Having just acquired a nice Stevens #58-which I plan on using for strictly deer hunting, I am interested in peoples experiance/preferances with bolt action shotguns both for slugs and use in shot only areas.There seems to be some resurgence in interest in bolt actions shotguns for turkey hunting-and it occurs to me deer hunting has much in common with it,in terms of range and type of hunting etc
bolt action shotguns-deer
- Thread starter ratherbefishin
- Start date
I saw a thread here on CGN where someone had spent some time (and $) on a Savage 210 Bolt action slug gun. The big scope, bipod, and spared NO expense on saboted rounds. His targets were impressive out to 200!! He figured he was spending somewhere around $12 everytime the trigger was pulled though. Really unique.
Hakx
Hakx
well,I prefer to use my 6.5x55 swede for deer,but there are areas that are strictly''shotguns with shot only''and that's why I'm thinking the bolt action shotgun might be a viable alternative-and given the interest in turkey hunting-it occured to me both are similar,close range and tight patterns
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OK. I didn't know there was a shotguns with shot only area.I'm in ontario and I don't think we have that here. We do have shotguns only areas . What choke is in your 58, I would assume it would be full.Your local gunsmith can open it up and test fire with SSG's until you find the sweet spot where you get a good pattern.After that , at 30 to 35 yards, your venison is on the ground.I've worked on a fair few 58's, and for us older guys they have a lot of sentimental value. Enjoy it to the max.
Using a shotgun for deer is far closer to rifle shooting than bird hunting[except maybe turkey hunting] so I figured the bolt action shotgun would be ok-and the 30-40 yd range really isn't too much of a handicap in heavy brush areas-in fact thats about my average rifle shot.I'd still prefer a slug-but shot is all I can use legally.I haven't fired a Stevens bolt action 12 guage before,probably a recoil pad would be a good investment.Not sure on sights yet-I might get a tru glo front sight
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A recoil pad may be a good idea, or you could have a reducer put in the stock.A mercury filled reducer installed will run you well over $100.00.A poor mans reducer, a 3" piece of copper pipe filled with molten lead would run about $50.00 or $60.00. A truglo sight will stick on your barrel and fit up snug to the existing bead.I put one on my turkey gun this year and they're very good.
my eyes aren;t as good as they used to be-and I didn't think I could use open sights-but I put a tru-glow front sight on a nice old savage single shot 30/30-and find that I can use the peep sight so I'm going to try it on the shotgun-and given the short ranges of SSG ,it should work OK
The most common fault in the old bolt guns is the thin stock section ahead of the trigger guard. Generally they are not as robust as a single or pump.
If I was looking for a highly reliable deer shotgun, I would keep an eye on the Tradeex site for an economy-priced O/U, then pay a competent smith to shorten the barrels down to about 24" and tap them for after market choke tubes. Add a red dot and you've got something to make the trap and skeet shooters retch with pain!
The advantage of such a "monstrosity is that it is shorter than any other multi shot action with the same barrel length (excepting SXS, of course), tough and dependable.
If I was looking for a highly reliable deer shotgun, I would keep an eye on the Tradeex site for an economy-priced O/U, then pay a competent smith to shorten the barrels down to about 24" and tap them for after market choke tubes. Add a red dot and you've got something to make the trap and skeet shooters retch with pain!
The advantage of such a "monstrosity is that it is shorter than any other multi shot action with the same barrel length (excepting SXS, of course), tough and dependable.
Bolts
I just had a couple bolt actions come in from the US. The Savage 210F hakx mentioned earlier was mine. It is in the picture as well, but has scope and bipod removed. As soon as I get everything put together I will be doing trials on them for accuracy, pros and cons. I am awaiting one more to come in. A Tar-Hunt, the "high end" bolt action slugger.
Top to bottom:
Browning A Bolt
Marlin 512
Savage 210F
All fully rifled.
Arch
I just had a couple bolt actions come in from the US. The Savage 210F hakx mentioned earlier was mine. It is in the picture as well, but has scope and bipod removed. As soon as I get everything put together I will be doing trials on them for accuracy, pros and cons. I am awaiting one more to come in. A Tar-Hunt, the "high end" bolt action slugger.
Top to bottom:
Browning A Bolt
Marlin 512
Savage 210F
All fully rifled.
Arch
I just had a couple bolt actions come in from the US. The Savage 210F hakx mentioned earlier was mine. It is in the picture as well, but has scope and bipod removed. As soon as I get everything put together I will be doing trials on them for accuracy, pros and cons. I am awaiting one more to come in. A Tar-Hunt, the "high end" bolt action slugger.
Top to bottom:
Browning A Bolt
Marlin 512
Savage 210F
All fully rifled.
Arch
Very nice and I like your very rare A bolt very much.
May I suggest adding a Mossberg 695 fully rifled in your collection?
