Best Economical 12 Gauge Shotgun For Goose & Deer

maple leaf

maple leaf

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Just as the title says, I'm looking for input on the best economical (under $500 if that is possible)12 Gauge Shotgun For Goose & Deer. I would need something with removable chokes so I could switch over to slugs for deer. If you have any suggestions or even options outside of the box, let me know. I'm trying to find the best overall gun for my needs and don't have a ton of cash to spend on multiple firearms at this time.

Thanks
 
Find an old 870 Wingmaster Magnum with a 28" or 30" full choke barrel. Get the choke reamed to Light Modified and you're good for everything! Second best option is a Browning BPS with screw-in chokes.
 
For under $500, you can get an 870 Express Magnum brand new. Should do both those things, but not if you want 3.5" shells. In that case, your options narrow considerably.
 
Only economical 3.5-inch gun I would buy would be a Baikal MP153. I have never shot mine with slugs, but my brother-in-law's was deadly accurate with foster slugs. Makes sense, as these guns are typically a one-gun solution for hunters in other parts of the world.

Other than that, if you can go with a 3" shell -- I have always had great slug accuracy out of my Winchester 1300 with its duck barrel, and it's great on ducks as well. Quite affordable, but less durable than the competition, IMHO. Lots of people will suggest 870s, which are great, and you can probably even find an older Auto 5 or Rem 1100 (pretty sure Tradex has some in stock) in that price range.
 
I might add: "switching chokes" isn't as necessary as manufacturers would like you to believe. I have shot nothing but modified in any of my duck/goose/deer/bear shotguns. This year, I have noticed my Baikal's long-distance capability on ducks is truly impressive with the stock modified choke. Modified also works well with slugs and buckshot in my experience.
 
Watch the EE or run a WTB listing if you want a 3 1/2 pick up a 870 super mag or a BPS
I picked up an almost new super mag for $400 in the past year there and just sold in December a BPS here in 3 1/2 camo for $600
Cheers
 
Buy a used 870 Wingmaster 3" gun... you don't need 3.5" for anything... the newer 870 Express guns are nowhere near the Wingmaster in quality and dependability... if you decide to upgrade, you will get your money back out of it.
 
I know there is a lot of BPS love out there, and they used to appeal to me a lot. Then two of my buddies bought them and both experienced jams. A third coworker said his did the same so he got rid of it. The only other person I know who had one accidentally shot his thumb off with it (obviously user error) after the safety froze.

As a result, I am not a huge fan anymore.
 
I would suggest a pump, 3" capable with some sort of choke system. The main part to consider is buy good USED. Shotguns made 25 years ago, BPS 870 Express, Mossberg were of noticeable better fit and finish. The savings realized on a used but well cared model of these would be substantial. And for what it is worth do these mentioned guns actually wear out? Short of abuse.

Darryl
 
madtrapper143 said:
I would suggest a pump, 3" capable with some sort of choke system. The main part to consider is buy good USED. Shotguns made 25 years ago, BPS 870 Express, Mossberg were of noticeable better fit and finish. The savings realized on a used but well cared model of these would be substantial. And for what it is worth do these mentioned guns actually wear out? Short of abuse.

Darryl
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I disagree older guns are usually good quality but lack versatility. Older guns typically don't do well with steel shot and are typically single barrel fixed choke. Newer guns are designed to handle steel shot and screw in chokes and multiple barrel options make them more versatile for a guy the wants to hunt various game. jMO
 
cdn1canhunt said:
I disagree older guns are usually good quality but lack versatility. Older guns typically don't do well with steel shot and are typically single barrel fixed choke. Newer guns are designed to handle steel shot and screw in chokes and multiple barrel options make them more versatile for a guy the wants to hunt various game. jMO
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And what does it cost to open a choke to use steel shot. PEANUTS. or better have one fitted with choke tubes not a lot as many of my 870's have been fitted even 410 and 28ga
Wonder if they will be still shooting todays modern guns 50 years from now like we are with the vintage ones or handle 250,000 rounds and still going strong. Not on your life
JMO
Cheers
 
Wow, a lot of great suggestions. In looking at the current suggestions, I must admit having a shotgun with removable chokes so I can switch from cylinder bore and modified would be ideal. Thanks for the suggestions gents, much appreciated.
 
maple leaf said:
Wow, a lot of great suggestions. In looking at the current suggestions, I must admit having a shotgun with removable chokes so I can switch from cylinder bore and modified would be ideal. Thanks for the suggestions gents, much appreciated.
Click to expand...

I can think of absolutely no reason to switch from cylinder bore to modified.

Cylinder bore's only application I ever see is combat shotguns where you might be flinging funky rounds like beanbags down the barrel. In any hunting application, modified works at least as well, if not better. Including slugs.
 
TheCoachZed said:
I can think of absolutely no reason to switch from cylinder bore to modified.

Cylinder bore's only application I ever see is combat shotguns where you might be flinging funky rounds like beanbags down the barrel. In any hunting application, modified works at least as well, if not better. Including slugs.
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I thought you could not shoot a slug out of a modified choke.
 
First off, you can shoot a slug out of any barrel, with any choke except for a turkey choke or any choke designed to be more restrictive than full...... They are designed that way (the slugs).....

When shooting rifled slugs out of a non rifled barrel, buy rifled slugs..... But expect less accuracy..... Depending on your hunting needs, this may not be an issue...... I can put three rifled slugs inside 3 inches at 100 fairly easily with my 870 (scoped).... I can do an inch and a half with sabot slugs with the same gun and a rifled barrel.....

As for the 3.5...... If it makes you warm and fuzzy, buy one.... But I refuse to invest a single dollar in 3.5 shells.... It's a gimmick and just a way to get us peasants handing out our hard earned cash for nothing...... I was personally hoping it would help bridge th gap between steel and lead for waterfowl..... It did not..... Not in my experience anyways......
 
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