Posted: 7/30/2008 5:05:13 PM EDT
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what shotgun should one use if planning on bird hunting? I new to the sport and I don't have a shotgun yet, but I want to know where should I look? Thanks 
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Remington 870 Express. Then get a 20" inch smoothbore Rem Choked iron sighted barrel for HD and hogs. Thee end. post script - There are a lot of guys out there who shoot lots of birds and big bucks every year with Mossbergs, Mavericks, and Chinese NEFs. Good for them. Get the 870. You'll be better off in the long haul. 
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What this guy said, if you want a do it all shotgun this is as close to perfection as you can get. |
Big + 1 to this! You can not go wrong with the remington line of shotguns. I do love the 870 (and have one for turkey hunting) but you might also like to look into the 1100 models (I have two of them as well). |
| How much bird hunting will you do compared to how much home defense you will do? Mossberg with two barrels is a good gun. Home defense can still be done with a 26" barrel. Hunting versatility is key if you only want to buy 1 gun. Make sure you buy a gun that is chambered for 3 1/2". I like the 870, but as far as a pump gun goes Browning BPS is tops (I have it in 3 different calibers 10, 12, 20). The browning goes for about $450.00. As far as semi auto goes the remmington 1187, or Benelli Super Black Eagle II (best but expensive 1200-1500). |
+1 |
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Starting out, I'd make things as simple as you can. In my opinion and experience, you can't go wrong with a 12 ga pump gun. Buying a pump gun is relatively inexpensive and will cover most hunting scenarios even deer hunting if need be. They do double duty as a good home defense option. The 12 gauge is the most versatile load available. Pumps are reliable and will function under the most adverse condtions with minimal care. There are many utilitarian offerings out there. Certainly, something like a nice Remington 870 wingmaster is going to carry a higher price tag because it's a bit more refined than the Express models. If you just want to hunt and kill birds the 870 Express Magnum or Super Magnum will serve you well. Mossberg 835 or 500 is also up to the task. Benelli Nova or Super Nova are popular with many. There's more, but these mentioned are the most popular and have been well received by most hunters.
You just go out there and figure which one fits you best. |
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I am new to bird hunting as well and made the same decision you are asking about not two weeks ago.
For me, the decision was between a Mossberg 500 and a Remington 870, mainly because they are all I could really find easily here in a small town. I ended up with the Mossberg and love it. It didn't come down to money as there was only $80 difference in price but more of how it felt and certain features. The Mossberg had a 28" vented barrel which I wanted while the 870 had a 26". The Mossbergs safety is on the rear of the gun like you find on over/under shot guns which I found to be easier to manipulate in the gun store than the 870's safety located by the trigger. This observation proved to be true in the field as my buddy hunts with an 870. When walking with the safety on you can rest your thumb on the safety and flick it off as you bring the gun up to your shoulder when the birds flush. The trigger area safety on the 870 was a little trickier and a little less comfortable to leave a finger on it for any fast flushing birds. The Mossberg 500 doesn't have a shell loader (not sure what they are called) that stays down that you can pinch your thumb with when loading shells. The 870's stays down all the time. This isn't really an issue hunting more of a convenience thing, but in a gunfight I think it would make a big difference. Both guns had smooth actions. Whatever you get I'm sure it will be great, I just though I would share what I went through recently. My other buddy has a Benelli Nova and I have to say it is also a great gun. Although it will cost you more money if that matters. Good luck.... 
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Go Benelli. You can get the pump Nova or Super Nova. They blow 870's and 500 out of the water. Less to rust, plus they shoot 3 1/2in if you want to just for fun!
Play with all of them side by side first before you buy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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Berretta Xtrema 2 w/ K.O
Benelli Nova Remington 870 Magnum Mossberg 500 I have all 4 of those in 3 1/2. They are all great. The Xtrema 2 w/ K.O has to be the best shooting 3.5in autoloader I have ever shot. It is pricey at $1600, but well worth it. close to no recoil with a 3.5 inch magnum load. |
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I'm quite partial to the Savage 720 (Browning A5 clone) my grandpa left to my dad. It points perfectly for me, have not had a problem with it, and from what I've read, is a very reliable shotgun. It is a bit complicated, and difficult to tear down completely to clean and then reassemble. But to me, its been worth it.
