Shotguns! Can We Chat?!

[Rafter H BBQ]

Hey all, so just to be clear and kinda shamed to say… but I don’t know much about shotguns now days. I have used them and broke them down after hunting years ago (single shot .410 which I loved but was taken… have shot 20 and 12 gauge) also taken a few game birds (grouse and geese)… but I have never really gotten into bird and/or short range big game hunting. I have always for the most part hunting wise been into big game hunting with rifles.

I have been into muzz hunting and enjoy that.

But recently my 16 year old son has got the hunting fever on any and every game animal. Been looking at 20 gauge shotguns as at his age… want him something he can shoot repeatedly and not hurt too much… I know some 12 gauges can kick pretty good. He wants to get into bird and waterfowl hunting… our season is coming fast.

I am asking for your opinion on what 20 gauge to literally pull the trigger on?! This will be used for grouse, duck, geese, and I’d like one too that can also do short range big game hunting… but that’s not a problem if not.

I have done a ton of research and have 3 in mind… one mainly… but I would like to hear what some of your thoughts and experiences are with what you hunt with and what you would recommend. ( I don’t want to sway any opinions with the 3 I’ve been reading about).

These shotguns will be put thru their paces… so need a reliable, tough and effective one for sure. The weather can be not so pretty here especially during the winter months.

Let me note, we will be buying 2 shotguns. My son at his age is wanting to go hunting and hang out with his old man… I am all for going and hunting… and supporting his additional hunting interests. I feel I am never too old to learn a bit more and he’s a great young man. And with all the negativity in this world… if hunting is his passion… I’ll support

Thanks for sticking with me and any suggestions are welcome!

Ha, I do have to share… he and his buddy are talking about getting into trapping as well… but that’s another subject!

 

[pc farmer]

Is semi auto allowed to hunt with there?

 

[Rafter H BBQ]

Is semi auto allowed to hunt with there?

Adam, pc farmer yes ID does allow semi auto shotguns in most areas from what I’ve seen… as long as the gun is plugged for no more than 3 shells including the chamber.

 

[Smoke-Chem BBQ]

I shot a lot of ducks with a 20 gauge in southern Idaho when I was growing up, but this was mostly jump shooting on small creeks. A 12 gauge is generally a better choice for ducks, and especially for geese. 20 is fine for smaller game birds. But I understand that you want to limit his exposure to recoil, to avoid creating bad shooting habits or turning him off to hunting entirely. If you go 20 ga, at least get one chambered for 3" shells, but if he's already 16 it won't be long before he would be ready for a 12 ga anyway. You could always seek out light loads to start.

As for model, I started out with a Remington 870 Wingmaster. It's still in production after 50 years (14 models of it!) and still a classic. Best selling shotgun of all time...and I favor a pump action, especially for new shooters.

As for the semi-auto question, as far as I know semi automatic shotguns are always legal for hunting, but when hunting migratory birds (ducks, geese, doves...) the magazine must be plugged to allow no more than 3 shells in the gun, which includes the one in the chamber. The plug is not a permanent modification, it can be removed for upland bird hunting.

 

[SmokinEdge]

Justin, I’m not a big shotgunner but I will first say to go 12ga. Really no question about it, 3” chamber is all you need. There are many different loads out there to buy that manage recoil. Generally though you will want 3” loads for duck and especially geese. For upland game birds the 2 3/4” work perfect.

I’m old school so I’ll suggest the Remington 870 first, followed by the Mossberg 500. Solid platforms both and have all the accessories like barrels and chokes.

 

[babydocsmoke]

I was in the same boat a couple years ago!!!

I'll start by saying I am VERY much a noob as far as hunting goes. Only gone out for ducks a few times. Have a date for my first upland hunt in a month!

I've been around shotguns a bunch though. Own a handful. Bought a 20 gauge Benelli SuperNova pump action for my son, who was 15 at the time. Then a 20 gauge m2 semi. Have a couple 12 gauge (Benelli semi and Mossberg) and my favorite Browning A5.

The Browning is a beautiful gun. Its more expensive than the Benelli and Mossberg and might not be quite worth the investment just yet, but the recoil is very light. Assuming your 16 year old is adult size he'd probably handle it without issue (this is for a 12 gauge as others have recommended). The Benelli Super Black Eagle is also a very low recoil rifle, but again is more expensive.

I've never used a Remington 870 Wingmaster, so it could be magical for all I know!

Wish I would have had the chance to start hunting as a kid. Just didn't grow up in that kind of home. Good thing you're boy has a good dad!!

 

[uncle eddie]

My shotguns are all 12 ga,
I love my old Winchester Wingmaster - Model 870 pump...
My old Franchi Featherweight I use for skeet and quail
My go to shotgun is a Benelli $uper Vinci (pricey!)

Whenever I head to South Dakota for some pheasant hunting, I bring my old Winchester and my Benelli
The Benelli is super versatile (and many modern shotguns are) - can use for turkey, geese, duck, pheasant, etc.

FOR SURE - I would suggest shouldering the 3 shotguns and see how they fit.
My 1100 Sporting (drop-dead gorgeous gun) never fit me right - so I traded it in - and a Browning Silver Hunter - for my Benelli.

Many new shotguns have some adjustments that can help fit the gun to your body style...make sure they come with a full set of choke tubes!

 

[912smoker]

Another vote for the Remington 870 Justin. 3in mag model is so versatile for deer and and excellent duck, pheasant round.
I also have an Ithaca 37 featherweight in 20 guage for upland birds.

Keith

 

[JLinza]

Im another vote for the Rem 870 or Benelli supernova. Both are great starter guns. And in my opinion, kicks less then a Mossberg. My Mossberg 500a kicks like a mule compared to Rem 870 or Benelli supernova. But I also agree with going 12ga, if he wants to drop a goose it will be very handy. Buy a box of clays and start chuckin... he'll be ready to go with a 12 ga after about 6 shots lol. Ill also add, both Rem & Benelli seem very durable. I've put mine through the ringer and they never missed a beat.
Let us know what you get Justin...

 

[Timber II]

X2 on what uncle eddie said about shouldering the gun. If the gun don’t fit will be hard to shoot. Close your eyes, with an unloaded gun - shoulder and point toward upper corner of room, then open eyes— should be looking right down the barrel at the bead.
I shot a 870 since the 80’s…..they don’t fail. I switched to a beretta 390 and doubled the shims so it fit me better.
You may need to try a few guns if ya have friends willing to take you and the boy out for a few shots?

 

[civilsmoker]

I would suggest two both in 3……you will want the 3 inch for turkeys……

Mossberg 500 combo…..you get a bird barrel and a deer barrel….you can also turkey barrel as well….i would put a reflex sight on it as well

The second is the Winchester SXP is also an excellent choice and they also have a combo set up…..I carried a marine one in AK with a 44 mag as a back up to it…..

the Remington 870 is a legend but with the Remington bankruptcy I don’t think the new owner RemArms has production back up to get one….

Unless you get an auto loader a limb saver recoil pad is a must!!!!

 

[dons2346]

When trying out guns, make sure you are wearing the clothing you will be hunting in. There is a huge difference between shouldering a gun with a shirt on and shouldering with your hunting jacket on

 

[philpom]

I will suggest a Mossberg 500 or one of it's derivatives in 12 GA due to availability of parts, support, and reliability. I do have an Ithaca model 37 dear slayer with butter slick action I'm fond of but you'd have to go used for one of those, mine is from circa 1951.

FWIW- my youngest son started shooting 12 GA at 15 and refused to admit it kicked. When you have a good shot, nothing else matters. Range time matters....

I'd go Mossberg or even Maverick for a first shotgun.

 

[forktender]

Even a 2 3/4'' 20 Ga with the right ammo will bring down any bird in the USA with the right ammo / 2 3/4'' TSS or Heavy shot with in 35 to 40+ yards. #9 shot TSS will smoke a turkey out to 80+ yards stone dead, if that's your thing.
(not mine, I want them with in 30 yrds max, much prefer 20 yards in the decoys)

This is a great gun at a great price.

https://www.cabelas.com/p/beretta-a300-ultima-semi-auto-shotgun-101930400?searchTerm=3060642

If you want the best of the best, this is the best Semi Auto made today.

https://www.cabelas.com/p/beretta-a400-xtreme-plus-semi-auto-shotgun-with-3-chamber.

I've shot them both thousands of rounds at clays and duck, pheasant, geese, dove, quail, and turkey and never felt under gunned.


My favorite 20Ga is this gun by far. (I have a weakness for Dego made shotguns)!!!

Montefeltro Shotguns | Benelli Shotguns and Rifles

www.benelliusa.com

If you can find an older Remington mod 1100 thats built on a 12 ga frame you won't find a softer shooting gun ever, they are hard to come by these days though.

Personally I wouldn't buy a 2 3/4'' gun though, you're just limiting yourself on ammo choices, 3'' all the way. The abouve guns are amazing in 12 Ga as well, and forget about buying 3 1/2'' ammo, it's just not needed with todays ammo, it was a steel shot thing, even then it wasn't needed. If your son weighs over 100 lbs get him a 12 Ga, he'll be fine shooting it all day in the field or at the trap, and skeet range.

I bought the 2 Benelli Monty Feltro for my wife, she's small at 120lbs, well she likes the 12 ga much better, and reguarlly shoots 20 to 23's in both trap and skeet. She shhoots so well, that I have to practice to stay ahead of her, I'm glad she doesn't bird hunt with us.
She'd prob be a better shot than me, she's a natural.

If you have an questions feel free to ask, I've had shotguns in my handsm since I was 5 yrs old, and hunting with them since I was 6 yrs old.

Dan.

 

[forktender]

I will suggest a Mossberg 500 or one of it's derivatives in 12 GA due to availability of parts, support, and reliability. I do have an Ithaca model 37 dear slayer with butter slick action I'm fond of but you'd have to go used for one of those, mine is from circa 1951.

