WhiteKnight
Member
I need some serious advice about my next shotgun.
I've heard mentioned that a deep explanation with serious and practical insight into the poster's needs is preferred by those giving a response, so here goes.
I am considering purchasing my first "real" shogun to replace my single-shot NEF Pardner that I recently sold to a friend.
I am considering, well perhaps I should say that I've decided on, an 870.
However, I'm unsure of the model, and the barrel length.
I am certain I don't want one of the cheap Express models.
This gun will be for
50% Practice (sporting clays, trap, skeet, crows, small game, plinking)
30% deer hunting (using buckshot)
20% other (dove hunting, turkey hunting, varming hunting)
*Note* By defining "crows" and "small game" as practice I do not mean they will recieve any less of a clean, ethical kill than any other game animals hunted.
"Social work" is not forseen in this gun's future, as I will more than likely purchase an HD-specific model (Marine Magnum or Police) for this application. Thus an ultra short barrel (read 18" or 20") is not beneficial.
I have never actually hunted turkey before, but plan to start either this year or the next and make it a lifelong tradition. I may just end up purchasing a turkey-specific model able to chamber 3 1/2 boomers when the time comes for hardcore gobbler pursuit. Therefore a fairly short (22-24") barrel is not beneficial.
I would like to try waterfowl hunting in the future, yet since this is not my main quarry (not will it doubtfully ever be) I don't believe an ultra-long (28-30") barrel is beneficial.
I may use this gun for close-range deer hunting with buckshot loads. I have decided against purchasing a rifled slug barrel for this gun and instead will buy a NEF Tracker II single-shot 12 gauge slug gun for about 1/2 the price of the replacement aftermarket barrel. Additionally, this will allow me to not be required to switch the barrels.
Keep in mind that my primary use(s) of the gun are subject to change, as in the future I might fall in love with dove hunting an forsake deer hunting with a shotgun altogether.
I've made a lot of changes throughout my journey to buy this gun, and I've gone from wanting
A Benelli m1 field (shot a friend's brother's gun and loved it)
to wanting a Benelli Super Black Eagle (wanted 3.5 capability and Benelli name)
to wanting a Browning BPS (wanted to spend less $$ than the Benelli),
and now to the 870 (wanted to spend comperable amount/less than the BPS, have better aftermarket support, and be able to say "I own an 870")
For a while I believed a gun done up in factory camo would be the best idea, but now I'm not so sure. I would very much like the corrosion and nick/ding resistance provided by a quality camo coating, as well as like the looks (after all, that's what most veteran hunters tell me camo boils down to).
At first I also believed I wanted a super-duper turkey model with all sorts of fancy doodads, but based on an honest assessment of my personal use I don't believe a turkey-specific gun would be in my best interest.
I also believed I've decided against a 3 1/2 Super Magnum reciever. I don't see myself shooting many, if any, 3 1/2 loads for at least a couple of years. Perhaps even my entire life. I simply desired the versatility of the bigger reciever if I ever have a chance to hunt geese in the future. I've also heard negative things about the modified Super Magnum reciever (simply a normal 3" reciever with an extra piece) not being as high quality as the non-magnum gun.
The vast majority of the time I plan to shoot 2 3/4 shells, with an occasional 3" used for hunting.
80% use of 2 3/4 shells
20% use of 3" shells
Honestly I don't see a need (one that I was sure I had up until just a little while ago) for 3 1/2 shells.
I believe that, as of now, I want an 870 Wingmaster with a 26" barrel in 12 gauge.
One thing I'm a little concerned with is the "light contour" factory barrel on the Wingmaster series of guns. I'm a little apprehensive about purchasing any gun that has a factory "light contour" barrel after "negative" (I'm putting it nicely) accuracy results with any manner of centerfire or rimfire rifles. I'm pretty much a convert of heavy barrels on rifles as well as pistols for any other activity besides extended plinking or marathon-like hunts deep into the woods.
I've heard mentioned that the Express models come with a heavier (perhaps this means "more durable"??) barrel. Yet I've heard this is a hindrance whilst hunting.
Forgive me, but I envision a cheap sheet metal type constructed barrel, and that's not what I want.
For a while I believed I would be impeded while hunting by the sheen on the polished Wingmaster reciever, but for the times when a dull, matte finished is required,
I can purchase a replacement camo stock and sell the factory glossy one on Ebay.
I can purchase one of the slip-on camo gun sleeves for woods hunting.
I can purchase an extra-full turkey tube, and a scope mount for mounting a low powered variable or red dot for when I get to turkey hunt. Yet since I've heard scopes can be a bad thing, I may just end up purchasing a fiber optic sight to mount onto the rib for 1/5 the price of the scope package.
I can purchase a variety of quality choke tubes to match any variety of game I intend to pursue.
I'm fairly sure that I want an 870
Things upon which I've made up my mind:
Price (sub $600)
Action (pump only)
Gauge (12)
I do NOT want a Nova.
I do NOT want a Mossberg.
I do NOT want a 20 gauge.
I most likely do not want a BPS.
I most likely do not want a 3 1/2 chamber.
Things to which I have an open mind:
Barrel length
Model of gun
Finish
Could you guys (I feel self-conscious saying "y'all" online) possibly give me some advice? I plan to order the gun within the next couple of days.
