Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: huntnphool on December 14, 2013, 03:48:53 PM

Title: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: huntnphool on December 14, 2013, 03:48:53 PM: Which one and why?
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: Wea300mag on December 14, 2013, 04:04:12 PM: Semi-auto for me, more than two shots without a lot of extra movement.
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: PolarBear on December 14, 2013, 04:05:21 PM: For what critters?
I'm a big fan of the old side by sides for everything except when hunting birds that flock.
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: jasnt on December 14, 2013, 04:07:09 PM: Pump,because it's in my budget. Not as fast as sa but still quick enough for me
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: Huntbear on December 14, 2013, 04:08:13 PM: 870 Wingmaster. I have proven several times over the years, I can shoot just as fast as an 1100 and still hit what I need to hit. Shooting a pump is just a natural action, and I have shot pump actions since I was old enough to shoot.

It is a classic design and just never breaks. Plus if you do get it so dirty it will not function properly, it is super easy to tear down and clean top to bottom.
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: jackelope on December 14, 2013, 04:13:12 PM: Quote from: huntnphool on December 14, 2013, 03:48:53 PM
Which one and why?

For what?

I think there's a reason a lot of race gun guys are not shooting pumps.
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: Bofire on December 14, 2013, 04:16:54 PM: :) Pump gun, cause it does EVERYTHING well!!
Maybe not the BEST but well.
The key word being "everything" The only weakness that could be discussed is the overall length/balance compared to any "break" action. Semi-auto reduces recoil but at a cost in reliability.
Carl
The post says "for hunting"
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: snowpack on December 14, 2013, 04:23:33 PM: forgot bolt guns. :tung:
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: turkeyfeather on December 14, 2013, 04:29:14 PM: I really enjoyed my wingmaster. But then I bought an SX3, and I am in love with that gun. So my wingmaster is now my safe queen.
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: GoBeavs85 on December 14, 2013, 04:35:49 PM: I used to want an o/u really bad(well ok I still do). This year I have been getting into a lot of quail and the third shot has helped more than I thought! I'm not a great shot on quail but I think even for those who are, the late flyers only fall to the guy w 3 shots. 870 pump for me, just based on budget for now.
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: wadu1 on December 14, 2013, 04:41:32 PM: I shoot Beretta 391 in 12 & 20 for sporting clays and a 391 Extrema 3 1/2 for waterfowl. And I have a Baikal MP-153 for saltwater shooting. Never had a 870 that was anygood, went through 8 or 9 and dumped pumps altogether. Remington 1100 or 11-87 are OK but they dont fit me at all.
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: Bmcox86 on December 14, 2013, 05:05:20 PM: O/u because I have had the same gun for 14 years and I shoot it well, plus I always waste the 3rd shot when I have a pump or auto
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: whackmaster on December 14, 2013, 05:11:32 PM: the best shotgun for hunting is the one that you can kill the birds with :mgun2:
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: bobcat on December 14, 2013, 05:28:40 PM: I have all kinds, and use all of them, depending on the particular circumstances of each hunt. But if I only could have one shotgun it would probably be a pump, and yes, it would be a Remington 870.

First of all, there are times when it's really advantageous to have a third shot. So that eliminates the double barrels. So why not a semi-auto? Because they get dirty and can malfunction. An 870 can go forever without much, if any, maintenance. They're virtually trouble free. And, when an 870 does need cleaning, it's so simple I could do it in the dark. And that includes complete disassembly, trigger mechanism and all.

I like my model 1100 20 gauge for grouse hunting. It's light and fits me well. For pheasants I like my Beretta over\under, because it balances very nicely and I like having the ability of having two different chokes that I can select instantly when a bird gets up. For chukar I'd take my 1100 if it were early in the season, or later in the season I might take my Franchi 12 gauge semi auto. For chukar I think it's important to have 3 shots, for pheasants, not so much.

So the only hunting I would take my 870 over the others is duck and goose hunting. But like I said, if I could only have one shotgun, that would be it, and it would work just fine for everything.

Oh, and yes, I can shoot an 870 much faster than a semi-auto.
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: Hunterman on December 14, 2013, 05:41:39 PM: Pump gun for me. I shoot left handed, and I like the 3rd,4th or even 5th shot option.

Hunterman(Tony)
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: huntnphool on December 14, 2013, 06:04:39 PM: Quote from: Hunterman on December 14, 2013, 05:41:39 PM
Pump gun for me. I shoot left handed, and I like the 3rd,4th or even 5th shot option.
I have not hunted birds in years so don't know the rules but can you use a gun with 5 shells in it? I remember year ago we couldn't, maybe it was the area we were in? :dunno:
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: bobcat on December 14, 2013, 06:08:20 PM: Quote from: huntnphool on December 14, 2013, 06:04:39 PM
Quote from: Hunterman on December 14, 2013, 05:41:39 PM
Pump gun for me. I shoot left handed, and I like the 3rd,4th or even 5th shot option.
I have not hunted birds in years so don't know the rules but can you use a gun with 5 shells in it? I remember year ago we couldn't, maybe it was the area we were in? :dunno:

There isn't a 3-shot limit if you're hunting deer, elk, bear, coyotes, bobcats, etc. Just birds.
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: snowpack on December 14, 2013, 06:09:22 PM: Is there a shell limit for crows?
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: Ridgeratt on December 14, 2013, 06:11:47 PM: This is a broad topic!!
Turkie's 870 remington
Waterfowl Thats a Auto
Pheasant's Thats a Stack Barrel
Road Cheekens that could be a SxS or Single

Just too many choices. :dunno:

That doesn't even include if I drag somethin out to bust clay pidgons!!!! LOL I know I crushed the spelling also!!
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: wildweeds on December 14, 2013, 06:19:06 PM: For upland, O/U , waterfowl pump gun.That said if anyone wants to cram a bunch of shells in a gun and hunt pheasants,from what I've seen in South Dakota the locals gun of choice is a Bennelli Montefeltro with 9 shells jammed in it.It's legal there to hunt upland birds with more than three shells.
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: follow maggie on December 14, 2013, 09:42:11 PM: Depends on what I'm after: 870 for turkeys and nasty weather upland; 1100 for waterfowl; Weatherby over/under 20 guage for decent weather upland, grouse, and early season waterfowl
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: 270Shooter on December 14, 2013, 10:04:59 PM: I am pretty much only a duck hunter with the occasional pheasant and quail here and there. And I like to hunt turkeys as well. I shoot a Benelli m2 left handed model. Very reliable, the only time I would prefer a pump is in extreme cold hunts where the gun may get wet.
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: huntnphool on December 15, 2013, 02:08:37 AM: Great info guys, keep it coming!
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: rasbo on December 15, 2013, 06:00:35 AM: 870 12gauge never needed anything more,never fails
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: rtspring on December 15, 2013, 06:04:17 AM: WSX3. By far the best gin I have ever owned.., not one jam or any issues. Easy to dismantle for cleaning..
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: bear hunter on December 15, 2013, 08:47:57 AM: :dunno: I like them all :drool:
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: pianoman9701 on December 15, 2013, 08:54:09 AM: I chose semi-auto. The only think I use shotgun for is geese. I've scored a few doubles with it and would love to get a triple. I don't see that's possible with the others, possibly excepting the pump. It's also really reliable.
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: scout/sniper on December 15, 2013, 09:00:46 AM: I use a semi-auto for waterfowl. Very reliable gun.
I do however bring a pump with me in the boat as a backup.
When it gets very cold the semi-auto can get sluggish, not commonly though.
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: AWS on December 15, 2013, 01:49:55 PM: I like a SxS or O/U as long as it has two triggers, instant selection of choke and load. Even my predator gun is a O/U Rifle/Shotgun with two triggers. I rarely take more than one bird from a flock of ducks, makes the day last longer and I rarely wound ducks that way. I've taken 24 ducks and five geese with the same two boxes of shells in the past three weeks. I keep a #6 in the right barrel and a #4 in the left, 2 1/2" 7/8 oz. ITX handloads. If goose comes in I cock the left hammer and a duck the right, never have to fumble around changing shells for different birds.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi6.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy222%2FBrowndaug%2F010_zpsf80b3deb.jpg&hash=0601e21924dac45c8a82b2e503534f2e8a11260e) (http://s6.photobucket.com/user/Browndaug/media/010_zpsf80b3deb.jpg.html)

In the upland I shoot a SxS 12ga that is a featherweight at 5# 15 oz , easy to carry and handles better than anything I've shot before.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi6.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy222%2FBrowndaug%2FMT2013lastday012_zps80330d23.jpg&hash=e16759fcbcea213f537556e5873ec347cc3566e6) (http://s6.photobucket.com/user/Browndaug/media/MT2013lastday012_zps80330d23.jpg.html)

Both together cost less than an SBE.
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: Caseyd on December 15, 2013, 01:55:12 PM: I'm not a single choice kinda guy.

Waterfowl- pump
Upland- semi or o/u
Trap- o/u
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: Hilltop123 on December 15, 2013, 02:25:04 PM: Give me an 870, I can field strip it down to just a pile of parts with nothing more than my hands and a 16 p nail. But what this survey will probably show, is that folks will choose, what they are more comfortable with. :twocents:
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: huntingfool7 on December 15, 2013, 03:55:37 PM: All of the above...as long as it has a decent piece of wood attached to it.

AWS- Love the hammer gun, I'm green with envy. What's the make/model on the 12 gauge with English stock?
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: wadu1 on December 15, 2013, 04:18:59 PM: Quote from: pianoman9701 on December 15, 2013, 08:54:09 AM
I chose semi-auto. The only think I use shotgun for is geese. I've scored a few doubles with it and would love to get a triple. I don't see that's possible with the others, possibly excepting the pump. It's also really reliable.
Bingo-that is why I shoot an auto. I have taken three sets of triples the best is 3 honkers. And last year was my quad 2 mallard drakes with the first and another drake with the second, ah-heck the hen went down with the third. SP10 on the honkers and my Beretta Extreama for the daffy ducks. :twocents:
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: bobcat on December 15, 2013, 04:36:51 PM: One time I got a quadruple out of a flock of greaters with an 870. Like I said, a pump is faster than an auto. Of course it helped that I used to shoot trap every Tuesday night in a league, and we did continental and doubles, so I had to learn to get that second shot off quick.
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: Bofire on December 15, 2013, 06:06:56 PM: :) I have taken triples on flushing quail with an 870, many times.
Carl
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: jaymark6655 on December 15, 2013, 06:56:49 PM: Pump Moss 500

Never breaks down and almost as fast or faster than a semi-auto.
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: AWS on December 15, 2013, 07:46:19 PM: huntnfool, PM sent
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: scout/sniper on December 15, 2013, 07:53:13 PM: Does everyone really believe a pump is faster than an auto. :dunno:
It's fine to prefer one over the other, but this is ridiculous.
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: AWS on December 15, 2013, 08:41:12 PM: A little double gun fun today. It is fun to do things like our grandfathers (to me, some of you it would be great-grandfathers) They weren't handicapped by their firearms, transportation slowed them down a little.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi6.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy222%2FBrowndaug%2FDec2013008_zps9afb3ae0.jpg&hash=086bb189768a6aeb54113e2ceec4b9f56d9e4fb4) (http://s6.photobucket.com/user/Browndaug/media/Dec2013008_zps9afb3ae0.jpg.html)

I even load shells like they did, I do cheat a little and use plastic hulls.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi6.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy222%2FBrowndaug%2FHuskyatworkII002_zps9742e635.jpg&hash=0049a42ee3f2a64ea2622985e39972bc37fb4fb9) (http://s6.photobucket.com/user/Browndaug/media/HuskyatworkII002_zps9742e635.jpg.html)

