Quoted: Maybe you guys can help out a young whipper snapper!!! They guy across the street has asked me if I want to go dove huntin with him this season. I have never been but i'm pretty sure my AR wont work for this So what is a decent shotgun for the birdies? Looking for something somewhat entry level ,but not too cheap in case I like it and want to keep at it.
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Tony,
Pretty much any shotgun will do; here are a few considerations:
1) 20 ga. is sufficient for doves and easier on the shoulder than 12 ga., but not very versatile if you every plan to hunt turkey or waterfowl.
2) Pump vs. semi-auto; gas operated semi-auto recoils less but is arguably less reliable; don't believe anyone who tells you that a semi is faster than someone who knows how to shoot a pump well. Pump is also less expensive. Over-and-unders can be quite expensive, and only offer two shots; being able to use two different choke sizes is primarily advantageous for things like sporting clays.
3) Pretty much all decent shotguns these days have screw in chokes tubes; I can't imagine buying one that doesn't.
4) The longer the barrel, the greater the range potential; shorter barrels tends to be slightly quicker handling. Doves fly pretty damn low and fast. Typically bird guns have barrels in the 26-28" range; turkey guns tend to be in the 22"-24"ish range; my Citori [for sporting clays] has 30"ers. Ported barrels are not worth it for hunting IMHO, as the report can be significantly louder.
5) Typical name brands like Remington, Browning, Beretta, and Winchester seem to be popular. The Remington 870 pump is quite possibly the most common. The Beretta A391 is a very nice semi. I happen to have a Browning BPS pump; this model is not for everybody, as the bottom eject takes some getting used to. Alot depends on how much you wnat to spend.
Other gear that you will need is a shell/game bag, Academy has some decent ones for like $8-10. Bug spray is mandatory, as is lightweight clothing. Something portable to sit on can be nice if the action slows down; some folks use 5 gallon buckets [also serves as a good place to store all your gear], while others prefer a small folding stool or chair; I find the bucket method a bit awkward, but YMMV. Depending on where you hunt, rubber knee boots may be beneficial; personally, I don't mind wet feet [since it is usually pretty warm] vs. the awkwardness of walking very far in rubber boots, again YMMV. Lastly, just as with carbines, a hunting shotgun without a sling is like a pistol without a holster.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, make sure that you have the proper license/endorsements! The laws changed this year; it used to be that one didn't need a stamp for mourning doves, but needed a white-winged stamp for same; this year, you need a State Migratory Game Bird stamp for either. Also, make sure that you get HIP certified; it is free, and it is the law. Don't assume that the sales clerk knows what they are talking about; read the regulations carefully yourself.
Give me a call if you want a shopping partner 713.825.0335.
Take care, John