Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Upland Birds => Topic started by: croix on August 12, 2009, 07:15:48 AM

Title: Dove gun help
Post by: croix on August 12, 2009, 07:15:48 AM: 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
Title: Re: Dove gun help
Post by: Armadillo on August 12, 2009, 07:23:25 AM: 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
Title: Re: Dove gun help
Post by: Rgrady35 on August 12, 2009, 07:24:58 AM: :yeah:
Title: Re: Dove gun help
Post by: WDFW-SUX on August 12, 2009, 07:25:04 AM: 870 Remington wingmaster 12 or 20 :dunno:

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

http://www.remington.com/products/firearms/shotguns/model_870/model_870_wingmaster.asp
Title: Re: Dove gun help
Post by: Armadillo on August 12, 2009, 07:27:16 AM: The wingmaster is a little bit more then the standard 870 but is well worth it in the quality upgrade of the gun :twocents:
Title: Re: Dove gun help
Post by: rasbo on August 12, 2009, 07:28:30 AM: 870 12ga would be my anwser..best shotgun made for the price.My op
Title: Re: Dove gun help
Post by: WDFW-SUX on August 12, 2009, 07:28:37 AM: 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
Title: Re: Dove gun help
Post by: Armadillo on August 12, 2009, 07:32:03 AM: Remington says that both guns carry the same action on the inside. Now if only they could be as light as my Ithaca 37 :bash:
Title: Re: Dove gun help
Post by: WDFW-SUX on August 12, 2009, 07:35:32 AM: I've got a wingmaster and its as smooth as butter :dunno:
Title: Re: Dove gun help
Post by: Woodchuck on August 12, 2009, 07:46:53 AM: 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. :twocents:
Title: Re: Dove gun help
Post by: Armadillo on August 12, 2009, 08:00:51 AM: Quote from: JIMKD8 on August 12, 2009, 07:46:53 AM
be sure to tell the hubby that no matter what gun, doves are humbling, i dont care who you are. :twocents:

:yeah:

If hes a good shot then a 20 guage might be easier to pack around but both guns will get it done
Title: Re: Dove gun help
Post by: croix on August 12, 2009, 08:23:04 AM: 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
Title: Re: Dove gun help
Post by: Wacenturion on August 12, 2009, 09:10:21 AM: 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.......... :twocents:
Title: Re: Dove gun help
Post by: mjgentile on August 14, 2009, 10:27:59 PM: 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.
Title: Re: Dove gun help
Post by: BigGoonTuna on August 15, 2009, 06:21:54 PM: 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!
Title: Re: Dove gun help
Post by: Sneaky on August 15, 2009, 09:54:26 PM: 870
Title: Re: Dove gun help
Post by: Dave Workman on August 16, 2009, 11:14:04 AM: The Remington 870 is certainly popular, but the Mossberg 500 is, in my experience, just as reliable and less expensive.

GET A 20-GAUGE!!!

Less recoil, and you won't chew up a bird with shot.

Run 7 1/2 or 8 shot, use a modified or Improved Cylinder choke tube and you're in business.

I prefer double barrel shotguns, but now we''re talking expensive unless you opt for one of the very well made Turkish guns imported under the Charles Daly brand by KBI. I've tested a couple of these guns and they are first class, without the first class pricetag, and you find yourself using less ammunition!

Good luck!
Title: Re: Dove gun help
Post by: jdb on August 16, 2009, 12:00:10 PM: Quote from: BigGoonTuna on August 15, 2009, 06:21:54 PM
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.

I was thinking the same thing, they even make a delux version that comes with a vent rib and choke tubes. It may be the way to go.