Looking for a new shotgun

[fishnbeer]

Hey guys just looking for a way to put out this fire in my pocket from my tax return. I am in the need for a pump shotgun primarily for shooting trap. Eventually I would love to go bag some duck with it after I complete the hunter ed. course. And possibly turkey
This will be the first pump shotgun I have purchased and owned; my old side by side was passed down to me from my father thus I am not up to snuff on shotgun stuff.
So I know I need something that can shoot steel. I hear people talking about different chokes but i have no idea what size I would need. And do I need to shoot slugs to bag a turkey??? Also do not know what length shell i should get. And I would prefer synthetic stock over wood and can mount a sling to. A buddy was telling me remington 870 is good and benelli is reliable, but there are so many different variations of each that i have no idea what to get.
Price range under $500 OTD

thoughts?
thanks in advance

[Vertigofirearms]

-Mossberg Combo, 870, Nova, or used 1100
-Go pattern the shells you intend to shoot regularly
-When turkey shooting, 3.5/3 inch and pistol grip usually come to mind.

[John Joseph]

Either a Remington 870 Wingmaster or Mossberg 500 or Ithaca M37 with chrome lined barrels (for steel shot for hunting) and screw in chokes (for versatility) will do what you want. No slugs for Mr Tom turkey please. If you get a gun chambered for 3" Magnums you can shoot either 2-3/4" or 3" magnums, although IMHO magnums are over rated, over priced and overly painful (and 3-1/2" magnums are just a lot more of the same)

[XVIga_Rob]

Go look at the Remington 870 Express or the Mossberg.

I shoot a Wingmaster for Trap and other clay games. I love that gun and recently bought an synthetic stocked express model with a little shorter barrel, for field use. Decided not to drag the Wingmaster out through the woods any longer, but wanted to keep the same feel and functions. I was a shade under $400 out the door for the new 870.

[Thefeeder]

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26" or longer barrel with interchagable choke tube

The rest is buyers choice..

[PoorRichRichard]

PM me. I'll talk your ear off about hunting shotguns and proper choke choice.

[lewdogg21]

Just make sure the gun has screw in chokes.

All your hunting questions will be answered when you take hunters education. Feel free to ask hunting related questions in there.

Ironically a pistol grip and a VFG would be the cats meow for turkey b/c your front wrist will feel like it's breaking if you keep your gun shouldered for a long time.

[fishnbeer]

Ok i got a rough outline now. A 26-28" barrel threaded for choke. Now for shooting steel are all barrels made to handle that or do i need something specific? And are all chokes capable of handling steel? Am i overconcerned about steel damaging the weapon???

For turkey, what is the ideal load & choke? A couple guys mentioned magnums. Are magnum shells larger in size or just loaded with more powder?

[anti]

Not all chokes and barrels are rated for steel shot. Most newer barrels are okay and usually nothing tighter than a modified for steel unless otherwise noted. Supposedly a lot of people have fired steel shot through tighter chokes and say it's fine and that it's nothing but a disclaimer.

Turkey chokes are usually on the extra full or extra - extra full side because you aim for the head. Magnum loads have a higher charge and more shot which is why a lot of turkey loads come in 3 1/2" shells. And remember that shells are measured when they're uncrimped! (after firing)

[XVIga_Rob]

The barrel & choke combo will be determined by the intended use. Chokes help control the pattern (spread of pellets). As said, most modern guns will have screw-in chokes and will be ok for steel. They should also be marked to indicate if ok for steel or not.
Don't over think it. Find a 12ga gun (26" or 28" barrel, screw in chokes, that will shoot 2 3/4" & 3" shells) that feels good when you shoulder it. Good gun fit is key!

Later, you can buy a diffent size barrel, after market chokes, but pad, etc.

[fishnbeer]

Thanks for your input guys. At this point I am leaning towards an 870 model. Are the express models made for magnum shells? Remington makes one with an interchangeable barrel which i am interested in. Sounds like a good concept but i am curious if that set up takes away from function on either trap side of home defense side. do the barrels lock down tight or is it wobbly garbage? I am not into bells and whistles and 'tactical' crap. Just want a rock solid, reliable shotgun for trap and field use

[gregskin]

The 870 is a great shotgun. I own one and love it . And yes it has interchangeable barrels. I shoot 3 inch . But I tell ya the 3 1/2 ones will reach out there. But way more recoil they say 50% more

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk

[anti]

Thanks for your input guys. At this point I am leaning towards an 870 model. Are the express models made for magnum shells? Remington makes one with an interchangeable barrel which i am interested in. Sounds like a good concept but i am curious if that set up takes away from function on either trap side of home defense side. do the barrels lock down tight or is it wobbly garbage? I am not into bells and whistles and 'tactical' crap. Just want a rock solid, reliable shotgun for trap and field use

Kudos for avoiding the tactical crap... people will throw out all of these variables and situations but in the end it just doesn't matter. More crap on your gun - the heavier it is, more crap gets in the way/snags, and more spots for people to grab onto if you actually needed to use it for defense purposes.

Almost all shotguns have interchangeable barrels but you have to match the barrels chamber to the receiver. 3" barrels for 3" receivers, etc. etc. They're usually held in by the threaded magazine cap. A lot of shotguns will have SOME play/wobble but that's perfectly normal, especially with cheaper shotguns that have looser tolerances. You'll know when something isn't right...

Remington and Mossberg both make affordable combo shotguns that usually come with an 18" and 28" barrel. Not sure if the longer barrels were a different length at some point in time. My advice is to try and find a LNIB or NIB shotgun here in the CalGuns marketplace. It can save you some money and sometimes people will throw in ammo or things like slings, etc. to sweeten the deal. I personally prefer to buy used because a lot of the guns you find are hardly even broken in and the money you save is great.

[XVIga_Rob]

No wories with the 870. It's a rock solid platform. Yes, they will shoot magnum shells. The express models are not highly polished, like the Wingmaster. Keep them clean & lubed, and they'll serve a lifetime or more worth of hunting & target shooting.
One of the bennifits of the 870 is that they have interchangeable barrels (unless you get the 7 round HD gun). The 7 round HD gun uses a longer one piece magazine tube. In a matter of just a few seconds, you can easily swap barrels. They lock down tight with the magazine cap.

[Bill Steele]

Either a Remington 870 Wingmaster or Mossberg 500 or Ithaca M37 with chrome lined barrels (for steel shot for hunting) and screw in chokes (for versatility) will do what you want. No slugs for Mr Tom turkey please. If you get a gun chambered for 3" Magnums you can shoot either 2-3/4" or 3" magnums, although IMHO magnums are over rated, over priced and overly painful (and 3-1/2" magnums are just a lot more of the same)

Pretty much covers it.