Shotgun advice

[Hunter mike]

I've been toying with the idea of getting into duck hunting.  I've never owned (or even shot) a shotgun before, so other than the basic concept, I don't know much about the guns.  I'm looking for the most all-around utility type gun I can get.  I would like it to do double-duty as a grouse gun and also potentially use it for deer in shotgun-only areas.  I've been looking at a couple of new and used remington 870's and several configurations are available for pretty inexpensive.  Can anybody reccomend which configuration (barrel length...etc) would best suit my needs?  Any other guns to consider.  I'll likely go cheap for the first one to see if it even gets any use, then upgrade later if need be.  Thanks!

[GoldTip]

I'd look at a used 870 express magnum, can use 3 1/2" shells if your goose or turkey hunting.  These are pretty inexpensive and are a bullet proof shotgun.  I'd get the 28" barrel then buy an additional slug barrel from Remington if you decide to use it for deer/bear.

[Buckmark]

 
Could not have said it better myself..

[dontgetcrabs]

  x2

But, I prefer a 26" barrel.   

[duckaholic]

i agree u can never go wrong with the 870 as far as the slug barrel goes  i found that mosberg makes riffled barrels for 870 with a scope combo for a lot cheaper then Remington.

[yorketransport]

I'm not much of a shotgun guy, but I've had a few.  My personal favorite is the Mossberg 500, followed by the 870, then the Winchester 1300. I've never had a Beneli, but I've heard good things about them.

I'd get whichever gun with a 26" barrel with the screw in chokes to start, then pick up a rifled barrel later on if you want.

[uplandhunter870]

for a cheap but well built indestructable shotty id search out a used 870 capable of 3.5" shells.  not sure of the notation.  you can get a second barrel for the slugs.

best thing you can do it shoot it before you buy, an ill fitting shotgun will surely lead to bad experiences. make sure it feels good, the combo of the stock feels good on your cheek. i for one hate real narrow combs feels like someone is jamming a butter knife in my face when i shoot.  make sure that the gun isnt to long in the stock, the tip of you nose should be between 1 and 3 inches from your thumb.

i like the 28 inch barrel,  the 26 inch is just too whippy.  there are also benelli and mossberg that should be able to be had pretty cheap used, i cant attest to them ive never shot them.

hope this helps
Steve

[CP]

I bought an 870 Express a few months back and I had nothing but trouble with it.  I know it is a very popular gun but in my opinion they are a cheap, shoddy product.  Poor fit and finish, stamped sheet metal parts, loose tolerances, rib welds ripple the barrel, basically a POS. 

Maybe the Wingmaster is a better gun, but I would not recommend an 870 Express to anyone.

[TONTO]

  This might sound funny, but a single shot like a NEF Pardner or H&R Topper makes a fine first shotgun. Single shot but how often do you get doubles on grouse, of course with practice a double with a single shot isn't that far fetched. They sling a rifled slug in some what of a strait line. They can be found new about $100 sometimes less. Later on you may find out what you realy want in a gun, but that old single will always make a good back up.

[TONTO]

 First two were a double, watched the third sit down and flushed it later.
 Best handling gun I ever shot, my Bennelli is nice and puts alot of steel in the air for the honkers, but a good day grouse hunting I still like packing the Pardner .

[Missing]

I purchased the Mossberg 935 semiauto with both barrels in a package that was fairly inexpensive and is a great shooter. I am not a bird hunter but I would think what works good for predators would work well for birds. 

[GEARHEAD]

WHATEVER you do, dont get the remington 887.

[Shootmoore]

I bought an 870 Express a few months back and I had nothing but trouble with it.  I know it is a very popular gun but in my opinion they are a cheap, shoddy product.  Poor fit and finish, stamped sheet metal parts, loose tolerances, rib welds ripple the barrel, basically a POS. 

