Shotguns - I want opinions!?

Question

So... what is you prefrence for Deer, Geese, Ducks, Turkey, Gamebirds, Jack-Rabbits, Skeet etc? Do you prefer SxS, O/U, Pump, Semi, or Single Shot? Favorite brand and gauge? Here's your chance to brag but I want to know why you like yours best.

Answer 1

Here I go again!
I LOVE the Mossberg 500 12 gauge as a general purpose shotgun, for a variety of reasons which, of course, I will lay out, since it's what you asked for.

1. Price&Availability - generally just under $200 at nearly any gun shop, as well as WalMart and K-mart if they still carry guns.

2. Versatility - the 500 has a great many barrels available for different purposes. Many come ported (to reduce recoil) and with interchangable choke tubes. Lengths (in 12gauge) are from 18.5" to 28", including both smoothbore and rifled (for slugs). Sights range from the old standard front bead to "ghost ring" and notch and post "rifle style" sights, and all new 500's come with the receiver drilled and tapped for scopes or other sights, if you're int that.

3. Reliability. I have owned several 500's over the last 20 years. I own two now. I abuse my guns and gear more than anyone else I have ever met, and I've never managed to "break" one of these guns. I've bent barrels, but you can do that with any gun if you use it to lever with. I've never had one not fire a chambered shell, never had one not extract, eject, or chamber a round. I did manage to get one to not feed properly - I had it fully disassembled, got up from my bench to answer the phone, and the cat attacked the magazine spring, tangling it horribly. I stretched the spring untangling it, and after that until I replaced the spring it would double-feed the last two shells from the magazine. A three-dollar spring fixed it.
The last I knew the Mossberg 500 was the only commercial shotgun to meet the current U.S. Military standards.

4. Capacity - the Mossberg 500 holds 5+1 (five in the magazine plus one in the chamber), 2.75 or 3" shells. It comes with a wooden plug that reduces magazine capacity to two to comply with hunting regulations.

5. Safety - the 500 has the safety mounted on top of the receiver, not behind the trigger like so many others. When I am in the field hunting I carry the gun with a round in the chamer, safety on, with my hand around the receiver and triggerguard. As I bring it to shoulder it's completely natural to flip the safety off with my thumb as I take a proper firing grip. I've never mastered a similar move with a safety mounted anywhere on the trigger/guard area that I didn't feel unsafe with.

6. Aftermarket accessories - like any other popular firearm, especially those that have been available as long as the 500, any gadget you want is available form someone, if Mossberg doesn't make it.


Have Fun!

Answer 2

I use my Remington 1187 SPS 12 gauge for everything. Mostly because I am a college student and can't afford to buy another shotgun. Using this gun I have killed deer, geese, ducks, rabbits, woodcock, partridges, etc. The semi-automatic action functions quickly and flawlessly and the gun is very comfortable to shoot. It came with a sling which makes it very easy to transport while carrying decoys or other hunting gear. The only downside is that it is a little heavy for walking through brush all day compared to other models. But when it is time to shoot, I can't think of any other shotgun I'd rather be holding.

Answer 3

Shotgun slugs have come a long way, and I believe you can expect 2 MOA out of a good rifled barrel with good ammo, although max range is about 200 yds, and that's pushing it. Major manufacturers will list energy, velocity, bullet weight, etc to give you an idea of how hard their product hits. Spend some trigger time, try out different loads, see what works best before you head into the field. Don't expect a flat flight though like your 7mm, you gotta lob a slug in there at longer distances.

Answer 4

For bird hunting and skeet I like side by side doubles, Though it is hard to beat the versatility of a pump with interchangeable barrel/chokes tubes. If I live in a slug hunting area for deed ( happily don't) I would get a slug gun with a ghost ring sight. 12 gauge is about the norm now for all shotgunning. I have owned a Mossberg, WInchester, and Ithaca Shotguns, plus a Spanish double. While none would cause me to jump for joy (I am a rifle guy) all got the job done.

Answer 5

Deer - .410 or 20 gauge with a slug (rifled) barrel. Ducks, Geese - 12 gauge magnum with a 30" to 32" full choke, Semi auto or pump. Turkey - over and under. 22 mag on top with a 20 gauge full choke under. Grouse or Quail. 20, 16 or 12 gauge semi auto with a 28" open choke or modified barrel.

Answer 6

For deer, I use my synthetic Remington 11-87 12 ga semi auto. Turkey, I also use a Rem 11-87 synthetic camo. Upland game, I use a Ruger Red Label O/U. Small game, (rabbit squirrel etc.) my Mossberg 500 12 or 20ga, or my single shot .410. Coyotes, a Rem 700 .270. I think that's about it.

Answer 7

I handed down my Citori to one of my kids. Couldn't ever get used to the barrels being on wrong. I have a soft spot for my Elsie, but I actually use it less than the various European side-by-sides when I'm hunting. And in my part of the world, we deer hunt with smaller bores that have twisty stuff in them.

Answer 8

20 gauge whinchester i hunt all of those with the changeable barrels the rifled deer barrel so really accurate that i kinda wanted to put a scople on it and the shot barrel has the interchangeable chokes

Answer 9

Remington, both the 870 Wingmaster (pump) and the Remington 1100 semi-auto...

Answer 10

Mossberg Model 500 12ga pump.
Nothing scares off an intruder more than cycling the action of a pump shotgun.