- Location
- Edmonton, Alberta
Hey I`m just wondering about them. There are a few on the EE and I am wondering are they any good.
Bolt Action Shotgun
- Thread starter Crazy.kayaker
- Start date
I had a bolt action .410. It was a solid shot gun that shot well. Ended up selling it just because I did not use it very often and figured someone else would get better use out of it.
It functioned fine and made a good small game hunting shotty. I just prefer pump action more.
It functioned fine and made a good small game hunting shotty. I just prefer pump action more.
I bought a Mossberg 385K in 20 gauge years ago, since it came with a polychoke that made it more suitable for thick bush than the full choked 12 ga pump that I used to carry. The rear sight helped when it came time to fire slugs through her (I sighted it in at Hart House, lol), but I sold her off later when I picked up a Stoeger Condor O/U with Imp Cyl/Modified barrels.
The gun shot fine on clays, but the mag didn't feed conistently, and the firing pin once managed to go loose and fire off a round out of battery! A few years later Mossberg recalled their slug shotgun (with rifled barrel) that was based upon this same model for that very reason.
Bolt shotguns were developed in the interwar years when there was an interest in providing something better than a single shot and yet still affordable for a sizable portion of the hunting community who couldn't afford pumps, doubles or semis. In Europe, the Mauser company was also forced by restrictions after the war to redirect much of their M98 production into cheap, bolt action shotguns that were sold in America as well.
Some of the more solid bolt shotguns, especially when replete with a choke device are an inexpensive way to get into hunting, though it can take a lot of practice before you can work the bolt fast enough for a follow up shot on clays or fowl. For the most of us, it's basically a single shot with ammo in reserve. For the price, it wouldn't hurt to pick one up, since it could always double as a backup or spare gun if you get something more modern afterwards.
Frank
The gun shot fine on clays, but the mag didn't feed conistently, and the firing pin once managed to go loose and fire off a round out of battery! A few years later Mossberg recalled their slug shotgun (with rifled barrel) that was based upon this same model for that very reason.
Bolt shotguns were developed in the interwar years when there was an interest in providing something better than a single shot and yet still affordable for a sizable portion of the hunting community who couldn't afford pumps, doubles or semis. In Europe, the Mauser company was also forced by restrictions after the war to redirect much of their M98 production into cheap, bolt action shotguns that were sold in America as well.
Some of the more solid bolt shotguns, especially when replete with a choke device are an inexpensive way to get into hunting, though it can take a lot of practice before you can work the bolt fast enough for a follow up shot on clays or fowl. For the most of us, it's basically a single shot with ammo in reserve. For the price, it wouldn't hurt to pick one up, since it could always double as a backup or spare gun if you get something more modern afterwards.
Frank
I have 2 (the 12 and 20 guage) , and I have to be honest....I really like them. The polychoke is great when using clays as you can dial in any amount of choke between full and I.C. to benefit your style of shooting and point of aim. It took me about a box or so to find the sweet spot, but my 20 is my best gun for clays.
As for a woods carry gun, I always choose the 20 over the 12 as the 12 is actually quite heavy for long jaunts. My 20 feeds and bolts quickly, but I have occasional problems with feeding the 12. Don't be afraid to take a chance on one, as they are cheap, rugged, and as good as any single shot around. The clip holds 2 shots. If you can pick one up for 75 then I'd say get one.
As for a woods carry gun, I always choose the 20 over the 12 as the 12 is actually quite heavy for long jaunts. My 20 feeds and bolts quickly, but I have occasional problems with feeding the 12. Don't be afraid to take a chance on one, as they are cheap, rugged, and as good as any single shot around. The clip holds 2 shots. If you can pick one up for 75 then I'd say get one.
After WWI a lot of Mauser 98's were converted to shotguns. Like hundreds of thousands. GEHA brand are the most common. A few guys still buy them thinking they are getting a STRONG Mauser action shotgun to shoot hot slug loads. Unfortunately in order to feed a 12 ga shell through a Mauser action it must be bored out BIGGER then the locking lugs, thus leaving only the bolt handle for a locking lug.
- Location
- Edmonton, Alberta
That sounds kind of stupid and dangerous to me. Fortunately most on the EE are Mossburgs.
ive got a mossberg with the polychoke. I ended up with it on a trade, i have other shotguns so it doesnt see any use. I was looking at it the other day though, wondering how it would look as a chopped truck gun? the barrel could be cut, then drilled and tapped for a new bead sight. and the stock thinned out and shortened. anyone ever modify one?
Yup. But it gets worse: because the 12 ga. shell is so much larger then the diameter of the bolt they machined off the front of the bolt then fitted a larger, mushroom shaped piece to make the bolt larger. Many of these have been lost over the years. Fire the gun without it and your friends either call you "squint" for the rest of your days or they talk about you in the passed tense.
These guns aren't rare; they're more common in the 'States then here but I've owned one and seen a few others. Shotgun News did a nice article on them a while back. They are safe as long as they are complete. What DO you think MOST bolt action shotguns ie:Mossberg use for a locking lug? Check it out. Most use the bolt handle at worst, a small lug on the side of the bolt at the back, at best.
Don't forget about your genetic disorder. Might be a bit of a pain reaching over the top every time. Unless you have tried other bolt guns of course. I doubt "cheap" and "backwards bolt" are going to be found on the same gun.
I feel for you, they couldn't fix my Dad's left handedness either. Lord knows they tried.
I feel for you, they couldn't fix my Dad's left handedness either. Lord knows they tried.
I bought a mint Geha a few years back and did a lot of research before ever firing it as there were so many stories floating around about them being "dangerous". There is more fiction than fact out there on these guns. Like Sahara says, if you get one of these make sure it is complete. The only recorded and verified blowups I have been able to find out about, were when some dufus was using one with a damaged or missing bolthead. I shoot mine all the time with standard COMERCIALLY LOADED 2-3/4 field loads. I won't fire slugs through it though, although there are many guys shooting them in the U.S. that do. The only complaint I have is that it is a pretty lightweight gun which makes it kick a bit more than some of the other shotguns we have. There's lots of Mossbergs floating around though and they do occasionally show up on the EE so you'll probably have no real problems finding one of those anyway.
Al
Al
FWIW, the Geha locks using the third lug on the bottom of the bolt.
Many commercial BA shotguns lock on the root of the bolt handle, some have a second lug, where the bolt handle extends on through the bolt. Have never heard of a commercial BA shotgun's action failing.
The heyday of US made BA shotguns was the couple of decades following WW2. Large numbers were sold. The appearance of low cost pump shotguns probably contributed to their loss of popularity. The rapidity with which followup shots can be made cannot be compared with a pump. By and large, they are good servicable guns.
The ones I have seen for sale seem to be in the $75 - $125 range. Don't think they attract all that much interest.
Made a replacement Geha bolthead for a chap one time. The original extractor is modified with little ridge that engages a notch in the edge of the bolthead.
Many commercial BA shotguns lock on the root of the bolt handle, some have a second lug, where the bolt handle extends on through the bolt. Have never heard of a commercial BA shotgun's action failing.
The heyday of US made BA shotguns was the couple of decades following WW2. Large numbers were sold. The appearance of low cost pump shotguns probably contributed to their loss of popularity. The rapidity with which followup shots can be made cannot be compared with a pump. By and large, they are good servicable guns.
The ones I have seen for sale seem to be in the $75 - $125 range. Don't think they attract all that much interest.
Made a replacement Geha bolthead for a chap one time. The original extractor is modified with little ridge that engages a notch in the edge of the bolthead.
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My dad has a marlin bolt gun in 20 gauge. It looks bulky and heavy, yet it is one of the lightest shotguns I've ever held. It works flawless and is real nice to shoot. His is full choke with a relatively long barrel (either 28 or 30"...can't remember) and looks really long compared to single or double break actions which I prefer for small game. I keep telling my dad to have the barrel cut back, but he insists on keeping it original.
All around, it's a great gun.
All around, it's a great gun.
- Location
- Edmonton, Alberta
Thanks for you sympathy about my genetic disorderDon't forget about your genetic disorder. Might be a bit of a pain reaching over the top every time. Unless you have tried other bolt guns of course. I doubt "cheap" and "backwards bolt" are going to be found on the same gun.
I feel for you, they couldn't fix my Dad's left handedness either. Lord knows they tried.
You shouldn't worry about me being left handed it's not for me it's for my brother for when he visits from Vancouver or when I go down so we can go out after rabbits and such I'd rather a nice SxS so I can use it too. I just need something cheap so I can trade a Mossburg 151k (I don't like semi auto's) and if needed finish off with some cash and bolt action shotguns are worth the same as my Mossburg.
I've seen replacements for about $30....you jsut need to bide your time. I loved the look of the camo'ed one recently on the E & E...
Bolt action shotguns are a little clunky to carry and operate, but they are solid and can be bought at a low dollar for someone starting out in hunting or target shooting.
Be careful of the Noble bolt action shotgun. I don't mean to offend anyone who owns one, but there was something about the gun that was a bit of a saftey issue. If I remember correctly, the saftey worked backwards, or something along that line?
I've seen replacements for about $30....you jsut need to bide your time. I loved the look of the camo'ed one recently on the E & E...
i didnt see that one. although wouldnt be had to do. hopefully some post some pics of their creativity with a bolt shotgun.
Well, you learn something new everyday! Until now I've never heard of the Mauser98 shotgun. I have seen several Lee Enfields that have been reworked to take .410 though. These apparently use a shotshell based on the .303 cartridge but I've never seen one so I don't really know what they mean. My brother in law has a bolt action Marlin goose gun with a 36 in barrel and he likes it.
