First Shotgun for Range

CapCanuck

CapCanuck

New member
EE Expired
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Location
Langley, BC
I am looking at buying a shotgun just for the range, and I got a chance to shoot a 870 Supermag in the States with 3.5". I liked the option of having the 3.5" just for the fun of it, but I don't need it. I was pretty set on buying the 870, but I have a buddy who is trying to talk me out of it because he swears that the rust issue is a major problem. The only thing is though I will be under cover well shooting not in the bad weather at all would the rust really be an issue for just a range gun?

What are the best option in in around the same price range as the 870, and what gun would you recommend? It doesn't have to be 3.5" I am still very open I what to get as a new shooter, and also if you own a 870 what is your opinion on the gun?
 
Well this is my first shotgun Maverick 88 and i love it tough dependable and easy on the pocket
IMG160.jpg
 
The rust issue is a non-issue if you oil the gun, or wax it with car wax.

Mine did start to rust even in the dry safe, but oiling and then waxing with car wax has stopped that completely now. I think the finish is just a bit rough and needs a coat of something to keep rust at bay.

they are great guns, and you can get anything for them. the boy's barbie of shotguns!!
 
romurra said:
The rust issue is a non-issue if you oil the gun, or wax it with car wax.

Mine did start to rust even in the dry safe, but oiling and then waxing with car wax has stopped that completely now. I think the finish is just a bit rough and needs a coat of something to keep rust at bay.

they are great guns, and you can get anything for them. the boy's barbie of shotguns!!
Click to expand...

Really so just a little oil, and then car wax will does the trick that's good to know. How often do you apply the wax?
 
Most ranges only allow 2 3/4 target loads. Lots of people have 870s. For me the stock was a bad fit so I went with a Winchester. Glad I did.
 
I applied a couple of coats -- rub on, let dry, buff off, just like you would a car -- a couple of years ago and no problem since. I will probably do it again this year just on general principles, but I am not sure I really need to. It seems that the wax is just 'stickier' than oils alone and makes all the difference. I waxed the outside of the barrel and receiver, took 30 min with most of the time spent waiting for it to dry enough to buff out.
 
harrison12 said:
Most ranges only allow 2 3/4 target loads. Lots of people have 870s. For me the stock was a bad fit so I went with a Winchester. Glad I did.
Click to expand...

That is one of the reasons I went with Abbotsford Fish and Game I asked during the membership process he says on the outdoor ranges there are no restrictions on ammunition used except that anything over a .308 is restricted to the largest range. That, and we have a short range for Handguns of all caliber only. The only thing they don't allow is shooting at provided targets with anything other than slugs, but if your bring your own targets they don't care.
 
Whatever you do, avoid buying some silly,short barreled, tactical style gun with a fixed choke, which is usually improved cylinder. Get a gun with interchangeable chokes, and at least a 26" barrel so that it is at least suitable for trap or skeet.
 
If you are looking for a range-only gun, you will be shooting at least 50 shots each outing, probably more if you enjoy yourself. A pump, even with target loads, can get tiring unless you have a really good recoil pad on it and it fits well. Forget 3.5". If it were me, I'd look at buying a Rem. 1100 2-3/4" gun with choke tubes if you can, otherwise get Full for trap or Skt/IC for skeet. These are such soft-shooting guns you'll thank me later. And since the market for these particular guns is now fairly small from the hunter's point of view, they are easy to find for $500 or so. Any other brand of autoloader would work equally well - take your pick from dozens.
 
Grouse Man said:
If you are looking for a range-only gun, you will be shooting at least 50 shots each outing, probably more if you enjoy yourself. A pump, even with target loads, can get tiring unless you have a really good recoil pad on it and it fits well. Forget 3.5". If it were me, I'd look at buying a Rem. 1100 2-3/4" gun with choke tubes if you can, otherwise get Full for trap or Skt/IC for skeet. These are such soft-shooting guns you'll thank me later. And since the market for these particular guns is now fairly small from the hunter's point of view, they are easy to find for $500 or so. Any other brand of autoloader would work equally well - take your pick from dozens.
Click to expand...

Agree on the 1100 not to mention there was a sweet 2 barrel set on the EE last week in nice shape and priced right.
 
I just recently pick up a mossberg 500 in the 3 barrel combo. Great shooting gun, lots of fun and fairly inexpensive. The realtree paint kills the rust issue but it's is still oiled and well taken care of. And with the combo you can shoot anything, 28 inch ported for birds, skeet. 24 inh ported for turkey, rabbit, skeet. And the 24 inch rifled and ported for slug. And included accu-choke. All for about 550. Just my 2 cents.
 
In the skeet range of my club, most people shoot O/U, occasionally I'll see a pump, and I am the only one shooting SxS. We are restricted to use #9 2 3/4 for skeet and #7 1/2 for trap. I do use my gun to shoot slug in the rifle range, and I honestly don't think you want to shoot 3 1/2 in the range, unless you want a break every few minutes.
Barn
 
stubblejumper said:
Whatever you do, avoid buying some silly,short barreled, tactical style gun with a fixed choke, which is usually improved cylinder. Get a gun with interchangeable chokes, and at least a 26" barrel so that it is at least suitable for trap or skeet.
Click to expand...


^^This. 3.5" isn't too useful for just shooting clays and targets, so don't worry about it. The 870 is a good shotgun has tons of parts and upgrades available and comes in several flavors. Other similar options would be a mossberg 500/535, maverick 88, or Weatherby PA-08. For a few more dollars you could step up to a Benelli Nova or Mossberg 590.

Honestly though, for a first shotgun I would suggest just going with a 28" 870.
 
What are you going to shoot at the range exactly? If you are shooting clay games, it's one story, if you're shooting 3-gun competition, it's a different story.

At any range, you're allowed to shoot only 2 3/4 shells, so throw away your 3 1/2" idea. If you like the feel of the Remmington, get an older 1100 sporting clays gun in 2 3/4 and you'll be a happy camper if you don't mind cleaning your gun after each range visit though :)
 
Im new to the trap addiction. I started out with a well used 870 express with laminate wood furniture. I have no regrets at all. I put on a limbsaver replacement pad and had a mid bead installed on the barrel. The mid bead helped greatly. I have been using a full choke from the 16 yard and have hit 24 twice now. I also bought a 18.5" mossberg barrel for shooting high brass loads. Yes mossberg makes a barrel for remington 870. Cheap too. If your just starting out and want a multi purpose shot gun, get one with multiple barrels and a comfy stock. It's a 12 gauge, your going to feel it.
 
I have the Remington 870 Blackhawk Spec. Ops., you could under water with gun without any rust issue, like it was said..... good cleaning and oil will do the job, no cleaning/oil will bring rust to ANY shotgun/handgun.

I personnaly prefer the smoothly action of the Reming.870 than the Mossberg (wich is a very good shotgun also).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom