some advice on a camo shotgun

newhunter4444

newhunter4444

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hello everyone,
i need some advice on my next shotgun purchase. i currently own a remington 870 wingmaster chambered in 3". i love this gun but it just doesnt have the reach that i think that i need and there were a few geese that got away because they were just a little too far. i am thinking that maybe a shotgun chambered in 3.5 inches will solve this. now this gun will pretty much be a dedicated waterfowl gun, that might see some turkey hunting. i would prefer to buy used, but i will buy new if i cant find anything used. i want this gun to be able to take a beating, and light, and i have this fetish with waterfowl camo right now. everything i own is in the waterfowl camo and i absolutely love it ! if i could find a gun covered in that it would be great! i am looking at 12 guage, not really interested in 10 guage as i know it just kicks way too hard for me. i dont currently own a autoloader, i have the pump as i said earlier, but this new gun would need to be able to still work if i drop it in the water and i am not sure if the auto will do that. any advice would be greatly appreciated as i really respect everyones opinion on here, as i am pretty new to the hunting and shooting community. thanks again!
 
As to camo craze, I don't understand it because the birds won't see it / you if you're in the blind until the last moment when you actually shoot them.

As to not reaching them because they're too far away -- if you can't hit them with 3", 3.5" won't help. Practice your calls, reset the decoys so that they come closer. Crippled birds are no good. I don't shoot them until I see their eyes. Maybe a tighter choke will help, too.

As to your current gun, your older 870 is a beauty and they don't make them any more as they used to, so please hold on to it!

All the best waterfowling! Your fellow water fowler.

P.S. But I would look into new Winchester SXP. They just started making them in 3.5" and I was considering a smaller 3" version pretty seriously. They can be had for just $350 from Sail.ca or other places.


newhunter4444 said:
hello everyone,
i need some advice on my next shotgun purchase. i currently own a remington 870 wingmaster chambered in 3". i love this gun but it just doesnt have the reach that i think that i need and there were a few geese that got away because they were just a little too far. i am thinking that maybe a shotgun chambered in 3.5 inches will solve this. now this gun will pretty much be a dedicated waterfowl gun, that might see some turkey hunting. i would prefer to buy used, but i will buy new if i cant find anything used. i want this gun to be able to take a beating, and light, and i have this fetish with waterfowl camo right now. everything i own is in the waterfowl camo and i absolutely love it ! if i could find a gun covered in that it would be great! i am looking at 12 guage, not really interested in 10 guage as i know it just kicks way too hard for me. i dont currently own a autoloader, i have the pump as i said earlier, but this new gun would need to be able to still work if i drop it in the water and i am not sure if the auto will do that. any advice would be greatly appreciated as i really respect everyones opinion on here, as i am pretty new to the hunting and shooting community. thanks again!
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10gas are heavier guns so the recoil if it fits you well will not be much different then a lighter 12gawith 3.5" shells

Mossbergs are work horses and I can speak to the abuse my 535ats has taken. I have actually used it as a pry bar when stuck in a skidder trail rut. The camo version is synthetic and very light. It kicks way harder then my 10gaa double. I have both wood and blue and camo in the 535 line. I rarely use 3.5" shells anymore. I've got better results wit 3"

The 835 mossberg has a backbored barrel to improve patterns and may lighten recoil slightly

Browning makes aa nice 3.5" gun as well
 
i love this gun but it just doesnt have the reach that i think that i need and there were a few geese that got away because they were just a little too far.
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The words in bold are the key,either your shooting ability isn't adequate, or they were just too far for a shotgun.

As to not reaching them because they're too far away -- if you can't hit them with 3", 3.5" won't help.
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Exactly! A 3.5" gun won't suddenly turn you into a long range wing shooter.

i have the pump as i said earlier, but this new gun would need to be able to still work if i drop it in the water and i am not sure if the auto will do that.
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A semi auto will work in the rain, but if plan to abuse a gun by submerging it, I would stick with your pump, and strip it down and clean it thoroughly, whenever it is submerged.
 
+1 on this one.


stubblejumper said:
The words in bold are the key,either your shooting ability isn't adequate, or they were just too far for a shotgun.



Exactly! A 3.5" gun won't suddenly turn you into a long range wing shooter.



A semi auto will work in the rain, but if plan to abuse a gun by submerging it, I would stick with your pump, and strip it down and clean it thoroughly, whenever it is submerged.
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If you're insisting on a 3 1/2" semi that is absolutely reliable I have to recomend the browning and winchester line up of guns. The only 12 gauge semi's that are 3 1/2" and as reliable or maybe slightly more so are the Benelli and Berretta offerrings, but they command a premium that is almost half again to double what Browning and Winchesters Semi's go for.
On a seperate note, I have found that 3 1/2" shells only really provide a slight edge but a dramatic increase in recoil and no real impressive results within 40yards. As well many of the camo finishes seem more prone to flaking in all manufacturers then then the flat black guns so I would consider saving myself an extra 100 dollars and go with the black. That extra 100 dollars can go towards new decoys or better ammunition. But all that is just my opinion and is worth exactly what you paid for it.
You have one of my all time favorite pumps and I would be tempted to invest the difference in blinds and better decoys and purchase a franchi affinity if I wanted a light weight camo semi, and never regret not having 3 1/2" shells.
Whatever you decide will ultimately make you happy, and once you kill birds with it post lots of pictures here.
Practice calling and that will help make the difference between birds passing you by at 50 yards and coming all the way in to your lap.
 
From my experience I would not but a shotgun today for duck/ goose hunting that is not camo or 3 1/2" that is providing it fits you.
Resale value alone is worth the extra cash up front if you ever decide to sell or upgrade.
3" guns have been very slow movers for me on the EE.
 
The 3.5" shotshell will give you between 5-10 extra yards at best due to pattern density. If you are using steel shot then #1s are the size to be looking for. The larger shot sizes simply don't offer enough pattern density to ensure consistent clean kills. I own a 3.5 Browning Gold but I seldom shoot the long shotshells thru it. I've been shooting mostly Federal 2 3/4", 1 1/4oz #1 shot @1275fps since steel has been mandatory in Canada and I have been knocking geese down dead out as far as 62yds...and that is pretty much as far as #1 steel shot will retain enough energy to consistently kill a goose. Pattern your gun and determine the max distance it will consistently put at least 5 pellets in the kill zone and limit your shots to that distance. The next step to more birds in the bag is practice and lots of it. Join a skeet or sporting clays club it is money well invested...more so than a super magnum thunder stick!
 
newhunter4444 said:
hello everyone,
i need some advice on my next shotgun purchase. i currently own a remington 870 wingmaster chambered in 3". i love this gun but it just doesnt have the reach that i think that i need and there were a few geese that got away because they were just a little too far. i am thinking that maybe a shotgun chambered in 3.5 inches will solve this. now this gun will pretty much be a dedicated waterfowl gun, that might see some turkey hunting. i would prefer to buy used, but i will buy new if i cant find anything used. i want this gun to be able to take a beating, and light, and i have this fetish with waterfowl camo right now. everything i own is in the waterfowl camo and i absolutely love it ! if i could find a gun covered in that it would be great! i am looking at 12 guage, not really interested in 10 guage as i know it just kicks way too hard for me. i dont currently own a autoloader, i have the pump as i said earlier, but this new gun would need to be able to still work if i drop it in the water and i am not sure if the auto will do that. any advice would be greatly appreciated as i really respect everyones opinion on here, as i am pretty new to the hunting and shooting community. thanks again!
Click to expand...

I wish I had your problem. I have an older wingmaster with a 2 3/4" chamber and a fixed modified choke and am wanting to upgrade. I really don' t want another synthetic stock in my gun safe. I already want to puke when I look in there. I am seriously considering a new wingmaster with a 3" chamber which would put me in the spot you are in now. What I really want is a 3" chamber and removable chokes so I can use it as an all purpose gun. This fixed choke buisness is for the birds. Literaly! I also want something I can pass down to my kids, something that is easy on the eyes. Well aged wood with some character not some chipped up flavour of the week paint job. I'm sure many would disagree with me and that is fine I'm just stating my opinion.

You on the other hand seem to have your heart set on camo. If this is just a reliable bang around gun you are after you could look at the Stoager 3500. I've known a couple folks who have owned the 2000 and have been happy with them.

