buying a shotgun
 

im looking into buying a shotgun. i have rifles and im not newto guns but want to know what to look at in a shotgun. i know about barrel length, choke, and ammo. it will be primarily for large game and would like a pump action.

can i get some info on shotguns you use.

RE: buying a shotgun
 

If you want a pump, you can't go wrong with a Remington 870 or a Benelli Super Nova.

Not sure what you mean by "large game"....

RE: buying a shotgun
 

I guess a counter question for you hog man is are you planning on slug gun hunting or running dogs and using buckshot.

There are good and better choices for each.

If you are slug gun hunting, I'd recommend you spring the money for a rifled and cantelieverd barrel. If you are still hunting, this is obviously the best route. Don't know where you are from, but if you are hunting hogs (per your handle) there is a good chance that you can use rifles for deer and hogs in your state.... so I'm going to assume option #2....

For buckshot, there are plenty of good shooting guns. I grew up shooting deer in front of hounds... buckshot was a way of life... I'd probably shot 5 or 6 deer with my 20 gauge as a kid before I shot my first one with a rifle. I'd hate to think about how many I've shot with buckshot now.... dozens....

My buckshot gun is an 870 Wingmaster Magnum that is older than me by a few years. Gunsmith put chokes in it for me when I was 11. I shoot an extended Modified choke tube made by Briley. Its marketed as a waterfowl choke, which is kinda my thing in hunting, but it so happens that is shoots buckshot like a dream. A good friend of mine uses his turkey gun to shoot buckshot with. Its a Mossberg 835, I have one myself, but its just a turkey gun for me. The 835 has an overbored barrel, that makes the patterns very dense and even. Most hunters over choke buckshot, which is a mistake. Every gun is different and you have to expirament with yours a bit to find what works the best. Another great pump gun for buckshot is the Browning BPS, which is back bored, and is known for some great patterns as well, and is one of the better pump guns currently being made.

RE: buying a shotgun
 

You want one for a good price you can get a pardner pump. I have had my 12 Ga for about a year, killed a deer and a nice gobbler with it and won a skeet shoot. Will run you 220$ for a combo barrel.

RE: buying a shotgun
 

Rem 870 with 23" rifled barrel and cantilever scope mount. Put on a Nikon Prostaff 2-7x 33mm scope and your good to go. As far as slugs, try the Hornady SST's.

RE: buying a shotgun
 

I do not know how much you want to spend, or what you want to hunt. But it is pretty tough to beat an 870 combo. Tom.

RE: buying a shotgun
 

it will primarily be used for deer and hog (ya i can use a rifle for both but i want to try somthing new)
im going with buck shot not slugs(i have a rifle i dont need a notherone that looks like a shotgun )

after this will probably be a turkey gun.



them 870s,are they like a beginers gun or a gun that will take a lot of use and last a wile?

RE: buying a shotgun
 

I do not know how many shots you are going to shoot. But for the average shooter the 870 will last at least 3 or 4 lifetimes. If not a whole lot more. IMO the 870 is one of the best built firearms out there. Even when price is considered. Tom.

RE: buying a shotgun
 

+1 They are hard to beat.

RE: buying a shotgun
 

what are your opinions on the Mossberg 590. besidesnot havine a changablechoke how are they.

RE: buying a shotgun
 

I figured you were probably from points south and were in the middle of rifle land. I'm a Virginian, and our state leaves it to the counties to decide what hunters may or may not use. They can't ever make their minds up. There are counties without an incorporated town over the population of 1000 with nothing but bean fields and cutovers that are shotgun/buckshot only, and counties just north or surrounding major cities with nothing but suburbs where you can shoot rifles. Makes no sense at all.


To put it in perspective with the 870s..... The 870 Wingmaster I own was made in the mid 1970s, I have been shooting it since 1994, and I cannot remember having any issues with it at all save me short stroking the gun when I was young and short. I mostly hunt ducks and doves and birds.... but there isn't much that gun hasn't killed. In fact, I was turkey hunting in South Carolina when I shot my first pig with it.... with #6 Hevi-shot to boot. All be it from about 9 yards....

