Newbie shotgun questions (RE: best model for me)

emilio613

emilio613

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Hey folks, so basically I have a quick question. I am not purchasing immediately, but soon will consider my first shotgun.

I am looking for something that can shoot both shot, and slugs.... Can a shotgun with a rifled barrel still shoot shot? Or will that damage the rifling? It is not necessary (the shot/slug combo, but would be good to have)

I like the looks of tactical shotguns, but are there any out there that can be very good hunting shotguns? (for example, having a nickel plated marine style shotgun, but that would do well for hunting turkey or goose?) Or are most hunting shotguns different from tactical? (I assume tactical = shorter barrel and higher ammo capacity)

Also, I think I would prefer a 12 gauge, probably 3 inch shell to cover all the grounds...although as an all around gun, I am afraid that 12ga/3" may be overkill for smaller birds and such....

This is simply tossing ideas out there....if I missed anything, ask away (for more details as to what I want, etc)....

Oh price range = below $400 maybe?
 
sounds like you just described a remington 870. Its a pump action that can be modded to do pretty much whatever you want IE: long barrel with chokes for hunting/target or a shorter barrel for the "tactical" look. With the remington 870 you can pretty much mod it anyway you can possibly think of and it can be had new for under 400 bucks. EDIT: You can also have a short ( 18/20 inch) barrel threaded for chokes so you can make that "tactical" shotgun a more viable hunting tool
 
Remington 870 or Mossberg 550.
I have the 870 because I like the idea of a choke system so that I can get the most versatility out of the gun.

Tim
 
timoram said:
Remington 870 or Mossberg 550.
I have the 870 because I like the idea of a choke system so that I can get the most versatility out of the gun.

Tim
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I think you mean the Mossberg 500, which is also available with interchangeable chokes. You can get a variety of barrels for both guns ( long, short, fully rifled). Firing shot through a rifled barrel will not harm the barrel, but the shot will not pattern well. If high magazine capacity is important to you, you will want the Remington as the Mossberg 500's cannot accept a magazine extension. I've shot both and like the Mossbergs better, though the 870's are OK too (just have the safety in the wrong place, cost more and rust easier :D)

Jim
 
Determine what your main activity will be and buy the gun for that purpose. You can usually purchase additional barrels for other purposes as a combo set or at a later date.
 
If you get a pump, both the Mossberg 500 and the Remington 870 are great, dependable guns. You'll hear lots of proponents for each in these forums. If you get one that is chambered for 3" shells you can also use 2 3/4" as well. (Just remember that a 2 3/4" chamber will not shoot 3") Both can be had in a variety of barrel lengths, and both have the availlability of after-market add-ons if you want to tacticool it. Semi's are normally a little more expensive and can be a little finicky with ammo. Semi's made for 3" or 3 1/2" don't normally like 2 3/4" shells, especially not the cheap, bulk stuff from Wally-world or Canadian tire. Most break-opens (single, doubles, and over-unders) tend to be more purpose built and not as versatile. You can shoot slugs out of a smooth bore, you don't need a rifled barrel for them.
 
Not a lot of info there, chum. In general, I'd recommend this: 2 barrels (slug with adjustable sights front & rear--some aren't and the Norinco sights are WAY off). 3.5 is the "sort-of-standard-available" chamber available today in the stores. Read about the discussion of powder/weight/range chatter. I've got bolts, pumps, side-bys, autos, and over-unders in a variety of guages. Generally, I'll use a pump or auto. If I have to carry it all day, I'll go with the pump. If not, I use the auto. In general, the 3-shot time and accuracy is about the same with practice. If I'm chasing something in thick brush, I go with a short barrel (often the side-by, but I have other barrels for other 12's). Generally I go with a 10g for geese (I like the long shot capability), but will shoot a 12 early in the season. Advice: get a barrel that accommodates different chokes, and a choke variety kit. Grouse: open it up; geese: close it up. I also like a 410 or 28g for upland game. Borrow some guns & shoot them. Pick what feels right and will do the job for how, what, and where you hunt. Above all, hit the trap range and have fun learning how to shoot the darn thing before you hunt it.
 
rifled barrels are not suitable for shot as the rifling will destroy the pattern.take your time and gather as much info as you can and welcome to the world of shotguns. they are versatile and suitable for hunting many types of game as well as being enjoyed on the range .
 
Winchester Defender. I've heard mixed reviews, and not many people seem to own them, but I've had one for years, with nary a problem. 2 3/4 or 3", 7-round capacity (I think - haven't used it in a while lol), and MUCH lighter than my 870. With a pistol grip they're very handy backpacking/hiking guns; with a full stock, you can use it for hunting. It's my never-sell shotgun :D
 
Awesome! Thanks for all he replies! For example, as embarrassing as it is..never knew people kept various barrels for a certain shotgun! I thought people bought separate guns for each purpose!

I may look into the Mossy and the Rem....Winchester defender was a shotgun I wanted when I was like 16 (the marine nickel/chrome/whateve rit was)
 
Does anybody ever (on here, like in the EE) sell things like, a "package" type of deal? For example, a Mossy 500, Rem 870, or Win Defender, and like 2 barrels and some chokes? Or do most people sell the shotgun as is, with one barrel?

I would definitely consider a used package deal, something like shotgun + a brush/hiking length shorter barrel (nonrestricted), and a longer for fowling etc...

Oh 2 more questions:

1. Is it possible that a shotgun can be both restricted and NON-restricted, based on which barrel you mount on it?
2.When people say they take a shotgun hiking/camping....is that at all legal? I mean, its a good thing to have a shotgun in bear country, but I am pretty darn sure you can strap a shotgun to your back in Algonquin park....

3. Finally, I wanted to know: What about shotguns like Dominion? Also, if I wanted to be a weirdo and get a really stupidly useless shotgun called the Mossberg 500 road blocker (yes the one with the MASSIVE bmg style muzzle brake).... is it possible to remove the muzzle brake and run chokes in that thing? Or would I have to purchase the barrel off a regular Mossy 500 and keep the sily one as a range toy?
 
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both Remington and Mossberg offer combo packs-Frontier,LeBarons,Wholesale Sport,Cabelas Canada-check website for pricing and availability-as to your other questions, as long as the shotgun was originally manufactured with a short barrel , it seem to remain non-restricted , if you shorten it after manufacture,it must still maintain a min. overall length. 2nd question-refer to your local (provincial) game authority-it seems to vary
 
emilio613 said:
Cool. Thanks for that. I looked at Cabela's...they seems to have decent prices! (even that ridiculous road blocker I want is 90$ cheaper @ cabela's than it is at Frontier...even though it is probably a stupid choice of a shotgun haha).
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They are certainly cheaper then most places. I got my 590 mariner there for 439.99 in august. I think you would do alright with the road blocker. Just some sort of stock for it and it would be fine to hunt or shoot clays, just dont plan on winning any compititions lol :p
 
Well that's the thing. I want to use it for hunting and goofing around at the range (goofing = SAFELY, not goofing around as in being an idiot...) I assume, aside from the stock, the Road Blocker would need a standard 500 barrel with a choke system? right?
 
No, the cylinder bore barrel would be fine for any close range hunting or even out to 50 yards with a slug. I use my 590 for shooting trap all the time. You just have to engage the clays alot quicker out of the trap or else your pattern will spread to much and the clay may fly right through it.
 
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