BOLT vs. SINGLE vs. PUMP

One NICE thing about the bolts is that a LOT of them come with adjustable chokes. Of course, as you point out, that might be a problem with steel shot.

The young bucks around here that I would be hunting with are into break action .410s. I'm not interested in that, except as a third or fourth gun in the safe - they are pretty limited compared to a 12. Just like break action is good to learn with, simple, easy to maintain, but limited, compared to a repeater.
 
jed said:
If you are still considering a double have you looked at the trade ex site. They are sponsors of this board. I realized today that of the 6 shotguns in my safe all are doubles. Perhaps I need a pump. You may also wish to look at a semi auto. For versatility you want a gun with adjustable chokes. Most important with shotguns is fit. When you pick it up it should point right where you are looking. Singles are nice and as they are relatively inexpensive you can get one in every gauge. I have never felt undergunned hunting with a single. As mentioned above I would avoid the bolt guns for serious waterfowl work. good luck
Click to expand...

Not all singles are inexpensive. ;)
 
Win/64,
Oooops! I made a mistake! That's shotie! Just funnin about your TM1. I am envious and sure you will tell me what to do with the extra shell.:dancingbanana:

Besides this thread is about cheap ass guns
 
Covey Ridge said:
Hey there Win/64,
Have you cut the barrel of your TM1 and made it into a shootie yet?:D
When you shoot doubles with that thing, where do you keep your extra shell?
Click to expand...

It's not "shootie" it's "shotty". :) Will you ever learn :rolleyes: I haven't cut the barrel yet. I am still looking for a Picatinny rail so I can mount a flashlight and bayonet on it.
 
Last edited:
Win/64 said:
It's not "shootie" it's "shotty". :) Will you never learn :rolleyes: I haven't cut the barrel yet. I am still looking for a Picatinny rail so I can mount a flashlight and bayonet on it.
Click to expand...

What do you need the flashlight for? Thought you trap guys shoot under the lights? Instead of a bayonet, how about a hammer so you can break the clay you don't hit?
 
Buy a pump or a single, the single is at least light, a bolt action shotgun (other than slug gun) is IMO a heavy useless anchor, in most situations you will be luck to get off the second shot.

I think it is fairly easy question to answer, you clearly do not want a pump gun (although it is the most versatile solution), so buy a single shot, just know that you will likely end up buying a pump in a year (which makes buying the single shot a waste of money).
 
i've seen a single shot operated just about as fast as a pump- the guy had the shells in between the fingers of the non shooting hand- it was shoot, dismount, drop the shell in, close action, recock, remount-
 
Forget the single shot (you know which ones I mean, the ones destined to be left in the grain truck or the tractor). It may be light, but it'll beat the hell out of you as you try to learn wingshooting. They are no fun to shoot a box of shells with. Just, forget it. Same with the bolt action. It may function, but it's awkward and slow.

Find a good pump, any modern design, doesn't matter, Mossberg, Remington, Winchester, etc. but having choke tubes is almost a MUST as it allows you to tailor your shooting to the game at hand - skeet, trap, waterfowl, grouse, rabbits, crows, etc. Spend a few extra bucks now and you'll be sooooo much happier in the long run. There are tons of good used pump guns in the Exchange or found locally.
 
Grouse Man,
I do not think TheCoachZed wants to hear your Sage advice and has his mind made up. I think that most of those old singles were marketed for those who could not afford a real gun. Although many a kid got their start with that old pipe and some hold it very sentimental, I would guess that most were kept to dispatch vermin and skunks and only a few were for any serious hunting. In the grain truck is a good place to keep them. I hope this will not prompt a whole bunch of grand pappy and his single shot huntin tales.
 
Covey Ridge said:
Grouse Man,
I do not think TheCoachZed wants to hear your Sage advice and has his mind made up. I think that most of those old singles were marketed for those who could not afford a real gun. Although many a kid got their start with that old pipe and some hold it very sentimental, I would guess that most were kept to dispatch vermin and skunks and only a few were for any serious hunting. In the grain truck is a good place to keep them. I hope this will not prompt a whole bunch of grand pappy and his single shot huntin tales.
Click to expand...

y'know i got one of those old singles at the back of my closet- i should imagine it's tagged almost everything over the years, but i didn't know you could use it for huntin tale
 
B-N said:
buy a single shot, just know that you will likely end up buying a pump in a year (which makes buying the single shot a waste of money).
Click to expand...