FWIW- my youngest son started shooting 12 GA at 15 and refused to admit it kicked. When you have a good shot, nothing else matters. Range time matters....

I'd go Mossberg or even Maverick for a first shotgun.

I'm more in the lines of buy once, cry once, no Mossberg category!!!
And don't even think about Remington 870's unless it's older than 35 yrs old. Their newer stuff is complete garbage. Remington arms are owned by a third party these days, and they are complete crap, stay away, they aren't like the Remington's that we grew up shooting.

 

[forktender]

I would suggest two both in 3……you will want the 3 inch for turkeys……

Mossberg 500 combo…..you get a bird barrel and a deer barrel….you can also turkey barrel as well….i would put a reflex sight on it as well

The second is the Winchester SXP is also an excellent choice and they also have a combo set up…..I carried a marine one in AK with a 44 mag as a back up to it…..

the Remington 870 is a legend but with the Remington bankruptcy I don’t think the new owner RemArms has production back up to get one….

Unless you get an auto loader a limb saver recoil pad is a must!!!!

You don't need a Limbsaver pad for older Rem semi auto's they were some of the lightest shooting guns ever produced, even by today's standards.

 

[forktender]

My shotguns are all 12 ga,
I love my old Winchester Wingmaster - Model 870 pump...
My old Franchi Featherweight I use for skeet and quail
My go to shotgun is a Benelli $uper Vinci (pricey!)

Whenever I head to South Dakota for some pheasant hunting, I bring my old Winchester and my Benelli
The Benelli is super versatile (and many modern shotguns are) - can use for turkey, geese, duck, pheasant, etc.

FOR SURE - I would suggest shouldering the 3 shotguns and see how they fit.
My 1100 Sporting (drop-dead gorgeous gun) never fit me right - so I traded it in - and a Browning Silver Hunter - for my Benelli.

Many new shotguns have some adjustments that can help fit the gun to your body style...make sure they come with a full set of choke tubes!

REMINGTON 870 Wingmaster!!!
They were great guns up to the mid 1980s, then their machining went to $#!t. I own a few.

They are right up there with my pre war Win M12's.

 

[mr_whipple]

I'm with the pump gun folks, and I wouldn't buy a 20 based on recoil. My 20 ga Beretta silver pigeon o/u has quite a kick compared to my old Mossberg 835 ulti-mag pump gun, load considered and both with 28" barrels. There are a lot of slick gas guns out there and the Benellis seem to be popular, but I'd grab a standard issue pump gun in 12 ga that can chamber 3 1/2 mags and put a slug barrel on the short list of accessories and you're set for anything except a beauty contest. I've shot just about everything with this Mossberg.

 

[Gonna Smoke]

I'd grab a standard issue pump gun in 12 ga that can chamber 3 1/2 mags

Yep, my go to gun...

 

[chopsaw]

most part hunting wise been into big game hunting with rifles.

I'm the opposite of that . I got my first shotgun when I was 9 . Didn't own a high power rifle until I was in my 50's .

First off is find something that fits him , as already said . Also safety location . I bet most are on top for right or left handed people , but just something to check .
Second , don't base the gauge on recoil alone . Think pellet count / shot volume .
Chances are in a " shot " situation he won't even feel the recoil .

Then grade of the gun , then brand .
Sounds like a field grade would be a great choice .
Then chamber / what shells it will take , and what barrel options there are .

I have an older ( 2nd gen ) Mossberg 835 Ulti-Mag Turkey in Realtree all purpose gray .
I have a rifled barrel with a scope rail in the same camo pattern for it too .
Quality firearm , hands down . 26" ported barrel with threaded chokes .
shoots 2 3/4 , 3 and 3 1/2 .


Remington is another great option . 870 field grade , black synthetic . It has a safety mounted down by the trigger guard . I like top of barrel location . Top of barrel , I just slide my thumb up , bang . Trigger guard I have to roll my hand around the bottom to use it , get my finger back on the trigger . He might not have trouble , but make sure he operates the safety ( unloaded ) with it shouldered to see what he thinks .
Save the Wing Master for later in life .

So pump
12 ga
Camo or black synthetic stock
Chamber up to 3 1/2 " shells .

Also ,, been a long time since I looked at or bought a shotgun . Back then the barrels weren't compatible with steel shot for waterfowl . Not sure what it's like now . Maybe they all spec out for lead or steel .

suggest a Mossberg 500 or one of it's derivatives in 12 GA

Great choice too . Early 500's were prone to issues . The first of the " corrected " ones were 500A . I had a 500A and also bought a powder coated , ported , rifled slug barrel for it . Only gun I ever sold , and still regret it to this day .
That was years ago . In today's market , Mossberg is a quality brand .

That first shot gun at 9 years old ? My Grandpa on my Dad's side J Stevens single 12 ga .
Bought out of Sears Roebuck catalog . 1920's .
I redid the wood on it , and had it professionally reblued years ago . All the flats filed clean and square .
I have the original cleaning kit for it with the bag , and a leather boot that ties on with a foam insert . Only owned by my Family .