As for the fastest I'd say a double barrel with ejectors would be faster if you start with 10 shells sitting on a table in front of you and start with empty guns. I've done it a couple of times.
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: dawei on December 15, 2013, 08:50:19 PM: Pump because it is uniquely an American design and so versatile.
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: steen on December 15, 2013, 09:06:06 PM: I guess it depends on what you are hunting. I shoot a Remington Model 1100, semi auto, 12 gauge with an English style stock for upland game birds. It fits me real well and goes up to my shoulder very quickly. That is what I picked but I also have a 20 gauge rifle barrel single shot for hunting deer if I'm so inclined here west of I-5 in Whatcom Co. Both are very accurate and fun to shoot! I've used the semi auto the most. I shot my one and only turkey with a Remington 870 pump which was to big for me but it got the job done.....or I did! Lol

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi757.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fxx215%2Fsteen_photos%2Fphotobucket-8567-1387170789415_zps90df3eab.jpg&hash=11dfc30cfa68fae056d2977299f9939105838575) (http://s757.photobucket.com/user/steen_photos/media/photobucket-8567-1387170789415_zps90df3eab.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: Bofire on December 15, 2013, 09:36:46 PM: :) I have heard this before: "a pump faster than asemi-auto"

"Does everyone really believe a pump is faster than an auto.
It's fine to prefer one over the other, but this is ridiculous."

?? Standing at a safe place and shooting 3 shells as fast as possible, THERE IS NO WAY IN THE WORLD A PUMP IS AS FAST. :chuckle:

I have heard people say "well, shooting at birds(deer,skeet), when you must aim" a "pump is as fast as a semi-auto" Maybe??!!!? could be I guess but I would have to see it, I shoot both.
Carl :hello: :hello:
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: bobcat on December 15, 2013, 09:48:54 PM: A pump action IS faster than an automatic. At least for me, and that is based on a Remington 1100 and a Remingon 870. I don't believe I'd ever notice the difference while hunting. But when I first began shooting trap, I used an 870. Later on I switched to an 1100. Shooting doubles I noticed I really had to wait for that second shell to cycle through before I could shoot that second bird. With the 870 it was always just shoot as fast as I could pull the trigger. It was only a split second difference but it was noticeable for sure.
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: Bob33 on December 15, 2013, 10:11:57 PM: The world record for a pump is breaking 8 hand thrown clay targets in under 2 seconds.

A semi may be faster, but if you need to shoot faster than four rounds per second you've got some serious problems.
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: Fishaholic on December 16, 2013, 12:09:12 AM: My pump is light and never jams and wont freeze up in the cold. I can take it apart if I drop it in mudd and clean in without much of a hassle.
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: huntingfool7 on December 16, 2013, 05:25:38 AM: AWS. Getting it done. Old School! :tup:

Quote from: AWS on December 15, 2013, 08:41:12 PM
A little double gun fun today. It is fun to do things like our grandfathers (to me, some of you it would be great-grandfathers) They weren't handicapped by their firearms, transportation slowed them down a little.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi6.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy222%2FBrowndaug%2FDec2013008_zps9afb3ae0.jpg&hash=086bb189768a6aeb54113e2ceec4b9f56d9e4fb4) (http://s6.photobucket.com/user/Browndaug/media/Dec2013008_zps9afb3ae0.jpg.html)

I even load shells like they did, I do cheat a little and use plastic hulls.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi6.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy222%2FBrowndaug%2FHuskyatworkII002_zps9742e635.jpg&hash=0049a42ee3f2a64ea2622985e39972bc37fb4fb9) (http://s6.photobucket.com/user/Browndaug/media/HuskyatworkII002_zps9742e635.jpg.html)

As for the fastest I'd say a double barrel with ejectors would be faster if you start with 10 shells sitting on a table in front of you and start with empty guns. I've done it a couple of times.
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: scout/sniper on December 16, 2013, 06:13:38 AM: Quote from: Bob33 on December 15, 2013, 10:11:57 PM
The world record for a pump is breaking 8 hand thrown clay targets in under 2 seconds.

A semi may be faster, but if you need to shoot faster than four rounds per second you've got some serious problems.

