First shotgun for deer - forests - dense underbrush - advice please
- Thread starter linux99
- Start date
First off, I am most impressed with your attitude, Linux99. Too many people run out and buy the latest sparkly toy or something billed as having more velocity or whatevee without ever researching beyond the ads and flyers. I wish everybody was willing to think things through; we'd all do better.
Getting an O/U to print to the same point of aim, as Rynnik says, takes work. That makes ones that do more expensive. Cheaper ones, less likely. The old Savage 24s, which I love, were famous for printing to different points.
My call would also be for an 870, preferably with rifle sights or something like a red dot sight. There have been millions of them made over literally generations and that says something. I've had a Mossberg jam on me (maybe my fault, but jam it did). My 870 has never done so. The flexibility of swapping out barrels is also a plus, especially of you decide to try out ducks or grouse sometime in the future.
Good luck!
Getting an O/U to print to the same point of aim, as Rynnik says, takes work. That makes ones that do more expensive. Cheaper ones, less likely. The old Savage 24s, which I love, were famous for printing to different points.
My call would also be for an 870, preferably with rifle sights or something like a red dot sight. There have been millions of them made over literally generations and that says something. I've had a Mossberg jam on me (maybe my fault, but jam it did). My 870 has never done so. The flexibility of swapping out barrels is also a plus, especially of you decide to try out ducks or grouse sometime in the future.
Good luck!
verminaard
CGN Regular
- Location
- SW Bantario
+1 on the 20ga. Lighter to carry, less recoil to shoot, and has way more than enough power for a whitetail. I won't hesitate going out to 100yds with sabots in a rifled barrel and iron sights.
If its not a shot only situation why not a dedicated slug gun like a savage 220? Not as versatile as the 870 or the like but an option and the same $$ no less.
That was going to be my suggestion. A 20 gauge slug gun. Alternatively you can look to find a used H&R ultra slug hunter. I use one in 20 gauge and I would not trade it for anything. It's only a single shot but when it is accurate you are only need one.
The Flint&Fly Guy
Member
- Location
- Northern Alberta
I just did some testing with Winchester brand rifles slugs, my Browning Citori Superlight puts them in a pie plate up to45yd (as far as I've tested) with both barrels! But my advice from this experience is to buy something with a recoil pad!!
TheCoachZed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Lots of good advice in here. An O/U is not ideal if you want to use a scope, IMHO, for the reasons mentioned.
Of all the shotguns I've put slugs through, two stood out for accuracy: A Winchester 1300 and a Baikal MP153. Both shot slugs as accurately as many deer rifles shoot bullets. The other shotguns mentioned here (particularly Mossberg 500 and Rem 870) have at least two generations of reliability behind them. I think you could also likely find a Remington 1100 in the same price bracket. I suspect that, in the long term, all these guns would be cheaper than a low-end double barrel, as they're easier to fix.
If I was in your spot, I'd first find out if slugs were legal, or only buckshot. Then I'd buy a pump action shotgun with a 24-inch barrel, if you could find one. Look into a turkey hunting shotgun. Shorter barrels = more noise and recoil = more flinch = less accuracy. If you're limited to buckshot, a bead sight is fine. If you're shooting over 50 yards with slugs, you want iron sights. Under 50 yards, a bead sight should be fine for slugs too, as long as it hits where you put the bead. If not, well, you'll need sights or a red dot scope.
Of all the shotguns I've put slugs through, two stood out for accuracy: A Winchester 1300 and a Baikal MP153. Both shot slugs as accurately as many deer rifles shoot bullets. The other shotguns mentioned here (particularly Mossberg 500 and Rem 870) have at least two generations of reliability behind them. I think you could also likely find a Remington 1100 in the same price bracket. I suspect that, in the long term, all these guns would be cheaper than a low-end double barrel, as they're easier to fix.
If I was in your spot, I'd first find out if slugs were legal, or only buckshot. Then I'd buy a pump action shotgun with a 24-inch barrel, if you could find one. Look into a turkey hunting shotgun. Shorter barrels = more noise and recoil = more flinch = less accuracy. If you're limited to buckshot, a bead sight is fine. If you're shooting over 50 yards with slugs, you want iron sights. Under 50 yards, a bead sight should be fine for slugs too, as long as it hits where you put the bead. If not, well, you'll need sights or a red dot scope.
cdn1canhunt
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- southwestern ontario
Shotguns for deer hunting are best chosen like you would choose a rifle. The object is to deliver one well aimed projectile as accurately possible to the vitals of a deer. To do this well you require a few things. 1) a good aiming system, a scope would be my first choice( can't hit what you can't see). Adjustable rifled sights 2nd choice. The old bead is for oldtimers or guys who don't know better. 2) a rifled barrel to impart spin and make that projectile fly straight and true. 3) a good saboted projectile, so it will spin. 4) a way to overcome the sloppy mating of the barrel to the receiver most all shotguns suffer from.
To achieve an accurately fired projectlie a shotgun must have the barrel attach solidly to its receiver if it does not you will not have an accurate shotgun period. There are a few ways to overcome this issue. 1) buy a rifle style slug gun ie) and as suggested the new 220/212savage or Brownings make fantastic slug guns. 2) you can pin the barrel on a standard shotgun to create a solid contact point barrel to receiver. Or 3) buy a gun with a cantilevered barrel. This allows the sight plane to be attached to the barrel only and removes the issue of the sloppy fitting barrel to receiver. As the scope is attached only to the barrel.
If you want to use the old foster style slug in a smooth bore?.....have at it but be aware accuracy wil be limited to appx 50yrds and you will be lucky to get an 8-10" group
To achieve an accurately fired projectlie a shotgun must have the barrel attach solidly to its receiver if it does not you will not have an accurate shotgun period. There are a few ways to overcome this issue. 1) buy a rifle style slug gun ie) and as suggested the new 220/212savage or Brownings make fantastic slug guns. 2) you can pin the barrel on a standard shotgun to create a solid contact point barrel to receiver. Or 3) buy a gun with a cantilevered barrel. This allows the sight plane to be attached to the barrel only and removes the issue of the sloppy fitting barrel to receiver. As the scope is attached only to the barrel.
If you want to use the old foster style slug in a smooth bore?.....have at it but be aware accuracy wil be limited to appx 50yrds and you will be lucky to get an 8-10" group
Hi I live in shot gun only and i would suggest you buy a multi barrel combo such as rem 870 or the mossberg 500. that way you have several options with one gun. A rifled barrel and sabot slugs will give you further range and most are cantilever allowing for scope mounting. A removable choke barrel gives the option of buckshot and riffled slugs. You will appreciate the 3 shot of a semi or pump. A 3" chamber is all you need, if you shoot left check out a browning Bps. Buck shot is best left to under 40 yards a rifled barrel and sabot slugs can be used past 100. if you want to go the slug route look into a 20ga easier on the shoulder some say more accurate and just as deadly. As with all shot guns buy the one that fits best i also prefer a double bead to single.
I have used a O/U for deer. Buckshot in one and slug in the other. It worked OK. 26" brls.
I prefer a pump with real sights. I can zero better and aim better. My 870 has a 20" slug barrel with sights. I can take it off and install a different barrel for something else. Used spare barrels are on EE at good prices.
I prefer a pump with real sights. I can zero better and aim better. My 870 has a 20" slug barrel with sights. I can take it off and install a different barrel for something else. Used spare barrels are on EE at good prices.
Mossberg 930 - Combo Pack.
Affordable, built like a tank runs like a top.
It's got a rifled slug barrel and a ported bird barrel. It will kill anything on god's green earth and it's a Semi auto - lighter recoil, faster follow up shots, higher capacity.
And yes it's less tactical douchery than the Thunder Ranch.
Affordable, built like a tank runs like a top.
It's got a rifled slug barrel and a ported bird barrel. It will kill anything on god's green earth and it's a Semi auto - lighter recoil, faster follow up shots, higher capacity.
And yes it's less tactical douchery than the Thunder Ranch.
I have a Mossberg 500 (OK, a 400, a re-badge for CTire sales), that I ran with for a lot of seasons out in the Shotgun zone between Moose Jaw and Regina. For all the abuse it suffered, I can't honestly say I have noticed any loose pins. Maybe that's one of those Internet things.
If the tacty-cool look is your thing, and it feels good to you, go for it!
Otherwise, I would say to look at any of the Pump action guns that can be generally got in various changeable barrel lengths.
My Brother bought a Winchester SXP (http://www.winchesterguns.com/products/shotguns/sxp/SXP-Current-Products/sxp-camp-field-combo.html) that came with a long barrel, with changeable chokes, plus a shorter smooth bore barrel (cylinder bore) that is pretty handy. So far, the only problem with it was that the sling mount on the stock cracked out. Took about a minute and a half to install a stud, once the drill was found(my shop is a mess) otherwise has been a pretty handy rig too.
Meh. Whatever works for you, you can afford, and you can hit your target with, it's all good man!
Best of luck!
Cheers
Trev
If the tacty-cool look is your thing, and it feels good to you, go for it!
Otherwise, I would say to look at any of the Pump action guns that can be generally got in various changeable barrel lengths.
My Brother bought a Winchester SXP (http://www.winchesterguns.com/products/shotguns/sxp/SXP-Current-Products/sxp-camp-field-combo.html) that came with a long barrel, with changeable chokes, plus a shorter smooth bore barrel (cylinder bore) that is pretty handy. So far, the only problem with it was that the sling mount on the stock cracked out. Took about a minute and a half to install a stud, once the drill was found(my shop is a mess) otherwise has been a pretty handy rig too.
Meh. Whatever works for you, you can afford, and you can hit your target with, it's all good man!
Best of luck!
Cheers
Trev
