Fireman-hott Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 Well Tax season is upon us. Now that I have finally got everything I need for my house except a few little things. I am looking at a pair a shotguns. One for me and one for my fiancee. I'd like a 12ga obviously, for deer hunting. I have an old buddy that lives about 45min away that I can hunt the DNR preserve about 1/4mile from him. You can hunt dove, pheasant, duck, goose, deer whatever is in season. I dont know shit about shotguns as I was and am still an avid bowhunter. I woud like to know what woul dbe a good gun to purchase in the $400-500 range for me and a smaller guage for the fiancee....now keep in mind she is 5"2 and about 130lbs. Also how to the chokes work, how does changing out shots for each work. Feel free to go into detail I'll read thuroughly as I have close to a month to decide on what I want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRed350x Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 I can't help you much with shotguns. I only have a 12ga. military pump that we use for small game and computer parts. I'm sure there are other gun people on here than can help you out. I say get an old AK. Lots of fun. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ducman Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 I'm no expert, but you can probably get a new low end Remmington semi auto 12 ga for $400 that is still a nice gun. You might find some better quality guns that are even more affordable second hand as well. A lot of shot gun barrels come with a mono choke where the choke sleeve can be unscrewed from the end of the barrel. You want modified choke or unimproved cylender (widest pattern) for smaller game birds using smaller shot (bb size 7 and 8) and modified to full choke (tightest pattern) for larger game birds and larger BB size (4 to 6). If the gun doesn't come with a mono choke, a barrel with modified choke will work fine for everything. As far as large game like deer, I have never fired a slug out of my 12 guage but I have heard that they are not accurate over 100 yards and I'm pretty sure they use a different barrel. I'd get a rifle for deer. Be aware if your barrel is made to be able to shoot steel shot, do not shoot steel shot out of a barrel made for lead shot. As for the fiancee I would get her a 12 auto also. Some auto actions kick less than others and all kick a lot less than a pump with a solid action or a breakdown. The lighter the gun the more you will feel the kick also, like with a double barrel or single shot, but easier to carry around for a smaller person. 16 ga is kinda rare and expensive shells and 20 gague to me just seems to wimpy to kill anything. 410 should only be used on hampsters. I bought my Remington sportsman 12 ga (about $250 new 17 years ago) for phesant huting when I was 13 years old and still kill at least 1 pheasant with it every year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enFORCER Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 You might want to take a look at the Remington 11-87... It's a very nice gun... You can get a 28" or 30" barrel.... It come with 3 screw in choke's, Full, Modified, and open.. It might be a little bit more than you said you want to spend, but it's worth a look... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PUSH THE THROTTLE Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 Just head down to your local gun store or Walmart and look at the Remington 870 express combo. I think they are around $300 and come with a slug barrel and a regular barrel. The 870 express is a decent gun and will shoot 3" magnums or 2 3/4" depends on how hard you want it to kick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fixitrod Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 (edited) If you are using them both for hunting, make sure they are quiet.. I mean the operation. If you tap the handle it shouldn't make loud tick noises. Mossberg 500 have been around for a long time but are a little noisey. I don't think you can go wrong with the remington models. You have pump loading and autoloading(semi auto). You will pay more for auto loading and it may go over your budget. You can actually get remington at walmart here You also need to know if it's for 2 3/4 shells or if it'll take 3" also. Here's an 1100 autoloading http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp...duct_id=3170093 Here's the 1187 it is also auto loading. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp...duct_id=3170073 Here's and 870 pump loading http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp...duct_id=3170095 camo deer gun for the wife a 16ga or 20ga depending on what she's going to hunt. http://www.remington.com/firearms/shotguns/fi_870_16ga.htm You can research remington at http://www.remington.com/NR/exeres/0000164...cookie%5Ftest=1 I think that will be the most hunting shot gun for the money. You can get mossbergs cheaper and they are a great shotgun.. but if you deer hunt, you want it to be quiet as possible. Here is a mossber camo and it a lot of shotgun for the money also. Maybe they have fixed the rattly pumps and mechanics in the last 3 yrs. for $255 I'd have to look at that one too. Also, if there is a camo pattern or other patter you need to look at the quality of the finish. See if it seems that it will nic easy or not. http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp...170088%3A170089 Edited January 13, 2005 by fixitrod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fixitrod Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 Just head down to your local gun store or Walmart and look at the Remington 870 express combo. I think they are around $300 and come with a slug barrel and a regular barrel. The 870 express is a decent gun and will shoot 3" magnums or 2 3/4" depends on how hard you want it to kick. 306095[/snapback] That's what I think too. They have them for $255 at walmart. You can even get them cheaper at a pawn shop but you have to know what to look at to see if it's wore