New hunter need help with first shotgun
 

I hope at the end of the month to buy my first shotgun for Duck, Deer, and Goose hunting. When I was at Gander Mountin they recomended to me to get the Benelli Nova 12ga 3 1/2 Black Syn. It had a cost of $300. They said it would fit what I wanted to do well and it was cheap enough for a beginner but good quality for hunting. I have them and a huge Bass Proshop with in about 20min of each other. With being new to hunting I just do not know guns that well. To be honest this will be my very first gun that I will ever own.

I live in IL and all I can use it shotgun. I am just wondering what would be some good shotguns for me to look at? I know there are ones with that I can change the barrel on but they are saying that is not needed because I can get slugs that are made for a smooth barrel.

Thanks for and sugestions. I would like to stay under $400 if I can. Since hunting season will almost be over by the time I get my gun I can wait a little longer if I need to save up some cash.

RE: New hunter need help with first shotgun
 

Yes and No.

Yes, the Nova is a good solid gun, even if it is all plastic. For what you'd need, the 3.5" would work very well, even if it is my opinion that the 3.5" 12ga isn't really needed for ANYTHING...but with the Nova you can use anything from 2.75" clear up to 3.5", so it's not a problem.

No, I don't know that I'd recommend this gun as a beginners gun unless you realize that you're likely going to want to use 2.75" and 3" rounds in it until you get used to the gun. The nova is light. I used one in the past for upland game, it was a joy to carry and a pain to shoot...Mine was a camo version in 3.5", right after the 3.5" came out, so I HAD to try it...it was a hell of a lot of recoil for no more birds than I get with my 2.75" 12ga's, or my .410's. For deer and turkey, the extra power would be nice, even if you don't really NEED it. There's nothing WRONG with hunting with a 3.5" 12ga, it's just that I'm not sure you're really getting all the bang that your buck is paying for, or your shoulder. It's not terrible recoil, it's just unnecessary recoil.

You can of course circumvent this recoil problem by putting on a recoil pad

My overall recommendation would be to buy it, but only use 3" shells until you get the hang of it (I'd personally only EVER use 3" shells anyway).

RE: New hunter need help with first shotgun
 

exactly, I own a Remington 870 super mag that shoots 3 1/2" but I have never fired one out of it.

as for choosing the Nova, not a bad choice, I would however recommend going and shouldering the Mossberg 500 and the Rem 870 along with the Binelli, and see which one fits you the best. All 3 are good guns, if you think you are going to shoot alot of slugs, a rifled barrel probably would be a little more advantageous to you. I know Mossberg and Remington both offer a combo or a 26" shotgun barrel and a rifled slug barrel, that in the long run will save you money (in case you decide to get a slug barrel later) I would at least look at all of these options and go with what fits your shoulder and wallet the best.

RE: New hunter need help with first shotgun
 

I have a Nova and love it. I use it for all my hunting and shooting. A great gun for the money. The last shoot gun you will ever have to buy, or course that doesn't mean the last one you will want to buy. I also don't find that it has much more noticalbe recoil compared to an 870 or Moss. 500. Now I would re-enforce that you should shoulder diffrent guns and get the one that feels best for you.

RE: New hunter need help with first shotgun
 

Get a Remington 870 pump. Finest shotgun ever made!:D

RE: New hunter need help with first shotgun
 

Thanks. It was just as Gander Mountian was moving so they did not have a huge selection for me to try.

Just wondering should I get the Camo model or is black good enough for the type of hunting I am doing? I agree with the 3 1/2 inch even the guy told me that would be a little over kill but good for just incase I find out I need it.

I do have long arms. My arms are about 36" long so I will have to see what ones fells more natural since it is a pump action.

RE: New hunter need help with first shotgun
 

I would go with the camo, whish I would have gotten the camo instead of the black. not that I don't like the black it is just that it would be nice to have. the camo would be useful for duck and goose hunting.

RE: New hunter need help with first shotgun
 

I agree with Virgina7. 870 is the best shotgun ever made!

RE: New hunter need help with first shotgun
 

i think 3.5" is overkill. i shot my buddies .300RUM and that was the first centerfire rifle i shot besides my 30-30. i recoil was a lot but not bad so i figured, heck, i'll take a shot with his 3.5" 870 turkey gun. i figured compared to the .300 rum that it would be less, so i was cocky...just drew up and pulled the trigger. that thing rocked me hard.
my first turkey i shot with a 20ga dove load and dropped it at about 20 yards. 12ga 3" would is plenty of gun, especially if it is your first.
i would get the 870, with a field barrel (26") and slug barrel either remington or hastings, 24" rifled. even though they make slugs for smoothbore barrels, you still dont have sights. they will extend your range, and put the shots where they need to be better than just a front bead. also you can get lots of aftermarket parts for the 870 and it is made of real wood.

