Shotgun Advice

[whodunit]

I really got into bird hunting this year and have been using a borrowed 12 guage, break action, single-shot shotgun.

I will hopefully be buying soon, so what things should I consider.

I don't know much about shotguns, but so far I've been told that a 12 is bigger bore than a 20. I understrand that, but what is the difference in performance?

I also have been told the barrel length is important for bird hunting.

What are the pros and cons of a pump action, break open, etc. I've even seen bolt action shotguns.

Price is a consideration.

Fire away!

[FreightTrain]

the longer the barrel the more accurate and more power as the exploding gases have more time to push the wadding and shot.

full choke keeps the shot pattern tight for longer range tighter grouping of shot... mod choke allows a wider pattern for closer range

auto loaders are a tad less powerful as they use exploding gases to operate the action... some are rather complex when it comes to assembling them after cleaning.. to a point of a gunsmith having to do it(dont ask how i know)

pumps are nice,... many have changeable choke tubes.. some have advustable choke tubes... these allow for three fast shots (must plug to 3 shells for hunting)

a double barrel is my fav... i like the ol "side by side" over the over and under. it allows for the fastest 2 shots... tho is prolly the heaviest. one barrel is full choke one is modified

single shot break open are IMHO entry level and prolly can be had for under $100 at wally world

shells range from 2 3/4" target load to a 3 1/2 +P magnum i always use the longest of suggested shells in my guns

[stanb999]

For price and preformance I'd go with a 12 gage pump shotgun. The ammo. is also more readily available and cheaper than 20 gage. I have two one is a savage single shot break open. the other is a remmington 870. Both are very reliable and sturdy. The problem with the savage is it's really too light for a 12 gage so it kicks like a bear. I'd steer clear of the semi-autos. To buy a quilty one that wont give you trouble will be very expensive.

Don't discount buying a used shot gun. It is much easier to tell the amount of wear in the smooth barrel than say in a rifle. Go to the gun shop and check them out. Check the barrel and the action out well. Both should be clean and show little to no signs of wear. When looking down the barrel it should look like polished silver. If their is any groves or pitting inside the barrel or the action don't buy it except at DEEP discounts like <50.00. You can easily pick up a like new gun for less than 200.00 or so. With guns buy the best you can afford because one will last a lifetime if you purchase well and take care of it.

[Iddee]

There is no way I will at this time advise you on gun purchase.
>TAKE A GUN SAFETY COURSE>
Then come back and we will talk guns.
There are 5 type guns, break action, bolt action, pump, semi-auto, and lever action. The course will teach you the pros and cons of each, along with barrel length, choke, pattern, ETC.
I would like to welcome you to the world of guns and give you a chance to stay around for a while.
TAKE THE COURSE.

[bgak47]

A Remington 870 pump would do you well for bird hunting. What birds are you after? Upland game birds or ducks & geese? For quail, I like a shorter barrel. For pheasant & ducks & geese I like a longer barrel.

[whodunit]

I have seen break-opens for under $100. I've been told, with practice, you can re-load fairly quickly. Usually, I am so excited that I hit the target and watching where it goes, that I forget to re-load. I then usually flush something else as I am walking to retrieve the first bird.

So far I have only hunted upland birds, i.e. grouse (some with a shotgun, some with a .22 rifle, since we can use ANYTHING on these birds), quail and pheasant, but water fowl are a possibility in the future. I will also definitely be hunting turkey next year.

I've taken numerous law enforcement firearms courses through the years, and I am very proficient with what I carry. I am mainly lacking on the technical side of the equipment, if that makes sense.

We have a gun club/skeet range nearby and I've heard its a great way to practice shooting moving targets, so I'll be looking into that soon.

Most of my hunting thus far has been ground shooting. Most of the birds I have gotten, with the exception of the grouse, have been right on our 2.4 acres. We have neighbors nearby, so I am very cautious about shooting in the air or in their direction.

Some seem to feel shooting birds on the ground is not sporting, but my main goal is putting meat on the table. For every bird I get, the total cost of the meat on the table goes down. With quail, it is sometimes possible ot hit several in one shot (my record is eight).

I think I like the simplicity of a break-open in its operation and price, with a double barrel coming in a close second. I seem to have picked up that over/unders are more expensive, true?

I remember looking at a bolt-action that held a total of four rounds, I think. It seemed alittle "clunky" to me, but the price was low, if I remember correctly.

I guess what I really need is a general all-purpose shotgun, since I may be sometimes hunting all these birds at the same time, with the exception of the water fowl and possibly the turkey.

[BigBoy]

Remington 870 Express (w/ 25" or 28" barrel)... $218.86 new at the local Academy Sports. $196 on sale every so often.
Plenty of accessories available ('specially on ebay) and you can shoot 2 3/4" ammo in it for less kick.

