The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Shotguns => Topic started by: Conagher 45 on October 09, 2011, 06:13:12 PM
-
I have noticed we have a place to discuss our Handguns , Tactical Rifles and Carbines and what we load for them but what about our shotguns? I have been stashing some $$ away all year long to buy a new or good used scatter gun this fall or winter but I'm in kind of a pickle on what to go for. (Like I need another Shotgun)
12 gague , Auto Loader with 3 1/2" chamber.
Super Vinci ?
SX3 ?
Remington Versamax ?
Maxus ?
Mossberg 935 ?
Would like to have some dicussion on these. I know ther has to be some Clay shooters here too.
-
What will be the main use of the gun?
Some experts see the 3 1/2" 12ga as definitely not needed today.
It came about when steel shot was mandated but with denser than lead non-toxic shot being developed, 3" mags will provide even more punch than lead that has been used for decades without beating the shooter to death.
-
What will be the main use of the gun?
Some experts see the 3 1/2" 12ga as definitely not needed today.
It came about when steel shot was mandated but with denser than lead non-toxic shot being developed, 3" mags will provide even more punch than lead that has been used for decades without beating the shooter to death.
You just brought a good point to light that I over looked. Just want to have a 3 1/2 semi-auto in my battery in case of a chance for waterfowl or heavy turkey loads if needed. Mostley 2 3/4 would ran trough it with the thought being that if it tamed down 3 1/2 the recoil on 200 rounds of 2 3/4 would be a non-issue and the range. But then again I do have lust in my heart for a .20/.28 gauge upalnder combo from Stoeger.
-
I'm no expert but I've shot a few rounds through a shotgun and some of the autoloaders won't cycle with 2-3/4 loads if they're chambered for the heavier stuff. My SIL has a Benelli clone from Stoeger with their current rotating bolt design and it will not cycle with anything smaller than a 3" mag load.
I've never needed anything larger than 2-3/4 for my needs but then I won't go after goose or high altitude dove either. Turkey are better hunted with a golf club out here than a shotgun. I've never seen a turkey while hunting but they're crapping all over the golf courses...
-
I'm no expert but I've shot a few rounds through a shotgun and some of the autoloaders won't cycle with 2-3/4 loads if they're chambered for the heavier stuff. My SIL has a Benelli clone from Stoeger with their current rotating bolt design and it will not cycle with anything smaller than a 3" mag load.
I've never needed anything larger than 2-3/4 for my needs but then I won't go after goose or high altitude dove either. Turkey are better hunted with a golf club out here than a shotgun. I've never seen a turkey while hunting but they're crapping all over the golf courses...
On the last Gun Nuts episode Phil B did a new gun test of the Rem Versamax.
It cycled everything from 3 1/2s to pink 1 1/8oz clay loads. The gas is not bled off at the mag ring on the barrel like my 11-87, it is bled off in the chamber.
The longer shell covering up more ports so less gas is bled off to cycle. The 3"leaves more ports open and 2 3/4" shells leave even more open. I would worry about this new gun like I worry about any new release though....
As for the turkeys, may I suggest a 5 iron? ;)
-
I'm no expert but I've shot a few rounds through a shotgun and some of the autoloaders won't cycle with 2-3/4 loads if they're chambered for the heavier stuff. My SIL has a Benelli clone from Stoeger with their current rotating bolt design and it will not cycle with anything smaller than a 3" mag load.
I've never needed anything larger than 2-3/4 for my needs but then I won't go after goose or high altitude dove either. Turkey are better hunted with a golf club out here than a shotgun. I've never seen a turkey while hunting but they're crapping all over the golf courses...
Most semi autos the gas can be adjusted by a gunsmith or some one who knows about screwing with the gas rings.
Turkeys are smart, they get out of the woods when all those flatlander azzholes are running around.
-
After I ran a couple boxes of the 3 in rounds through my Stoeger it'll feed anything. But it doesn't take the 3 1/2 mag loads though
-
My absolute favorite hunting shotguns are the Ithaca M37 Featherweights (another JMB-based co-design).
Can't beat 'em, IMHO.
I also have a fondness for the Remington 1100 in the auto-loader category.
For two-legged predators, I have a pair of Winchester 1300 Defenders......8 rounds each.
