A 12 gauge to last a lifetime!
 

I'm looking to purchase a 12 gauge shotgun. With a rifled barrel and a quality scope for deer hunting only. I'm on a budget of $550 what gun and scope would you suggest? Thanks in advance for the advice.

RE: A 12 gauge to last a lifetime!
 

A Remington 870 pump or Mossberg 500 pump will last a lifetime when properly maintained and cared for. It's just a personal preference as to what feels good in your hands and against your shoulder.

Uncle Matt (in IL)

RE: A 12 gauge to last a lifetime!
 

I guess it depends on whether or not you want a brand new gun or would be happy with a well kept slightly used gun.
I own a browning that I would not trade for the world. It's just a sweet gun al aroung but it's a tad heavy.

If I were to choose between Uncle Matts choices I would likely buy the Remmington. That just on personal preference though.

RE: A 12 gauge to last a lifetime!
 

I would have to go with the Remington 870.

RE: A 12 gauge to last a lifetime!
 

I would go with the 870

Dad bought his 870 is a 1951 ,the second year made.
I can only guess how many rounds he has fired thru it .

Johnch

RE: A 12 gauge to last a lifetime!
 

BOOYA NOVA 349 + you can get a extra barrle with you extra 150bux. Benille

RE: A 12 gauge to last a lifetime!
 

I recently bought a Remington 870 and killed my first turkey with it this year. I also bought a rifled barrel with a fixed sight for deer hunting just for added flexibility. (Just in case I hunt a shotgun only area like NJ). I paid roughly $500 for the whole setup.

RE: A 12 gauge to last a lifetime!
 

I've had Remingtons, Winchesters, and Brownings. My Browning BPS is probably the last pump shotgun that I will ever need! I love the bottom ejection port too!

RE: A 12 gauge to last a lifetime!
 

I spent a great deal of time on exactly that question.....

This was the answer for me....Savage 210...Leupold VX-II 2-7x33 shotgun

RE: A 12 gauge to last a lifetime!
 

I am a Benelli man, so on that budget, I would have to say a Benelli Nova should fit the bill. I have never owned but handled several, and they seem to measure up nicely to the tried and true Super 90 and Super Black Eagle. My taste run more to the older H&K imported Super 90's (which I have 3) but that is just me.

RE: A 12 gauge to last a lifetime!
 

That Savage is a good looking gun. What did you pay for it?

RE: A 12 gauge to last a lifetime!
 

For the gun....350$

In my mind, judging by the criteria that was stated it looks like there is two choices.

Bolt action.....Savage 210
Single shot....H&R ulta

Both are tack drivers, the only big difference is that the H&R accomplishes its accuracy with the use of a 10ga barrel. That means even though its a single shot, it is about 10-15% heavier than most rifled 12ga guns.

RE: A 12 gauge to last a lifetime!
 

Remington 870.

RE: A 12 gauge to last a lifetime!
 

I like my Marlin 512. I'm sure you can find one somewhere used, not made anymore, and get a nice scope, and even some sabots for your price.

RE: A 12 gauge to last a lifetime!
 

definately the 870

RE: A 12 gauge to last a lifetime!
 

I see many votes for the 870.

That option can quickly be decided for the buyer. Does he feel that fixed action,(ie bolt action and single action), are inherently more accurate than a change barrel gun? (obviously I do;))

Obviously, Remmington does as well. That is why they use a cantilever system on the only 870 that they pruduce that is a dedicated slug gun. They admit that 870's without it, will lose their zero.

That is the first reason why would advise against the 870.

Now lets say, I am wrong and that the 870 should be considered. Then once again I would agree that Remmington would be the most knowledgable source on which specific model to buy. They suggest... the Remington 870 SPS Super Slug 12ga, as the best dedicated deer rifle.

Problem is it cost's over 400$ new. (cheapest I can find it is 435$ new).

That would leave our friend here with next to no money for a scope. Certainly not a "quality" scope as he stated he was looking for.

