Best cheap all rounder

I got a Pardner pump for 220$ + tx, 12ga with 28" barrel.

Bought a rail and a used reflex sight: 210$

And got a new limbsaver installed on it: 50$.

It's great for turkey (needed a choke for that) and deer with slugs.

David
 
Nakthesak said:
Good to know that I dont have to worry about 3.5 What are they primarily used for? Stopping really big angry animals like hippos or something? Ill definitely look into tho. Anything to know in regards to gas semis vs inertia?
Click to expand...

Gas guns shoot a little softer, but will require cleaning of the piston after ### hundreds of rounds. New inertia guns don't, and don't.
 
I do not think an all-rounder worthwhile owning for a lifetime of reliable use and enjoyment can also be cheap. And in the long run you will be happier with a more solidly built, durable, shotgun that has many after-market barrel and accessory options.

It sounds that you want a good do-everything 12 ga shotgun, and you want it for life - which is great - everyone should have such a shotgun. (Another reason for spending a little more up front for long term performance and enjoyment of the shotgun). I have such a do-everything shotgun: an older model Remington 870 Wingmaster, with waterfowl barrel and short smooth bore "deer" barrel with iron sights and with a variety of chokes, one of which is rifled for spinning a sabot slug. And you can get fully rifled slug barrels for the 870 if you want. It has a plethora of after market barrels and parts for everything you could imagine.

If you want reliability when a bear is charging, I would recommend NOT going cheap. And since you want interchangeable barrels and choke systems, this is another reason not to go super cheap. You want long term availability of parts and upgrades.

In what ever shotgun make and model you chose, I recommend a pump action for the reliable do-everything system. Train with it and the pump action operation will become muscle memory and reflex. Practicing with two friends flinging 2 clay birds at a time is great training for pumping fast to get that 2nd clay bird before it hits the ground. Since you are a beginner in shotgun shooting, you will find that occasionally you will need 2 rounds to smoke just one clay bird (maybe 3) ;)

If you are going to competently dispatch a predatory bear, it helps to be proficient in your shotgun handling and have confidence in your skills. This means practice time, and it means wear on the shotgun - another reason to buy quality.

Best wishes for your choice.
 
Biologist said:
I do not think an all-rounder worthwhile owning for a lifetime of reliable use and enjoyment can also be cheap. And in the long run you will be happier with a more solidly built, durable, shotgun that has many after-market barrel and accessory options.

It sounds that you want a good do-everything 12 ga shotgun, and you want it for life - which is great - everyone should have such a shotgun. (Another reason for spending a little more up front for long term performance and enjoyment of the shotgun). I have such a do-everything shotgun: an older model Remington 870 Wingmaster, with waterfowl barrel and short smooth bore "deer" barrel with iron sights and with a variety of chokes, one of which is rifled for spinning a sabot slug. And you can get fully rifled slug barrels for the 870 if you want. It has a plethora of after market barrels and parts for everything you could imagine.

If you want reliability when a bear is charging, I would recommend NOT going cheap. And since you want interchangeable barrels and choke systems, this is another reason not to go super cheap. You want long term availability of parts and upgrades.

In what ever shotgun make and model you chose, I recommend a pump action for the reliable do-everything system. Train with it and the pump action operation will become muscle memory and reflex. Practicing with two friends flinging 2 clay birds at a time is great training for pumping fast to get that 2nd clay bird before it hits the ground. Since you are a beginner in shotgun shooting, you will find that occasionally you will need 2 rounds to smoke just one clay bird (maybe 3) ;)

If you are going to competently dispatch a predatory bear, it helps to be proficient in your shotgun handling and have confidence in your skills. This means practice time, and it means wear on the shotgun - another reason to buy quality.

Best wishes for your choice.
Click to expand...

I practiced this exact clay exercise this past fall. I always took at least 2 shots even when only 1 clay was thrown. When 2 clays were thrown I took 3 shots. Id try an hit the pieces as they fell to make them extra dead :) It has really increased my confidence with the gun

When I bought mine it was an even tie between the Remington 870 and Mossberg 500. A great deal on a 500 came up (2 barrels and upgraded furniture) so that made the decision for me.

regular practice with a good gun is better than minimal practice with a great gun
 
cosmic said:
Since bear defence seems to be your fixation, buy a pump. When the chips are down, a pump is more reliable than a semi. I dont think you have to worry about the cycling speed of a pump, you will be motivated.
Click to expand...

Lol at "you will be motivated". Somehow I dont doubt that.
 
"Good to know that I dont have to worry about 3.5 What are they primarily used for? "
3.5" shells are used by people who competitively hunt waterfowl with steel shot. Or turkey hunters who are not very good callers. And by people who don't know better, like beginners who think they have a more "versatile" gun if it's chambered for 3.5" shells.
The 3.5" shell was invented for American waterfowl hunters who draw a blind on public hunting grounds, must stay there and take only those few chance shots that may come their way in a crowded marsh. So they almost all "sky bust' at ducks and geese that are mostly out of range. Gunmakers and ammunition companies perceived a market for those groups, and are selling quite a few guns and shells to them. But very very few of those hunters actually have the skills to use the little bit of extra "range" that 3.5" shells may give an expert shot. You still have to hit them, and it's harder at long range. Meanwhile expert hunters know how to hunt and get the birds in close. They don't skybust, so they simply hold their fire until the birds come in to sure range for normal shells or hold their fire.
A 3.5" gun is often poorly balanced, unnecessarily heavy, and is a very very specialized rig. It is the opposite of versatile. It can shoot all kinds of shells, but to what purpose?
 
Longwalker said:
"Good to know that I dont have to worry about 3.5 What are they primarily used for? "
3.5" shells are used by people who competitively hunt waterfowl with steel shot. Or turkey hunters who are not very good callers. And by people who don't know better, like beginners who think they have a more "versatile" gun if it's chambered for 3.5" shells.
The 3.5" shell was invented for American waterfowl hunters who draw a blind on public hunting grounds, must stay there and take only those few chance shots that may come their way in a crowded marsh. So they almost all "sky bust' at ducks and geese that are mostly out of range. Gunmakers and ammunition companies perceived a market for those groups, and are selling quite a few guns and shells to them. But very very few of those hunters actually have the skills to use the little bit of extra "range" that 3.5" shells may give an expert shot. You still have to hit them, and it's harder at long range. Meanwhile expert hunters know how to hunt and get the birds in close. They don't skybust, so they simply hold their fire until the birds come in to sure range for normal shells or hold their fire.
A 3.5" gun is often poorly balanced, unnecessarily heavy, and is a very very specialized rig. It is the opposite of versatile. It can shoot all kinds of shells, but to what purpose?
Click to expand...

Well said.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom