Hunting with Shotgun, for a Newbie

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DSC223

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I know very little about shotguns but I'm hoping experienced CGN members can give me some info and point me in the direction of a good shotgun resource for newbies. I think that as many of my questions are technical I'd put it here instead of the hunting forum.

I'm looking for a cheap shotgun so a used Remington 870 comes to mind. I'd be using it for hunting different types of game and so a removable choke would be key. I'd prefer to carry as many rounds as possible in the firearm, which magazine tube extension allows for the largest capacity? How does barrel length affect shotgun performance? What is an optimum length? Aesthetically I'd prefer to have a shotgun that has a magazine tube of equal length to the barrel, but I suspect having a longer barreled shotgun would make it hard/impossible to find a tube extension to match it in length.

Thanks guys, sorry for asking so many newbie questions.
 
You can get a Remington 870 12 gauge with your removable chokes and a magazine extension that allows 9+1. It's not very practical for hunting or trap. What are you planning on hunting that needs more than 3 rounds? For geese and birds 3 is the max.
 
Thanks guys,

I don't think that I'd need more then a couple shells in the firearm to bag a game item but I'd sooner have the majority of my rounds in the shotgun rather then having them on a belt or in a pouch.
I was unaware that there was a limit to the amount of shells for birds, is it a requirement that I plug the magazine tube so that it only has a 3+1 capacity?
I want to hunt geese, pheasant, grouse and rabbit. With a good selection of chokes could a 26" 870 do it all? I'm still unsure of what different barrel lengths are good for when speaking about shotguns, hopefully Wendell's link will enlighten me.
 
2 + 1 actually.

Yes, a pump with choke tubes will be flexible enough for all those types of game and more, if you like. Though, if you really get into hunting any of those, I'm willing to bet you'll want to expand your collection to specialize somewhat.
 
Regardless of what you are hunting with a shotgun, it must be plugged to 2 +1.

You can also go the route of getting a shorter barrel for the 870 and use it for deer aswell.
 
My Mossberg shotgun that i just bought already came with a plug (dowel and a couple of rubber washers attached) keeping it to the 2 + 1 max for hunting.

Now regarding the different barrel lengths? I think generally (correct me if im wrong) but the longer barrels are good for waterfowl and skeet (with a longer barrel to look down its easier to acquire the target), where as the shorter barrels are good for in the bush and easier for maneuverability in the thick stuff.
 
Typically, most single barrel guns are designed for best balance with a 28" barrel. You can alter the swing dynamics slightly by choosing a barrel shorter or longer than that. You can also do that by adding weight to the foreend or the butt, but I think this is already more than you need to know now.
 
Thanks again guys, the replies have been really helpful so far.

At the moment I'm calling around to local gun shops to see if they have a 26" 870 that I could play with for a few minutes, just to get a feel for it as I have heard that having a shotgun that fits is most important.
 
Quackhead said:
Regardless of what you are hunting with a shotgun, it must be plugged to 2 +1.

You can also go the route of getting a shorter barrel for the 870 and use it for deer aswell.
Click to expand...

That's not completely true(at least in Manitoba). The rules change for other animals. For bear and a couple of other ones there is no limit. So just read your hunting guide for this year and it will say if there is a limit.
 
DSC223 said:
Thanks again guys, the replies have been really helpful so far.

At the moment I'm calling around to local gun shops to see if they have a 26" 870 that I could play with for a few minutes, just to get a feel for it as I have heard that having a shotgun that fits is most important.
Click to expand...

You may also want to look at a Mossberg 500. They don't offer screw in choke tubes but mine is my "go anywhere shotgun". I find the difference in most chokes is so small that I might as well just use my $100 gun. The only downside of the Mossberg 500 is that I don't really want to shoot slugs out of the full choke. Seeing how that is something that you probably would enjoy I would suggest the Mossberg 500 combo.

http://sirmailorder.ca/show_prod.ph...43&PHPSESSID=632eb9bbbbf9d8e8806e7bb075a9c4e5
 
stuckon308 said:
You may also want to look at a Mossberg 500. They don't offer screw in choke tubes but mine is my "go anywhere shotgun". I find the difference in most chokes is so small that I might as well just use my $100 gun. The only downside of the Mossberg 500 is that I don't really want to shoot slugs out of the full choke. Seeing how that is something that you probably would enjoy I would suggest the Mossberg 500 combo.

http://sirmailorder.ca/show_prod.ph...43&PHPSESSID=632eb9bbbbf9d8e8806e7bb075a9c4e5
Click to expand...

Mossberg 500 come with Interchangeable chokes, well at lease newer ones do anyway
 
I want to advocate on behalf of Benelli. Sure, they are more expensive, but they are way nicer than an 870 in my opinion.
 
A regular 870 with a 28" barrel will let you do everything that you want to do, but if you're hoping for geese I'd try to find one chambered for 3.5" (this will kick like a mule, but will be better for goose hunting). Nothing wrong (in fact, much right!) with Benelli Nova/SuperNova pumps too. Very nice guns but you'll pay more, as was pointed out. If I were you I'd want to have a cylinder choke for grouse and rabbits, and improved cylinder for pheasant over a dog, modified for pheasant without a dog or late-season pheasants over a dog, and perhaps a special waterfowl choke (like a Wad Wizard Supreme) for geese (expensive though - you may just want to use your modified choke). My hunting buddy has NOT had good luck with his mossberg pump - often fails to eject and has been a nightmare since new. This may be just the individual gun - lots of folks seem to do fine with them, but thought I'd pass it on anyways. Also, if you're new to shotgunning I'd get yourself a box of clays and a hand-launcher - then shoot, shoot, and shoot some more! Have fun.
-DW
 
Oh yeah forgot to mention:

Everyone rants and raves about Remmingtons, but give Mossberg a try, you can get a combo with multi barrels and chokes for a good price. And they are great guns too.
 
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