Question for you shotgun people

[boxerjake77]

Looking at buying a shotgun, I have it narrowed down to two brands. I'm leaning toward one kind because I like where the safety is and where the slide release is.

Both come in the combo, but not sure if I really need two barrels. My question is if I shoot alot of slugs through the smooth bore barrel will it do damage in the long run.
My use for it will be trap shooting and hunting(deer and turkey)
The price is around one hundred more for the combo, just not sure if I really need to have both barrels. What do y'all think...

 

[vellnueve]

It won't do damage as long as you use the proper choke

 

[finest]

Unfortunately it is not a one size fits all for shot gun uses.you would prefer a full choke longer barrel for trap and a shorter bearrel with a cylinder bore if you want to use slugs. In a smooth bore.i have little experience with slugs to say if a smooth bore or rifled barrel would be best.

 

[mac1911]

you cant really go wrong with the combos. Im quessing your looking @ the mossy and rem combo's. I think the combo's are the closest thing to a all around shotgun.
I have 870 express with the smooth bore barrel and works well with the remington slugsters and 00 buck shot. The 28" field barrel has severed me well for bird hunting/trap/clays of all types. I have multiple chokes for the 28" allthough the modified can cover a good amount of needs. I used the 28" field barrel with modified choke for trap after a while I was able to run 25s no problem. Once I was hooked on trap shooting I purchased a dedicated "trap" gun. Learned more about gun fit ect ect

Theres some infor in the shotgun competition section. gun fit is key to the best shooting. I have several stocks that I collected over the years for different applications. I have a shorter stock for the cold weather hunting and a longer one for warmer weather. I also have a monte carlo stock for my rifled barrel with scope.
With almost any shotgun there are plenty of parts to alter your gun to the needs at hand from tactical to tactifool. Hunting to clay games.

you will have limits with in any area you use it. I will say my 870 has taken more critters of all sorts than all my/family/hunting buddies other guns have put together.

 

[dixidawg]

Imagine you are deer hunting and come to a big field with the buck of a lifetime at 130 yards. There is no cover for you to stalk any closer. You have to make that 130 yard shot.

At this moment, would you be:

1. Glad you spent the extra $100 and have a gun in your hands that can group at under 2"?
2. Glad you have the $100 in your pocket and are satisfied trying to make the shot with a gun that groups 12" at 130 yards?

To me it's a no brainer. If I am hunting, I owe it to the game to have the equipment that allows me to make the quickest and cleanest kill.

 

[mac1911]

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid61103067001 theresa lot of info here that can help you make a practical choice. You then need to know your limits of your skills and shotgun
your looking to fill a large gap with one shotgun
dixie dog makes a good point.
When I go hunting in my normal areas its often heavy brush and woods and seldom get a clear shot of more than 70 yards. If I come across a critter beyond that with my smooth bore slug barrel I would have to try to get close or chock it up as a loss and enjoy the view.
If you want a accurate slug gun. get a rifled barrel bolt action good for most distances after you find the right ammo and dial in your sights/scope
Its never easy make a choice sometimes.
my 870 is the first shorty I purchased and so far has been the longest lasting firearm to stay in my possession 2nd is my glenfield 25.

 

[dixidawg]

Not necessarily a need to go to a bolt gun. I have a Mossberg combo that shoots 2" groups at 100 yards all day. Check out Arlow's post #29 here:

http://www.northeastshooters.com/vbulletin/threads/72480-Mossberg-shotguns?

He gets great results with his using Lightfields.

As mac1911 says, the gun will likely last for many years. The difference of the $100 over say 10 years is only $10 per year....

 

[mac1911]

I was only commenting on accuracy only...I think the savage/stevens bolt action 20gauge rifled slug gun would be a great dedicated accurate gun for slugs.
For covering a large arena of uses the combo guns are hard to beat.

 

[jar]

Imagine you are deer hunting and come to a big field with the buck of a lifetime at 130 yards. There is no cover for you to stalk any closer. You have to make that 130 yard shot.

I'd rather have a 308 bolt gun, especially since that also means I'd be out of MA.

The combo's are the way to go for an all around shotgun IMO. I bought the mossberg and I'm happy with it. Of course I haven't actually used the slug barrel yet, but if I were a deer hunter I would.

 

[dixidawg]

I was only commenting on accuracy only...I think the savage/stevens bolt action 20gauge rifled slug gun would be a great dedicated accurate gun for slugs.
For covering a large arena of uses the combo guns are hard to beat.

+1

Agree 100%. I just bought one of those too!

 

[60 buckscash]

I have the 500 combo set and bought an extra barrel. I can do HD/competition/brush hunting with the 18" barrel. When I am out bird hunting/crushing clays the 24" with usually a mod (some times a full for trap) choke in it. I can then throw the rifled barrel on when I will be hunting bigger critters over open areas. Since we are not a rifle based hunting season I see it as a great investment and a highly versital allowing you to shoot multiple types of game or play different types of games. I vote yes for combos. I am on the look out for the elusive .50 blackpowder barrel for the 500 (do 870s have this?), if it had a crossbow top then it would be the ultimate gun!

 

[mac1911]

yes the BP barrel is availabe for 870s also. Is the BP barrel good togo for hunting in mass ? I know there are some quirky laws with the blackpowder regs on BP rifles

midway is takeing backorders right now with a C&R license they run 115.00

 

[boxerjake77]

I'm sure the combos are the way to go for the needs I need from it.
But on the deer hunting end of it, I don't see myself being able to take that 75-100 yard shot that a rifled barrel would allow me to take with accuracy, being in the thick woods where I hunt anyway.
That being said, maybe the smooth bore, with slugs for deer season is the way to go for me.
Looking at DSG and like the looks and feel of the 870 nitro magnum, and there was a sweet looking Weatherby too, any thoughts on these?

 

[mac1911]

Im not sure on the entire weatherby line but I know SKB(japan) was making a few models for them at on time.
seems like almost every shotgun manufacture is having "Italian" companies building shotguns for them Athena seems to be one of the bigger ones.
Also the weatherby looks so 870 clone type it maybe made in japan by SKB or moriku. There are also a good amount of smaller gun manufactures out of greece building for a lot of manufactures.
I see a lot of clone guns as of late. trench gun copies, 870 or "87". I like the 870 as its all made of steel (at least I believe this is still true) not some "alloy" I have some older
stevens shotguns with the "alloy" recievers the 20gauge got used a ton and the reciever has worn and also developed cracks. Te 12g is showing the same stress now that it has been used more(hunting) mind you these guns have been in service for over 20 years. My 870 express is half the age but has more through it than both stevens combined and not a hitvh yet.

 

[60 buckscash]

You should be good to go. Inline with a 209 primer and .50 cal

DURING MUZZLELOADER DEER SEASON hunters may use only shoulder-fired muzzleloaders .44 caliber to .775 caliber; barrel 18 inches or more length with only one barrel operational. Inline ignition systems are permitted providing rifle loads from the muzzle. Hinge action (break open) muzzleloaders are NOT permitted. Single projectile only (no buckshot). Sabot rounds, 209 primers, and scopes are legal. Powder limited to black powder, pyrodex or other approved substitutes. Firearm is considered unloaded when cap or pan powder is removed. Primitive Firearms Stamp required. Archers may hunt during the muzzleloader firearms season but must purchase a Primitive Firearms Stamp and wear at least 500 square inches of hunter orange on head, back, and chest.