Need your help. I want to buy a camo shotgun for turkeys, coyotes, and crows. I really don't want to spend $1,000+ on a Benelli or Winchester, but would like a semi-auto, especially for close up coyotes and large groups of crows. Could you suggest a modestly priced, functional semi-auto 12 gauge with camo that you like and have had experience with?? I might have to go with a pump to save money, so please post favorite pumps too. Thank you!!
Shotgun suggestions?
- Thread starter Sniper66
- Start date
- Status
oneounceload
member
If you want to include used guns, your options open up greatly. If you go with a non-camo and then DIY with some Krylon, that also adds more possibilities
Armored farmer
Member
Find yourself a used Remington 1100 or 870. For the critters you mentioned, just find one with a full choke and forego the tubes. Full choke will do it all for you, even some claybirds too to keep in practice. It may be a little tough to find one in camo, but your grandkids can use it when you're done with it.
That's my $.02 anyway
....whetever you get...do me a favor and DON'T call it a shottie.
That's my $.02 anyway
....whetever you get...do me a favor and DON'T call it a shottie.
frankenstein406
Member
- Joined
- Jan 9, 2011
- Messages
- 816
Mossberg 500
Mossberg 535
Mossberg 835
I know the 835 is back bored and a really nice gun along with the 500.
No experience with the 535 but I think that's the camo turkey version they always sell.
Mossberg 535
Mossberg 835
I know the 835 is back bored and a really nice gun along with the 500.
No experience with the 535 but I think that's the camo turkey version they always sell.
An 11-87 in camo should be around $600-$700. You can get a lot more gun with a pump. A Benelli Nova should be just over $400, closer to $500 in camo. An 870 should be a little cheaper.
I have 2 Benelli M-1 semi autos bought used. One was $500 the other $700.
No personal experience but the Mossberg 930 gets good reviews from owners on the internet. I'm a little shy of Mossberg offerings though. Especially some of their older semi's. Maybe they have it figured out now.
I have 2 Benelli M-1 semi autos bought used. One was $500 the other $700.
No personal experience but the Mossberg 930 gets good reviews from owners on the internet. I'm a little shy of Mossberg offerings though. Especially some of their older semi's. Maybe they have it figured out now.
cat_IT_guy
Member
I've been more than happy with my $700 Beretta A300 Outlander. It is the model that replaced the Beretta 3901 last year. Im not certain they offer it in camo, however. Like another poster said if you want camo and a gun not offered with it, you can get a synthetic and either DIY it (if you are brave) or send it off to be camo'ed.
If you need to go cheaper there are lots of good pumps out there - Rem 870, Mossburg 500, to name a couple.
If you need to go cheaper there are lots of good pumps out there - Rem 870, Mossburg 500, to name a couple.
gamestalker
member
Charles Daley has a decent 1187 clone, 28" barrel, 3" chamber. I have one and it functions flawlessly. I don't remember what I paid for it new, but it wasn't at all expensive. It came threaded for Rem style chokes.
Daley also makes an 870 clone, that's also priced to sell. I have one of those as well with an 18-1/2" barrel 3" chamber. It also functions flawlessly, but does not have interchangeable choke tubes, fixed Mod.
GS
Daley also makes an 870 clone, that's also priced to sell. I have one of those as well with an 18-1/2" barrel 3" chamber. It also functions flawlessly, but does not have interchangeable choke tubes, fixed Mod.
GS
Mossberg probably makes the least expensive semi auto. As for pumps I'd look for a used wing master since it's for turkey the safety can easily and quietly be manipulated. You can buy a new Mossberg 500 dirt cheap, but in order to manipulate the safety quietly requires the use of both hands.
redneck2
Member
Just something different to add to the mix, I have an SP-10 Remington 10 gauge. Dunno what the cost is now, but I got mine used (unfired) a number of years ago for considerably less than $1,000. Killed several turkeys at 60+ yards.
If you're looking for a 12, an 11-87 or particularly an 1100 should work. Pumps are pretty brutal with turkey loads. For either turkeys or coyotes, consider Hevi-Shot. Disremember where I saw it, but there was a video of a guy that killed a coyote at 80+ yards with Hevi-Shot and a 12.
If you're looking for a 12, an 11-87 or particularly an 1100 should work. Pumps are pretty brutal with turkey loads. For either turkeys or coyotes, consider Hevi-Shot. Disremember where I saw it, but there was a video of a guy that killed a coyote at 80+ yards with Hevi-Shot and a 12.
Rob62
Member
A Remington 870 Express is what I can recommend without hesitation if you are considering a pump action shotgun at all.
Regards,
Rob
Regards,
Rob
Your dollar goes a LOT further with pumps than with semi-autos, particularly at that price point. The Remington 870 Wingmaster and the Browning BPS are both excellent options. Well-made, accurate, and durable. The Mossberg 500 loses a few points on the refinement side of things, but its durability is unimpeachable.
My BPS has been superb, and its somewhat heavy weight also means it soaks up the recoil from the heaviest of loads. I can shoot birdshot out of it all day, and a box of buckshot didn't phase me at all.
My BPS has been superb, and its somewhat heavy weight also means it soaks up the recoil from the heaviest of loads. I can shoot birdshot out of it all day, and a box of buckshot didn't phase me at all.
Hey guys…Thanks for all the useful suggestions. There was a Benelli Nova NIB available at an auction the other day and I should have bought it, but was saving my money for a Colt Diamondback that I didn't get either. I've shot Remington 870s a lot and really like them, but am holding out for a semi-auto for the time being. I'll check out your suggestions and may camo it myself.
Shotguns are more about feel that anything. I absolutely love my Nova. Wouldn't trade it for any other pump gun. But is it "better" than a mossberg 835, Rem 870 express super mag, Winchester SXP, or Browning BPS, or Ithaca? No.
As far as Semi's go, go to a LGS or retail store and handle them. See which ones feel right and shoulder well. Mossberg, Remingtons, and Winchesters, CZ, and Escort, can all be had well under a grand. And they are all great performers. Not that other manufacturers don't make good guns, those are just the ones off the top of my head that can be found new under a grand.
As far as tubes go, I shoot Carlson's for waterfowl, and the Primos JellyHead on turkey. They are both great tubes, pattern very well, and are relatively cheap. But every gun has tubes and loads that it prefers. Do you NEED tubes? No. Do they make a difference? In some guns, yes. In others, not a bit.
As far as Semi's go, go to a LGS or retail store and handle them. See which ones feel right and shoulder well. Mossberg, Remingtons, and Winchesters, CZ, and Escort, can all be had well under a grand. And they are all great performers. Not that other manufacturers don't make good guns, those are just the ones off the top of my head that can be found new under a grand.
As far as tubes go, I shoot Carlson's for waterfowl, and the Primos JellyHead on turkey. They are both great tubes, pattern very well, and are relatively cheap. But every gun has tubes and loads that it prefers. Do you NEED tubes? No. Do they make a difference? In some guns, yes. In others, not a bit.
If you really prefer auto to pump, the Browning Silver starts at $1,179 manufacturer suggested retail price (probably below $1000 at a big box store) and $1,339 MSRP with Mossy Oak camo applied. Not as common as a Remington 1100, but worth looking into. Browning really makes great shotguns in my opinion.
DNS
Member
Always been a pump fan, then I shot a friends Versa.
Wow.
Love at first fondle.
Wow.
Love at first fondle.
- Status