RE: New hunter need help with first shotgun
 

Thanks for you help. Just wondering when I go the to Reminton website and look under the 870 I see a lot of selection for that model of shotgun. I am thinking you are talking about the Model 870™ Express® Combo model. Am I looking at the right model?

I guess my last question is were is the best place to buy a shotgun? I have never realy priced these out and this is something that I would not think of doing a ebay thing with.

thanks again for all your help. I do have to say the Reminton does look nice.

RE: New hunter need help with first shotgun
 

i would say the best place to buy your shotgun would be at your local gun shop...you might pay a little more there, but it is worth it. the guys as dicks/walmart, and i have found here, at gander mountain cant tell the different between the shotgun you want and a hole in the ground. its also good to support the small guys. they will have lots of knowledge and be able to help you in the future as well. its good to sort of establish a home base, a place you can go for all your shooting needs. you get more than a gun, tips on where to hunt, ammo to use....kinda like this board....
...as for the gun the combo would work fine, if you want a higher grade get the wingmaster and buy a rifled barrel later, it is up to you...as everyone said you cant go wrong with the 870.

RE: New hunter need help with first shotgun
 

Thanks. I think I am going to go the 870 route. Thanks adkfreeridex for the wingmaster idea but that is a litte out of my price range. I have to say if I realy enjoy hunting as much as I think I am I will look for this as a nice upgrade latter.

I will have to looking around for some local shops though. My problem is because Gander Mountin started as a company out by me there are not a lot of shops around. But when I was there the guy behind the counter was very smart about hunting and guns. He was a older gentelman and he does a lot of hunting himself. Old oiginal location is less then 20min form my house. Now it is just for catalog orders starting in September of this year.

Having the real wood on there I have been reading the some people love it because it makes less noise, but some say it does not last long. I know when I am in the wetlands it is going to get splashed with water a litte because some areas you will hit water from about 2" to 24+" with out a warning becuase of the cover. Just wondering how long does the wood hold up? How often should I redo the finish on it? I remember the old woodie cars had to be redone about every 2 years because of weather. Will refinishing it help it last longer or hurt the gun more?

Thanks everyone for your help you have changed my pick in a gun and I like this a lot better becaue I can change the barrels as I change my hunting witch I could not do with the Benelli.

RE: New hunter need help with first shotgun
 

I would try all the shotguns and see what fits and feels the best. The 870 is reliable though "rough" and kicks like a mule.

RE: New hunter need help with first shotgun
 

very satisfied with the nova, but the 870s are great too,

RE: New hunter need help with first shotgun
 

if you take care of the wood it should last plenty long....all the guns in my family still have thier original finish on them and thats going back 60 years or so.....just may sure you dry it out all the way when you are done and get a nice oiled gun rag to keep the metal nice after a hunt. but then again with plastic you dont have to be so mindful of such things.

RE: New hunter need help with first shotgun
 

Thanks. I will still feel out the Nova. I just like that idea of being able to change out the barrels. Right now I have the geese, duck, and Deer for the biggest hunting out by me, but local parks are starting to get turkey and other game in the area and with being about 10min from a few large government wildlife park area it take about a few years before their new stock starts to get to are place. We use to be only 3 reported spots Sand Hill Crane in northern IL out side the park on private property for a few year, and now they are getting big in are area. We had a huge flock over are house this weekend. There is talk in a few year of them doing a very small season for them if they keep on growing in numbers like they are.

RE: New hunter need help with first shotgun
 

i have the 870 express mag and love it i put a recoil pad on it and it kicks like a light 20 gauge i use it for just about everything and would never stray from it (without damn good cause) anyway youll like it

RE: New hunter need help with first shotgun
 

This is all good hear. I will still feel them out but I am liking the setup for this gun. Just wondering what is a good site to look and reveiws and compair shotguns? Or is there a site like this out there?

Thanks again everyone.

RE: New hunter need help with first shotgun
 

The best guns on the market for a beginner adult would be the 870 and the 1300. Both run between 250&300$. Both have plenty of after market parts and both have great resale values. Dont need 3.5 I have seen more deer dead with 3 than 3.5. Thier pumps and their reliable.

