Need 1 shotgun to 'do it all'

[Ducky's Dad]

or a Ithaca M37 woudl eb the way to go.

OP wants a gun that he can also use for pigs with slugs. How much would he have to spend for a rifled barrel for a 37? I grew up shooting a 37, gave it to my brother because 870s fit my needs a lot better.

[CSACANNONEER]

There's no such thing as one "do all" shotgun but, both the Mossberg 500 and Remington 870s come close once you get the appropriate barrels. Personally, I prefer 500s over 870s (I have both but more 500s). Both are relatively inexpensive and both have a plethora of different barrels available for them. What slugs are you planning on shooting? Do they require a rifled barrel? This is one important thing to consider before making a decision.

[MJB]

Love my M37 but my sbe doesn't kill my shoulder after a few hundred rounds.

3.5 is important for turkey loads. The extra 1/2" is all shot so you have more shot in your pattern & I yote hunt using the dead coyote loads in 3.5 for the same reason it goes further with more pellets down range.

[RandyCat]

Say it with me, Beretta A300

Just wanted to and then stopped half way. The OP wants to shoot slugs for pig hunting. Given he is CA hee neds lead free slugs. The ones which are readily available are sabots which calls for rifled barrel preferably cantilevered one.
I doubt A300 has one available, however mos500 has a combo 28" field accu-choke barrel and rifled cantilevered with some l_cheappo scope for approximately 400 on Gun Broker. Then the scope can be changed to Nikon slughunter.

So, here is a gun do it all.

Or NIB A300 for $650 which is now on marketplace of calguns.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1431103

[ysr_racer]

OP, where do you live?

[Ducky's Dad]

I yote hunt using the dead coyote loads in 3.5 for the same reason it goes further with more pellets down range.

3-1/2 does not go any farther than a 3" or a 2-3/4" at the same muzzle velocity. It just gives you a denser pattern at any given distance. And it kicks more because it's a heavier shot charge.

The extra 1/2" is all shot

Nope, some of the case volume is for extra powder to maintain muzzle velocity with that heavier shot charge. And a tiny amount of volume is given over to the extended wad petals.

[fishnbeer]

OP, where do you live?

Southern part of S.F. bay area

[fishnbeer]

Given he is CA hee neds lead free slugs. The ones which are readily available are sabots which calls for rifled barrel preferably cantilevered one.
I doubt A300 has one available...

I totally forgot about that. I was thinking smoothbore with the right choke could shoot slugs out of same barrel. But I totally forgot about lead free everything starting next year.

So you are saying that in terms of lead free slugs, the only option is going to be a sabot that needs rifled barrel????

[Horrendo Revolver]

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?

The 930 is an excellent shotgun IMO and you can also get a rifled barrel for it to shoot slugs.

[RandyCat]

I totally forgot about that. I was thinking smoothbore with the right choke could shoot slugs out of same barrel. But I totally forgot about lead free everything starting next year.

So you are saying that in terms of lead free slugs, the only option is going to be a sabot that needs rifled barrel????

Yep,
I heard there are some lead free foster slugs i believe, but they are hard to find, and they are significantly inferior to sabots in terms of their ability.
Sabots are GTG up to 200 yards(some say they can stretch it up to 300), let alone availability.

Here is a good option for example, accu-choke 28" BBL and cantilevered 24" rifled BBL

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/777189801

I think we are neighbors, so, if you want you can stop-by to see my 2 barrel setup with mos500. ( most people prefer 3 BBLs but i found a way to make it 2 BBL with same functionality)

...

[meno377]

OP. There are several that are considered an all around gun that can do pretty much anything. If you are proficient with a pump, you can't beat an 870 Wingmaster with at least a 28 inch barrel. You can pick them up for $300-$400 if you shop around and you want to get one that is capable of 3 inch shells. Some really old models only came with 2 3/4 inch shell compatibility. If you prefer an autoloader, the choices grow substantially.

