What type to buy?!?

[dispatch55126]

I'm in the market for a newer shotgun, either pump or semi. Its deer season soon to naturally I'm foaming for a rifled barrel. The only thing is then it'll only be good for slugs. The three things I want a shotgun for is deer, pheasants and HD. Is there one such as a 870 or Mossberg 500 that would fit the bill decently for all three? I would need light weight, good accuracy with slugs, no scope, long enough barrel for pellets but short enough for HD. Thanks in advance.

 

[Dave McCracken]

I've slugged deer since the 70s and have yet to need a rifled barrel. Any of the Big Four pumps will do what you want, so will some autos from the A-5 to the 1100.

Most folks cover the bases with one shotgun, two barrels. A long barrel for birds and clays, oft with choke tubes for versatility. A short barrel, oft with rifle style sights, for deer and Things That Go Bump In The Night.

HTH...

 

[Smitty in CT]

If you want a rifled barrel and a "short" smoothbore, Mossberg makes their Turkey / Deer combos. The "deer" barrel is their rifled barrel and the Turkey barrels are ususally "shorter" versions of their smoothbore.

They are available in pump (500, 535, 835) or autoloader (930 & 935)

I have a 535 pump and a 930 autoloader, never had a problem with either...

I have a 20 GA Remington 870 Wingmaster, which is also a great gun.

If you get the chance I recommend shouldering as many different models of shotguns as you can, they will all feel different, keep swapping them out, eventually you will keep coming back to "one" that you like the controls of and it "feels" the best.

Good luck and let us know what you decide on...

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Because you want to hunt pheasant you are probably better off with a autoloader instead of a pump shotgun.

Unfortunately, your 3 needs will probably need 3 barrels and none of the Combos provide 3 barrels so you will need to buy one separately. Mossberg has 2 Model 930 Combos that will get you started. Either the Deer/Field Combo or the Field/Home Security Combo are available for the same price. They List for $558 but can always be had for less real world. All you will need to do is add the third barrel. If you want a 3.5" Magnum receiver then you will want the Model 935 but it Lists for $743.

I would probably buy the 930 Deer/Field Combo which comes with a 24" rifled Deer barrel and a 26" smooth bore barrel for birds. I would hold of on buying a 18.5" barrel for HD since the Slug barrel will do a good job for HD and the Security Barrel has a List price of $149.

 

[Striker]

You might look at one of the current 870 Express Combos.

http://www.gunshopfinder.com/remington/remExpressCombos.asp

I prefer the 28" VR RC & 20" rifle sight IC smooth bore combo. You can bird hunt with the 28" and use the 20" for deer and HD. With an IC and full choke tube added it should serve you well.

If I were ever limited to just one shotgun, this would be it. Just my opinion and as always YMMV.

 

[MCgunner]

The mossberg deer/turkey combo would be a good way to go. The short choked barrel would balance a little weird, but should be quicker to the shoulder for pheasant than a 28"er. I like guns that balance between the hands for quick shots on flushing game. A 20" barrel will shoot just as far as a 28" if choked properly. I have a 20" side by side that has proved that to me.