Maybe the Wingmaster is a better gun, but I would not recommend an 870 Express to anyone.

well theres pretty then theres pretty functional.  If I wanted pretty I would get a benelli double, if I want a pump that works well in all conditions I would get an 870.  I thought the finish was crappy on the express was well, a little alumihide fixed that right up.

Shootmoore

[carpsniperg2]

870 would be great for you. you can find them cheap new or cheaper used great guns

[Mookie]

What are peoples experience with the Mossberg 835's? I have one I got super cheap used, it has been shot a bit but mostly neglected, some rust spots on the barrel and very dirty, cleaned up super nice, not bad for $160 OTD. It seems to be built just as well as my friends 870 3.5" that he got brand new. The only difference is that mine rattles a bit. The ported barrel is a nice feature also.

[elk311]

I bought an 870 Express a few months back and I had nothing but trouble with it.  I know it is a very popular gun but in my opinion they are a cheap, shoddy product.  Poor fit and finish, stamped sheet metal parts, loose tolerances, rib welds ripple the barrel, basically a POS. 

Maybe the Wingmaster is a better gun, but I would not recommend an 870 Express to anyone.

I've harvested FAR more birds with my 870 than my Citori !!! 

[Hunter mike]

Hey, thanks everyone for your advice!  Sounds like I can't go to wrong with an 870, so I'll be keeping my eye open for "the deal."  Are we talking 12-ga as the best "all-around" cartridge or are there other reccomendations.  Like I said before, mostly looking for duck and grouse duty.  What type of cartridges/size of shot do you use for these birds?

[Shootmoore]

Hey, thanks everyone for your advice!  Sounds like I can't go to wrong with an 870, so I'll be keeping my eye open for "the deal."  Are we talking 12-GA as the best "all-around" cartridge or are there other recommendations.  Like I said before, mostly looking for duck and grouse duty.  What type of cartridges/size of shot do you use for these birds?

I would say 12 GA for best all around, especially if your going to duck hunt.  It also seems to be the easiest and cheapest ammo to find just about anywhere for some reason.  I used 3" #1's and BB for Duck and Geese, but I don't duck hunt anymore and I'll let some of our duckmasters address that issue.  Also for grouse I use a .22 pistol so can't give you a pointers there either.  For pheasant I run 2 3/4 #6 and quail I usually shoot #8's.  Nice thing about the 12 is its very affective for everything with a wide range of shot.  You should be able to pick up an 870 really cheap.  There is also a huge aftermarket supply of accessories for them out there.

Shootmoore

[Buckmark]

Yep, 12 gauge for all around use.
For grouse #8 or 7.5 works fine, Wally world has bricks of these for dirt cheap, pick up a few thousand rounds and have some fun..

[Hunter mike]

I'll keep hijacking my own post ...  What size for skeet/trap shooting?  I found a class I'm thinking about taking just to get me started and get a chance to get used to the gun (if I get one in time that is...).

[WDFW-SUX]

7.5 or 8 doesn't matter.

[Shootmoore]

I'll keep hijacking my own post ...  What size for skeet/trap shooting?  I found a class I'm thinking about taking just to get me started and get a chance to get used to the gun (if I get one in time that is...).

#7's to AA for trap and skeet.  I usually use 8's or 9's as they seem to want to charge more for the "speciallty AA's".  If you don't reload your own, whatever you can find cheapest, as shooting trap/skeet can get expensive once your "hooked".

Shootmoore

[C-Money]

An 870, a box of #6, 7 1/2, or 8's , get the slug barrel for deer, and you are set! I like the 28'' barrel for bird hunting. Cant go wrong with this set up! Enjoy!

[carpsniperg2]

#6 for grouse and #4 for for bigger upland and #2 ducks bb-bbb geese

[uplandhunter870]

I'll keep hijacking my own post ...  What size for skeet/trap shooting?  I found a class I'm thinking about taking just to get me started and get a chance to get used to the gun (if I get one in time that is...).

