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Q:
I'm a college student new to hunting and was wondering what i should look into as far as getting the best bang for my buck with shotguns?

Question by nathan.wyatt23. Uploaded on April 12, 2013

Answers (15)

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from upland4 wrote 9 weeks 2 days ago

I would buy an 870 super mag nice reliably pump shotgun that will shoot everything. They are available for about 400 dollars. So they don't break the bank either

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from Treestand wrote 9 weeks 2 days ago

JMO~~ Look at a good Used Shotgun like Win/Mod-12,Ithaca Mod-37,Browning M-2000,Rem/870-1100. their are many good tried and true used S/guns on the market under the $300.00 price point+/-

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from AAM wrote 9 weeks 2 days ago

Mossberg 500. And I dont care about what anybody says about them, theres nothing wrong with the 500.

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from Gary Devine wrote 9 weeks 2 days ago

I agree with the guys above. I would get the Remington 870.
nathan, your four years of college comes before hunting. Get good grades, a great paying job with that college dipolma, and you can buy the best shotgun on the market.
Hunting will be there the rest of your life.
Good Luck!

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from Dallas A. McWhorter wrote 9 weeks 2 days ago

I suggest a new Mossberg 500 Flex.Mine only cost $360 and so far I have had no problems with it.

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from footbasebl wrote 9 weeks 2 days ago

I have always been a fan of the Browning M-2000. I have shot a few different and always fall back to my browning, it was my first shotgun and I love it.

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from JPMNTMAN wrote 9 weeks 2 days ago

Being new I would start with the most basic and simple proven method for a shot gun a Pump action. So I would look at either the Remington 870 or the Mossberg 500. Both are find guns a very simple and easy. Both are usually carried by stores like Wal Mart and local gun shops. They both easily shoot 3 inch mags and now sometimes come with two barrels one for slugs and the other shot shells. I prefer the Mossberg. The look and it feels better to me. The brownings and benellies are great but can be a little higher and harder to find in local stores. Good luck on either choice.

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from philbourjaily wrote 9 weeks 2 days ago

If you plan to do any target shooting at all spend a little more and find a used Beretta 390 or 3901 or Remington 11-87 semiauto. The recoil reduction of a gas semiauto makes them much better suited for target games than a pump.
If you are only interested in hunting, then a good pump gun is all you need.

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from DEER30 wrote 9 weeks 1 day ago

Mossberg 835 in 12 gauge for hunting. It is versatile and can be used for many game animals. It allows you to shoot 2 3/4" shells up to 3 1/2" magnums.

I bought one used about 4 years ago for $265 and it has been one of my greatest investments (7-0) on turkeys.

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from thehunter98.6 wrote 9 weeks 1 day ago

Can never go wrong with a Remington 870.

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from Dallas A. McWhorter wrote 9 weeks 1 day ago

thehunter98.6
Yes you can.

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from Pray- hunt-work wrote 9 weeks 1 day ago

Stoeger 3500 or 3000 are affordable semi's as well. Phil B's advice is sound if you plan on doing much shooting at all, I too would recommend a semi. That said, pump guns have been used in every shotgunning act imaginable and will perform as required for a little less cash.

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from Rex99 wrote 8 weeks 3 days ago

I agree with you all. Remington 870 and the mossberg 500 are great affordable shotguns. However I like my italian brands for thats what I grew up shooting. My first real hunting shotgun was a franci alcione back in 6th grade. In high school i got a benelli M2 and now in college I just recieved a Beretta Xtrema 2. Now I am a very fortunate person that was born into a family with fairly successfull grandparents who also loved to hunt. Those guns were either handed down or given to me. I know some you guys are thinking wow what a spoiled brat. Yes I am very fortunate but I do have humility. My point is if I was not so fortunate and I had to buy my shotguns, I would go with the Benelli nova. Cheap, reliable pump for the italian brand gurus.

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from Rex99 wrote 8 weeks 3 days ago

I agree with you all. Remington 870 and the mossberg 500 are great affordable shotguns. However I like my italian brands for thats what I grew up shooting. My first real hunting shotgun was a franci alcione back in 6th grade. In high school i got a benelli M2 and now in college I just recieved a Beretta Xtrema 2. Now I am a very fortunate person that was born into a family with fairly successfull grandparents who also loved to hunt. Those guns were either handed down or given to me. I know some you guys are thinking wow what a spoiled brat. Yes I am very fortunate but I do have humility. My point is if I was not so fortunate and I had to buy my shotguns, I would go with the Benelli nova. Cheap, reliable pump for the italian brand gurus.

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from Big Bob W wrote 6 weeks 4 days ago

Remington 870 Express in 12 gauge with a three inch chamber. It will probably come with a modified choke installed. Get an improved cylinder or a skeet choke to use for dove, and quail and you should be set. Ammo should be reasonably available if the hoarding insanity ever abates almost anywhere. I have used my 870 for everything from dove & quail to geese and turkey and everything in between.

