I'm hoping to get some recommendations for a quality shotgun from anyone experienced with small games hunting. I am very new to hunting and plan to hunt various types of small game in Ontario. Since I am a beginner, I think a focus on a single firearm offering a little more versatility is ideal for now. What manufacturers have you guys had luck with? Which have you found to be more reliable? What considerations or questions should I have when shopping for a new shotgun? Everyone I speak to mentions a Remington 870, however I've read a lot saying the manufacturing quality is not what it once was.
Small games shotgun recommendation
- Thread starter steelheadx87
- Start date
The Winchester sxp or a Mossberg 500 are both solid, reliable shotguns at reasonable cost. Both versatile in any type of small game you choose from waterfowl to grouse and turkey and can even be used for deer.
If you’re a beginner try holding and shouldering what you can. One may feel nicer to you than the other.
If you’re a beginner try holding and shouldering what you can. One may feel nicer to you than the other.
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
Nothing wrong with a Rem 870, I find the newer production ones to be fine. People love to hate on them, they have one problem with one 870 and they’re all garbage from then on. Most likely they were lazy and neglected to take care of them, people get a wingmaster and take care of it because it cost more. They buy a cheaper express model and don’t take care of it and then ##### because it rusted, take care of it and it will look like the wingmaster.
Zero rust with my express 870’s and all I do is make sure they are dried off and wiped with an oily rag, they both live in padded bags and have never seen a speck of rust.
Zero rust with my express 870’s and all I do is make sure they are dried off and wiped with an oily rag, they both live in padded bags and have never seen a speck of rust.
Unfortunately no, not yet.
Bummer.
Well, what are your thoughts on action type? Wood or poly? Traditional, tactical, or AR-15esque? 12ga or 20ga?
Definitely leaning more toward pump action. I prefer wood finish over poly although it wouldn't necessarily be a deal breaker. Based on what I've read, a 12 gauge with an adjustable choke sounds like a decent way to go.
As far as small game goes, rabbits can be harvested with a 410 at shorter ranges, and a little further out with a 28 gauge. If you are looking to add fox and coyote to the bag, then the 20 or 12 gauges are going to be better, with larger shot, and yet can still work on the rabbits with smaller shot. As an all around, it is hard to beat the 12 gauge, and ammo is usually easier to find and can be less expensive. Choke sizes are going to adjust your pattern sizes at different ranges. This will depend on what you are hunting, and where.
Nothing wrong with the Rem 870. If you aren't sure about the newer ones, you can find older ones for sale on a regular basis. Some prefer the fit and finish of older ones, but they have been making the 870 for a long time and it is a time tested firearm known for its durability and reliability. Once you get access to the EE, there are several for sale there in different models and gauges.
Nothing wrong with the Rem 870. If you aren't sure about the newer ones, you can find older ones for sale on a regular basis. Some prefer the fit and finish of older ones, but they have been making the 870 for a long time and it is a time tested firearm known for its durability and reliability. Once you get access to the EE, there are several for sale there in different models and gauges.
blasted_saber
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- A blue part of Ontario
870 Wingmaster. Youll never regret it. Find a used one to save some bucks
Last time I was looking for a 12 gauge pump, I looked at the 870, the mossy 500 and the browning BPS. I'm not a huge fella, only about 5'7", and I found all three of those shotguns to be a bit big for me, especially the BPS. There was a Maverick 88 there as well, basically a scaled down Mossy 500 in a synthetic stock. For poops and giggles, I grabbed it, and found it to fit perfectly. I didn't really like the looks of it, but it just felt so good I took a chance. I have killed many birds with it to date, and expect to kill many more. I believe there are some on EE right now for 249 bucks, which is a good buy for an entry level shotgun.
my first gun was an 870 12 gauge 3 1/2 ", I couldn't imagine needing anything else. I was hunting rabbits with beagles, squirrels, birds, deer, pretty much anything you could hunt in southern Ontario. Many years later, my daughter wanted to get into hunting, I let her shoulder my 870, she found it too difficult. On our next visit to our local gun shop, she tried every gun in the store until she settled on the Winchester SX3 in 20 gauge. We both use that gun for upland hunting, unless we are going out together, then I get a 12 gauge. The minimum you are allowed to hunt moose with, is 20 gauge. Don't get stuck in the 12 gauge world, although it is a ton of fun. go shoulder some/ every gun you can at your local shop. You may have to save a little bit longer to get the gun you like the most, but it is cheaper than settling on a gun just to get you through until you get your next one. Don't worry, like the rest of us it wont take long before you have a ton of guns, and a preferred one for every situation.
All depends on the SMALL game you are going out for. I use my 20 gage for the larger ones and a 410 for the smaller ones and a 22 for squirrels. It's all to do with how much of your small game you want left after you shoot it lol. You have a lot of choices when it comes down to the shot load in the shells you use. Have a safe hunt after you get your new gun.
john-brennan
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Vancouver Island B.C.
One of these is what you want, definitely want chokes to make it versatile.
I know it's not brand new and shiny, but I saw a Winchester Model 2200 in the EE yesterday - 12g pump action, wood stock, replaceable chokes, and 3.5" chamber (IIRC). This is the gun I grew up using, still have, and still love!
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Quite honestly my friend this is my most used gauge by far. However I do have a 28 gauge pump gun ready to go and mostly I use (lately) a 22/410 on very familiar hunting grounds. My by word last three years is definitely sub gauge. Cheers
blasted_saber
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- A blue part of Ontario
The problem with 870 Express' of a certain vintage isnt jsut the finish, its the poor quality production. VERY rough edges and unpolished components both inside and out were leading to very common cycling issues. I think that its been rectified now, but there was a period of time from maybe 2005-2015 when problems were very common.
