Dove gun help

[croix]

I am not a bird hunter so I thought I would turn to you experts for some help.

My sister wants to buy her husband a shotgun for dove hunting in Texas. He will basically only use the gun once a year for dove, so she doesn't want to spend a ton of money. In fact she would like to spend as little as possible.

So basically - what shotgun (brand) will be safe and reliable enough that it won't ruin his hunting experience. It needs to be the right size (20 ga?), and it needs to be cheap.

I tried to tell her that "guns" and "cheap" aren't often used in the same sentence, but promised her I would get her good guidance.

Thanks for any help/guidance you can provide.

Rick

[Armadillo]

If shes looking to buy a brand new gun, you cant go wrong with a remington 870, they are the shotguns that all others are compared to. I bought one new last year and I love it, has not let me down after putting alot of shells through it so far. The gun is very decently priced and is easy to maintain and take apart

[Rgrady35]

 

[WDFW-SUX]

870 Remington wingmaster 12 or 20  

anything could work though just depneds how much money they want to spend

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model_870/model_870_wingmaster.asp

[Armadillo]

The wingmaster is a little bit more then the standard 870 but is well worth it in the quality upgrade of the gun   

[rasbo]

870 12ga would be my anwser..best shotgun made for the price.My op

[WDFW-SUX]

I spend the extra on the wingmaster for dove hunting I think the smoother action will make it easier to get those fast little birds

[Armadillo]

Remington says that both guns carry the same action on the inside. Now if only they could be as light as my Ithaca 37

[WDFW-SUX]

I've got a wingmaster and its as smooth as butter

[Woodchuck]

870 is the easy choice, although i have an old maverick pump gun that has been through tons of shells and have no complaints,having shot tons of the little *censored*s while in Virginia, i would recomend a 12 ga over a 20 only because the difference in recoil is very slight and the 12 gets a few more pellets in the air. be sure to tell the hubby that no matter what gun, doves are humbling, i dont care who you are.  

[Armadillo]

  be sure to tell the hubby that no matter what gun, doves are humbling, i dont care who you are.  

 

If hes a good shot then a 20 guage might be easier to pack around but both guns will get it done

[croix]

Thank you all for the overwhelming response. I got exactly what I expected, and now I have the info I need. Looks like remington 870 is the way to go.

Thanks again.

Rick

[Wacenturion]

The 870 is a great gun....but for doves......20 or 28 gauge, with open choke...i.e. Improved.  The 870 comes with interchangable chokes so that's covered.  In my opinion a 12 ga. is overkill for doves...more pellets in a dinky little bird like a dove or quail is not a good thing..........

[mjgentile]

I've Dove huntted in Oklahoma if possible look into an Used Autoloader. The Doves are faster than you think an move on a dime. I huntted with a pump got a few but feel I would got more with an autoloader.

[BigGoonTuna]

if he's not opposed to a single shot, an H&R is cheap and reliable.  you can get them in 20 and 28 gauge too.

being a wingmaster owner, i might be a little biased, i don't think there's a better pump on the market.  of course, there are better pumps for the money(express, mossberg, browning etc).  i don't think a 20 gauge express would be a bad dove gun and it fits the "cost as little as possible" criteria.  of course, i think a 28ga wingmaster would be pretty sweet to have!