You have to control yourself with an auto and still make good shots.
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: scout/sniper on December 16, 2013, 06:24:45 AM: Quote from: Bofire on December 15, 2013, 09:36:46 PM
I have heard people say "well, shooting at birds(deer,skeet), when you must aim" a "pump is as fast as a semi-auto" Maybe??!!!? could be I guess but I would have to see it, I shoot both.
Carl :hello: :hello:

This makes more sense, but it depends entirely on the shooter and not how fast the gun cycles.
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: andersonjk4 on December 16, 2013, 09:31:41 AM: I grew up shooting 870's. Going from a wingmaster 20 gauge then graduating to a 870 Express Super Magnum. And I loved both of them. My friends all went the way of the semi-auto (SBE II's). I always swore I would be a pump guy for life and that was reinforced when both of their guns jammed while goose hunting. But when Remington released their Vera-Max that all changed. I was in the market for an upgrade and was looking at 870's, but a couple years ago the offerings in the 870 for 3 1/2" guns was very poor, so I began looking at the Vera-Max. After reading tons of articles and reviews and holding the gun several times I decided to go with it. It shoulders awesome and the adjustability (rise/drop/cant...etc.) makes this a great all around gun. I have yet to have a jam or any sort of failure to fire after about 1000 rounds. And the biggest advantage I see is the reduced recoil. I still love the 870 and would recommend it to anyone. But for me the Versa-Max is tops. They are a spendy gun, but worth every penny in my book.
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: et1702 on December 16, 2013, 10:00:43 AM: Beretta Al 391 Semi for waterfowl (because I shoot it well).
SXS or O/U for upland (because I like too).

ET
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: Fishaholic on December 16, 2013, 10:36:27 AM: Quote from: scout/sniper on December 15, 2013, 07:53:13 PM
Does everyone really believe a pump is faster than an auto. :dunno:
It's fine to prefer one over the other, but this is ridiculous.

Well if your semi auto jams my pump would shoot faster????? lol
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: scout/sniper on December 16, 2013, 10:58:34 AM: Quote from: ddjj1991 on December 16, 2013, 10:36:27 AM
Quote from: scout/sniper on December 15, 2013, 07:53:13 PM
Does everyone really believe a pump is faster than an auto. :dunno:
It's fine to prefer one over the other, but this is ridiculous.

Well if your semi auto jams my pump would shoot faster????? lol
LOL, that's why I carry a pump as a backup :tup:
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: Redbeard on December 16, 2013, 11:06:46 AM: I use a 11-87 with the ar-15 style stock. Pistol grip with a stock. Love that gun for deer
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: mossback91 on December 16, 2013, 11:12:26 AM: Grew up chasing upland with a 870 in my hands and have never changed :)

Have often thought of buying a nice semi, but never can commit to leaving the good ol reliable pump behind
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: 87Ford on December 16, 2013, 12:14:37 PM: I just don't get all this talk of semi-autos jamming. My experience... In 1987 I bought a first year production Remington 1187. I don't know how many thousands of rounds I've put through that gun...a lot! I've hunted everything with that gun from ducks in the muck and mud of the saltwater flats in all weather conditions, to pheasants and geese on the east side, doves, grouse, and have even shot a ton of trap and sporting clays with it...and...NOT ONE JAM. I mean not one time.. Kept it reasonably clean and did a little preventative maintenance like replacing the o-ring every year or two whether it was needed or not and it got a new recoil spring a couple of times over the years. No problems, ever.

I have since moved on to a Benelli Ultra Light for pheasant hunting which is about the only bird hunting I do anymore. No problems with it either and, for me, it is the end-all and be-all upland gun. Have a couple of doubles, but the Benelli is my serious upland bird gun.
Title: Re: Preferred Shotgun For Hunting (Poll)
Post by: scout/sniper on December 16, 2013, 12:20:15 PM: Quote from: 87Ford on December 16, 2013, 12:14:37 PM
I just don't get all this talk of semi-autos jamming.

I don't have any problems either, I only carry the pump "just in case".
It takes up hardly any room in the boat gun rack so I bring it along.