Good Bird Shotgun- Need Help

Hey guys. I am looking at getting a new shotgun. I mainly hunt Ducks, Geese, and smaller stuff like quail, and dove.

So i need a good shotgun that can shot a smaller round (2&3/4, 7&1/2 shot) and also be able to handle a big shell (3&1/2, 2 shot) and the 3&1/2 magnums for the geese.

I just need some good guns to choose from. Also i dont have thousands of dollars to spend haha.

O and semi-auto is preferred but pump is ok also.

 

It's hard to beat an old Remington 870 pump-gun, not the most sexy gun out there, but for the money hard to beat.

 

I'd take a pump over a semi-auto most days of the week. With Semi autos, there is more maintenance to do over time and more things will wear out on it (gaskets, seals, etc) I'm not saying they aren't great guns, but I've always preferred pumps regardless of my target animal. Check out a 870 (3 1/2) magnum as it will eat anything 2 3/4 through 3 1/2. I have a turkey magnum and it's a great, well built gun.

 

ya i currently have a itheca model 37 pump. Its a great gun but i am limited on the size shells i can use.

 

I have that shotgun also, Model 37 deerslayer. It will only take a 2 3/4 shell. I have no complaints about that gun at all. Since you're looking to shoot waterfowl, you're definitely gonna need a gun that will hold AT LEAST a 3" shell. With the waterfowl shot being steel these days, they don't have the knock-down power of lead shot. (Thank PETA for that) There's a conversion chart for steel vs. lead shot:

http://shotshell.drundel.com/steel.htm

 

the new stoger model 3000 is a really nice gun

 

Mossberg 930 waterfowl. Great gun, great price. Wood or synthetic.

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?=&p=794471

 

Please listen to me on this- all of my family and friends own and love ---- the benelli nova 12 gauge. Works extremeley well with all rounds, it is cheap but durable and will last forever. Synthetic everything haha. But trust
me this gun is the best. Today I went hunting and dropped it in the salty bay water and mud. I cleaned it with my fingers, shot some birds brought it home, hosed it off and oiled it down. No rust problems and a pretty light gun... I've had it for 5 years and haven't and won't have a problem with it. Trust me and get one for only 400 bucks you can't beat it.

 

As most others have said, a pump may be your best bet if you want to shoot light target loads and heavy mags out of the same gun. For a semi, consider the Winchester SX3. The 3-1/2" model may or may not shoot the 2-3/4" loads reliably after a break-in period. It should at least handle the stiffer 2-3/4" loads like the heavier Win AA loads.

I have a 3" SX3 and love it, but I don't hunt geese.

 

i have both the remington 870 and the rem 1187. both guns are great execpt the fact i have NEVER ONCE had a shell jam on me with the 870. extremetly reliable gun for a small price. you can always count on it to shoot flawlessly

 

My old Walgreens Mossy 500 nailed a flying mallard at 75 yards with 2 3/4" #4.
Full choke on a 30" barrel. Only time I've ever fired at a duck, I was hunting pheasants in rice fields outside Chico.

 

cool. I have heard GREAT things about the rem 870. Does that come in either pump or semi? Or just pump. And do you know of any sites that sell used?

 

Remington 870 pump

Mossberg 500 or 835 (if you insist on 3 1/2 inch shells) pumps

Benelli Nova pump.

Keep the Model 37, great for lighter shells and loads, especially if you're a southpaw.

 

cool. I will be keeping the 37. Its a good gun. But i want a good all around gun, and something that will stop a bird dead.

My price range for a gun is as low as possible haha. used or new

 

If you have the money, I would suggest the Benelli Super Black Eagle. Semi-auto, all shell sizes and tough as nails. I've hunted with it in snow, mud, dirt, etc conditions with no problems. I've killed pretty much every type of game that flies, walks or crawls with it...

Otherwise, the Nova is a much cheaper, good alternative.

Eric

 

Nova! *Pun warning* Pull the trigger and buy one!

 

REMINGTON 870 EXPRESS BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

All of the above are well made, inexpensive and readily available on the used market.

 

nothing sexier in the shotgun world than an over/under. i'm seeing them more and more in duck blinds.

i love how you know you are absolutely safe, with the shotgun broken open. my stepdad..i make him use his o/u now. i like to know visually that he isnt going to fire a shot accidentally. dont ask about the big hole in the back seat floor portion of my brother's pickup truck...dont ask.