Any shotgun hunters in this board?

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Fri Mar 09, 2012 9:53 pm

I have had a few hobbies in my life. I have taken some of them far more seriously than others but I think I am on my way to get into something new:

Shotgun pheasant hunts.

If anybody has shotgun preferences or recommendations, I'd like to know.

I like the Remington 870 Wingmaster 12 gauge 3" pump with a 28" barrel but I REALLY like (and probably cannot afford) the Benelli M2 12 ga 3" semi. Any experiences with either of these guns?

We have good places to do several good hunts for different game here in Canada but I would like to know what your preferred hunt game and places might be in the US.

Keep safe.

Hooligan · Post by **Hooligan** » Sat Mar 10, 2012 6:32 pm

I don't hunt, but I do enjoy shooting.

Is this going to be your first shotgun, or are you getting one solely for hunting?

I don't see how one can go wrong with the 870 wingmaster. It's an affordable, reliable, proven shotgun that can be adapted to different needs through barrel, stock, or accessory changes. I'm also a believer that a home intruder will shart themselves and turn tail at the sound of a pump shotgun racking... not so much the bolt closing on a semi-auto.

Autoloaders are fun, generally have less felt recoil, and give you fast follow-up shots. The downside is that they generally cost more, are less customizable, and can pelt the people ten feet to your right with your empty shells.

Try pawn shops and sporting goods stores' used gun racks. Some good deals can be had there, and try to haggle a bit. Keep us posted.

DarthMonk · Post by **DarthMonk** » Sat Mar 10, 2012 8:38 pm

Might not want to go hunting with the aptly named "Dick" Cheyney.

Actually, I guess they are easy to confuse:

DarthMonk

Redskin in Canada · Post by **Redskin in Canada** » Sun Mar 11, 2012 2:22 am

Hooligan wrote:I don't hunt, but I do enjoy shooting.

Is this going to be your first shotgun, or are you getting one solely for hunting?

I don't see how one can go wrong with the 870 wingmaster. It's an affordable, reliable, proven shotgun that can be adapted to different needs through barrel, stock, or accessory changes. I'm also a believer that a home intruder will shart themselves and turn tail at the sound of a pump shotgun racking... not so much the bolt closing on a semi-auto.

Autoloaders are fun, generally have less felt recoil, and give you fast follow-up shots. The downside is that they generally cost more, are less customizable, and can pelt the people ten feet to your right with your empty shells.

Try pawn shops and sporting goods stores' used gun racks. Some good deals can be had there, and try to haggle a bit. Keep us posted.

Thanks, brother.

I am no stranger to firearms (I am fond of Glocks) but I am pretty new to hunting shotguns and the pheasant hunt in particular.

Something funny happened to me recently. I HAD to take a Federal Firearms course and two exams for non-restricted weapons in order to apply for one or several hunters licence(s). I had to take a long written exam: got 98% and then I spent about less than an hour on a practical test with an examiner for all non-restricted weapons: 100% :wink:

But I am new at hunting shotguns and the pheasant hunt. I agree with your analyses above. Your comments about price differences are correct but I had not thought about shell cases coming out of semis. Good point for a goose hunt with other buddies.

I am leaning towards a pump shotgun, perhaps a Benelli supernova or a Remington Wingmaster.

When it comes to rifles for longer distance deer hunting, I am leaning towards a Finnish Tikka T3. But that may happen later in the year.