(I'd like to preface by saying right now I have pretty much zero knowledge on guns, gun prices or hunting) So I've determined that I'm on board with a shotgun because it offers the most versatility to an entry level hunter. Ideally I'd like to have a single shotgun that can be used for squirrels, rabbits, and birds.

This is my first firearm purchase and while I'd like to keep prices on the way lower end of the scale, I want something solid that's going to last me some years and I won't immediately regret buying after I become much more versed in hunting. I'd like to spend as little as 300 but I highly doubt I'll get what I'm after with that much. Would I be right in thinking this?

Most of the shotguns sold nowadays have a threaded barrel that allows you to screw in whatever choke you want depending on the game you're hunting and it will probably come with several. You will probably want improved, modified, and full chokes at a minimum and if you go turkey hunting with it you will probably want an even tighter choke than a full to get a very tight pattern since you want as many pellets in the head and neck as you can get. As mentioned on your other thread, it would probably be best to find a mentor that knows all the ins and outs from years of experience and he can help you get into purchasing the gear you'll need.

You will hear Remington model 870 and Mossberg model 500 mentioned 100 time before this thread is over...................... and with good reason !!!

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/remi...769_13857.html

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/moss...769_13821.html

Plus both serve as good home defense weapon also !!!

Sheridan's comment is spot on. In your price range, I too would suggest a pump action. This will give you a good value, simple, rugged shot gun that is suitable for hunting about any game that we have here in the US. Once you practice a good bit with a pump, you can make very quick, accurate follow up shots. I ahve used a pump since around 1975. A pump action is my personal preference.

Most will come with 3 screw in choke tubes .... Improved, Modified and Full. Improved is great for wing shooting smaller birds such as dove and quail. Full is great for longer range such as turkey or pass shooting water fowl, or knocking squirrels out of the top of a tall pine. Modified is sort of a "tweener". As mentioned, you can buy a "turkey" choke too. This will add $50-$100 or so to your expense. A turkey choke is more or less an extra full and many are ported to somewhat reduce the recoil of heavy loads typical of a "turkey" shell. As for game like deer, there are "shotshells" loaded with a slug that are designed to fly pretty well out of a smooth bore. These allow a hunter to be effective to about 100 yards.

Shot size is a part of selecting what is optimum for the game you are hunting. The larger the "number", the smaller tha shot. A simplistic statement ... smaller the game, the smaller the shot. Lead shot for example ... doves and quail - 7 1/2 or 8 .... rabbits and squirrels - 7 1/2 or 6 .... bigger birds such as ducks, geese and turkey - 4 or 5 or 6's .... deer and feral hogs - slugs or 0 to 000 buck shot. Where lead shot is prohibited, care needs to be taken to understand what uyou should use. Consulting the information on the shot shell box will help you decide. And stamped on the choke tubes will be information letting you know what the limitations are associated with taht particular choke for use with a non-lead shot might be in effect.

I know this is getting long .... but .... be sure once you have your shot gun to go out and pattern it. Different manufacturer's shells, diffeernt shot sizes, etc. will usually pattern a bit different from one another. You can find a lot of good information about how to pattern and what to look for. Essentially, you are looking for a nice, evenly distributed circular pattern. And you want that pattern to be more or less centered at the spot where you aimed.

One more comment. Don't overlook buying a used shot gun. Very often one in great shape can be found priced well below a new one.

Hope you find a good deal on a shot gun and good luck hunting.

http://m.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?i=422280

http://m.gandermountain.com/modperl/product/details.cgi?i=GM418249

So to the model 500 and the 870 both have threaded barrels? Can't seem to find this info in the description from the online retailer I linked to..

And should I assume that these shotguns both come with Extra choke tubes like Mojotex mentioned? Seems like they'd specify that too... Also I should definitely go with a 12 gauge right?
Really appreciate the help and in depth responses by the way.

I second buying a used shot gun to get a well made gun in your price range. a Remington 870 which there are a lot of variations in will cost even for the express will be near 350.00.

Shot the mfg. web sites to learn about them instead of the retailer.

http://www.remington.com/product-fam...model-870.aspx

Some Remington's come with one choke tube, Some do not have screw in chokes rather fixed ones.

http://www.mossberg.com/product/shot...2306,2307,2517

Mossberg site I didn't really care for but there is information there if you want to look.

My first new shot gun was a Ithaca model 37 Featherlite 12 ga.with a fixed Modified choke. It has served me well for over 50 years. I acquired a 20ga same model and choke set up I seem to use more these day.
I consider it one of the finest shot guns ever made and are not cheap to buy even new. As a reloader I like the bottom eject of hulls, No more fishing them out of the water when duck hunting out of a boat and drying them for months so they could be reloaded. Also still made in the USA.

http://ithacagun.com/featherlight.php


Al

What is the best way to buy used? Is online even an option? Or do I just want to shop around locally?

Used guns can be bought at pawn shops, gun shops, gun shows. Online is an option, but between shipping and transfer fees it's usually cheaper and easier to buy locally. Others on this forum are a lot more experienced than me shopping for used guns, so somebody will have a better answer, but that's been my limited experience.

Listen to Sheridan.

I was in a similar situation to your's a year ago and bought a Maverick 88 12 gauge (Mossberg's budget version of the model 500), brand new for $200. A couple dozen squirrels and 2 deer later I feel I made the right choice. It came with a modified choke screwed in, but narrower and wider chokes are easy to find and cost about $20. The chokes screw in and out quickly with the tool provided or a penny.

Welcome to the world of hunting and good luck! I'm relatively new at this and my biggest regret is that I waited so long start.

Get a Remington 870 12 gauge pump shotgun with synthetic stock. This costs around $300. Pump shotguns are highly reliable; automatic shotguns are not as reliable and cost more. A nice thing about this shot gun is it is cheap and ugly. You won't feel bad about tripping and falling face-first into a duck marsh with this shotgun strapped to your back. You'll drain the water out, shuck the action a few times, and continue on your way.

12 gauge is very versatile. It can be used for turkey hunting, duck hunting, coyote hunting, pheasant hunting, squirrel hunting. You may want a 12 gauge that chambers 3" shells or even 3 1/2" shells (2 3/4" shells are the standard 12 gauge shell size -- longer shells typically carry more powder and/or pellets and hence reach out further).

My advice is really a no-brainer. Probably there are other well known cheap and ugly pump shotguns that would serve just as well.

If you become a passionate hunter and begin to hanker for something prettier or maybe an automatic . . . you can indeed do this later. Few of us remain satisfied with one firearm our whole hunting life. Also, even if you move on to other shotguns, this initial shotgun can remain useful in a backup role or for when you are going into a nasty, dirty, inhospitable hunting situation where you don't want to take your beautiful walnut stocked shotgun.

Remington 870 has never failed me and only broken down once in 15 years