The Browning A5's are more expensive, but I picked up a second Savage 720 to use as a field gun and keep my grandpas in the safe, for $250. Keep your eyes open. Pro's: Good reliable shotgun. Proven Design. Long recoil action eats up quite a bit of the felt recoil. Con's: More complicated for tear down and cleaning (cleaning is generally just pulling a mop through the bore, but more detailed cleaning is harder). Heavier gun. Must KNOW how and why to change the setting for heavy vs light loads. |
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Quoted:
I'm quite partial to the Savage 720 (Browning A5 clone) my grandpa left to my dad. It points perfectly for me, have not had a problem with it, and from what I've read, is a very reliable shotgun. It is a bit complicated, and difficult to tear down completely to clean and then reassemble. But to me, its been worth it. The Browning A5's are more expensive, but I picked up a second Savage 720 to use as a field gun and keep my grandpas in the safe, for $250. Keep your eyes open. Pro's: Good reliable shotgun. Proven Design. Long recoil action eats up quite a bit of the felt recoil. Con's: More complicated for tear down and cleaning (cleaning is generally just pulling a mop through the bore, but more detailed cleaning is harder). Heavier gun. Must KNOW how and why to change the setting for heavy vs light loads. I use to see them sell for around 100 alot... I wish I woulda grabbed one back then |
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I had a 870 wingmaster for 20 years and being 6'3" it came up short in lop, I got a used benelli SBE used for mid $800's and I can't say enough great things about the benelli's. I got a 8 shot extension for a SD pheasant hunt and it would work great for home defense. You can get any and all accessories for the SBE too.
Knowing you will use it for more bird hunting than home defense(I hope) you should see how well it draws up and how quick you can get a line down the barrel. I hunt mostly ruffed grouse in the thick woods of MN and it is important to get a accurate and quick shot off. That is why I like the SBE better than the wingmaster. |
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Quoted:
Go Benelli. You can get the pump Nova or Super Nova. They blow 870's and 500 out of the water. Less to rust, plus they shoot 3 1/2in if you want to just for fun! Play with all of them side by side first before you buy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Benelli Novas are not in the same camp as Remington 870s. They have a better finish and thats it. Go shoot a box of 3.5 inch loads out of a Nova and get back to me. |
| I bought a Remington 11-87 Super mag and it shoots great. It shoots 2 3/4 to 3 1/2 inch shells. We recently shot clay pidgeons and it out performed the Mossberg 500 2to1. It is a semi-automatic or autoloading so be careful. Remingtom was offering mail-in rebates at the time I got mine. It has a 28 inch barrel with the modified choke. After months of researching I feel I made the best desicion for the money. |
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Yeah I actually can. But you can't do that out of an 870 unless you get the super mag. It's standard on the Nova's
Oh, and damn right they have better finishes! Just another reason to get a Nova  I think what he was saying is there is not much difference function wise and you pay a TON more for the Nova |
| I'm looking at Mossberg's 535 12ga. with the 22" "Turkey" barrel and then picking up a longer barrel if I find it necessary. I currently have an 870 Express but have not been impressed, have had several problems with it. The 535 accepts the same buttstock as the 500 and is essentially a beefed up 500 that can take 2 3/4", 3", and 3 1/2" shells. The 835 is also again but requires a rifled barrel if you decide to shoot slugs where the 535 can shoot slugs through the standard smoothbore. |
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Quoted:
Yeah I actually can. But you can't do that out of an 870 unless you get the super mag. It's standard on the Nova's
Oh, and damn right they have better finishes! Just another reason to get a Nova My point was the recoil from a Nova with a 3.5 inch hull is ridiculous. If you need a 3.5 inch pump get a BPS and be done with it. |
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Or you could look around and find a good used M12 Winchester.
For upland game I’ve tried a lot of different shotguns and I’ve come back full circle to where I started, the Model 12 Winchester. Nope a good one isn’t inexpensive and you need to do some research so you know what you are looking for but if you locate one in good shape it will probably outlast you. In new shotguns, I’d buy a Beretta over under for bird hunting. For home defense I’d opt for the Benelli |
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If you get a 870, make sure it's a Wingmaster. Remington cut too many corners on the Express to make it worthwhile. I haven't had any problems with mine so far, and I've got probably 3,000+ shells down the tube. All kinds/varieties too - light target loads, regular target loads 2 3/4" or 3" shells, buckshot, slugs, turkey shot etc. |