blasted_saber
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- A blue part of Ontario
Its looks nice with a its high gloss finish. It can at least hold a candle to a nice O/U or SxS, something which the butt friggin' ugly plastic guns of today cannot.
I am looking for a 'does everything' in one shotgun.
- Thread starter PercivalSludge
- Start date
Its looks nice with a its high gloss finish. It can at least hold a candle to a nice O/U or SxS, something which the butt friggin' ugly plastic guns of today cannot.
Claybuster, you sure seem like you get a kick out of being disputatious just for the hell of it. The op didn't stipulate that he must have a new gun, and the two I suggested are on offer in the EE almost any day. How about we make a deal and you just ignore my posts? I know I'd be happier.
Recommending a pump gun for an all around gun including Trap and Skeet is pretty old school. The pump gun has seen it's day. They work well but are not the best choice. The Semi Auto and the O/U are a better choice. For an all around gun.
I commented in response to what I regard as poor advice being given to a shooter who might not have much experience with shotguns and is looking for one gun to do as much as possible.
Sure there are Model 12s and Auto 5s on the EE. Why? Because someone else doesn't want them. While leading guns in their day, their day is long past and the asking prices for both models on the EE reflect that.
It's between your happiness or helping a shooter avoid a bad decision I'll go with the later every time.
I've broken perfect scores with pumps in both trap and skeet. It can be done and has been done for a very long time. I mentioned a pump gun (mossberg) because they are affordable and easy to sell if the OP chooses a higher grade gun later on. Mossbergs have barrels designed for any type of hunting or sporting game. I admit international skeet would be difficult with a pump but I'm going to be taking my mossberg pump out for it soon. I think an o/u or sxs has its place. I love mine but for one gun to do it all I think a pump is a good start. For the price of a good quality o/u beretta or browning one can buy a new mossberg 500 with 3 barrels and then purchase a 50 cal muzzleloader barrel as well as a 18.5" cyl barrel a decent scope for the rifled barrel in the set and every choke inbetween the 4 factory supplied ones. It pumps are so out dated why are model 12 "skeet" and "trap" guns selling for so much. Add to that I have yet to see a scope on a nice o/u for slug shooting
There is more of a learning curve for a pump gun. A semi Auto can be shot well very quickly. Model 12 "skeet" and "trap" guns are selling for so much because they are collectors pieces. The OP had suggested a Benelli SBE II and you counter with a Mossberg 500....
I bought an 870 rem sp mag for my 16th birthday... it does it all and extremely reliable.. easily change barrels for what ever you wanna shoot. ...shorty barrels, deer barrel, custom barrel ( have one with forcing cone lengthened and ported ) ... so far its been 24 years and still, never a blip of a problem
- the semi's are good, aswell... just i find the pumps are safer.. have seen a semi go off in the blind more than once when a fella puts it down and forgets that they alway chamber a fresh round after shot... typically a twig hits the trigger n boom.. ...why as the pump has to be racked for the fresh round to be in
funny how you get caught up in the excitement when hunting and forget the basic's
if your picky... try out a couple 12 before putting down the cash... theres alway one gun that just shines
- the semi's are good, aswell... just i find the pumps are safer.. have seen a semi go off in the blind more than once when a fella puts it down and forgets that they alway chamber a fresh round after shot... typically a twig hits the trigger n boom.. ...why as the pump has to be racked for the fresh round to be in
funny how you get caught up in the excitement when hunting and forget the basic's
if your picky... try out a couple 12 before putting down the cash... theres alway one gun that just shines
Ar180shooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Ottawa, ON
The more modern semi-auto shotguns offer many advantages over the older ones. Things like improved reliability and self-regulating gas systems are features valued by some...
Both the Winchester SX3 and Browning Maxus are great semi-auto shotguns that will leave older ones like the Auto 5 in the dust... both on the skeet range and in the field.
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The OP is looking for one gun to do it all, so it would appear that he is relatively new to shotguns. Which actions would be easier for a newer shooter to learn to shoot skeet with, a pump action, or an o/u or semi auto?
For that matter, how many competitive shooters use pump actions in competition? Why do you suppose that the number isn't higher?
The other advantage is they can be purchased new or used in excellent condition. Experienced shooters sometimes do a dissservice to new shooters by pushing them towards buying used. While getting hosed on a used gun deal is one of life's greater learning experiences someone who can't tell junk from a gem should probably stick with currently-produced new guns. Operating manuals and support information are easier to find as are parts if you need them.
Another consideration with a modern gun is more people at the range are likely to know something about them if the new shooter runs into an issue. At my club if your SX3, Maxus, Silver, 391, SBE or 1100 starts to act up there is usually someone around (sometimes me) who has one and can provide assistance. Not so much with the older guns.
If you're into busting clays and migratory/upland birds and turkeys, any autoloader from Browning, Beretta, or Benelli would be the ticket. 3.5" not required, just get the right chokes and pattern your gun. They should all feed cheap target loads up to heavy hunting loads just fine.
JamesM is right, you can get an all in one but remember you might lose some advantages of purpose build guns. For instace a good semi-auto clay and skeet gun will be heavier than you might want to take hiking.
I really don't think there is a "one gun" solution...but if I had to pick one I would say the gun that I own that is the most versatile is my Extrema. I have used it for everything at one point or another. It isn't ideal in every situation, but gets the job done reliably.
bearkilr
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Nowhere, ......just past the middle
I was faced with similar thoughts a while ago. I've had numerous semi's, over and unders, and pumps. I finally settled on the Benelli M2 slug gun and bought a 28" smoothbore barrel as well. My first intention was to sell the slug bbl once I got the regular bbl, but the slug bbl is so damn accurate I'm hanging onto it.
The receiver is tapped for bases as well so you can add a red dot or scope if you like. Not a cheap combo, but as good as it gets for quality and versatility. I looked at the SBE II as well, but saw no need for a gun that shoots 3.5" shells and I prefer the more "plain" look of the M2.
The receiver is tapped for bases as well so you can add a red dot or scope if you like. Not a cheap combo, but as good as it gets for quality and versatility. I looked at the SBE II as well, but saw no need for a gun that shoots 3.5" shells and I prefer the more "plain" look of the M2.
MXoutdoors
CGN Regular
- Location
- Strathroy ON
For an all around shotgun I would go for a winchester, I started out with a Win. 140 ranger for my all around gun when I was younger, then got a Win. SX1 , than a Win. SX2 Turkey, and a Win. SX3 Waterfoul. I still have all four and use all four but if you just want one shotgun I would go for the winchester SX3 all purpose with a 26" or 28" barrel.