If you are looking for a gun that will make a good turkey gun, the 870 will work..... but for strictly buckshot and turkey hunting.... I'd really look hard at the Mossberg 835 and the Browning BPS.

RE: buying a shotgun
 

Mossberg 500 or Remington 870, they will last forever and then some. Not even Chuck Norris could destroy these guns. I own a Mossberg 500 and absolutely love it.

RE: buying a shotgun
 

buckshot? I dunno, guess cause we cant use it here, least not on deer, intruders maybe. I have to use a slug and given the chance to use a rifle I wouldnt be toying around with a slug at all, I'd probably sell it.

I'd stick to a rifle, but in pump id say 870.

RE: buying a shotgun
 

Bought an 870 over 20 years ago as my first new shotgun. Even though I have others still love my 870. My Browning BPS does look nice beside it though. Both are very realiable tools.

RE: buying a shotgun
 

Mossberg 500

RE: buying a shotgun
 

an 870 is built like a brick sh*thouse, you can't wear them out if you tried, there is a reason they are the best selling shotgun of all time. As for whether they are a beginners shotgun or not the answer is yes and no. My first gun was an 870 youth 20 gauge so it is a beginner's gun. But you can also get it in 12 gauge 3.5" magnum which is far from being a beginner's gun haha.

RE: buying a shotgun
 

Great thing about the 870. It works. Lots of aftermarket stuff available. Parts available in the unlikely event something breaks. Not a featherweight, but how much punishment can you take?

RE: buying a shotgun
 

870 Wingmaster, you could row your boat with this gun and still shoot your game!

RE: buying a shotgun
 

I do not want to step on any toes but IMO the 870 is a far better shotgun. For many reasons. Resale would be the best one. Everybody else covered the other points.

The 835 is not a bad shotgun, but with a 3.5" shell they will kick the snot out of you. I have bled a couple of times after shooting one. I will never shoot one again.

The Browning is also a fine firearm. It is just as good or in some situations a bit better, but the Browning is also a lot more expensive.

Buy the Remington 870. If you ever need the money or want to upgrade then selling the 870 will take about one day as long as you are reasonable. And if you take care of it, the value will go up. Tom.

RE: buying a shotgun
 

whats the difference between the 870 Express Turkey Camo 12/23 3.5 for $495.00
and the 870 SPS Camo 12/23 3.5 for $661.00

RE: buying a shotgun
 

Fit and finish. There may also be some barrel length differences, but any good length from 26 to 30 inches will do just fine. I like the 28 inch barrel. I have not bought one for a while, but that price sounds high on the Express. I would shop around a bit. I also think a camo finish is a waste of good money, but that is just my opinion. Tom.

RE: buying a shotgun
 

are they magnums???

RE: buying a shotgun
 

My grandfather had an 870 Express Magnum, and my dad had an 870 Wingmaster, and both are older than I am and still functioning. My grandfather's was the only gun he ever carried in the woods, and the only time my dad didn't have his was when he carried his 20gauge Wingmaster rabbit hunting. All 3 are nearly as old as me or older, and are used every year deer, turkey, andsquirrel hunting. My cousin has started using my grandfather's since he passed away a few years ago and has had 0 problems with it as well. I have 3 870's-1 20gauge Express Magnum, 1 12gauge Express Magnum, and 1 12 gauge Express Slug gun. The newest is 9 years old. All work flawlessly, and for the money they're probably the best you can get unless you wanna pay twice as much and get a BenelliNova.

In summary an 870 is far from a starter gun you use for a couple years then replace. As long as you don't abuse it it'll still be going long after you can't carry it in the woods anymore.

RE: buying a shotgun
 

The two you listed are both Super Magnums. The 3.5 at the end denotes 3 1/2 inch shells.