:) Since when is it a waste to have more than one shotgun? C'mon boys, I posted this to ask your opinion of all the different actions, not to have you all bash me for not liking the pumps I've shot. I said, if I found one I liked, I'd get it, if not, I wouldn't. I spent a lot of time looking into the Maverick 88 at SIR, so I have no idea what I'll get....... but if having a pump shotgun makes me think anyone who A) wants more than one gun is a fool or B) likes anything but pump guns is a fool, then I'll steer clear. Not to be too sour or anything.....
 
TheCoachZed said:
:) Since when is it a waste to have more than one shotgun? C'mon boys, I posted this to ask your opinion of all the different actions, not to have you all bash me for not liking the pumps I've shot. I said, if I found one I liked, I'd get it, if not, I wouldn't. I spent a lot of time looking into the Maverick 88 at SIR, so I have no idea what I'll get....... but if having a pump shotgun makes me think anyone who A) wants more than one gun is a fool or B) likes anything but pump guns is a fool, then I'll steer clear. Not to be too sour or anything.....
Click to expand...

OK, then I will recomend that you buy one of those cheap assed single shots or a Mossberg Bolt. The cheaper the better. They both go boom. Neither will work well with steel loads, and except for a few newer and more expensive makes, none of the singles have tubes. No pros and cons of the individual cheap assed singles. They are all the same! CHEAP!
 
I see a couple of moderately priced 870s on EE (although I doubt they will be there when I get my PAL).

I've never handled one of these, only various Winchesters and a Mossberg 500. How well are they balanced? One chap has a 24" barrel on there, and I'm not sure how good that'd be for waterfowlllllllll..................
 
Pretty much all hunting guns were balanced best with 28" barrels. Most would offer 26", 28", 30", and sometimes 32" barrels. 28 was probably most commonly sold as well.

24" would be fine for waterfowl; that's be great to have in a cramped duck blind. Just remember to swing more purposefully.
 
TheCoachZed said:
If I was to buy a Stevens model 77 pump gun with one of those big-ass adjustable chokes on the end of the barrel, would I be able to swap out the choke to shoot steel shot in it?
Click to expand...

It doesn't sound like you will be happy with anything on the market,you don't like 870's or Mossy's.:eek:
Maybe you're looking for a $5000 over under for $20 delivered??? (when you get your PAL)
Good luck.........:cool:
 
TheCoachZed said:
:) Since when is it a waste to have more than one shotgun? C'mon boys, I posted this to ask your opinion of all the different actions, not to have you all bash me for not liking the pumps I've shot. I said, if I found one I liked, I'd get it, if not, I wouldn't. I spent a lot of time looking into the Maverick 88 at SIR, so I have no idea what I'll get....... but if having a pump shotgun makes me think anyone who A) wants more than one gun is a fool or B) likes anything but pump guns is a fool, then I'll steer clear. Not to be too sour or anything.....
Click to expand...

WTF, you asked for opinions on the different actions which you got. If you did not want the advice why ask?? Don't waste our time with stupid questions just to post something. Buy whatever you want, and make your oen opinions.
 
TheCoachZed said:
Anybody got any recommendations as to which action for a beginner? I like the "make every shot count" ideas that a single shot drills into you, and it's also pretty safe to shoot - break the action and it's safe. They are also pretty light. A bolt shotgun is likely more versatile, though...or so I'd think. Plus, it's a cheap way to get a clip-fed home security shotgun. Obviously a pump gun shoots far quicker than either, but as I said earlier, I'm not enamoured with pumps....
Click to expand...

To refresh what it was you asked.
 
WTF, you asked for opinions on the different actions which you got. If you did not want the advice why ask?? Don't waste our time with stupid questions just to post something
Click to expand...
Obviously I did pay some attention to the advice. I don't like pumps. Everyone tells me pumps are the way to go, so I asked about the 870 and the Stevens 77, a couple of pumps that can be had pretty cheap, and the Maverick 88. I mean, everyone can't be wrong, so I wanted to find out more about what was available without breaking my bank.

Now, someone who read all the posts would pick up on that and answer the questions I had about the pump guns so I'd know more about the models.

Or, maybe you think the 870 and the Stevens 77 are bolt/break action?

Buy whatever you want, and make your oen opinions.
Click to expand...

I guess if people just want to call me a jackass for asking advice, I will indeed make up my "oen" mind.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom