Versatile Shotgun for hunting suggestions.

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Jack00

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Hello guys, I just finished my permit for hunting with a firearm and I'm hoping to be able to start this new hobby this spring for turkey season.
I've been looking around for what shotgun to get and it's a little overwhelming but right now my choice would be a remington 870 wingmaster.
But before going out and buying one, I'd like to know a few of your suggestions and what in your opinion would be a versatile shotgun that will be good for multiple types of hunting (turkey, duck, goose, etc).
I am also not too familiar with which types of shotguns are allowed in this beautiful "land of the free", so I was looking at the semi-automatic shotgun but like I said, are they even legal ? I see some places that your shotgun cannot have more than a 3 shells capacity :s

So, if you have some spare time to help out a new hunter, that would be much appreciated, cheers guys and thanks in advance.
 
Jack00 said:
Hello guys, I just finished my permit for hunting with a firearm and I'm hoping to be able to start this new hobby this spring for turkey season.
I've been looking around for what shotgun to get and it's a little overwhelming but right now my choice would be a remington 870 wingmaster.
But before going out and buying one, I'd like to know a few of your suggestions and what in your opinion would be a versatile shotgun that will be good for multiple types of hunting (turkey, duck, goose, etc).
I am also not too familiar with which types of shotguns are allowed in this beautiful "land of the free", so I was looking at the semi-automatic shotgun but like I said, are they even legal ? I see some places that your shotgun cannot have more than a 3 shells capacity :s

So, if you have some spare time to help out a new hunter, that would be much appreciated, cheers guys and thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Yes, semi auto guns are legal, three round max capacity for birds.
There are many semi autos on the market than can handle both steel and lead, and they are generally softer shooting than pumps.
Cat
 
The 870 is the most used and versatile model you can get. It's what I have. You can go express (Cheaper), magnum (longer receiver for 3" shells), and get almost any barrel shape and size for them.

I got my wing master for $400 this year and run a full choke 30" beaded barrel. I prefer pump action the time to do so is NOT why you missed that last bird.

Semi's are legal, but like anything for waterfowl you need an insert to limit it to 3rds.

There's also nothing with a dual barrel! They will be much shorter with the same barrel as any pump. These have the same barrel and are aligned at the muzzle.




 
A shotgun that has multiple barrels to choose from will be the most versatile, so the 870 has most others beat in that category. You can buy multiple lengths 12.5”-30” of smooth bore barrels to fit them, vent rib, bead sight, rifle sights, as well as fully rifled with either rifle sights or a cantilever rail for a scope if you plan on hunting in a shotgun only zone for Lg game.

Rem sold 2 & 3 barrel combos before they went into receivership and were bought and revived, I have a 3 barrel combo with a 20” rifle sighted Turkey barrel. A 21” cantilevered rifled slug barrel and a 28” vent rib barrel, the vent rib and turkey barrel are threaded for chokes. There’s more barrel or stock options out there for an 870 than most other shotguns available, I’d start with a pump over a semi as well but that’s personal preference.
 
My first suggestion would be to carefully read both the firearms regulations, and the hunting regulations where you live. If you have to ask if semi auto shotguns are legal, you need to spend more time reading the regulations.
 
If you plan to hunt turkey, then yes, a vintage 870 (not really all that keen on the later ones) A Mossberg, or even an SXP (if you like plastic and paint) would be a good place to start that won't break the bank. If you want to spend more, you definitely can get a "better" shotgun, but not more reliable. Semis are fine, but can be finicky about ammo and weather.

For upland hunting, a pump will do you fine too, but again, there are better options for birds and rabbits.
 
Best advice that I can offer is to look at and shoulder/try guns in your budget range and Buy the one that fits you best. To check fit , I find the easy way is to hold the shotgun at belt level--picl out a distant object-- close your eyes -- shoulder the gun -- open your eyes & look at the object - if you have to move your head to line up , it does not fit You should see the object and perhaps the bead.
Good luck!
 
^ This x2. Fit is most important !

I use a Browning BPS 12 ga. for most of my goose hunting. It's a heavy, smooth gun and soaks up lots of recoil with stout 3" steel shot.

Upland, I use a 20 ga. over/under and sometimes a Cooey 12 ga. single.

I wouldn't hesitate to bring either one for a turkey shoot.
 
Shotgunning is about fit. The gun must point where you look. Majority of the better semi autos come with shim kits to adjust the stock angle and comb height and even length of pull
The last year or so I've been using a Beretta 1301 comp 21" barrel for all my shotgun hunting and I can say it's one of the best most versatile guns one can use. I adjust the stock to 13" length of pull for hunting when wearing a heavy coat and life jacket while hunting ducks from my kayak. Ducks geese pheasants bunnies dove and turkey. I also shoot alot of clays with it as well.
The pump world revolves around the 870s and Mossberg 500s with browning bps and Ithaca 37s taking the rest of the majority
 
I went to read more on regulations right after I posted this heh. So no worries I'm aware of the regulations now.
Thanks for all the comments, guys, taking it all into consideration :)
 
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I’ve been using a combo version of the new 870 Fieldmaster. Fit and finish is well above the old express. Taken lots with it this past season. Fits into just about every type of hunting I do. It’s been tough and reliable.
 

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Maverick 88 or Mossberg 500 would be my choice
I did own a couple of 870's and they were cheaply made
Owned a Mossberg 500 that I gifted to my sister when she got her PAL
 
Jack00 said:
Hello guys, I just finished my permit for hunting with a firearm and I'm hoping to be able to start this new hobby this spring for turkey season.
I've been looking around for what shotgun to get and it's a little overwhelming but right now my choice would be a remington 870 wingmaster.
But before going out and buying one, I'd like to know a few of your suggestions and what in your opinion would be a versatile shotgun that will be good for multiple types of hunting (turkey, duck, goose, etc).
I am also not too familiar with which types of shotguns are allowed in this beautiful "land of the free", so I was looking at the semi-automatic shotgun but like I said, are they even legal ? I see some places that your shotgun cannot have more than a 3 shells capacity :s

So, if you have some spare time to help out a new hunter, that would be much appreciated, cheers guys and thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Hunting Migratory Game Birds require that the magazine be plugged to hold no more than two rounds in the magazine tube and one in the chamber.
Does not matter if semi auto or pump action.
Buy a pump action to start your hobby and when you become a little more comfortable move to a semi auto of choice.
Good Hunting.
Rob
 
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