Shotgun for Geese/Ptarmigan

[NorwegianInBaffinland]

Hi,

I am looking to buy a shotgun that will be used for hunting geese and ptarmigan, as well as serve as polar bear protection.

The only shotgun I have ever owned is a O/U 12ga. Star Baikal that I got from my parents when I turned 15. I have shot some clay pigeons with it, but have never practiced much with shotguns and have never been able to consistently hit more than 50% of the pigeons. I have hit quite a few ptarmigan over the years though. So I am still "new" to shotguns even though I have owned one since 1995...

The one shotgun I have heard good things about and that come at a good price is the Weatherby PA 08. But I have never owned a pump action before. And I like the appeal of an O/U.

But I am looking for a tool, something that functions well and can take some hardships and get the job done.

My budget is +/- $500.

 

[Boomer]

Get a 12 ga Mossberg 500 with a set of choke tubes, with a 24"-26" barrel. If you get a combination with a waterfowl barrel and a slug barrel, chances are you will have the wrong barrel with you, regardless of the occasion. Of all the pump shotguns around, the 500s stand out for their reasonable cost and robustness. They stand up very well to the riggers of northern coastal areas. I've packed around my 590 for more than 10 years, and it has never let me down, but its long magazine makes it heavier than is needed. Neither does the 590 have a barrel threaded for choke tubes although this could be arranged, while the disadvantage of the 500 is that the magazine tube cannot be easily accessed for cleaning. Some readily unscrew from the receiver, but others do not. I would prefer to exchange the steel magazine follower to a nylon one to prevent the risk of rust induced sticking. I generally try to swap out the ammo after every month or so of steady use, as the brass bases corrode quickly in this climate.

 

[NorwegianInBaffinland]

Great pictures Boomer! And thanks for the suggestion. I will look into the Mossberg 500.

It definitely looks rugged.

Btw. Bear defense is not the number 1 priority for the shotgun, geese are