which shotgun question

[cookingdaily]

I was wondering if you all could  help me choose a shotgun and gauge for a first time fowl hunter
there are a lot to choose from

Thanks Chris

[duckmen1]

Stoeger 3500 12 gauge  best gun for value. Shoots all size loads, cycle smooth and reliably, feels great, and just a plain good looking gun.

[PNW_Hunter]

Are you looking to make a purchase from this thread? Only reason I asked is because you posted it in the classifieds section, but didn't have a WTB or anything in the subject line. Just for clarification 

[BigGoonTuna]

if you're a first timer, i'd definitely look for a 12 gauge with a 3" chamber and screw in chokes.  leave the 3.5" guns to the guys that like to punish themselves

browning bps, mossberg 500 or rem 870 would be my picks.

[bowhunter851]

I like Mossberg 500 it feels the best to me even tho I love 870s the mossber just feels better

[cookingdaily]

so what are the other gauge sizes for?
410
20,16,
I Imagine they are for specific applications
do some come with threaded barrels for slug purposes?
super novice but want to get into the bird side of things 

 PNW_Hunter sorry posted in wrong spot on info gathering mission

[PNW_Hunter]

so what are the other gauge sizes for?
410
20,16,
I Imagine they are for specific applications
do some come with threaded barrels for slug purposes?
super novice but want to get into the bird side of things 

 PNW_Hunter sorry posted in wrong spot on info gathering mission

.410 is actually the diameter, and is not a gauge, and they are mainly used for training (could hunt rabbits, etc if need be)

I would most surely go with a 12 gauge. If you are looking for a pump action shotgun, i'd look into the 870's as stated before, and they will generally be less expensive than an autoloading shotgun of similar quality.

Autoloading shotguns need a more meticulous cleaning routine as they are prone to problems when not properly cleaned (although all guns should be routinely cleaned, it is just more of a problem with an auto).

All the shotguns listed are great suggestions, but if it were me, i'd be leaning towards the 870 or a Benelli Nova (just based on personal experiences with them). Reasonably priced, and a lot of gun for the money

[Atroxus]

Stoeger 3500 12 gauge  best gun for value. Shoots all size loads, cycle smooth and reliably, feels great, and just a plain good looking gun.

Lies! This is a terrible shotgun, you should keep an eye out for stores that carry them in camo with 28" barrel and post back here to warn me...um...so that I know where to never shop again! 

Seriously though this is what I am looking for at the moment as an upgrade from my Mossberg 500. The reviews I have read pretty much all say the m3500 is the best bargain value semi-auto around. If you can afford(not much more expensive than a mossberg 500) and can find one, I say get it. Even if you don't plan to use 3.5" shells now, you'll have the option to do so later.

[C-Money]

I would get a 3" 12ga, in a Remington 870 Express. It is as close to the perfect shotgun as you can find for the money. Sometimes you can get a $40 rebate, keep an eye out for that. If you want a rifled slug barrel, they are available, many more accessories as well. Have fun!!

[cookingdaily]

so do I get a finders fee.....LOL
I found this for you

http://www.armslist.com/posts/2556627/spokane-washington-shotguns-for-sale-trade--stoeger-m3500

[boneaddict]

I would get a 3" 12ga, in a Remington 870 Express. It is as close to the perfect shotgun as you can find for the money. Sometimes you can get a $40 rebate, keep an eye out for that. If you want a rifled slug barrel, they are available, many more accessories as well. Have fun!!

[boneaddict]

.410.........vermin, home defense, spending money (shells are expensive compared to other gauges), grouse
16....
20 gauge....great for upland, trap, good for ducks. Fun gun to shoot
12.....great for waterfowl, especially geese, home defense, war, deer or big game.  Can be used for just about anything really.  Little big for snakes, but there are some that really hate snakes. 
10 gauge.......skybusting geese 

[boneaddict]

I prefer 870s over Mossberg, but here is one on top of the huntwa classifieds

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,144791.msg1922354/topicseen.html#new

[Atroxus]

.410.........vermin, home defense, spending money (shells are expensive compared to other gauges), grouse
16....
20 gauge....great for upland, trap, good for ducks. Fun gun to shoot
12.....great for waterfowl, especially geese, home defense, war, deer or big game.  Can be used for just about anything really.  Little big for snakes, but there are some that really hate snakes. 
10 gauge.......skybusting geese and dislocating your shoulder

Fixed that for you. 

[boneaddict]

and probably your budget for buying ammo.

[duckmen1]

Stoeger 3500 12 gauge  best gun for value. Shoots all size loads, cycle smooth and reliably, feels great, and just a plain good looking gun.

Lies! This is a terrible shotgun, you should keep an eye out for stores that carry them in camo with 28" barrel and post back here to warn me...um...so that I know where to never shop again! 



Seriously though this is what I am looking for at the moment as an upgrade from my Mossberg 500. The reviews I have read pretty much all say the m3500 is the best bargain value semi-auto around. If you can afford(not much more expensive than a mossberg 500) and can find one, I say get it. Even if you don't plan to use 3.5" shells now, you'll have the option to do so later.

Exactly just because you buy a 3.5 inch gun doesn't mean that you have to shoot 3.5 inch shells. It just puts the option out there.

[scottcrb]

12 gauge pump magnum will do everything u want and more, many good brands the 870 is a great gun the benelli nova is also awesome . you can hunt upland turkey ducks geese trap coyotes and some big game with e right barrel and ammo.

[BiggLuke]

For a first timer...

Simple answer.

Remington 870, 3" 12 gauge.
You can get one in camo for like $400 or less.

