Suggestions for an all around shotgun.

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Saskrider13

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Looking for suggestions on what shotgun I should get. I want it for both hunting geese/ducks and shoot clays.
(I'm planning on joining a club come spring) I was thinking about Winchester SX4 in 3.5. I have hunted with a benelli supernova but I was far more accurate with my dad's old Winchester 1300(the reason why I'm leaning towards a Winchester)

I'm also concerned that if I get one in 3.5 it might not cycle very well. Any thoughts?
 
The 2 types I use for an all around gun are my Beretta a400 xplor and a sxs both in 12ga. I prefer doubles and will be using a huglu 200ace for everything this coming hunting season. It's steel proofed and has chokes so I can shoot steel and swap chokes and use it for turkeys. It's been great on the clay courses so far
The a400 is just a great do everything gun. Fast soft shooting

Try handling as many guns as you can. One make and model will stand out above others. If you wander onto a decent skeet field I'm sure you'll find some gunnies willing to let you try theirs
 
Thanks for the advice I think the a400 is out of my price range. I think I'm
stuck on 3.5".(i feel like bigger is better and i dint mind the kick)I'll have to get my hands on some and see how the feel.
 
Saskrider13 said:
Thanks for the advice I think the a400 is out of my price range. I think I'm
stuck on 3.5".(i feel like bigger is better and i dint mind the kick)I'll have to get my hands on some and see how the feel.
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Come for advice? Pay attention to those who offer it. They typically have years of experience in the field, the range and with a multitude of different guns. When you come here with one post asking this question, it's likely you are lacking that range of experience. That's why you are here.

Bigger is most assuredly not better. 3" is plenty big enough. If you use it as an "all around" gun, we can assume you mean some hunting and some clays games. "Some" hunting, migratory, will require steel or other non tox. Upland and the clays games will not. The ONLY time there is ever a possible argument for 3 1/2" is when you are shooting geese with steel. And even then, it's not that good an argument.

There are a lot of myths in the shotgunning world. Often promulgated by ammo and gun makers. Damascus barrels will kill you. Steel is as good as lead. (that one didn't last long). Faster/bigger is better. etc. Not because they are true but because it helps sell more new product. I don't mean to pick on anyone but by way of example, there is another thread here right now about using target loads for hunting. Within the first page there is someone stating as fact something that is absolutely and demonstrably untrue. His post was immediately endorsed by someone else. One of the values of forums like this should be to clear away those misunderstandings about what is fact and what is myth.

I regularly hunt geese, waterfowl, upland. I never shoot a shell longer than 2 3/4". Ever. Now, I won't use steel and I'm not trying to convince you of the merits of that choice but my point is 2 3/4" and 3" will serve you well for everything thing you hunt. What is more important than chamber length is learning to shoot well. ie what you are aiming at.

The advice to try a multitude of makes is the best. A semi likely makes more sense for you than an O/U. Buy the best quality gun that fits you that you can possibly afford. Even if used. You will always get your money out of it and you will be happier with a better quality gun.
 
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The best use for 3.5" shells is hunting with broke or cheap buddies who only have guns chambered for 3". They can't bum your ammo lol
As stated a 2.75" shell is more than capable and 2.5" shells are more than up to the task if loaded with shot suitable for the gun so chambered.
You may not like it that your one gun for everything won't cycle target loads. The a400 will cycle loads down to 3/4oz and my 3" a400 xplor cycles fine with 1/2" loads and 2oz 3" turkey loads. All without having to change anything
 
Saskrider13 said:
Looking for suggestions on what shotgun I should get. I want it for both hunting geese/ducks and shoot clays.
(I'm planning on joining a club come spring) I was thinking about Winchester SX4 in 3.5. I have hunted with a benelli supernova but I was far more accurate with my dad's old Winchester 1300(the reason why I'm leaning towards a Winchester)

I'm also concerned that if I get one in 3.5 it might not cycle very well. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

You wont need a 3.5'' for 99% of the shooting you will encounter.
An 1100 Remington or an o/u in a Browning gun or ny other of the hi-end B names.
No reason given other than past practicality.
Rob
 
I'm also new to shooting, and was also wondering which shotgun to buy for my first. The advice I received from a number of people was to buy a Mossburg Maverick 88. I ended buying one for under $350.00, the reviews are all very positive.
 
