cdb1
Member
It’s all about fit, There are a bunch of good shotguns in your price range. If you are not able to handle many then I’d go V3 because Remington shotguns tend to fit a wider range of people than other brands. I wouldn’t get an 1100.
All purpose (hunting) shotgun?
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Cvans
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- Feb 21, 2019
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I'm going to recommend that you look at, shoulder, and shoot as many different guns as you can before spending any money. If you don't I'm gong to guess that after a days shooting you'll wish you had.
Take your time and enjoy the search. It's all part of the game.
Take your time and enjoy the search. It's all part of the game.
FL-NC
Member
I am 100% satisfied with my Mossberg 930. I have killed dove, ducks, and a turkey with it. Lightweight and reliable, screw-in chokes. I have 2 barrels- 1 for turkey, 1 longer one for everything else. Are there nicer looking and more expensive shotguns out there? Yes. But this one works just fine and is American made from a major company, so I feel more confident in customer support than using something imported. After heavy use, the piston needs to be cleaned, which is simple and shown on youtube.
George P
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That Beretta A400 Xplor Unico I mentioned covers all the bases you mentioned.
Earlier I mentioned I have a fairly new Mossberg 500 .410. I did not mean to disparage that little gun. I love it. I took it to an informal trap shoot and everybody loved it. Vermin are not fond of it though!
Yes, I am kinda thinking Beretta also now.
Yes, I am kinda thinking Beretta also now.
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entropy
Member
Understood. .410's rarely are shot and abused as much as 12, 16, and 20 gauges, except maybe on the Skeet field and in the dove blind.
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cdb1
Member
I had a 930 Field/Rifled Barrel combo for around a year and a half. Sold it during the Sandy Hook gun shortage for quite a bit more than I paid for it. Didn’t have it for sale but someone I know had seen it and called me with an offer.
I never shot it with the slug barrel, just the field barrel. Never hunted with it but shot informal skeet a couple of times. What I liked:
Low recoil due to fit and their weight.
I shot it very well.
Zero malfunctions.
Based on my experience I wouldn’t feel handicapped at all with a 930 and in fact believe it makes an excellent all around shotgun. When their low sales price is factored in, a 930 is hard to beat. The reason I haven’t bought another is I’ve got way more shotguns than I need or can possibly use, especially since 95% of what I do is hunt.
Arkansas Paul
Member
You have to handle a bunch and see what fits you.
I find Remington shotguns to fit me very well, so I bought an 870 Wingmaster Magnum. Love it and it will do anything I need it to do.
I find Remington shotguns to fit me very well, so I bought an 870 Wingmaster Magnum. Love it and it will do anything I need it to do.
FL-NC
Member
You sure aren't hurting for scatterguns! I also have a 930 JM Pro model that I used for 3 gun competition. It did well for its intended purpose and that gun inspired me to get another 930 for hunting. The JM pro I have only fired with #6 and slugs, but I am going to see how it does with 3" #1 buck for an upcoming hog hunt that is restricted to shotguns and muzzle loaders only. I also have a 870 wingmaster magnum and a ithaca 37 that I sometimes use to hunt doves. Since I got the 930, the 870 doesn't get much use.
Armored farmer
Member
Look into Girson(sp?)
They are a copy of Beretta. Their 3.5" autos have become popular with waterfowl and turkey hunters.
Son #3 has one. We shot it in the back yard. I like it.
They are a copy of Beretta. Their 3.5" autos have become popular with waterfowl and turkey hunters.
Son #3 has one. We shot it in the back yard. I like it.
GooseGestapo
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- Jan 6, 2003
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I went through a varied assortment of guns before I found my “keeper”.
Guns I had were:
Mossberg M500 20ga modified. Literally wore it out! Traded for:
H&R 440 ? 20ga pump. No vent rib. IC choke. Liked it. Wanted something more...
S&W 1000 12ga IC. Nice gun, but needed something else. Traded fo:
Rem 870 12ga 21” sights. Needed money sold (1982).
Franchi M500 12ga Full choke. Killed MANY ducks,Turkey and deer (buckshot). Traded for:
Winchester M1300 23” vr/win choke. Hated safety location (shoot long guns left handed) sold!
Mossberg 5500 MossyOak camo.. 24”bbl. really liked it, but occasionally misfed/jammed. Sold to aquaintance who really wanted it:
Remington 1187 Premiere; shot/printed LOW. no fix. Traded for:
Remington 1187 Special Purpose. RealTree camo. 28” Remchokes. This is THE gun! Shoots great.
I’ve got 7chokes, 4 barrels! 1.) 28” Camo VR/RC, 2.) 21” VR/RC, 3.) 21” RifleSight IC, 4.) 21” RemCK w/Cantilever scope mount.
Does anything you can do with a shotgun. Skeet, upland game, waterfowl, Turkey, biggame.
Guns I had were:
Mossberg M500 20ga modified. Literally wore it out! Traded for:
H&R 440 ? 20ga pump. No vent rib. IC choke. Liked it. Wanted something more...
S&W 1000 12ga IC. Nice gun, but needed something else. Traded fo:
Rem 870 12ga 21” sights. Needed money sold (1982).
Franchi M500 12ga Full choke. Killed MANY ducks,Turkey and deer (buckshot). Traded for:
Winchester M1300 23” vr/win choke. Hated safety location (shoot long guns left handed) sold!
Mossberg 5500 MossyOak camo.. 24”bbl. really liked it, but occasionally misfed/jammed. Sold to aquaintance who really wanted it:
Remington 1187 Premiere; shot/printed LOW. no fix. Traded for:
Remington 1187 Special Purpose. RealTree camo. 28” Remchokes. This is THE gun! Shoots great.
I’ve got 7chokes, 4 barrels! 1.) 28” Camo VR/RC, 2.) 21” VR/RC, 3.) 21” RifleSight IC, 4.) 21” RemCK w/Cantilever scope mount.
Does anything you can do with a shotgun. Skeet, upland game, waterfowl, Turkey, biggame.
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I have been using a Remington 11-87 Premiere Light Contour since 1993 (back when Remington made quality firearms) as my all-around hunting shotgun. It’s never failed me.
I wouldn’t recommend any Remington today though. I suppose if I had to replace it, I’d pick up some variant of Beretta A400.
I wouldn’t recommend any Remington today though. I suppose if I had to replace it, I’d pick up some variant of Beretta A400.
Remington 870 Wingmaster with 26", 28" and 30" vent rib barrels.
Remington 11/87
Weatherby SA-08
TriStar Viper
Tens of thousands of rounds through each gun over the years, and so far, no issues at all. I'm also one who will clean a gun from end to end, whether I shoot one round at a coyote running through the chicken yard, or 500 rounds through a,days worth of sporting clays courses.
Remington 11/87
Weatherby SA-08
TriStar Viper
Tens of thousands of rounds through each gun over the years, and so far, no issues at all. I'm also one who will clean a gun from end to end, whether I shoot one round at a coyote running through the chicken yard, or 500 rounds through a,days worth of sporting clays courses.
cdb1
Member
They are very high quality, as good as Beretta or better IMO.
I have hunted w a couple Citoris and a Red Label.
Have tried various pumps and autos.
Yes, I would like a "nicer" shotgun.
Something in the $2-2.5K range, as a hunter.
I know folks with 10 times that, in one gun (for clays or hunting).
Unfortunately, or fortunately for my budget..............Remington standard field stuff fits me very well.
So I sold my Citori and went back to 1100.
And sold my pretty 1100/1100 magnums and run a cheap beater used 1100 SP.
870 Wingmasters? Had two, both Remchoke, deer and waterfowlers w good wood, like new.
Sold em and run an Express Supermag.
Think I've had a dozen 1100's and more than that in 870's.......and am down to the two beaters listed above.