I just don't see that this as a great choice given the available options.

Disclaimer: this is not meant to offend any 870 owners...after all it is "best-selling shotgun of any type in history, with over six million made"

RE: A 12 gauge to last a lifetime!
 

My 870 Express has to be from the first year they were out, bought it in '87. I expect to have it forever. I just changed stocks and put on a Simms recoil pad to save me from punishment, but not because I had to... I don't think you could go wrong with an 870.

RE: A 12 gauge to last a lifetime!
 

I have two 870's and one of them I bought new in 72' for $128.00 with a ventilated rib. I like the stock on the 870 other than that of a moss or a browning. The only gun that has out sold the 870 is the SKS. There must be a reason why they have sold so many. ;) Bobby

RE: A 12 gauge to last a lifetime!
 

go with an 870. awesome gun!

RE: A 12 gauge to last a lifetime!
 

Another vote for the Rem 870 express! I own 2...one for bird hunting only(phesant/grouse) and one for deer hunting only. My deer hunting rig has a 2x7 with a rifled slug barrel(cantelever scope mount) on it. For the $$, I think it's one of the best out there and pretty much fool proof to take apart and clean and put back together without any type of manual. For the $$, I can afford to beat the heck out of this gun and really not care about all the scratches and goudges(sp?) that I put in it. Now if we were talking only upland game, that would be a different story.

RE: A 12 gauge to last a lifetime!
 

Remington 870, Mossberg 835 or 500. You can also look into the Benelli Nova. If you want a semiauto, you can probably get a good used Remington 1100 for that range.

RE: A 12 gauge to last a lifetime!
 

Rem 870 great price and quality slug gun. I can paddle a canoe with the damn thing and it will still out live you. I really cant say this first hand because I have only owned mine a few years.
Oh and performance wise it gets the job done really well.

jim

RE: A 12 gauge to last a lifetime!
 

Remington 870 by far!! I ran mine over with my truck and still shoots!

RE: A 12 gauge to last a lifetime!
 

Check out a few websites and see what is out there. Most all gummakers have good sites with lots of info,also check out ammunition makers.

RE: A 12 gauge to last a lifetime!
 

i'm tellin you man...Benelli Nova pump is a great gun..don't get me wrong my brother has an 870 and it is awesome but i bought a nova pump and i have yet to see or shoot another gun that i like better than the nova..it's just an awesome gun..i know this guy who is big on deer hunting..and just from what he told me...that the nova shoots a better buck shot pattern for deer(if your looking for a deer gun) than his 870..but i'm more of a waterfowler and this is my favorite gun..dosen't kick at all on light loads and on hevi and 3 1/2 inch loads..it barely kicks..plus it's camo..real good grip..and it has a button on the bottom of the underside of the fore-end which activates a shell stop that allows the chambered shell to be removed without releasing rounds from the magazine..all this for just 400 dollars..if i were you i would go with the nova...o and forget the mossturd ;) personally after using mine(mossberg) for only 3 years i would rather throw a stone at my target then try to shoot something with it(except clays)--after a while i started having problems with it

RE: A 12 gauge to last a lifetime!
 

Depends on what features you're looking for. I know that many many people will swear by the 870 but I will never own one. I just don't like the newer ones and that's just my feelings about the gun. They are a nice gun for the price though, but if I was ever to buy an 870 I would buy an older one.

I have a Browning BPS and it will be the last pump that I will ever own. When I first starting hunting, I was using an old 20ga Western Field (similar to a Mossberg) and loved the top tang safety on it. When it wore out I got the BPS, mostly b/c of the safety but also b/c of the bottom eject (so my dad can use it as he shoots left handed). I'm not sure what a BPS with rifled barrel can be had for but I know their basic field models are usually a bit more expensive than an 870 and a few others.

If you want a dedicated slug gun, I have heard good things about that Savage model with the magazine.

All in all, if I was you, I would go to a local gun shop, shoulder some guns and buy the one that fits you best and is within your budget. Just my $.02