The Mossberg 500's often come with multiple barrels, so its almost like getting 3 shotguns for the price of one. I don't own one but have other Mossberg's that I like.

AD HERE:

Mossberg 500 3-Barrel Combo

The Mossberg 500 3-Barrel Combo offers amazing adaptability in a pump action shotgun. The 500 is one of the most versatile and reliable shotgun platforms in the world, and is built to the same, uncompromising specifications as the Mossberg 590. The 3-Barrel Combo provides all you need to hunt anything from waterfowl to turkey to deer with a simple barrel or choke tube change.

Comes With:

1x - 24" Fully rifled, cantilever barrel with picatinny
1x - 24" Vent rib ported turkey barrel with adjustable fiber optic rear and front sights with XX-full choke tube
1x - 28" Vent rib ported waterfowl barrel with bead sight and AccuMag choke set
 
Are you a regular clay shooter or simply want to be a better wing shooter? If it's the later, avoid the over/under or side by side. Your cheating yourself of one shot in the field. Like others have said: The 3.5 " shell is overrated & limits you on what model you can purchase. If you decide you still need a 3.5" chamber you can simply have the forcing cone reamed by a competent smith. As for a shotgun, I'd suggest a Browning BPS pump. It's bottom feed & bottom eject. So it's friendly in a blind or boat regardless of which side the shooter is on.
 
DANCESWITHEMPTIES said:
Are you a regular clay shooter or simply want to be a better wing shooter? If it's the later, avoid the over/under or side by side. Your cheating yourself of one shot in the field. Like others have said: The 3.5 " shell is overrated & limits you on what model you can purchase. If you decide you still need a 3.5" chamber you can simply have the forcing cone reamed by a competent smith. As for a shotgun, I'd suggest a Browning BPS pump. It's bottom feed & bottom eject. So it's friendly in a blind or boat regardless of which side the shooter is on.
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Bad advice regarding lengthening the forcing cone in a 3” gun so you can use 3 1/2”.
Most 3” chambered autoloaders and pumps would be jammomatics with 3 1/2” ammo using this ‘advice’
 
Ashcroft said:
Bad advice regarding lengthening the forcing cone in a 3” gun so you can use 3 1/2”.
Most 3” chambered autoloaders and pumps would be jammomatics with 3 1/2” ammo using this ‘advice’
Click to expand...

Also kinda funny advice given that the majority of hunters who pursue upland with purpose, use either a O/U or a SxS. Maybe he was thinking waterfowl.
 
I'm not a regular clay shooter. I've never shot clays at a club but want to get into it. I have shot a far bit out of my clay thrower at the farm(I understand theses are very different). Lots of good advice. Looks like the consensus is 3". Going to read up on that for sure. Thanks!
 
Saskrider13 said:
I'm not a regular clay shooter. I've never shot clays at a club but want to get into it. I have shot a far bit out of my clay thrower at the farm(I understand theses are very different). Lots of good advice. Looks like the consensus is 3". Going to read up on that for sure. Thanks!
Click to expand...

So if you want to get into clay games then you won't want a 3.5 inch gun... for long!
 
Yes, go and shoulder as many 3" chamber and 28" barrel semi-auto shotguns you can. Most of the synthetic stocked semi autos come with shims to adjust drop however fit is still very important. In my experience I have found that the Browning and Winchester's seem to have a high comb while the Beretta, Franchi and Stoegers have a lower comb. I am 6'1" tall with a big head and the Browning/Winchester's do not fit me at all, I find myself looking down on top of the rib.

Please trust me when I say that fit is the most important thing, I used to read threads when I was starting hearing this and I was like blah blah blah blah sure whatever. I spent $1000's on Browning BPS and Winchester SX3 and couldn't hit a damn thing. It wasn't until I bought an 870 Wingmaster and Stoeger M3000 I saw the right sight picture and started breaking clays and killing ducks with any type of consistency.

You would be well served for life with a good 3 inch semi-auto 12g. These guys on this thread do you know what they are talking about!
 
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