What new shotgun?

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Olympus

Olympus

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I'll admit, I'm not a shotgun person. I do enjoy shooting them though and I'd say I'm better than the average shooter at times when I've shot skeet. I have a Mossberg 835 12g that I've shot maybe 500 rounds with at skeet in the back yard with friends over the years.

I've always wanted to dove hunt and I'm making it my mission to try it out this fall. I've never been, but my family has thousands of acres of crop ground and I know dove are everywhere around there. I have some friends committed to hunting with me this fall.

I know my 835 will work, but it's really long and has a little kick after a couple boxes of shells. I'm thinking maybe getting a 20g for hunting this fall since I already have a 12g. First question is whether that's a wise choice. Is a 20g more for the women and children? Second question is whether to go auto or o/u. Whatever I choose, I certainly don't need a high end luxury gun like a Citori but I also don't want "Taurus" grade either. I would like something with a wood stock that's not cheap but also not too pretty to take in the field. Something respectably middle of the road. So give me some opinions. Leaning 20g over 12g and have no idea with auto vs o/u.
 
I don't really want to spend more than $700 if that's even possible. Like I said, I don't need a top tier luxury model but I also don't want something cheap and entry level.
 
What exactly did you need a 3 1/2" Magnum Model 835 for in the first place?

Unless you engage in long range goose hunting with it, there is positively no other earthly reason to own a 3 1/2" Magnum shotgun!

For back yard blue rock (which BTW isn't Skeet.) you would be much better served with about any name brand 2 3/4" gas operated shotgun with a 26" or 28" barrel.

Trade or sell the 835, add your $700, and get a much better 2 3/4" / 3" gun that will better serve you for 99% of all the shot gunning shotgunners do.
And not kick the stuffing out of you every shot.

Remington 11-48, 1100, or a Beretta would serve you way better for all your shotgun needs.

And as soon as you get over the abuse, you will be a much better wing shot too.
rc
 
Yes. Please tell us you're not shooting clay birds with 3 1/2" shells.

I hunt with 12 ga 3" shells for waterfowl and sometimes fox, coyotes, and turkey. 2 3/4" are plenty for anything else, especially for clay games.

Listen to rcmodel. Yikes!
 
Honestly i don't even remember what size shells i was shooting in my 835. I had been probably 10 years since i shot it last. It was a Christmas present from my dad so that's why I've kept it. It's in 99% condition, but i don't think they're worth much.
What about the questions of 12 vs 20 gauge and auto vs o/u?
 
Gas operated autos kick less then over & unders.

I have a 6 pound S/S double 20 that kicks just about as hard as a 7 1/2 pound 12 auto..

In general, 20's are lighter guns then 12's.

Lighter guns kick harder then heavier guns shooting similar weight shot charges.

In my experience, a light 20 double shooting standard field loads kicks just as hard as a 12 gas auto if not harder.

rc
 
One more vote for a Remington 1100, and that in 12 gauge. Unless of course you have physical limitations, there's no need to consider a smaller gauge (and were that the case, I'd suggest a 28 over a 20).

The heavier 12 in a good gas gun design will kick less and may well swing better too - a plus for wingshooting. I don't see any need to complicate your logistics by adding another gauge, unless there are other reasons to do so.
 
Heavy guns have less actual recoil than light guns. Guns that FIT have less felt recoil than ones that do not. Something like a used Remington 1100 in 20 gauge for things like dove hunting have the weight to help reduce recoil to your shoulder.
 
I have an Ithaca 37 20 ga for upland birds, love it. Mine is an older gun that was full choke 28"; I had it lobbed to 24" and threaded for Brownell's chokes. Light weight and handy, classic, but still a "working man's" shotgun.
 
I have a lightweight 20 gauge SxS that kicks way more than most medium weight 12 gauge shotguns I have. In a 20 gauge I would probably go with a Remington 1100 in an autoloader and an older Ithaca Model 37 in a pump action.
 
I stopped shooting 12 gauge at dove, quail, and other non waterfowl birds about 35 years ago. A 20 is great for dove. I mostly shoot a Remington 1100 LT-20, but sometimes have used a 20 SxS or a 28 gauge semi or SxS. I enjoy shooting the smaller gauges a lot, and the LT 20 probably gets more use than everything else combined these days. Lively little gun and a real soft shooter. Rarely shoot clays with a 12 anymore either.
I'd advise you to look for an excellent used 20 gauge gas operated semi auto. If you take care of it and don't like it you can sell it for zero loss, but I am betting you like it.
 
So I'm seeing about half and half on 20 vs 12 and nobody recommending an o/u?
 
The reason nobody is recommending an O/U is because your budget doesn't allow for a quality one. In the OP you refer to the Citori as a "high end luxury gun". In reality, the Citori is pretty much the entry level for a reliable O/U. $700 will buy an O/U that may suffice for occasional use like hunting a couple times a year, but really isn't designed to hold up to any kind of volume shooting.
Gas powered autos will also reduce felt recoil, where as an O/U that weighs the same as your Mossberg is going to kick like your Mossberg with the same loads.
Unless you are planning to get in to formal clay shooting on a regular basis, you would probably be a lot happier with an auto. A 12ga should be fine for you, unless you want a lighter gun, then look at a 20. My 9 year old can handle a 12ga auto with target loads without getting beat up.
 
My 2 12 ga. Beretta gas guns handle my 3/4oz reloads with ease - and they break targets just fine.

Rule303 gave you good advice about where the Citori stands in the world of reliable O/Us. Both it and the entry level Berettas will be more than your budget, and will typically be the lighter field version versus target ones. Light guns are great to carry all day and shoot a little whereas target-weight guns are meant to be shot all day and carried a little.

Since you mention dove hunting (which, IMO, is more akin to target shooting than chasing grouse or chukar), I'd opt for a gas gun in 20 and shoot target loads at the dove over heavier field loads.
 
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Another quality O/U option (at least in my opinion) is the Franchi Instinct L. They are going for a grand or so now which is a little bit cheaper than the Citori.

Laphroaig
 
+1 on the Franchi. A 1100 20 would be great too. A heavy 12 guage would be way to slow for doves.
 
Olympus said:
Honestly i don't even remember what size shells i was shooting in my 835. I had been probably 10 years since i shot it last. It was a Christmas present from my dad so that's why I've kept it. It's in 99% condition, but i don't think they're worth much.
What about the questions of 12 vs 20 gauge and auto vs o/u?
Click to expand...

First of all, I wouldn't even consider getting rid of a Christmas present "shotgun" my dad gave me!! NO way, no how!

Who says you have to shoot 3-1/2" shells in it??? Shorter shells = less recoil!!

Does it have choke tubes, can you get a shorter bbl. for it??

Either way, I'd NEVER get rid of it...

DM
 
Nice all around shotgun is Beretta 390 sporting Clays gun I have one in 20 ga. shoot sporting clays, 5 stand and skeet. Never tried trap with it I'm sort of hung up on trap being a 12 ga sport.

410726227.gif
 
Here is a nice 20ga shotgun for $475 nib. 12ga is the same price. Weatherby SA08 good Turkish craftsmanship and decent customer service.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...Gauge+Semi+Automatic+w26"+Black+Matte+BarrelB

Here is the walnut deluxe model and it is still well within your budget $635.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...ts_id/61294/Weatherby+SA08+Deluxe+20g+26"+MC3

Mossberg
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...34/MOSS+SA-20+AUTO+20GA+26"+MATTE+SYN+5+TUBES

If you use www.gunwatcher.com you may find a better price.
 
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