RE: New Hunter Question
 

I also have a questions for "Fraze". Where did you see that a rifle costs $1000 dollars?? Of course rifles with cost up to that much. But there are many rifles that are within the $250-$500 price range. They work just as well as the $1000 ones. - Buckhunter

RE: New Hunter Question
 

Go to a range and shoot your slugs. I use a 30-30 now but the last 2 years slugs. My Ihica 37 shot groups of slugs in a 3" pattern at 70 yds. However my son's single shot H&R missed the bulls eye by 12" at 30 yds.We are selling that gun. I shot a hog with 00 buck at 10 yds with my Ithica. It kept running. My next shot I hit her with a slug.Instant death. When I skinned the hog the 00 buck broke 3 ribs and hit the vitals but she kept on running. Make sure you use the right slugs for your gun.
God Bless,
Chuck

RE: New Hunter Question
 

I live in rural Ontario Canada, the only means available for me to purchase firearms new are Specialty Gun shops, a hunting store chain called LeBaron, and more recently (it just opened up) a store called BassPro (which is 6.5 hours from my home. The rifles I were looking at were in the $600-$800 range (lever action browning 30-30), I guess I was a little high when I said $1000. None the less, at $306 for the 870 I purchased, it was all I could afford to get into the sport. I wish we had somewhere close that sold a decent rifle for 250-500, I just couldn't find one (unless I bought used, which I was trying to avoid)

RE: New Hunter Question
 

Fraze, what you might want to think of doing is getting a rifled barrel. I use a Deerslayer barrel and couldn't be happier. I believe they usually run about $175, but you shuold be able to get one cheaper at a gun show or a used gun shop. But even if you don't, the rifled slugs should work fine.

RE: New Hunter Question
 

20" barrel is pretty short for shooting buckshot, your pattern will be so spread out by the time it gets out there 20 yrds. Being such a short barrel you'll find that you can shoot slugs accruately up to 100 yrds. Now that brings up another question, why buy a shot gun for shooting slugs when you can get a rifle? I don't know what rifle your looking at for $1000.00 but you can go down to the pawn shop and pick up a rifle for 2 to $300.00. Another good thing about the 870 is you can always change out barrels if you want to go turkey or duck hunting, in which you will need a longer barrel to reach out and get them. Good luck, Bobby

RE: New Hunter Question
 

I aint seen this mentioned yet, but you better check the law. I see a lot of talk about buckshot. Here in Ohio buckshot is illegal.

Re: 2.75 v. 3" shells, 2.75 is plenty, why beat yourself up with the magnums?

If you have a lot of open country, you might want to scope that gun. I've got an Aimtech scope mount that will fit it, no gunsmithing required. $38 ppd. It may scratch the side of your receiver putting it on and off, but it's a good, solid mount.

RE: New Hunter Question
 

Since noone else on the thread as said it ,,,Welcome to the board and Hunting!

Now for the important stuff. I personally like 2 3/4 inch rifled slugs in my shotgun. Also an 870 by the way. I took a deer at about 80yds with it year b4 last. Since then I have switched exclusively to Black Powder.

Thats a great choice because for the money they dont make a more reliable shotgun.You'll have that thing forever.

Spend some time at the range and pattern it! and good luck next year

RE: New Hunter Question
 

I have had my 870 since 1972, paid $125.00 for it at the hardware store I worked at, and I am still dropping turkies with them to this day, I guess there kinda like a Timex. ;) Bobby

RE: New Hunter Question
 

I'd go with slugs. No buckshot. Slugs have more knockdown power, accuracy, and range. I really wouldn't ever use buckshot, even if it were legal for deer around here. I'd say its outdated for deer.

slayer