0 Good Comment? | | Report

Post an Answer

from Treestand wrote 9 weeks 2 days ago

JMO~~ Look at a good Used Shotgun like Win/Mod-12,Ithaca Mod-37,Browning M-2000,Rem/870-1100. their are many good tried and true used S/guns on the market under the $300.00 price point+/-

+3 Good Comment? | | Report
from upland4 wrote 9 weeks 2 days ago

I would buy an 870 super mag nice reliably pump shotgun that will shoot everything. They are available for about 400 dollars. So they don't break the bank either

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from AAM wrote 9 weeks 2 days ago

Mossberg 500. And I dont care about what anybody says about them, theres nothing wrong with the 500.

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from Gary Devine wrote 9 weeks 2 days ago

I agree with the guys above. I would get the Remington 870.
nathan, your four years of college comes before hunting. Get good grades, a great paying job with that college dipolma, and you can buy the best shotgun on the market.
Hunting will be there the rest of your life.
Good Luck!

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from footbasebl wrote 9 weeks 2 days ago

I have always been a fan of the Browning M-2000. I have shot a few different and always fall back to my browning, it was my first shotgun and I love it.

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from JPMNTMAN wrote 9 weeks 2 days ago

Being new I would start with the most basic and simple proven method for a shot gun a Pump action. So I would look at either the Remington 870 or the Mossberg 500. Both are find guns a very simple and easy. Both are usually carried by stores like Wal Mart and local gun shops. They both easily shoot 3 inch mags and now sometimes come with two barrels one for slugs and the other shot shells. I prefer the Mossberg. The look and it feels better to me. The brownings and benellies are great but can be a little higher and harder to find in local stores. Good luck on either choice.

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from philbourjaily wrote 9 weeks 2 days ago

If you plan to do any target shooting at all spend a little more and find a used Beretta 390 or 3901 or Remington 11-87 semiauto. The recoil reduction of a gas semiauto makes them much better suited for target games than a pump.
If you are only interested in hunting, then a good pump gun is all you need.

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from Dallas A. McWhorter wrote 9 weeks 1 day ago

thehunter98.6
Yes you can.

+1 Good Comment? | | Report
from Dallas A. McWhorter wrote 9 weeks 2 days ago

I suggest a new Mossberg 500 Flex.Mine only cost $360 and so far I have had no problems with it.

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from DEER30 wrote 9 weeks 1 day ago

Mossberg 835 in 12 gauge for hunting. It is versatile and can be used for many game animals. It allows you to shoot 2 3/4" shells up to 3 1/2" magnums.

I bought one used about 4 years ago for $265 and it has been one of my greatest investments (7-0) on turkeys.

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from thehunter98.6 wrote 9 weeks 1 day ago

Can never go wrong with a Remington 870.

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from Pray- hunt-work wrote 9 weeks 1 day ago

Stoeger 3500 or 3000 are affordable semi's as well. Phil B's advice is sound if you plan on doing much shooting at all, I too would recommend a semi. That said, pump guns have been used in every shotgunning act imaginable and will perform as required for a little less cash.

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from Rex99 wrote 8 weeks 3 days ago

I agree with you all. Remington 870 and the mossberg 500 are great affordable shotguns. However I like my italian brands for thats what I grew up shooting. My first real hunting shotgun was a franci alcione back in 6th grade. In high school i got a benelli M2 and now in college I just recieved a Beretta Xtrema 2. Now I am a very fortunate person that was born into a family with fairly successfull grandparents who also loved to hunt. Those guns were either handed down or given to me. I know some you guys are thinking wow what a spoiled brat. Yes I am very fortunate but I do have humility. My point is if I was not so fortunate and I had to buy my shotguns, I would go with the Benelli nova. Cheap, reliable pump for the italian brand gurus.

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from Rex99 wrote 8 weeks 3 days ago

I agree with you all. Remington 870 and the mossberg 500 are great affordable shotguns. However I like my italian brands for thats what I grew up shooting. My first real hunting shotgun was a franci alcione back in 6th grade. In high school i got a benelli M2 and now in college I just recieved a Beretta Xtrema 2. Now I am a very fortunate person that was born into a family with fairly successfull grandparents who also loved to hunt. Those guns were either handed down or given to me. I know some you guys are thinking wow what a spoiled brat. Yes I am very fortunate but I do have humility. My point is if I was not so fortunate and I had to buy my shotguns, I would go with the Benelli nova. Cheap, reliable pump for the italian brand gurus.

0 Good Comment? | | Report
from Big Bob W wrote 6 weeks 4 days ago

Remington 870 Express in 12 gauge with a three inch chamber. It will probably come with a modified choke installed. Get an improved cylinder or a skeet choke to use for dove, and quail and you should be set. Ammo should be reasonably available if the hoarding insanity ever abates almost anywhere. I have used my 870 for everything from dove & quail to geese and turkey and everything in between.

0 Good Comment? | | Report

Post an Answer