RE: New hunter need help with first shotgun
 

1300 who makes that one?

RE: New hunter need help with first shotgun
 

don't overlook mossberg. i have a 12 guage mossberg 500 and i am extremely happy with it. it will shoot 2.75 or 3" mags. i have had that thing in the worst of conditions and it has never let me down. great gun for the price.

RE: New hunter need help with first shotgun
 

I have been thinking of one other thing. I will be the first gun owner in my family, at least all that I know. What is the best way for me to learn about using a shotgun. Mostly for when things go wrong.

RE: New hunter need help with first shotgun
 

Thanks guys I am going to do a small upgrade. I am going to get the 870 Express Super Magnum Combo after a freind told me to look at a 3.5" barrel. He is saying with are property it is a good option to have with hunting the geese and duck in are back.

RE: New hunter need help with first shotgun
 

If it were me, I'd get a shotgun that will accept a cantilever scope mounted, fully rifled barrel. Thats for shooting sabot slugs for deer hunting. Mossberg 500s and Remington 870s offer them. They are the best way to put a scope on a pump shotgun.

They all offer bird/waterfowl barrels/chokes of just about every configuration.

If you read your owners manual, access some of the info. available on-line, and have moderate mechanical ability, you will be able to manage most things "that go wrong" by replacing worn or broken parts. In my experience though, there won't be many.

RE: New hunter need help with first shotgun
 

Hey, my first shotgun was an 870 express 3" mag 12 gauge. Great gun. I have a friend with the 3 1/2" supermag. I'd probably have it it they made it when I bought mine. Good thing they didn't. I weigh 150 lbs dripping wet. I weighed 135 when I bought it. I shoot alot of different calibers, 458 win mag being the largest and I still hate to shoot his 3 1/2". I don't think they make slugs in 3 1/2" but I haven't checked lately, I moved to montana and just use my 12 for upland birds. But even still, the effect of a 3" slug on a whitetail is devestating. I like the cantilever scope mount on remingtons, but it is an expensive option. The combo with 21" rifle sights and full rifling with a 26-28" vent rib is probably the best bang for the buck. Good luck with your choice.

I have a friend with the mossberg 500 and he likes it. Others like the nova, and finally, the Winchester 1300. One friend has one and he claims that he can cycle the action faster than the 870, but it is six to one, half dozen to the other. Buy what you like. and especially what fits you well.

Lots of 870's around.

If you find a clerk that you like, that has some experience, and doesn't just try to sell you something, Stick with them. Big store or little guys. They are there because they want to help you. You chance finding them in little stores because the own the store, or are a friend of the store owner, or they really know what they are talking about, it isn't just an afterschool job for them. I've heard some clerks answer with some of the craziest answers because they don't have a clue or don't care.

Enjoy what ever you get!

RE: New hunter need help with first shotgun
 

for a "one gun" shotgun, a 12 ga 3" pump gun is hard to beat, be it a winchester 1300, a mossberg 500, nova, or a remington 870.

The 3 1/2" option just allows for more possibilities if you can handle the recoil.

RE: New hunter need help with first shotgun
 

I have been warned about recoild a lot. Right now I am thinking the worse for how it could be. But most guys say since I am 6'2" and about 195lbs that I should be able to handle it no problem.

The 3 1/2" I can only use on the smoth barrel the riffel barrel I can only use 3".

RE: New hunter need help with first shotgun
 

For the price of a Nova, you could spend about $50 bucks more and get a Browining BPS, which would be my personal choice... If you dont' want to spend that kind of money, i'd say get a remington 870

RE: New hunter need help with first shotgun
 

The Remington 870 is a great gun. Dunno if this is an issue for you, but I would guess it disassembles easier than any other gun in its class. When you break that thing down, all you have is the barrel, slide, bolt plate and trigger group. Fewer parts, too. Fewer parts=fewer things to go wrong.

RE: New hunter need help with first shotgun
 

Oh yeah, if you want to spend a little less $$ and start off with a good used gun, I have a Mossberg 500 in good shape that I'll send ya for $225.00. I would need a copy of an FFL's license to ship it to. Any arrangement you make with him is another issue.

Also, don't believe that line about not needing interchangeable barrels. You definitely want the flexibility of changing barrels. The 870 and 500 probably have more barrel options than any other pumps on the market.