Thanks!
John
I've heard mentioned that a deep explanation with serious and practical insight into the poster's needs is preferred by those giving a response, so here goes.
I am considering purchasing my first "real" shogun to replace my single-shot NEF Pardner that I recently sold to a friend.
I am considering, well perhaps I should say that I've decided on, an 870.
However, I'm unsure of the model, and the barrel length.
I am certain I don't want one of the cheap Express models.
This gun will be for
50% Practice (sporting clays, trap, skeet, crows, small game, plinking)
30% deer hunting (using buckshot)
20% other (dove hunting, turkey hunting, varming hunting)
*Note* By defining "crows" and "small game" as practice I do not mean they will recieve any less of a clean, ethical kill than any other game animals hunted.
"Social work" is not forseen in this gun's future, as I will more than likely purchase an HD-specific model (Marine Magnum or Police) for this application. Thus an ultra short barrel (read 18" or 20") is not beneficial.
I have never actually hunted turkey before, but plan to start either this year or the next and make it a lifelong tradition. I may just end up purchasing a turkey-specific model able to chamber 3 1/2 boomers when the time comes for hardcore gobbler pursuit. Therefore a fairly short (22-24") barrel is not beneficial.
I would like to try waterfowl hunting in the future, yet since this is not my main quarry (not will it doubtfully ever be) I don't believe an ultra-long (28-30") barrel is beneficial.
I may use this gun for close-range deer hunting with buckshot loads. I have decided against purchasing a rifled slug barrel for this gun and instead will buy a NEF Tracker II single-shot 12 gauge slug gun for about 1/2 the price of the replacement aftermarket barrel. Additionally, this will allow me to not be required to switch the barrels.
Keep in mind that my primary use(s) of the gun are subject to change, as in the future I might fall in love with dove hunting an forsake deer hunting with a shotgun altogether.
I've made a lot of changes throughout my journey to buy this gun, and I've gone from wanting
A Benelli m1 field (shot a friend's brother's gun and loved it)
to wanting a Benelli Super Black Eagle (wanted 3.5 capability and Benelli name)
to wanting a Browning BPS (wanted to spend less $$ than the Benelli),
and now to the 870 (wanted to spend comperable amount/less than the BPS, have better aftermarket support, and be able to say "I own an 870")
For a while I believed a gun done up in factory camo would be the best idea, but now I'm not so sure. I would very much like the corrosion and nick/ding resistance provided by a quality camo coating, as well as like the looks (after all, that's what most veteran hunters tell me camo boils down to).
At first I also believed I wanted a super-duper turkey model with all sorts of fancy doodads, but based on an honest assessment of my personal use I don't believe a turkey-specific gun would be in my best interest.
I also believed I've decided against a 3 1/2 Super Magnum reciever. I don't see myself shooting many, if any, 3 1/2 loads for at least a couple of years. Perhaps even my entire life. I simply desired the versatility of the bigger reciever if I ever have a chance to hunt geese in the future. I've also heard negative things about the modified Super Magnum reciever (simply a normal 3" reciever with an extra piece) not being as high quality as the non-magnum gun.
The vast majority of the time I plan to shoot 2 3/4 shells, with an occasional 3" used for hunting.
80% use of 2 3/4 shells
20% use of 3" shells
Honestly I don't see a need (one that I was sure I had up until just a little while ago) for 3 1/2 shells.
I believe that, as of now, I want an 870 Wingmaster with a 26" barrel in 12 gauge.
One thing I'm a little concerned with is the "light contour" factory barrel on the Wingmaster series of guns. I'm a little apprehensive about purchasing any gun that has a factory "light contour" barrel after "negative" (I'm putting it nicely) accuracy results with any manner of centerfire or rimfire rifles. I'm pretty much a convert of heavy barrels on rifles as well as pistols for any other activity besides extended plinking or marathon-like hunts deep into the woods.
I've heard mentioned that the Express models come with a heavier (perhaps this means "more durable"??) barrel. Yet I've heard this is a hindrance whilst hunting.
Forgive me, but I envision a cheap sheet metal type constructed barrel, and that's not what I want.
For a while I believed I would be impeded while hunting by the sheen on the polished Wingmaster reciever, but for the times when a dull, matte finished is required,
I can purchase a replacement camo stock and sell the factory glossy one on Ebay.
I can purchase one of the slip-on camo gun sleeves for woods hunting.
I can purchase an extra-full turkey tube, and a scope mount for mounting a low powered variable or red dot for when I get to turkey hunt. Yet since I've heard scopes can be a bad thing, I may just end up purchasing a fiber optic sight to mount onto the rib for 1/5 the price of the scope package.
I can purchase a variety of quality choke tubes to match any variety of game I intend to pursue.
I'm fairly sure that I want an 870
Things upon which I've made up my mind:
Price (sub $600)
Action (pump only)
Gauge (12)
I do NOT want a Nova.
I do NOT want a Mossberg.
I do NOT want a 20 gauge.
I most likely do not want a BPS.
I most likely do not want a 3 1/2 chamber.
Things to which I have an open mind:
Barrel length
Model of gun
Finish
Could you guys (I feel self-conscious saying "y'all" online) possibly give me some advice? I plan to order the gun within the next couple of days.
Thanks!
John