[Cleancut]

Dittos on the 870. You will find it much better at putting meat on the table than a single shot. Faster reloads means fewer get the chance to get away.

[tyusclan]

Another vote for the 870 Express. A good gun for the money, and they usually come with the Rem choke, which allows you to buy additional choke tubes and change the choke easily.

[Cabin Fever]

Since you mentioned "bird hunting," my recommendations are all related to ruffed grouse hunting...one of my passions! The two main characteristics of a good grouse gun are (1) weight and (2) length. After tromping around in the woods all day, most shotguns are gonna feel like they weigh a ton. Purchase the lightest gun you can afford.

Grouse are found in heavy forested, heavily brushed areas. You'll be twisting, turning, and ducking thru the brush. The last thing you want is a shotgun with a long barrel. Keep the barrel short.

For grouse hunting, 20 or 12 gauge are acceptable. Use light loads that spread quickly. Improved cylinder or open choke.

Lastly, even tho you normally only get one shot at a grouse, I would still forget buying a single shot. Overunder, side-by-side, pump and semi-auto are all good choices. Buy the type that you can point-and-shoot the quickest.

[SteveD(TX)]

The 870 is a great gun for the money. Since I was a kid, I've always depended on a good pump 12 gauge for hunting and all around use (snakes, etc.). I did find a deal on a used cheapo break-open single shot the other day for 50 bucks. One that I can leave at the weekend cabin all the time without lugging my good one down there every trip. But wouldn't want to use it to dove hunt.

[FreightTrain]

ditto on the 870

[MELOC]

remington 870 wingmaster is good. i still like all of the old QUALITY break opens. nothing beats them. just make the first shot count. for bird hunting specifically i guess you need a pump or auto-loader though.

i do not want to dog the gun safety courses too much but i think they are for people who have never been exposed to guns at all. here is your saftey course...
always check your weapon when you pick it up to be sure it is not loaded, always.
never lean a gun on your car or a fence or a tree as it could fall and discharge.
always use the "buddy" system when crossing obsticles such as a fence. hand it over and get it back after you cross.
always, always, ALWAYS BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET. do not assume a motion in the brush is an animal it may be a people.
remember to think about where the bullet will go after it fires way down range. bullets can travel over a mile.

the most impressive thing i can remember from my hsc is how easy it is to mistake targets. if someone is fool enough to put a deer up on their shoulders and walk with it, it may appear that the deer is moving on its own. be sure of your target and DRAG your deer. there was a news story i read once where a young boy shot and killed a fellow with a ponytail who had fallen asleep on the ground by a log. his ponytail hung over the back of the log and looked like a squirrel tail. i suppose he was not wearing blaze orange. be sure of your target!!!

oh yeah. if you see any dogs running with liberals, make sure you shoot as many as you can...we can have neither in this huge world of ours.

[mightybooboo]

Just bought a Remington 870,havent even picked it up yet.

I went with it for its excellent reputation.Best selling shotgun ever.First choice of Law Enforcement.

Very reasonable price.

Many upgrades available.

All of that told me its the one to get.

BooBoo

[pcdreams]

another vote for the 870.

It seems everyone in my family has/had at least one.

[tinknal]

I have an 870, and I like it. Now to hijack the thread..........., I'm looking for a youth shotgun for my daughter. Yesterday, I went to the local gun shop, and they have a new line of pump action shotguns, made in Turkey, called "Charles Daly". They seem to be well made, albiet no frills. Extremly light, tight action, and extremly economical at $200 new. Anybody have any knowledge about this product?

[SteveD(TX)]

Originally Posted by tinknal

I have an 870, and I like it. Now to hijack the thread..........., I'm looking for a youth shotgun for my daughter. Yesterday, I went to the local gun shop, and they have a new line of pump action shotguns, made in Turkey, called "Charles Daly". They seem to be well made, albiet no frills. Extremly light, tight action, and extremly economical at $200 new. Anybody have any knowledge about this product?

Charles Daly, I believe, is not really a manufacturer but an importer that puts their name on guns made by a number of European manufacturers. Their upper end shotguns have an excellent reputation. I've not heard of a shotgun made in Turkey, but I think I have seen a "turkey gun". I do know that they offer a great warranty and are known to back up their products.

[tinknal]

Definatly made in turkey, and definatly not a "turkey gun" . They have this model in both 12 and 20 guage (that I know of). Called my sis, she works at wally world, and they sell them, she is seeing if the employee discount applys to firearms.

[whodunit]

A friend of mine has a little long gun that has interchangeable barrels for 410 shotgun and .22. I don't remember the manufacturer, but it would be great for a child.

[papaw]

Gotta Remington 870 and an 1100. Love them both.