Need 1 shotgun to 'do it all'

[fishnbeer]

I am just getting into hunting, recently completed hunter ed course. I only have permission for 1 more gun and I need a (good) shotgun. I plan on using this gun for (1) Turkey, (2) Duck, (3) Feral pigs - firing slugs.

Prefer action to be pump and/or semi auto. Price range +/- $750

With these things in mind I am probably looking a a barrel length of 24" - 26". I am not sure if I would need it to take 3-1/2" shells, I think up to 3" would cover it. I would prefer camo finish, a good bead and possible mounting for a red dot or scope.

I have not looked at new shotguns in a long time. Could someone point me in the right direction

Thanks

[Ducky's Dad]

You don't need 3-1/2". The only shotgun you will ever need is a Remington 870 Wingmaster (NOT an Express). Lots of used ones available in good condition. Camo finish is not really necessary, and camo will wear faster than wood and bluing. One of my 870s is my duck boat gun and has an inexpensive black composite stock that won't wear. One great thing about the 870s is that there is a ton of aftermarket stuff available for them, including rifled slug barrels, scope mounts, stocks, etc. Semi-autos in that price range will be a bit of a crapshoot, and you can get more gun with an 870. And 870s are more reliable than any semi.

[therealnickb]

I sure like the Benelli Super Nova. But as DD wrote, there are a ton of aftermarket options for the Wingmaster. If you don’t want extra parts, I’d go Benelli. Otherwise, Wingmaster.

[ysr_racer]

Say it with me, Beretta A300

[sealocan]

Normally I recommend the Mossberg 500 shotgun, sold in the combination set up where you get two barrels, a short one for home defense and thick brush and a longer barrel with ventilated rib for the shotgun shooting sports, hunting birds.

But they are much cheaper than your price range, in fact you could get two and have plenty of money for ammo left over.

[Ducky's Dad]

The Super Nova is a club compared to a Wingmaster. I own both. The Mossturd is aptly nicknamed. I had one for a while, sold it. The A300 is fine for clays shooters.

[Den60]

Normally I recommend the Mossberg 500 shotgun, sold in the combination set up where you get two barrels, a short one for home defense and thick brush and a longer barrel with ventilated rib for the shotgun shooting sports, hunting birds.

But they are much cheaper than your price range, in fact you could get two and have plenty of money for ammo left over.

Given that Mossberg just told Dicks to "shove it" I would go with them and pocket the savings.

[MJB]

Benelli SBE 1-3 in 3.5"....pumps won't be as fun as semiautomatics

They have slug barrels, turkey ect....

[fishnbeer]

The A300 looks like a nice gun. How does it handle turkey loads and slugs?

If i was gonna get an 870, why would I want a wingmaster vs express? what is the difference?

I considered the mossberg 500 combo, but I have a buddy that bought one and he said the longer barrel is not threaded for chokes, so if you wanted a threaded barrel you would have to buy another barrel anyway. And I have other tools for home defense, so the short barrel is not an incentive for me.

But then I saw the mossberg 930s. http://www.mossberg.com/product/930-...e-field-85213/
Looks like this would fit the bill also.

Thoughts?

[therealnickb]

The Super Nova is a club compared to a Wingmaster. I own both. The Mossturd is aptly nicknamed. I had one for a while, sold it. The A300 is fine for clays shooters.

[SoldierLife7]

The A300 looks like a nice gun. How does it handle turkey loads and slugs?

If i was gonna get an 870, why would I want a wingmaster vs express? what is the difference?



Thoughts?

The only real difference between the two shotguns is their cosmetic look.

The Remington 870 Express contains synthetic fore-ends and stocks made of laminated wood. The metal surfaces of the shotgun have a matte finish that is not polished.

The Wingmaster's stock and fore-end are made out of walnut and it's polished/blued.

The walnut stocks are definitely better looking and higher quality.

Some argue that the Wingmaster has a better action, but to my knowledge, the actions are identical.

*edit - If you are out with friends that are snobby, they may talk smack about the Express. I don't pay people like that much mind...

[ysr_racer]

The A300 looks like a nice gun. How does it handle turkey loads and slugs?

Never shot slugs, but it handles duck and turkey loads just fine.

[Ducky's Dad]

If i was gonna get an 870, why would I want a wingmaster vs express? what is the difference?

Better finish, inside and out. Cleaner machining, especially on the older Wingmasters. Better machining and finish leads to smoother functioning.

The SBE is also a club compared to a Wingmaster. I own two of the SBEs, and I can't remember the last time I lit off a 3-1/2" shell, just not necessary. And I try to hunt a lot. The SBE is generally much more reliable than any other semi, and is not at all sensitive to how often or how well it is cleaned, but the balance is goofy because of the long receiver and its weight-forward configuration. Mossturds are heavy and not well balanced, fine for HD and casual use, but not much good for wingshooting when compared to the alternatives. Hell, I'd rather even have an A300 than a Mossturd.

[Garandimal]

The A300 looks like a nice gun. How does it handle turkey loads and slugs?

If i was gonna get an 870, why would I want a wingmaster vs express? what is the difference?

I considered the mossberg 500 combo, but I have a buddy that bought one and he said the longer barrel is not threaded for chokes, so if you wanted a threaded barrel you would have to buy another barrel anyway. And I have other tools for home defense, so the short barrel is not an incentive for me.

But then I saw the mossberg 930s. http://www.mossberg.com/product/930-...e-field-85213/
Looks like this would fit the bill also.

Thoughts?

12 ga. 870 Wingmaster.

It is a higher end product than the Express, with better internal and external parts, fit, and finish.

26-28" RemChoke field barrel, and an inexpensive "Mossberg 870" 18" CyL Bbl. ...for social work.

GR

[W.R.Buchanan]

There are actually quite a few choices. I am a big fan of Mossberg 500 for Tactical uses as they are relatively inexpensive easy to modify so they fit you and have a larger Ejection Port whihc is an advantage over Rems.

However as a purely hunting Shotgun they leave alot to be desired.

Rem 870's, and especially older ones that have been taken care of are way up the list of hunting and Clays shooting Shotguns.

Ithaca Model 37's are also excellent hunters. My M37 was made in 1940 and was just totally refurbished by me and Ithaca so I now have a new M37 made in 1940 that is already broken in. It is by far the slickest pump I have ever used. It has downward ejection because John Browning was duck hunter and wanted his spent rounds to end up in the boat. One of his best designs.

I would say for what you want to do either a nice Rem 870 or a Ithaca M37 woudl eb the way to go.

Both will also work well for any kind of Clay Pigeon shooting for hunting practice
.
Here's a pic of my M37

My .02

Randy