you a long time, whereas the slower follow up shots with a pump will leave you wanting to upgrade soon if you're shooting skeet.
 
If you are cheap, don't buy anything new. Find a used Remington 870 or the like. Anything new at that price point is a bic lighter shotgun.
 
ghillone said:
Any comments on which model of the 870 to pursue. I see 870 Express's listed for under $500.
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I recommend an older wingmaster. Don't worry about 3" unless you are going for waterfowl. If you are stuck with getting a barrel with a fixed choke, go with modified or imp cyl. Try to get a barrel with multi chokes even if you have to buy an express barrel after. I recommend 26" or longer.
 
dilly said:
If you are cheap, don't buy anything new. Find a used Remington 870 or the like. Anything new at that price point is a bic lighter shotgun.
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I totally disagree. A maverick 88 (a poor man's mossy 500) can be had for under $300 new and not only has mine run flawlessly for a few thousand rounds, I could easily and quickly sell it for what I bought it for only 3 years ago.
https://www.gotenda.com/shop/firear...-shotgun-12-ga-28-barrel-3-chamber-51-rounds/

The Sinsinati guns the OP mentioned also have very good reviews, although I haven't handled one of their pumps personally (I do have a single shot I enjoy though)

I would easily recommend the maverick 88 to anyone looking for a pump gun. Its a mossberg 500 with a different trigger group and no mounting holes drilled for a scope mount. Takes mossy 500 stocks and barrels.

Personally I prefer mossberg over rem, the slide release is in a better location IMO.
 
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ghillone said:
The gun on sale at our local CT store is a Stevens 8308. Also, I was cruising the Corwin-Arms site and found a sinsinati pump action with a short barrel and pistol type grip but it also comes with a longer barrel, 26 inch, and a regular stock to fit on. The gun is cheap as and crosses off a lot of boxes for me. I'm wondering if this would be a good gun for my pack while I'm hunting then practice with some clay shooting. Ultimately I want to get good and comfortable with a gun then probably buy a more expensive one in the next 8 months or so. Something nice but used. Tire of being the worst shot on the Pheasant hunt! ahah.
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I've got nothing but good to say about everything i've gotten from Corwin arms over the years. Their pumps have worked well for me, but they are on the light side, so good for carrying a lot while hunting, but not so good for the range events if you're going to put a lot of rounds through it.
 
NZClaybuster said:
go to the club on horsethief canyon road. It is one of the most friendly gun clubs i've ever been to. Ask questions, bring donuts... you'll get all the info you'll ever need.
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Absolutely. I'm a member there and agree completely with you. I've been having this convo with many people including club members. At this point the one thing that keeps coming back is buy a used, good condition Rem 870 Wingmaster so that's exactly what I'm going to do. Stoeger has also come back a bit but the Rem 870 is what I'm most likely to buy!
 
yah maybe. I have a photo of the tag so I looked closer and it's a Stevens 555! Haha. Not sure where they got 8308 from on the tag but the model stamp is on the base plate and I could just see it and I'm pretty sure that's what it says!
 
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