I'm looking to buy a new shotgun for deer, what is the best? rifled/smooth barrel? chokes? budget under $500

Answer 1

As a Dealer and Hunter, I would recommend a Remington Express 870 with a fully rifled Slug Barrel and rifle sights.It comes with an Improved Cylinder choke made for shooting slugs. You could easily find one for around $325 or less if you can find one on sale at one of the bigger chains Like Cabela's, Bass Pro Shops, Academy Sports, Dick's Sporting Goods or Sports Authority. I also agree with the use of Sabot's because they are more accurate than conventional slugs and you will shoot better groups at longer ranges. Great for Deer hunting..Sabot's are more expensive then conventional slugs but they are worth the extra cost. Doesn't make sense to have a quality shotgun then shoot bargain basement ammunition out of it. I sell Remington 870 Express Shotguns about 10-1 over all the other brands in my stores and the customer's love them. I am very partial to the 870 myself because I had one in my patrol car for many years in my former career as a Law Enforcement Officer (Now retired)
The Remington is quality made, totally dependable and a true value for the money. If you have a chance you should go to one of the stores I've listed and see them for yourself. There are other shotguns on the market, but for me and a lot of others, I want the best quality and shotgun for my money.The are many barrels that you can purchase to hunt with, shoot clay pigeons or Trap Shoot. Specialized barrels with Turkey chokes installed as well as various stocks from black synthetic to camouflage patterns. You can also buy combination Remington 870 Express packages that come with an extra barrel and still come in way under your $500 budget (Two guns for the price of one). Good Luck with whatever you choose.....

Answer 2

If you will use it exclusively for deer, a rifled barrel may be the best choice. But if you plan on hunting other game, you want a smooth bore gun. I like the Remington 870. The Express version is not so expensive as the Wingmaster. You can use the smooth bore barrel, unchoked with rifled slugs or Buckshot, or you can buy an extra, rifled, barrel just for deer hunting using saboted slugs.
Check your states restrictions before buying.
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Answer 3

Depends on a lot of things. A Remington 870 is always a good choice. It is cheap, there are tons of them so you can buy additional barrels, parts, etc., the finish is acceptable but not fancy so you don't worry about it every second out in the field, etc. I had one w/ the deer-slayer barrel...only bad thing is each shot is over 2 dollars (copper sabot slugs.) Smooth bore barrels w/ rifled slugs can be almost as accurate and the shells are a lot cheaper. You typically have to use an improved choke...any tighter and it will misshape the slug. Don't do buckshot....at least as your first round. Shoot to kill, not to wound. Honestly, though, unless you are hunting in thick swamp or areas where you can't see more than 50 yards, I'd probably go with a muzzleloader (assuming your state/provence allows them.) Muzzleloader has better ballistics farther out, you can extend your season into muzzleloader season, and you rarely get more than one shot anyways. Or, if you're in a place where you can use a high-powered rifle, do that. Something like a .30-06, .270, or 7mm mag are good guns and give quite a bit more knockdown power. Always best to use the gun that is the most accurate and will deliver the most punch...never fun if you wound deer...you want them dead asap.

Answer 4

Over and under shotguns are nice, however, most people would agree with me that it is smart to get a pump for your first shotgun. this is because you are able to do most hunting types better with a pump the you can with an O&U. If you do still decide to get an O&U with the $500 limit then i would look for a used one. even tho it is used, it will be a better Quality than a new one for $500. if you do decide to go with a pump for your first shotgun then yes the remington 870 is a good model. there are many types of the 870 for under $500 that would be good for all types of hunting. another good option would be a mossburg or a benelli.

Answer 5

I own two Remington 870 magnums they are really good all around guns i hunt every thing from small game to deer with mine. That is your best way to go. also they have a really good warranty that they stand be hind. I just have smooth barrels that i shoot rifled slugs from and i get accurate shots out to 75 to 100 yards. the fully rifled barrels and sabot slug are even better. good luck hunting this year.

Answer 6

The best sabot slug ammunition today is designer for fully rifled barrels. I think best best slug gun in your budget is the Remington 870 (pump) slug. You may end up with enough left over for a usable scope. New England firearms makes a single-shot, fully rifled slug gun for about $250, leaving more money for a scope, or your pocket.

Answer 7

12 guage Remington 870 Express Magnum

Answer 8

it depends. if you're going to be shooting at far ranges, then i would suggest the rifled barrel to increase the accuracy and with that i would use a slug. If you're going to shoot at close ranges, then i would suggest the smooth bore fitted with a FULL choke because of its concentrated spread of pellets. for the shotgun itself, i suggest the Remington Spartan SPR220 SC4 12Ga. It costs $484.99 on Impact guns

Answer 9

Get the tried and true Remington 870, which cost under $250.

Answer 10

You could buy a Mossberg Maverick new at Walmart for $160.00 or Mossberg 500 or a Remington 870.* The hunters who have Maverick's are very pleased & satisfied with them. Shoot Remington Sluggers Brand for ammo.*