I 've hunted with them all, singles, bolts, pumps, semi-auto. Back in the day it was to make it more of a trill. I used a different gun each time, finally I just got hooked on the Mossberg 695. I use the the 695t , put a good ported cyl choke on it! I shoot 100-150 yrds like a laser. LOL. I trained my kids and wives on Mossberg 185ka and kb's. In fact house rules are until you get a deer with the trainer, you don't get to use anything else! I was surprised that most my kids stuck with bolts! I guess it is the One shot One kill we practice. Because of this I have chopped crowned and ported a number of bolt actions over the last 20 yrs. I always advise others to start out with them, most singles are way heavy for young people to shoot and kick like a mule! If anyone wants real shooting advice for a kid starting out or anyone starting deer hunting with shotgun? It teaches safety, and good hunting tactics, and will serve them well if they become soldiers. I like marlin 50, 55, 512's too! Savage 210, big long heavy deer sniper gun, if you like a bmg? That's your bolt gun! Now, those old cheapies, I don't think much of them! They weren't made to handle slugs much. I was surprised when I gave my second, a springfield 58, I chopped it, crowned it, and truglo sighted it! He used it for yrs, home on leave. I just wanted to see if anyone still uses them? I admit getting older sucks! Thanks again!
Anyone still bolt action shotgun hunt?
- Thread starter wolf695
- Start date
I still have my Mossberg 183K-A 410 bolt action with the C-Lect choke that I occasionally hunt with. Growing up we mostly used either a single shot break action or a bolt action 410 for all of our small game hunting. I saved up lawn mowing money to buy my 410 Mossberg 500 in 985 which has been my primary shotgun for small game, but I still use the old 183K or one of my single shots too.
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
I went on walkabout with a JC Higgins 20GA bolt gun one deer season in IL, but we didn't even see any that day, lol.
My dad still keeps the 12GA version of the same gun in his closet for HD.
My dad still keeps the 12GA version of the same gun in his closet for HD.
entropy
Member
No. Even the Tenite stocked Savage 311 that kicked the crap out of me was an improvement on the Mossberg 20 ga. bolt I first duck hunted with. I never got a second shot off at a flock coming to the spread with the bolt. At least with the SxS, I could get 2 shots.
I had an old Mossberg 20 gauge goose gun with a 30 or 32 inch barrel on it. And yes no matter what type of shells I shot, it kicked like a mule. As a skinny little 13 year old, that 20 gauge goose gun was too much for me. I bought it for $20 at a garage sale and turn around and sold it for $85. I took that $85 plus lawn mowing money to buy my 410 Mossberg 500. The 500 was right at $145 or $150 after taxes back then.
amd6547
Member
I have a like new Mossberg 12ga bolt gun in my safe. Longer barrel with C-Lekt-Choke. I had stopped in at a Gander Mtn one day, and they had it on their used rack for $75.
I’ve never shot it…
I’ve never shot it…
FL-NC
Member
I have one in 20 gauge that my dad bought at a yard sale in the early 80's for $40. I have fired it, but I can't think of a use for it. Never shot it at any kind of animal.
I too have a Mossberg 20 gauge with the screw in chokes. Have used it for squirrel hunting and once to shoot slugs for deer. It was surprisingly accurate with slugs and the imp. cyl choke out to 50 yards. If memory serves, I was getting 2" groups at 50 yards with pumpkin ball slugs. That gun was murder on squirrels. I later switched to a .22 rifle as I go tired of picking shot out of the meat of the squirrels taken with the Mossberg. I still have the gun, but it has not been shot in over 35 years.
earlthegoat2
Member
Only for slug shooting.
Savage 220 with Leupold Vari-X 3 1.5-5x20
Got the gun last year on GB for $180 shipped and transferred. (Without scope) I guess not enough lefties were looking at that particular moment because that was a hot deal.
The only reason I bid was because I saw the starting bid of $125 and I was not going to let anyone get it for that price so I put $200 for the bid just so any other joker would have to pay over $200. Well, I was the only bidder and got it for $125.
Savage 220 with Leupold Vari-X 3 1.5-5x20
Got the gun last year on GB for $180 shipped and transferred. (Without scope) I guess not enough lefties were looking at that particular moment because that was a hot deal.
The only reason I bid was because I saw the starting bid of $125 and I was not going to let anyone get it for that price so I put $200 for the bid just so any other joker would have to pay over $200. Well, I was the only bidder and got it for $125.
N555
Member
Only place you might see them regularly is in Japan.
Interesting. Can you explain the reason for Japan allowing these type of guns?
cdb1
Member
I would only use a bolt action shotgun for shooting slugs and then only if I hunted in a only shotgun for deer state. In that case I’d use a Savage 220. Never checked the theory out but using a bolt shotgun for wing shooting might induce aiming instead of pointing. I could be wrong.
BushMaster-15
member
NO : Box Locks are as close as I come
I used to use a 410 bolt action all the time for running rabbits and quail. Shooting a bolt action shotgun is really no different that shooting a break open single shot as far as leading your target.
entropy
Member
Shame to bust a covey and only get one bird.
Electrod47
Member
I still keep for old times sake a 20 and 410 bolt guns. Western Auto and Mossberg both. Use the 20 for squirrels (lite-load) and the 410 for the copious water mocs I run into here in MS. Something interesting, about 10 years ago I was hunting Pheasant and Chukar in Utah. Hunted with a group of older musicians that had either composed or performed in some pretty popular big selling recordings. They had money. The guy that did the guitar licks in "Midnight at the Oasis" was hunting with an older 20 gauge bolt action. And proud of it.
GooseGestapo
Member
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2003
- Messages
- 6,153
Mossberg 220 rifled barrel. Out shoots some center fire rifles!
cdb1
Member
What you stated is tacit and true. I’m saying that a bolt action shotgun could possibly induce one to aim instead of point more than a break action, pump or semi. I don’t know that for a fact as was stated, the thought occurred to me that it might.
That could be very true if a bolt action shotgun has rifle type sights installed. All of the older bolt action shotguns that were made had a simple front bead just like any other shotgun. All of my experiences is with older bolt actions with a bead sight.
Cvans
Member
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2019
- Messages
- 463
I've had a couple bolt guns and they are unique and fun to shoot. I would think anyone used to shooting bolt rifles would feel right at home with one. My last one I cut the barrel down to 20 inches and reinstalled the C-lect-choke. My son now has it.
SwampWolf
Member
Bolt-action shotguns can be a great alternative for hunting deer with slugs. However, most shotguns are meant for shooting at flying things and there's probably never been a worse action for wing-shooting in terms of handling than a bolt-action. As far as getting a second shot off after busting a covey of quail or a brace of ruffed grouse, you might as well be hunting with a single-shot. Too, the single-shot actions that I've hunted with in the long ago past, including H&R Toppers, Winchester Model 37s and an old Iver Johnson Champion having a "tynite" stock, were actually pretty good in the all important "handling" department.
Nasty Canasta
Member
I have a Kessler Westchester “Buffalo Bill Cody” model, 2-3/4” bolt action with two round magazine, full choke, 28” barrel. Made 1951-53. It’s what I hunted with for years-you learn to make your first shot count ‘cause it takes a bit to get a second one off. It’s dropped a lot of birds I thought we’re out of range on that second shot.
Last edited:
