Looking to buy a used 12 Guage?

J

JLC4

New member
EE Expired
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Location
Terrace
Hi folks,

This would be a first time purchase for a 12 Guage that has been used. Any tips as to what a person should be looking for when buying would be appreciated. I am wanting to get into duck hunting.
I currently have a older remington. However, I understand that the barrel was made to shoot lead not steel.
 
You can have the choke reamed out of your older gun for steel shot. Fit is important and for a hunting gun it has to fit you when you've layered up in hunting gear as well. Depending on action type there's different things to look at. Cracked stocks misaligned ribs and beads. Smooth bolt and pump operations and overall condition. Light surface rust will come off but pitted bores are just shabby
 
Main things would be a tight action and clean bore on a used gun. If you're buying new, look into at minimum a gun with a screw choke system. A new shotgun suitable for waterfowl can be had for a little over $300. Its almost not worth it buying a used gun unless its a fantastic deal.

Usually it is the choke that makes older guns unable to shoot steel, as most older guns have a fixed gull choke. Steel does not compress like lead and could bulge the end of the barrel, or possibly rupture it, causing severe injury. Rarer, the chamber pressure of modern loads is to high for older actions.

If it is only the choke, a gunsmith can ream it out to a more appropriate diameter for a modest price. Steel patterns tighter then lead so having it reamed out to MOD would be approximately the same as shooting lead through a full choke.

The other concern is that usually older guns are 2 3/4" chambers. Steel is simply not as good as lead at killing, so any development in waterfowl loads is coming in the form of 3" shells to get more powder in the shell and more shot in the air with each pull of the trigger. While 2 3/4" shells will kill, they also have IMO limitatations.

On a budget I would buy this gun for waterfowl.

http://www.cabelas.ca/index.cfm?pageID=79&section=&ID=9111
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom