Shotgun advice

[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.