Good luck. And hang on to that old wingmaster reguardless of what you buy. G
 
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g-manz35 said:
I wish I had your problem. I have an older wingmaster with a 2 3/4" chamber and a fixed modified choke and am wanting to upgrade. I really don' t want another synthetic stock in my gun safe. I already want to puke when I look in there. I am seriously considering a new wingmaster with a 3" chamber which would put me in the spot you are in now. What I really want is a 3" chamber and removable chokes so I can use it as an all purpose gun. This fixed choke buisness is for the birds. Literaly! I also want something I can pass down to my kids, something that is easy on the eyes. Well aged wood with some character not some chipped up flavour of the week paint job. I'm sure many would disagree with me and that is fine I'm just stating my opinion.

You on the other hand seem to have your heart set on camo. If this is just a reliable bang around gun you are after you could look at the Stoager 3500. I've known a couple folks who have owned the 2000 and have been happy with them.

Good luck. And hang on to that old wingmaster reguardless of what you buy. G
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For about $250 you could have your old 870 upgraded to shoot 3" shells and have removable chokes installed...just a thought!
 
Nothing beats good old wooden stock. Plastic fantastic may last longer but wood gives you that charm, that mystique you could not get with plastic fantastic.

Also, there is a saying -- wood to wood. My cheek definitely has a a say where to be laid -- on the wood or plastic... And it prefers the wood all right :) My cheeks definitely have a good taste! Yum!


g-manz35 said:
I wish I had your problem. I have an older wingmaster with a 2 3/4" chamber and a fixed modified choke and am wanting to upgrade. I really don' t want another synthetic stock in my gun safe. I already want to puke when I look in there. I am seriously considering a new wingmaster with a 3" chamber which would put me in the spot you are in now. What I really want is a 3" chamber and removable chokes so I can use it as an all purpose gun. This fixed choke buisness is for the birds. Literaly! I also want something I can pass down to my kids, something that is easy on the eyes. Well aged wood with some character not some chipped up flavour of the week paint job. I'm sure many would disagree with me and that is fine I'm just stating my opinion.

You on the other hand seem to have your heart set on camo. If this is just a reliable bang around gun you are after you could look at the Stoager 3500. I've known a couple folks who have owned the 2000 and have been happy with them.

Good luck. And hang on to that old wingmaster reguardless of what you buy. G
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Yes, I fully realize that. The link is an example of the downfall of quality firearms made by Remington of the past.
Talking about 870s of recent in particular, there are testimonials of real users that were unfortunate to buy those:
Overall Rating:1 out of 5
Bad gun,September 16, 2012
By Rappy from Toronto(read all my reviews)
Disadvantages: Performance, Quality
"Bought this gun last week and took it to the range today. After the first shot, the ejector jammed. Tried several times with different makes of ammo, and every time the same problem. Took it home with a spent shell still jammed in the receiver. I have owned Remington guns all my life, but this 870 Express has really left me soured. No more Remington's for me."
What do you usually hunt? Duck
How many times a year do you hunt on average? 5-10
Would you recommend this product as a gift? No
Was this review helpful to you?YesNo(Report Inappropriate Review)
Share this Review:
Overall Rating:2 out of 5
Not as good as they once were,January 4, 2013
By socalrider21 from CA(read all my reviews)
Advantages: cheap
Disadvantages: Performance, Quality
"I happily bought this gun because I was told from someone who bought one 30 years ago that it was a great gun that was affordable. But turns out, they aren't as good as they once were. I have had two different problems, 1) Sometimes the shell would expand and jam the slide, and 2) I had problems with the shell coming up from the expansion to the port, and would jam up. I could maybe live shell expansion since it was never a huge deal. But when trying to reload the second shell and it getting jammed was just frustrating. I bought an alluminum follower and heavier duty spring to see if it fixes the second problem. But I wish I would have just forked over the extra money for a better gun."

VLT79 said:
You do realize that that link is about the Remington Model 887 right? A gun that has not a single part in common with the Model 870...
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I don't understand your skepticism. You claim my information is not accurate... Here I go the extra mile to support my posts with some statistical and imperial data.

VLT79 said:
I'm afraid you are a lost cause ss1980...I really wanted to give you a chance but unfortunately I'm gonna have to do like the others!
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VLT79 said:
I'm afraid you are a lost cause ss1980...I really wanted to give you a chance but unfortunately I'm gonna have to do like the others!
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Have to agree. He is either 10 years old with his dad's sign on or intentially trolling here trying to upset members which have no time for such foolishness. I have not witnessed anything like it on any other forum or the brief 2 1/2 years I have been here.
 
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