If you had to take a shotgun with you into the woods

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for an indeterminate amount of time, what would it be? Next purchase I'm going to pick up three guns - a good defensive autoloader, a good double action revolver and a do-it-all shotgun.

The do it all shotgun will be more of a trunk/fishing and camping utility gun.


I have my eye on the H&R Tamer 20 w/ Nickle Finish...but I'm open to suggestions.

I also considered a Pardner protector in 12 with an extra long barrel but I don't know how much extra Pardner barrels cost or if they're even available as I'm aware 870 barrels dont fit.
 
If you're not worried about bear, then a Savage 24V (over-rifle/under-shotgun)... if Yogi is about... an 18" pump 12ga with at least 3" magnum capability.
 
Mossberg 500 12 gauge which will take 2 3/4" and 3" shells.
If you get the proper Mossberg, you will have the option to change barrels should you want a longer barrel or a barrel that is rifled for 12 gauge slugs. All slugs can be shot in smoothbores with cylinder bore (open bore - no choke, or very little choke). Most slugs will be more accurate through a rifled barrel, whether they be sabot slugs or the traditional Foster solid lead slug that have angled grooves which apparently squeeze to go through a choke, if needed and apparently help the slug to spin a bit in the air (very little spin unless the barrel is RIFLED).
 
I have often thought an 870 20 ga Marine Magnum with interchangable choke tubes would be an ideal camping / car trunk / boat gun.

Too bad they don't make one.

rc
 
I've got a 20ga Tamer that stays in my truck. I like it for it's easy to conceal under or behind the seat size. But if I were going to choose one to defend and feed me, I'd take my 12ga 870 with the 19.5 inch poly-choked barrel.
 
Mossberg 500 in 20 Gauge, coated with something.

But there's no such thing as a "do-it-all" shotgun, any more than a "do-it-all" rifle or handgun.
 
Large bears aren't a concern where I live. More Mtn Lions and smaller, on which I believe a 20 would do great. Also, in a pinch I wouldn't hesitate to hit any North American animal walking with a slug out of a 20 ga, if I had 4 or 5 more in the tube behind it. Obviously it isn't ideal, but it's hardly being defenseless.

I kind of want a 20 gauge. I want this as universal of a weapon as possible. Even possibly as an hd gun for the wife, something to train my kids on, and something that goes with us on all outings. I do not feel like lugging around a 590 or an autoloader and anything of truly useful "woods" caliber in a pistol is not for my kids and unpleasant for my wife, and I want to take game with the weapon as well if needed.

In the Midway catalog, I see an 18.5", vent rib remchoke capable 870 20 gauge barrel. That and a 20 Gauge express from Wally World seem great. Price, however would not be ideal. Unless it's a single shot or a Stoeger Coach, 20 gauges have a big price premium over the 12 in my area. Not to mention the 165+tax I'd pay for this barrel. Used wingmaster 20's go for 350 and UP. But it would be a sweet, sweet setup.


So, after this, it'd be down to an HR Tamer Nickle finish with the Choate stock (cheap, I like the design well enough), or a Pardner 20 Ga. pump with an 18-20" barrel and chokes.

I'm a Mossberg guy, but I want something else for this application.


An Over and Under would be great, but I prefer taking rabbits with a 20 Ga and modified-full choke. Grew up doing it and I'll probably teach my kids to hunt rabbits that way. I think a full tube of 20 Ga would be more usefull all-around. I do want an O/U though rifle/shotgun
 
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The S&W Elite Gold is being sold now for $1190.00 - fixed IC/M, double triggers or single, straight grip or pistol (POW). Nicely made, case hardened coloring, etc........weighs right about 6.5 #
 
will be more of a trunk/fishing and camping utility gun
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Seems to me a AyA #2 or a S&W Elite Gold is a little too nice a gun to throw in the car trunk to rust shut!!

I think car trunk guns need to be cheap enough to be expendable, or electroless nickle or stainless to ward off car trunk humidity & abuse.
Or both.

rc
 
The do it all shotgun will be more of a trunk/fishing and camping utility gun.
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My Savage Model 24 in 22WMR/20ga if i could just take one. The 24 is a nice versatile piece for the woods when you don't know what may be needed.
 
I don't know if there are any stainless shotguns on the market currently, other than some semi-custom competition guns. There were several, for a while.

Personally, I'm a fan of stainless steel for guns that are made to be used. Ruger's gray finish was great, but the Red Label in gray stainless was discontinued almost before anyone could buy one.
 
IMO other than being an HD shotgun the Tamer your thinking of is probablly best suited for what you need. It's a solid, reliable and compact shotgun. Great gun to teach kids with as well. A Coach style gun would propbablly fit your needs also, just a little heavier.

DSC04382.jpg
 
Seems to me a AyA #2 or a S&W Elite Gold is a little too nice a gun to throw in the car trunk to rust shut!!
Click to expand...

I have never understood that thought process anyway RC - but he DID say a gun for an indeterminate time in the woods, and for ME, that would be a 6# 20 gauge double gun with fine handling characteristics instead of, IMO, a unfavorable pumpgun that handles like a pig on a shovel and has the handling and balance of the same pig. While pump guns are cheap and somewhat reliable, they have an ability to be (again in MY opinion), to be a jack of all trades and master of none - I would rather have mission-specific guns that handle well and are a joy to carry. Life is too short to drink cheap wine can be varied to say "Life is too short to shoot crappy guns".

It has been my experience that those who constantly champion a Mossberg or 870 for everything have never handled, let alone shot, a really NICE gun that had a stock made to fit them and handled like a wand. Of course they only know buckshot as well........Oh well, I keep trying...... ;)
 
A SxS coach gun might be the perfect choice. When broken down they're short enough to fit in a backpack. If you want to go cheaper, an H&R 20 gauge youth model is also very compact and might work better for the wife and kids.
 
If you want to go cheaper, an H&R 20 gauge youth model is also very compact and might work better for the wife and kids.
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The issue with those types of guns is the light weight makes recoil even more horrific, even with target loads - they also tend to not fit anyone very well, which only amplifies the felt recoil
 
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