If your budget is tight, I would personally recommend an 11-87 or 1100 Remington as parts are available for them everywhere. If recoil doesn't bother you, then look for an inertia gun like a Benelli, Franchi, or if you are really lucky, an old A5 Browning. The Remington 11-87 and 1100 are gas guns and are VERY comfortable. But I personally like inertia guns as they run cleaner in my experience. There are others already mentioned and you should look into those also.

If I had to pick ONE shotgun for everything and my budget was up to $1200.00, I would go with a Benelli Autoloader personally. If under 600.00, find an 1100 or 11-87 Remington. JMHO. Of course this is assuming you are comfortable using these as a HD gun also. A pump is STILL the most reliable for home defense.

All of these are 12 gauge guns I am speaking about. One other option with a pump that I just saw on Scottb post is a Super nova, or nova. Those guns are like tanks. They aren't sleek like a Wingmaster, but they absolutely perform.

[RandyCat]

OP. There are several that are considered an all around gun that can do pretty much anything. If you are proficient with a pump, you can't beat an 870 Wingmaster with at least a 28 inch barrel. You can pick them up for $300-$400 if you shop around and you want to get one that is capable of 3 inch shells. Some really old models only came with 2 3/4 inch shell compatibility. If you prefer an autoloader, the choices grow substantially.

If your budget is tight, I would personally recommend an 11-87 or 1100 Remington as parts are available for them everywhere. If recoil doesn't bother you, then look for an inertia gun like a Benelli, Franchi, or if you are really lucky, an old A5 Browning. The Remington 11-87 and 1100 are gas guns and are VERY comfortable. But I personally like inertia guns as they run cleaner in my experience. There are others already mentioned and you should look into those also.

If I had to pick ONE shotgun for everything and my budget was up to $1200.00, I would go with a Benelli Autoloader personally. If under 600.00, find an 1100 or 11-87 Remington. JMHO. Of course this is assuming you are comfortable using these as a HD gun also. A pump is STILL the most reliable for home defense.

All of these are 12 gauge guns I am speaking about. One other option with a pump that I just saw on Scottb post is a Super nova, or nova. Those guns are like tanks. They aren't sleek like a Wingmaster, but they absolutely perform.

Do they have a rifled BBL?

[meno377]

Do they have a rifled BBL?

M2 has one:

https://www.midwestgunworks.com/page/mgwi/prod/81262

Remington rifled barrel for 870:

https://www.cabelas.com/product/Remington-reg-Replacement-Shotgun-Barrels/705659.uts

11-87:

https://www.cabelas.com/product/Remington-reg-Replacement-Shotgun-Barrels/705660.uts

1100:

https://www.cabelas.com/product/Remington-reg-Replacement-Shotgun-Barrels/705576.uts

[ronrichards64]

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.

I have a mint 870 mag, and 870 wing master with two barrels the best choice .

[etwinam]

I have a Mossberg 500 Field that came with 3 chokes on a 28" ported Barrel and a sling all for $274 at Big 5. best purchase i've ever made in my opinion. This is my hunting gun, I can dip it it in the mud and drop it on gravel and not worry. It's a workhorse and lighter than an 870. I also prefer the safety on the tang instead of the front of the trigger guard. It's just way more natural to me.

I have a 930 JM pro 24" and it is one hell of a shotgun. I would say it's the best all around shotgun in my arsenal. a bit heavy but it can shoot 10 rds faster than I can even blink, it's a real fun time. It's a really soft shooter too. Only problem is the 24" barrel isn't quite long enough, I've shot trap and it did well but I felt I was missing some barrel length. I tried to buy a 28" Barrel but it wouldn't fit 100% so I returned it. Perhaps I just got a bad barrel, not sure.

I also have an A300. Hands down my favorite shotgun but it won't shoot your lead Sabot slugs or 3.5" shells as stated. Do you really want to hunt with slugs? If I had to sell all of them and keep only one it would by my A300. Light, well balanced, cycles everything, great fit and finish, looks great.