Buddy to go deer hunting, needs gun cheap...

[antsi]

In Indiana there is no centerfire rifle deer hunting: it is hanguns, muzzle loaders, shotguns, and bow.

He is familiar with firearms and a decent shot. The people he is hunting with do not bow hunt, so it needs to be one of the gun options.

What is the best low cost option for a muzzle loader or shotgun, and where can he find one?

 

[bearmgc]

Walmart? Get a smoothbore and buy rifled slugs.

 

[pauli]

walmart, pawnshop, consignment rack. should get a 12ga nef for well under $100.

 

[mustanger98]

My two suggestions:

Muzzleloader: H&R makes a nice .50caliber. It uses 209 shotgun primers (w/disks), Pyrodex pellets, and your choice of sabots or Powerbelts. It's a good solidly built rifle.

Shotgun: H&R/NEF (H&R 1871) makes a good single barrel hinge action shotgun with external hammer. If you must use slugs, get one with a slug barrel. My observation is Foster slugs, despite their long availability, do not work as advertised, especially when fired in a choked barrel. If you must use a smoothbore, use buckshot.

pawnshop, consignment rack. should get a 12ga nef for well under $100.

There oughta be something there.

 

[scout26]

Any of the Big 3.5 shotguns (Remington, Mossberg, Winchester and Ithaca, now out of business but there are still a lot of 'em out there) will work. The learning/practice curve is alot shorter then with a frontstuffer.

I would have him look at either Remington or Mossberg. Lots of options with both OEM and aftermarket accessories if he decieds he wants to do more then just use it to shoot Bambi. I forgot who said it here, but the quote is "A 12 gauge is kinda like the Swiss Army Knife of guns."


Here's links for both:

Mossberg 500

Remington 870

And for some idea as to price. Wally World wants $242 for a Mossberg 500 Slugster (deer gun) with the cantilevered scope mount and adjustable comb, for $28 more he can get a Combo that has also has 28" field barrel along with the aforementioned slug barrel. Cheapest price I've ever seen for an extra barrel.

Here's one combo a Wally World:
Mossberg 500 Combo at Wally World

You/he can surf around to see the other options. (I'm not endorsing purchasing from wally world, the above is provided for informational use only. )

Remington also offers combo's:
Remington at Walmart

You can also probably find a good used shotgun in your local gun/pawn shop. There's also the trading post here on THR, where I've seen a few offered for sale. Plus there's also gunsamerica.com and gunbroker.com

I do recommend getting a good scope and rifled slug barrel shooting sabots. Much more accurate and effective. A Hunter Safety Ed course and of course some practice on the range/finding the best ammo for his gun will exponentially increase his odds for a successful hunt.

Here's another really good link:
Indiana DNR- Hunting

HTH, and keep us posted as to how you and your buddy do. It warms my heart everytime I hear of a new hunter joining the brotherhood. Thanks for doing your part to keep the tradition alive.

 

[dakotasin]

since i can use rifles, i don't keep up too much w/ slug guns... but, even though it is possible to get into a 10, 12, etc ga. for under 100 bucks, i think if it were me and money was tight, i'd be on the prowl at the used racks for a rem 870... a mossy 500 will work just as well, but it is a lot harder to take down than the 870 (i have both, and abhor taking the mossy apart)... however, that is not to say that if the timing and price were right that i'd snub the mossy - i sure wouldn't... but, given time and preference, a used 870 is my first option.

 

[mustanger98]

given time and preference, a used 870 is my first option.

While I was recommending a H&R1871 hinge action, I'm also a fan of the 870- hittin'est shotgun I've dealt with.

Somebody recommended a 3.5" 12 guage. I wouldn't go there. Aside from increased range, a 3.5" won't do anything a 2 3/4" won't do. Plus, the 3.5" will kick a lot harder. I've heard horror stories locally about those, including bustin' blood vessels in the shooter's head.

 

[bakert]

If he's thinking of a cheap muzzle loader, CVA and Traditions make some decent looking inlines. Also like the Rem 870 with slugs or even a Mossberg which would be cheaper probably.

 

[dakotasin]

mustanger- i like 3.5" 12 gauge... i like mine a lot. however, i have never shot a slug thru it... just 3.5" waterfowl loads. of course, those aren't bad at all, but i can certainly see how a 3.5" slug would be a little less than comfy... i just don't have experience w/ slug guns...

 

[pete f]

Is he just going to go once?

or is this a life time commitment. then spend some money. buy an 870 with a rifled barrel and a cantilever mount. buy a scope or red dot.


If not just find a 12 guage and a slug barrel. use the open sights.

 

[Guyon]

Killed my first deer with a CVA muzzleloader. It was just over $100.

However, keep in mind that with a muzzleloader, you have to have more "stuff"--primers, powder or Pyrodex, bullets, the proper jags, patches, bullet starter, etc. I have an entire field box filled with muzzleloading gadgets. Also, the muzzleloader takes a fair deal of maintenance.

The cheaper/simpler solution is a decent 12 gauge and a box of rifled slugs. Maybe add an inexpensive set of fiber-optic sights. Clean it once in a blue moon.

 

[22-rimfire]

The options presented are reasonable. I would look at what you intend to hunt in the future.... deer only, small game, birds, etc. The shotgun gives you a lot of flexibility. But if you have a rifled slug barrel I have heard you can get 6" groups at 100 yds. The inline muzzle loads shoot nearly as good as most "deer rifles". So, your choice.