-
Most semi autos the gas can be adjusted by a gunsmith or some one who knows about screwing with the gas rings.
Turkeys are smart, they get out of the woods when all those flatlander azzholes are running around.
I let my SIL know that, thanks!
I've never actually hunted for turkey but when I'm in the woods hunting, I've never seen one. They are pretty bright birds in the wild but domestic turkeys are about a dumb as democrats...
;D
-
My absolute favorite hunting shotguns are the Ithaca M37 Featherweights (another JMB-based co-design).
Can't beat 'em, IMHO.
I also have a fondness for the Remington 1100 in the auto-loader category.
For two-legged predators, I have a pair of Winchester 1300 Defenders......8 rounds each.
Plus one on the Ithaca.
-
For me, unless its an SD weapon, shotguns have two barrels, preferably side by side. I have a Merkel Model 8 in 12 gauge that will handle steel and 3" mag loads and a Parker 20 gauge VH for dove and quail. I have no desire for anything else. Hunting to me is half about tradition and aesthetics, and frankly the feel of one of these puppies, with a straight stock and splinter forend, beautifully balanced? It's worth a lot more to me than a third shot. And BTW, I can get the second shot off faster than with an auto loader since you aren't waiting for the bolt to cycle. Its all a matter of taste with hunting guns as its just a game and there is no "right" answer, but do yourself a favor and shoot some doubles. You can get a quality one used for the price of a new auto loader like a Benelli. They are a more durable, have zero mechanical issues, and IMHO are just better balanced. YMMV, but you really will be cheating yourself if you don't shoot a couple before you buy.
FQ13
-
I have always wanted a Remington 1187. I like autoloaders but have never owned one. I miss my Benelli Super Nova. Heck of a great shotgun. But I love my Remington 870's. I have one in 12 and one in 20 for my sons. Reliable, accurate and built to last.
-
I shoot a couple of rounds of sporting clays and a half dozen rounds of 5 stand and skeet a year (shot the Chevy Truck Sportsmans Team Challenge for 4 years when here in Fla) with my Browning Citori GTI... shot an 1100/1187 for many years in for the STC and skeet and local 3 gun... but when I got serious about 3 gun after shooting a couple of Kyle Lamb's North Carolina Tactical matches, my go to gun is a Benelli M1S90 21", field with a 8shot Briley tube....do not put a side saddle on it, keep it wet, and an ISMI spring 13" over installed length of tube, and you will not be sorry....If I were limited to one, it would be the Benelli
21" 870 with a SureFire light for the home
-
I shoot a couple of rounds of sporting clays and a half dozen rounds of 5 stand and skeet a year (shot the Chevy Truck Sportsmans Team Challenge for 4 years when here in Fla) with my Browning Citori GTI... shot an 1100/1187 for many years in for the STC and skeet and local 3 gun... but when I got serious about 3 gun after shooting a couple of Kyle Lamb's North Carolina Tactical matches, my go to gun is a Benelli M1S90 21", field with a 8shot Briley tube....do not put a side saddle on it, keep it wet, and an ISMI spring 13" over installed length of tube, and you will not be sorry....If I were limited to one, it would be the Benelli
21" 870 with a SureFire light for the home
Quick question. Why is the "one" shotgun, that you need to keep wet, not the one you use for the home? To me, the one you keep by your bedside is the "one". But then again, I've always been a one dog and one woman sort of guy as well. 8)
FQ13
-
FQ13... I was referring to the Benelli... being from Florida, my usual gun lube is Mercury Outboard 2 stroke racing oil, as it dissipates carbon very well....the first Ft Benning match, the morning temps were 26F and we left the shotgun ammo in the car.. it cold soaked over night... the 1100 turned into a bolt action untill it got warmed up... switched to the Benelli the second year, and switched to Inox lube last year, and with 28F temps ran like a champ... with help from Mr. Benny Hill got the magazine spring length sorted out (which is probably the most overlooked and essential for proper working of any autoloader, as it provides inertia to the shell to operate the lift gate....
FQ13... sorry, misread your question after I posted the above...my 870 gets lube on the action bars, but I don't overlube the bolt carrier rails like I do the autoloaders...I shoot it a couple of local 3 gun matches a year, just to keep my hand in... my bedside pistol is a G23 with night sights...I did change from a 1911 to a Glock for competition as it is what I carry....