out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FireHead Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 You might want to take a look at the Remington 11-87... It's a very nice gun... You can get a 28" or 30" barrel.... It come with 3 screw in choke's, Full, Modified, and open.. It might be a little bit more than you said you want to spend, but it's worth a look... 306081[/snapback] Remington 11-87's are very good guns but are very heavy for what they are. Stay away from mono-chokes on anything, screw-in chokes are the way to go. The best value is always found in a used gun. If you want to buy new, then get a pair of Remington 870 Express's from Walmart. You cant go wrong with them, they come in 12 and 20, 28,26,24 inchbarrels, can't break them, and they're light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinx44 Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 Stay away from the 11-87 and 1100 (old model) remingtons. They won't eject light loads. I have a 2 of each so I know. They are great guns though but it sucks to dove hunt with long brass 3 3/4 dram shells. The 870 pumps are great like others said. I have had a few of the Mossberg 500's (pump) and they are noisy. Some people like the double sight on the newer ones. Some of my friends have the charles daly's from walmart and they love them. I have never shot one though. My favorite shotguns that I own are Ithica's. I have an Ithica double barrel that is by far the most accurate of any shotgun I have shot and my Ithica autoloader weighs half of what my 1100 SP weighs. If you can find one used, they still bring pretty good money, especially the double barrels. I have one Ithica auto that was made in '68 and never been shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightrider Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 (edited) ust head down to your local gun store or Walmart and look at the Remington 870 express combo. Edited January 13, 2005 by Nightrider Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cannon Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 I have had Ithaca guns for 30 + years & love them. For quail, pheasant & dove it's hard to beat the model 37 pump. Especially if you hunt hard they are light weight to tote around all day in comparison to some other scatter guns. In the 37 pump, the bottom ejection is also nice to keep weather & dirt out of your action. I've never found a smoother or more reliable field gun. They also make the "deer slayer" interchangeable barrel shotgun using a fully rifled barrel in either 20 or 25" lengths.You can also get additional barrels for upland game, waterfowl, or turkey hunting as well. Never known anyone who had one that wasn't happy with them. Check them out at web site www.ithacagun.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2004LEBanshee Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 (edited) I totally agree,when I was still an avid gun owner,I hunted soley with an 870 remington.By far the best shooting gun for the money.The combos are a great deal too. Then go and buy your self a high dollar scope.At 100-125 yds I could group 4-5 inchs.It was the straightest shootin shot gun I ever owned.I nicknamed it"the deer slayer".You won't be dissapointed,not to mention there is a ton of aftermarket for the 870.I also had an 1187,good gun,but too heavy to lug around when your driving deer. The only other I recommend are Ithicas,they are another awesome shotgun. 306160[/snapback] I personally think the 870 is the best gun for the money made. It can take loads of abuse. Field and stream wrote an article in the new issue of the 50 greatest guns ever made and the 870 was 10th. The moss was 16th. so either way. Edited January 13, 2005 by 2004LEBanshee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bansheetimes2 Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 20 ga baby all the way. My brother has an Ithaca 20ga featherlite pump and has outshot every 12gauge its been put up against. 12 gauge bullets have more powder but are throwing alot more load. I personally like my 870 magnum 20 ga. It takes 3" shells and using brenneke's or sabots i've taken down deer at 100+ yards quite easily. Most people in my area use 2 guns if you are going to bird hunt and big game hunt. They'll set up one gun with a bird barrel and then the other gun with a smooth bore or rifled barrel. Then you don't have to keep switching barrels and/or removing scopes. Around here is shotgun country so rifles are out. As for the .410 don't underestimate it. It's a great gun that you can shoot and not wake people up. I like carrying it in my truck because you can discharge it just about anywhere, kill a deer/rabid coon and not be heard. The range is only about 50 yards tops when using better bullets. Other than the 870 I really like the mossbergs. Just something about having the extra shell. I could've used that extra shell a couple times, might have another 2 deer under my belt....... Oh well, just my $.02.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PUSH THE THROTTLE Posted January 13, 2005 Report Share Posted January 13, 2005 20 ga baby all the way. My brother has an Ithaca 20ga featherlite pump and has outshot every 12gauge its been put up against. 12 gauge bullets have more powder but are throwing alot more load. I personally like my 870 magnum 20 ga. It takes 3" shells and using brenneke's or sabots i've taken down deer at 100+ yards quite easily. Around here is shotgun country so rifles are out. As for the .410 don't underestimate it. It's a great gun that you can shoot and not wake people up. I like carrying it in my truck because you can discharge it just about anywhere, kill a deer/rabid coon and not be heard. The range is only about 50 yards tops when using better bullets. 306291[/snapback] I Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whyteboy Posted January 14, 2005 Report Share Posted January 14, 2005 if i had the $$ i'd get a benelli Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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