Best Universal Starter Shotgun

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Dakohendo3

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Hey Friends!!

Looking for some great opinions and options for my first shotgun! Looking for a good universal shotgun for hunting.
my price range is 400-800. Went out on last Sunday for some waterfowl and used a buddys Winchester sxp waterfowl pump and it was good. just curious about whats out there for bang for my buck!

Cheers

Dakota
 
I just got my first shotgun. I went with a 12g remington 870. I wanted a good all around gun, as I really don't intend to buy more than one shotgun.I wanted pump action for the speed, and I went with 12g because it seemed to me like it could handle a variety of uses. In all my googling and reading, the remington 870 seemed to be a real classic, time tested model, and a couple of my buddies have it and I had tried theirs already and liked it.
So that's what I did, but hey, I haven't even had a chance to fire it yet, so that's what my opinion is worth!
 
First you need to learn about shotgun fit, so you can choose a shotgun that fits you. It isn't just about length of pull, drop at comb is just as important. You don't aim a shotgun like you aim a rifle, so it has to be pointing where you are looking.
 
Girsan MC 312 is exceptionally good value for a semi-auto (about $490-590 for the camo version)... more or less a Benelli M1 reproduction. Buttery-smooth action and seem to be well-built.

Benelli Nova/Supernova are my favourite pumps for hunting, albeit you pay a bit more upfront. I have about 6000 rounds through my SuperNova without a single hiccup, not even in -25C. Great ergonomics. I like that the elevator stays pushed upwards when you reload so it doesn't catch your glove.

Whatever you choose, for waterfowl go with the 28" standard length barrel and a 3 1/2" chamber if you can. Camo is also good for birds and can help with weather protection a little bit.
 
870 wingmaster or a Mossberg 500 for your price range. If you could add a few hundred more a used Beretta 391 or a new a300 outlander will do everything you need for hunting
 
Pick up a 12 gauge, 3" pump with choke tubes, made by any one of Remington Winchester Browning Mossberg Benelli Ithaca. You'll be good to go. Hunt and shoot it for a few years and then you'll find out what you like/dislike.
 
Grouse Man said:
Pick up a 12 gauge, 3" pump with choke tubes, made by any one of Remington Winchester Browning Mossberg Benelli Ithaca. You'll be good to go. Hunt and shoot it for a few years and then you'll find out what you like/dislike.
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cosmic said:
Foillow Grouse Mans advice. If you get into shotgunning more seriously, your needs and tastes will evolve into one or more other platforms.
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I'd agree 100%. Your first anything is usually what you use to learn what you like/dislike and help you decide on your next purchase. Don't sweat it right now, get whatever is on sale, is a good used deal, etc and just get out hunting.
 
I'd just add to that, to try to at least handle as many as you can. Each one feels slightly different in your hands and when you mount it, where it balances, weight, safety location, action smoothness, etc. Not trying to muddy the waters but because you hold the gun there is a lot of personal preference in play. When I bought my first shotgun I had no idea - I had decided on the particular gun based on magazine advert info. Everything was great, except it is somewhat muzzle heavy and I shoot high with it. But it took a long time to figure that out.
 
brybenn said:
870 wingmaster or a Mossberg 500 for your price range.
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and its easy to find multiple barrels and accessories for both of these
They swap off super easily.

And they retain their value. Its like choosing between a Honda and Toyota.
Both are great
 
Grouse Man said:
I'd just add to that, to try to at least handle as many as you can. Each one feels slightly different in your hands and when you mount it, where it balances, weight, safety location, action smoothness, etc. Not trying to muddy the waters but because you hold the gun there is a lot of personal preference in play. When I bought my first shotgun I had no idea - I had decided on the particular gun based on magazine advert info. Everything was great, except it is somewhat muzzle heavy and I shoot high with it. But it took a long time to figure that out.
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When i first started hunting i was given a single shot that i used for years. When i learned more about shotguns and actually checked where i was hitting like 10 years later i found i was about a foot low and never knew. No wonder i missed all those birds.
 
Jmcc said:
and its easy to find multiple barrels and accessories for both of these
They swap off super easily.

And they retain their value. Its like choosing between a Honda and Toyota.
Both are great
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That's why I recommend these pumps over others. They have so much support for the 1 gun hunter
 
brybenn said:
That's why I recommend these pumps over others. They have so much support for the 1 gun hunter
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yep!
i have a 500 with extra barrel and have only great things to say. Only reason i picked it over 870 was price and availibity the day i had cash in hand.
 
Jmcc said:
yep!
i have a 500 with extra barrel and have only great things to say. Only reason i picked it over 870 was price and availibity the day i had cash in hand.
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Friend of mine has a 500 with a security barrel a rifled slug barrel a turkey barrel a 28" bird barrel and a 50cal inline barrel 1 gun for hunting everything in Ontario
 
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