I have decided to buy an H and R Tracker II slug gun. I appreciate the good price and comments made by other owners, but before I plop down the money, what is the general consensus about these guns versus say the entry level Remingtons, Benellis, etc. I am looking for straight workmanship opinions, not opinions on options -- I've made that decision already. Thanks!

As far as fit and finnish, the H&R's are a bit lacking. The mossbergs are a bit better, the remingtons better yet and the benneli's are very nice weapons. However the prices reflect these cosmetic differences for sure.

However when you talk about functionality and accuracy they are from what I have seen and heard better than some guns for almost twice the money. The H&R's are very well known for thier accuracy and simplicity. They could be prettier in my opinion, but then they wouldn't cost less than 200 bucks either.

If you want a nice looking weapon and a easy repeat shot the remington and mossbergs are fine rifles. Better yet would be a wingmaster or browning as far as fit and finnish go. And if money is no concern get a benneli hands down.

But if you don't want a show peice and don't mind a sinlge shot the H&R's just can not be beat for the price. Spending more money will not get you a more accurate better functioning rifle, it will just be prettier in most cases.

That is my opinion any way. I know you are probably tired of hearing my opinion though.

Paul

No, I'm not tired of your opinion, Paul -- I appreciate any input. I got to get my hands on a Pardner last night. Set it next to a Benelli Nova slug and it was basically all the same measurements -- websites confirmed this with only minor differences. It did feel different though. The only thing I can figure out is the less substantial forearm due to not having a pump. Honestly, if this company makes a durable product, I can't afford not to buy it. I love my Benelli, but to sink another $400+ just isn't possible for me.

I just meant that you are probably looking for more opinions than just mine is all.

I am not going to sit here and tell you a 180 dollar H&R is everything a benelli is, that is not the case at all. However I feel the Nova's are a cheap version of a benelli and really should not be compared to the expensive autos that the name conjures up when you hear it. Not that the Nova is a bad gun by any means.

The H&R's feel different because they are lighter and the balance is different. They will also kick harder because they are lighter. You can add weight to them though. I don't think you will notice the recoil in the field at all.

My personal opinion is for what you want the tracker would be a better gun for less than what a barrel would cost for your Nova. The advantage would be the quick follow up shot the nova could give you. If you had a mossberg or something and you could get a barrel for 150 bucks or something I would tell you to go that route. But if the barrels are 3 or 4 hundred for a benelli I don't see the justification in the price vrs getting a different rifle. Heck for that kind of money you could almost get a Savage slug gun.

One of the nice things about the H&R's is they are stupid simple. There is really nothing to them. Which means there is very little to go wrong with them. And if you get one from the factory I think you can even have them do a trigger job on it before you get it. No clue to what it would cost though. The H&Rs are built so well you could probably beat a deer to death with one, or slam it against a tree and it would still work fine.

Paul

As stated above, they aren't pretty, but they are reliable and accurate. I've never shot one of their slug guns, but my 14 yr old daughter can shoot a 1/2" group with her .243 Handirifle (better than her dad can shoot for sure!). A single shot may slow you down, but I believe most single shot shooters tend to be more accurate in their shot placement. My old man used to be able to regularly put two ducks down in a fly over with his single shot 12 guage, so one can get quick at reloading.

H&R is what you see....basic and working stuff. The good news is that it's a fine working gun. The darn things just plain work and work well.....there's not much more to say is there?