Shotgun

[ladan]

I'm looking to buy a shotgun. Ive been borrowing friends shotguns for the past couple of years and its definitely time for me to get my own. The bulk of my hunting is dove and quail so im looking for a good field gun, probably a 20 ga or 20/28 ga combo. Ive been shooting side by sides and over and unders for the most parts, and would really like to get either one but not sure if my budget will allow this. All the suggestions my friends have given me are alot more than i am able to spend right now. Im hoping to spend no more than $600. Any suggestions?

 

[coachkiss]

Every dove and every quail and every duck and every rabbit and every squirrel I have killed has been killed with shotguns or rifles that are less than $300.

If you want to spend more, great. If someone tells you that they will shoot more accurately, I guess I can believe that, but they don't outshoot me. Practice and time shooting make a lot better shooter than the gun.

 

[DallasTexasEx]

I'd go with a 12 gauge. Its more versatile. You can use it for quail and dove or you can use it for bigger game like geese and pheasant, etc.

 

[TxStHorn]

A friend of mine bought me a 12 gauge Yldez from Academy a few years ago.

I really like it. I don't think they're that expensive.

That said, I'd really advise just looking in your local classifieds.

I bought my wife a 20 ga. SKB semi-auto for $130, and a Remington 870 12 ga. and .22 rifle for a total of $100.

 

[BigWill]

remington 870. no better value

 

[Holden]

Agree w/ 20 or 28.

In the 20 you'll have a choice of an auto, pump or o/u.
In the 28, probably a o/u only.

While I agree that practice is key; a good gun will make life much easier. I agree going the used route.

 

[Luke Duke]

28ga shells will be more expensive and harder to find than 20ga shells

 

[Seamus McBundy]

I second the remingoton 870 express. 12g

 

[ladan]

I was looking online at McBrides here in Austin and came across Stoeger shotguns. Anyone ever used or heard of these shotguns. They look to be quality shotguns from what ive read and are owned by Benelli

 

[HORNINTHEUSA]

Remington model 11-87 20 gauge will never do you wrong. It is an excellent gun dove, quail, or teal and the loads are easy to find. I wish they still made the 1100. I had a 20 ga 1100 stolen from my truck the dove opener in San Antonio 3 years ago. Man, i miss that gun.

 

[jmrob93]

look around-- you should be able to get a used Rem 1100 or Browning auto 5 for 600 or so-- can't recommend an over under--go 12 -- ammo is cheaper

 

[TexasEd]

I do a lot of hunting with shotguns.

I wouldn't get anything smaller than a 20 gauge if you are only going to have one gun. A 12 gauge may be overkill for quail and dove, but it is more versatile and getting a 3" chamber 12 gauge you could hunt ducks and turkey too.

The most important thing in a shotgun is how well it fits you. When you shoulder it does it have the right length of pull and does your cheek on the stock line your eyes up right down the rib?

That being said for $600 you can get some really good guns. You need to know whether you would prefer a pump, semi-auto or a side by side.

In that range I would recommend a Semi-auto. My favorite would be a Beretta A390 or AL391.

You might want to do some research on this site:
www.shotgunworld.com/

 

[CanaTigers]

I would recommend a Stoeger Condor. I bought one for my son and it is very good gun for the money.

 

[KS1866]

I third the rec for the Remington 870

 

[cinchhorn]

BigWill is correct, 870 is all you need. Bought mine when I graduated from college @ McBride's.

 

[ladan]

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[CanaTigers]

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[ScoPro]

For a pump the Remington 870 is a great value & nice gun.

 

[01 grad]

I agree on the beretta al391, however, I do not see you getting that gun for 600, 1000 maybe.

I'd take a drive to San Antonio and pick up one of these two:
link

link

 

[TexasEd]

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[SonofSon]

Browning BPS

of course I am left handed so the BPS is great for me ( shell drops from the bottom as you pump) I also have a 20ga and 12 ga O/U. But my BPS is my go to gun.

Got mine at Academy for right around $600 9 years ago.

 

[01 grad]

This was posted today on a site I frequent. Very clean looking...

Link

 

[TheFied]

I have a Browning Citori Lightning O/U 12ga and a Ithaca 37 pump 20ga.

For your range, I recommend the Remington 870 Express. The 12ga is more versatile. If you only want one, I recommend the 12ga.

You can get it for under $400 and "it always goes bang". For your price range, you basically need to get a pump. And there are few pumps better than the Remington 870.

 

[Hornin Hong Kong]

870 express magnum pump - 300 bucks at walmart

 

[Voltronjacko]

I'm looking for a used Remington 870 Wingmaster that is left handed (Remington doesn't currently make a left handed wingmaster, thus looking for used). Anybody know where to look? I'm trying gunbroker.com and gunsamerica.com, but the search is slow.

 

[judgroybeanbag]

Here is a left-hand on gunsamerica:
The Link

 

[Voltronjacko]

yep, saw that one. I was just trying to find one a little cheaper (sub $400)