I aint fancy, my guns aint fancy.......but my shooting is...........well heck, it aint fancy either LOL
Seems to fit my "system"
Have tried various pumps and autos.
Yes, I would like a "nicer" shotgun.
Something in the $2-2.5K range, as a hunter.
I know folks with 10 times that, in one gun (for clays or hunting).
Unfortunately, or fortunately for my budget..............Remington standard field stuff fits me very well.
So I sold my Citori and went back to 1100.
And sold my pretty 1100/1100 magnums and run a cheap beater used 1100 SP.
870 Wingmasters? Had two, both Remchoke, deer and waterfowlers w good wood, like new.
Sold em and run an Express Supermag.
Think I've had a dozen 1100's and more than that in 870's.......and am down to the two beaters listed above.
I aint fancy, my guns aint fancy.......but my shooting is...........well heck, it aint fancy either LOL
Seems to fit my "system"
jleyring
Member
I have 2 Winchester SX3's. 3 1/2in 12 guage and 20 guage. The SX3 has the same internals as the Browning Maxus. Youre just are not paying for the name. I recommend the SX3 to everyone. Mine has been super reliable and accurate. Ive used them for sporting clays, dove, goose, duck, pheasant, quail and turkey. Its been an awesome gun. The 3 1/2in will even cycle 2 3/4 for trap shooting. My brother got the SX4. He doesnt love it. It has had some cycling issues when Goose hunting, but no issues for my SX3.
cdb1
Member
SX4, SX3 and Browning Silver share the same internals. Maxus is different though very close.
It was just the luck of the draw with you and your brother. It could easily be just the opposite whereby his SX4 runs flawlessly and one of your SX3’s has issues. I have four SX3’s and one Maxus and believe them to be excellent and one of the softer shooting platforms.
cdb1
Member
I do, mainly because they weigh more. I don’t know the minutiae but in addition the SX3 operating system has traditionally been recognized as soft shooting. In the photo below are two 20 gauge SA-08’s. There are also four SX3’s, two of which are 20 gauge. Comparing them visually shows the SA-08 is more streamlined, hence they are lighter. My daughter prefers her SA-08 over the SX-3 because it’s slimmer than her SX3. Recoil is more, though not substantially and she doesn’t like recoil. Regarding price, I believe the Weatherby provides more bang for the buck.
If I were to buy another new 20 gauge today I’d get a Mossberg SA-20 which is Turkish made like the SA-08. I had one when they first came out and they weren’t 100% debugged. They are now and are very reasonably priced.
In addition what George P said should be cut in stone. If fit is good recoil is much more tolerable.
If I were to buy another new 20 gauge today I’d get a Mossberg SA-20 which is Turkish made like the SA-08. I had one when they first came out and they weren’t 100% debugged. They are now and are very reasonably priced.
In addition what George P said should be cut in stone. If fit is good recoil is much more tolerable.
George P
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Weight has to do with actual recoil, not felt recoil. Actual recoil is a product of the weight of the gun, mass of the ejecta, and the velocity of the ejecta. Felt recoil, aka "kick" is all about gun fit. The gun can weigh 10 pounds, but if it doesn't fit you, you will feel it
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Agreed. My Nova is by far the easiest shotgun I've ever cleaned. And I clean it a lot bc I hunt a lot of salt water with it. Picked it up for around $550 a few years ago and taken ducks, deer, and hogs with it. It will be in the dove field this year. Recently got a Maverick on sale for $160 with an 18.5" barrel. Seems like a good gun for the price but haven't fired it yet. A pump like those would save you enough money to buy the wife something to lessen the "another gun?" complaint. But I prefer pumps so that's biased.
rdnktrkr
Member
I shot the Winchester SX3 or SX4 recently and was surprised at how good they felt and how well I shot it, there were 3 people shooting and the gun had no hiccups, we probably shot about 100 rnds ea. I've shot the Remington 1187 and prefer my wingmaster, I would like to try the V3 and the Winchester back to back to compare them.
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