Hunting/Clay Shooting Shotgun

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O.J

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Trying to do some research while I wait for my PAL. I've gotten advice from couple of people on what gun to get for hunting deer and in addition to 30-06 recommendation, there is a bit of a trend towards a shotgun. I have a pretty good idea where I will be hunting, and I'm thinking >200 yard shots will be pretty rare, even >100 yard shots might be pretty few. Buddy of mine hunts waterfowl, so I think I'll end up doing that too at some point. In addition to hunting, I want to shoot clay, so shotgun is a must.

I've been looking at Mossberg 500 or Remington 870 combos that come with smooth and rifled barrell and rifled one with a scope as well. They look kind of a good idea to my untrained eye as I could hunt deer, waterfowl and shoot clay with one gun.

I suppose I could go for a centerfire rifle and shotgun, and will get more guns, but does a shotgun with two barrells make sense as a first gun?

I will be getting some pretty basic .22 as well for plinking, target shooting and probably teaching the kids to shoot.
 
A remington 870 12g w/ 28" bbl was my first firearm years and years ago. Started shooting clays and then waterfowl. If I were do it again I wouldn't change a thing. Great shotgun to get into the sport. I am personally not a big fan of anything Mossberg.
 
Well, others will be along and we won't all agree but I would say (as you are brand new to the sport).... First, buy used. Second, find a decent used 870 Wingmaster. My local has a beauty for sale with stunning wood for $500. They can easily be had for cheaper. Then add a rifled barrel. Don't sweat about choke tubes. The vast majority of tubes get set up and then never changed. And by the time you really want to get into switching choke tubes around, you will probably be looking for more guns.

I've had a Wingmaster for over 40 years...the same one. I've had and have other pump guns, semi-autos, O/U and SxS. Over 20 shotguns in the safe right now. Most worth far more than the Wingmaster. But it's not going anywhere. Too damn reliable and too damn useful. And to be clear, just because it's a 870 doesn't mean it's a Wingmaster.
 
A 12g combo gun will serve you fine for waterfowl and shooting clays, check out the price of sabot slugs before you commit to a rifled barrel. Unless you’re in a shotgun only zone stick with a rifle, accuracy and ballistics will be better with a rifle out to 200y anyway.

As for quality with newer 870’s, the couple I’ve held were really nice. The newer ones I own have been flawless, I wouldn’t hesitate to buy a new 870. Nothing wrong with an older Wingmaster though.
 
Fun times, looking at what to buy while waiting for your pal :) I think you have that right: a 22lr, a center fire rifle, and a 12ga and you have all your bases covered. Yes a 12ga is a must. I don't think I would get a combo rifle/shotgun single shot. It will work but its nice to have more than just one shot while hunting or shooting clay, you know just in case you miss your first shot. It's hard to go wrong on a 1st shotgun i think. Buy what you like and what feels right for you. At the end most of us have preferences and you will find yours. Personnal I really love a double barrel shotgun for what you described. Great for hunting, and clay pigeon shooting. You can put a tighter choke for your 2nd shot. It's nice to break open when walking, makes the gun safe and everyone feels safe. It's easy to clean, easy to look down the barrel for obstruction. No moving parts to worry about. For me it was the perfect 1st shotgun. Yours might be different and it's okay.
 
Later I was looking for a pump action and was also debating on the mossberg vs the remington. I went to see them in person and ended going with a winchester sxp camp and field combo, because to me it felt the best and had the smoothest action. Preferences again. Find yours :)
 
Trap Grade 870 Wingmaster all the way.

You can get different barrels for it.

Very reliable. A good used is likely better than the new offerings.

The 870 is like the Small Block Chevy of the 12ga.
 
if you deside to go with 870,, then Wingmaster all the way. much better gun than the express. Like was mentioned barrels are readily available. when I started out which seems like a 100 years ago. I shot a 870 Wingmaster for 20 years till it would open on its own when fired. great gun
 
Thanks for the Wingmaster advice. I think the one 870 I've shot may have been a Wingmaster and I thought it was a really nice shotgun. Used Wingmaster and a used centerfire, smaller caliber than 30-06 I think, doesn't look too bad way to go. There are some municipalities in the areas I will be hunting, that don't allow centerfire rifles, so I need to do some more homework on that. The land I will be hunting in Ontario allows centerfire rifles, but I was told 50ish yards is pretty typical shot there.
 
First off for deer, a rifle trumps a shotgun. You can get into a good used one from TEC (above) for under $500. As said for a 12ga the 870 wing master is the standard. A fixed choke is not the end of the world, just a modified or improved modified choke. Not a full choke . 90+% of my waterfowl shooting is with an imp mod over decoys. As for a 22 , you are quite likely to shoot more rounds from it than any other gun. Many will recommend a Ruger 10/22, I want something more accurate. A CZ would be my choice ( some say the Savage mkII is very good, I don’t own one) . If you save and get a top line gun you can still give it to your grandkids and it will still be shooting well. Good luck.
 
Stick with a pump that is either modified choke or has choke tubes. A fixed full choke isnt great for clay shooting...
 
870 is reliable, other options are. Benelli Nova or Super nova. For rifles. It depends where you live (caliber restrictions, etc.) And what you plan on hunting (whitetail, elk, moose). 3006 is fine, but there are tons of options for rifle calibers. I enjoy 6.5x55, 7mm rem mag. But there are tons and tons of options. 7mm-08, 7x57, 243 win, 308 win, 338 federal, 6.5 creedmore, 284 rem, 284 rem AI, 260 rem, etc. How much recoil you want vs how far you plan to shoot should be considered. No need for a 300 win mag to shoot a whitetail if the furthest you plan to shoot is 50 yards.
 
Parker92 said:
870 is reliable, other options are. Benelli Nova or Super nova. For rifles. It depends where you live (caliber restrictions, etc.) And what you plan on hunting (whitetail, elk, moose). 3006 is fine, but there are tons of options for rifle calibers. I enjoy 6.5x55, 7mm rem mag. But there are tons and tons of options. 7mm-08, 7x57, 243 win, 308 win, 338 federal, 6.5 creedmore, 284 rem, 284 rem AI, 260 rem, etc. How much recoil you want vs how far you plan to shoot should be considered. No need for a 300 win mag to shoot a whitetail if the furthest you plan to shoot is 50 yards.
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I have owned nine 870's. Including one wingmaster, which I still own. If I was going to buy a do it all hunting shotgun, I'd probably go with a SuperNova, they are such nice guns and one can go from grouse to bear with the choke tubes.
 
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