Simply put, if you start with a Pump, you will learn to shoot better, basically you will learn to make your shots count.

also, remington 870's are very wide spread (sold millions), easy to field strip (just in case there's a problem), and have Thousands of after market parts that are very easy to locate and buy.

great gun, great reliability.

[BiggLuke]

.410.........vermin, home defense, spending money (shells are expensive compared to other gauges), grouse
16....
20 gauge....great for upland, trap, good for ducks. Fun gun to shoot
12.....great for waterfowl, especially geese, home defense, war, deer or big game.  Can be used for just about anything really.  Little big for snakes, but there are some that really hate snakes. 
10 gauge.......skybusting geese

Just go with 12 gauge. As a beginner, the 12 gauge is your "Money" shell. Most readily available and easy to buy ammo.

20 gauges are nice, they kick less, but have a much smaller shell, and thus smaller pattern. Most guys just use 20 gauges for fun, because they have shot for years.
And to be honest, 12 ga and 20 ga are priced almost the exact same per box. With a few miner exceptions.

[TONTO]

Simply put, if you start with a Pump, you will learn to shoot better, basically you will learn to make your shots count.

  Single shot break, learn to make each one count. With a single shot like an H&R and a pocket full of shells you can still cycle pretty quick though. I can get 5-7 shots off with a single faster than most with any pump or auto loader. Of course whats the rush
 OK it may not seem as elegant, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with a single for a first gun. 3" 12 with a mod choke will do anything you want as well as any gun from grouse to geese to deer.

[Come Get Some]

870 express is hard to beat. 3" shells shoot just as far as 3-1/2" shells. Just less shot in the air. If you learn to track the bird correctly you can kill any of them including geese with 3" shells. More recoil in a pump with 3-1/2" Auto loader does not seem to make a difference.

[Atroxus]

Oh one other thing to be aware of is barrel porting. If you get a shotgun with ported barrel, and you hunt in a blind with a partner, be prepared to hear complaints about how loud your shotgun is. That is a big factor in why I am looking to upgrade from my Mossberg 500 to a Stoeger m3500. I wanted a 28" barrel but the only options for 28" barrels on my Mossberg are ported. So I figure if I am going to buy a new shotgun I might as well get a semi-auto that is capable of firing 3-1/2" shells.

[BiggLuke]

Barrel porting??
geez... come on, this guy is clearly asking for BEGINNER advice.
Barrel porting is only something to consider after you have shot a gun hundreds of times.
That's like telling the guy he needs to install an after market trigger group set to exactly 2.5 lbs. cause it shoots so much smoother. 

Which is of course, not what he needs. 

[Bullkllr]

Simply put, if you start with a Pump, you will learn to shoot better, basically you will learn to make your shots count.

  Single shot break, learn to make each one count. With a single shot like an H&R and a pocket full of shells you can still cycle pretty quick though. I can get 5-7 shots off with a single faster than most with any pump or auto loader. Of course whats the rush
 OK it may not seem as elegant, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with a single for a first gun. 3" 12 with a mod choke will do anything you want as well as any gun from grouse to geese to deer.

Sounds like quite a rare talent.

[Atroxus]

Barrel porting??
geez... come on, this guy is clearly asking for BEGINNER advice.
Barrel porting is only something to consider after you have shot a gun hundreds of times.
That's like telling the guy he needs to install an after market trigger group set to exactly 2.5 lbs. cause it shoots so much smoother. 

Which is of course, not what he needs.

I am a beginner too, this is only my second season hunting birds, and my first(currently only) shotgun is a Mossberg 500 that came from the factory with a ported barrel. Fyi some Mossberg 500s and most of the Mossberg 500 replacement barrels are factory ported. I didn't say anything about getting an after market trigger, or after-market porting on a shotgun barrel. I was merely cautioning him of the downside of buying a shotgun that has a ported barrel. IE if you buy a shotgun such as the Mossberg 500 that comes with a factory ported barrel and you hunt in a blind with a partner, your partner may not be happy with having their ear-drums blown out. I learned this the hard way, as every time I go hunting with Stilly Bay, he comments about how my shotgun makes his ears ring even with ear plugs if he is standing to either side of me.

[BiggLuke]

right... my bad.
You make a good point.

[TONTO]

Simply put, if you start with a Pump, you will learn to shoot better, basically you will learn to make your shots count.

  Single shot break, learn to make each one count. With a single shot like an H&R and a pocket full of shells you can still cycle pretty quick though. I can get 5-7 shots off with a single faster than most with any pump or auto loader. Of course whats the rush
 OK it may not seem as elegant, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with a single for a first gun. 3" 12 with a mod choke will do anything you want as well as any gun from grouse to geese to deer.

Sounds like quite a rare talent.

 Not realy, with an easily accessable ammo pouch and a smooth funtcioning single with a good eject you can cycle some shells pretty quick. Now with a pump or auto and a three shot plug the two follow shots might come off pretty smooth but reloading hangs most people up. Or atleast in my experience. I have a hard time going from pumping my benelli to reloading, just a mental block. Howmany times have you heard your budy's gun go click after that third round? With a single reloading becomes an automatic reflex, I tend to rechamber my H&R without even thinking about it.

[cookingdaily]

Thanks for the info

[brokenvet]

Hey Jarine,  A basic gun would be a 12gauge 3" Mossberg 500 or the Remington 870. 

Better guns would be a Benelli, Nova or Vinci
                                      Browning Maxus or BPS
                      My favorite  the A5   
 

[magnanimous_j]

Either the 500 or the 870 would be great choices.