Need help deciding on a new 30-06 and 12 GA!
 

Hey guys-

i am new to this forum, so first I'd like to introduce myself. Im from SI, NY and have been hunting for many years but have been on a 10 year hiadus. I am in the market for a new 30-06 and shotgun. I have been doing alot of research on these guns but wanted to see if some of you can provide me with your opinion on the quality, accuracy, look, feel and recoil of these guns to help me make a decision. I primarily hunt in NY, mostly from a tree but also sometimes stalking. I use my 30-30 and 35 for the stalk hunts though. Thank you in advance!

Ok the 30-06:
I have narrowed it down (Im also open to other options if you think they are better) to the Browning X-bolt and the Winchester Model 70 Super Grade. My dad has the Winchester and loves it. Which one would you buy and why?

12Ga:
I have been looking at the Browning BPS Hunter and really like it. Do you think this is a good shotgun? Do they sell additional rifled barrels if I wanted to deer hunt with it? I will primarily be using this shotgun for turkey and pheasant hunts. Maybe some deer hunts if I feel froggy..lol

Thanks again and I want to thank you in advance for any informative responses!

just want to point out that browning doesnt make anything, they have others make parts and basically just put them together.

i would look at thompson center venture, with the 5R rifling. guaranteed 1"moa@100yards. i got a 7mm-08 and it put bullets in the same hole at 100 yards, thought i missed, but instead it was a victory dance.
shot guns..depending on what yer doing with it...i would get a cheapo at academy or something. unless ya plan on competing or using it all year long...but for me it sits in the corner for home protection for the wife, and i take it dove hunting a few times a year at most. if i went duck/dove/turkey/quail all year, then i'd fork out some cash for a benelli. gl

The Browning BPS is a great shotgun. A variety of barrels can be had for this gun. IMHO, it is one of the finest pump shotguns out there. Keep in mind that it is a bottom ejection style gun that may take some getting used to.

Ran into some issues with my current slug gun and it's replacement barrel so for opening day here in NY I went with my T/C Pro Hunter. I'm picking up a Benelli SBEII Slug Gun tomorrow! A few of my friends have the Benelli SBEII with the field/bird barrel and love it. I have the Benelli M1 and it's one of my favorites. I've thought about getting a Benelli SBEII for a while and decided to finally get it. If you've got the $$ shell it out for the Benelli. You won't be disappointed!

06 Ruger , slug Mossberg

I haven't really looked into the benellis, but ill check them out now. Thanks

Anyone ever hear of Ithaca model 37 featherlight 12 ga? I can't find many reviews on them.

My dad has the Ithaca 37 in 16 gauge that is probably at least 30+ years old. I've shot it a bunch and love it as well. He's never had an issue with it. In my opinions it's one of the "great ones," second to the 870, IMO.

The Ithaca 37 is another fine choice for a versatile shotgun. IMO, one of the top four. ( Ithaca 37, Browning BPS, Remington 870 Wingmaster and the old Model 12).... Do a Google search on the Ithaca and you should find tons of info on it.
Good luck with your purchase.

My rem.870 a workhorse,but owning a well worn ithaca 37 in 20 guage i would cheerfully trade 870 and some jacksons for a 37 in 12. Add a slug barrel just to be fancy and it would be plenty of shotgun.

The browning BPS and the Ithaca are very similar with the bottom loading/ejecting. Just not sure which one I should get. Maybe I should just go to the store and hold them. From what i read the Ithaca company is hreat as craftmanship (well the new company). I also jeard browning doesnt build their own pieces now. Having said all that i think im leaning more towards the ithaca. For turkey and pheasant would you recommend I get a 28" barrel?

Don't let the Browning thing bother you, it's just the way they have always done it. I own three Browning Auto 5's that I would not trade for anything. That being said, go out and get them both in your hands and see what feels best.

I use the Rem 700 in my rifle (270) and an 870 for my shotgun. Never a problem with either, just with myself.

The modern trend for turkey guns is a short barrel (i.e., 21 inch barrel on Remington's turkey version of the 870, 22 on Mossberg's) . The idea is they are easier to manuever in the brush. I'm only a casual pheasant hunter, but I'd assume you'd want a longer barrel for them since you are out in a field, have room to swing it around and are wing shooting at longer distances. I personally think the short-barrel turkey gun thing is overrated, and my turkey gun has a 26 inch barrel (Benelli SuperNova, but the way, love it), but 28 might be a bit awkward.

Ithaca's Model 37 is a fine, long proven design pump action shotgun. It is a bottom eject.

Nothing wrong with either the Browning X-Bolt or BPS. The fundamental difference between the X-Bolt and Winchester 70 is the bolt. The Winchester employs a "control feed" type extractor. The X-Bolt is a push feed. Each has advantages and disadvantages over the other. But either type is long proven.

The BPS is quick, reliable and a solid bottom ejecty pump shotgun design.

Everyone has his/her favorites. There are so many well made, fine shooting factory offerings out there these days that selecting one is more a matter of personal choice than anything else. You want the rifle (and shot gun) to "feel" right. All the factory stuff is made for the "average" person (except youth sizes). The length of pull, drop, center of weight, etc. are a tad different rifle to rifle. Paper and on-line research can take you only so far. "Feel" as many as you can.

I have my personal favorites. For pump action - Benelli Nova. For bolt action center fire rifle - Styer Pro Hunter.

Thanks a lot guys. All this information is really helpful. I think I'll take your advice and go an hold them all and see what feels best. As far as the shotgun barrel, sounds like ill be best with either a 26 or 28 but like you said a 28 with a choke tube could be about 30 so that may be a little much. Does anyone have any infor on the recoil diff in the guns? I shot my dads Winchester m70 and Remington 870. Both are really old models but honesty they killed, the 870 the worst. I see all the newer models have deccelerator pads. Do these things make a significant difference or any at all? Again thanks again in advance for your help with this important purchase!

rem 870 is the number one selling pump action shotgun for a reason they are workhorses. I own Winchester but my next shotgun is going to be a rem 870. they're not fooling a bunch of people to buy one the guys i know who own them own several.

I use a remington 700 or model 7. But the seven wont come in 30-06. And the remington 870 1100 or 11-87

I have Brownings..ALL MADE IN BELGIUM...now they are not anymore, but HEAVY ! I have the SAFARI BAR 30-06 and 12 gauge pump.. HEAVY TOO !

I just bought the Remington Nitro Mag 12. Holds 2 3/4, 3 , and 3 1/2, fiber sites and synthetic stock.. Works great and for 400. tax included. Look on youtube for videos. Lots of people on there demostrating / fooling around etc.

Bottom line my Brownings are nice but too heavy.....would look for other brand .

I do have the A-Bolt 308 from Browning and LOVE IT ! lite, balanced accurate as anything. So Id imagine the X is as good or better. Buy the .308...WAYYYYY BETTER THEN an 30-06. Shells are cheaper too. Goes further. SNIPERS USE IT...GOTTA BE GOOD !

I have a Model 70 .30-06 . The reasons being it has a very good 3 position safety, and a very good trigger that can be easily adjusted by the owner. Pump shotguns are for the most part all reliable and fairly inexpensive. They do kick more than the autos. I would lean towards the shotgun that fit you the best.