7 1/2's or 8's for trap,  i shoot alot of trap and the best shells i would reccomd are any of the wally world 100 round packs you can get them for about $23.  dont be talked into the AA's and Gold Medals and high end shells those are tournament grade Shells and not practical for just busting clays.  dont get me wrong through the AA's and Gold Medals are great shells ive used them for years just not worth it for what youre doing

[Mookie]

I find slugs work best for clay shooting, makes it more difficult. And yes, I did accidentally use slugs in my shotty once, they got mixed in with the target loads and I didn't look. I hit one and yes I have witnesses. Thank goodness for mountains or who knows where they might have landed.

[Curly]

Hey, thanks everyone for your advice!  Sounds like I can't go to wrong with an 870, so I'll be keeping my eye open for "the deal."  Are we talking 12-ga as the best "all-around" cartridge or are there other reccomendations.  Like I said before, mostly looking for duck and grouse duty.  What type of cartridges/size of shot do you use for these birds?

You can't go wrong w/ an 870.  A lot of guys seem to be recommending a 3.5", but for what you state you want to do with it, you don't really need anything more than a 3".  #6 lead 1 1/8 oz. for grouse or if you're going for blues then 1 1/4 oz and maybe 5's or 4's, and for duck it depends on if your jump shooting, pass shooting or decoying them, so anything from #4 to #1 Steel.....#2 would be a good all around steel shot size for duck.  Oh, yeah 28" barrel too for sure.

[Buckmark]

Scratch what i said earlier, dont get the 870, seems they are like a&&holes, everyone has one.
Get a Browning BPS instead, thats what i have so there..

[Missing]

Mookie,

I also have an 835 ultimag with both barrels, I have had it for about 5 years, it has been a great shooter. I bought a 935 semi and now my son uses the 835 but we mostly just hunt predators with them.

[Intruder]

I'd look at a used 870 express magnum, can use 3 1/2" shells if your goose or turkey hunting.  These are pretty inexpensive and are a bullet proof shotgun.  I'd get the 28" barrel then buy an additional slug barrel from Remington if you decide to use it for deer/bear.

If you're going for 1 gun to do it all this is sound.  Personally, I'd probably pass on the 3 1/2" chamber and spend the money on a Wingmaster model rather than a Express.  Also, unless you know you're really gonna shoot slugs a lot it may not be worth getting an extra barrel.  In which case a 26" may prove to be more versatile.... slighter better for slugs and turkeys, just a good compromise. 

[Mookie]

Went shooting today. My 835 Ulti Mag, 3.5" ported 28" 10 gauge barrel, decently used. A friends Remington 870 Express Super Magnum, 3.5", 28" barrel, nearly new.

Put about 100 rounds through each, including 3.5" steel shot. 4 people who had very little experience with shotguns and one who had never fired a gun before.
My ran flawlessly with everything and everyone liked shooting it more, less recoil as it is heavier and ported and the safety was much easier to use. Only issue the group had was it was heavy.
The 870 ran flawlessly except it will not always eject the 3.5" shells and sometimes had to FORCE it to cycle, did not matter what ammo. The issue was recoil.

This is just one 835 and one 870, I believe most of the cycling issues are because maybe the Rem is just not broken it, but the chamber might be a touch to short. Although with just a few hundred rounds the marine coat finish, or whatever Rem calls it, was already starting to wear, while my old Mossy with bluing, I prefer the Marine coat, was only worn at the muzzle and slide area, only showing a little blue.

[Hunter mike]

Well, kind of stuck in the house this weekend with the wife sick, so I'll keep this going


Does something like this look like it could meet my needs?  I'm less familiar with Mossberg models than most (and I'm not that familiar with most...).  Thanks again everyone for taking the time to help a noob!

http://www.seattleguns.net/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=8117

[uplandhunter870]

I think this will fit your needs quite well.  the choke tubes will allow for a wider variety of uses too.