New to Shotguns

[Renegade]

I used a shotgun for the first time yesterday and I'm hooked!! Man, was I a lousy shot, first time shooting clay birds. Now, I want to get my own. Want to get one that can hunt dove and turkey with, is there really any difference between a turkey gun and an upland gun. Any and all suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Later,

Dave

 

[Dave McCracken]

Welcome to Shotgunland.

Ye Archives here are a marvelous resource. Mine these and the 101 threads for some informed opinions, hard data, and real world experience.

If you don't feel like doing all that reading, buy a Remington 870, all the ammo you can afford, and meet me at PGC on Friday. Class is open to all...

 

[ysr_racer]

I'd go with a Remington 11-87 / 1100 or a Beretta 391. Pumps suck

 

[Baba Louie]

You'll be soooorrrrryyyy!
Upland guns are typically lighter with a shorter barrel or overall length, turkey guns typically a full goose bozo big bore. One 12 ga double barrel or pump (or auto) will really work for both... but don't quote me on that. You'll have to tell your spousal unit that you need one of each. That'd be one pump, one SA, one double, and one in each ga. (but at least a 20 and a 12)... or you could just go out and buy a 12 bore Rem 870 and practice a lot. Later on buy different barrel lengths as need be.

 

[Renegade]

Been reading the archives and manufacturers web sites. Think I've decided on gettin' the Remington 870 combo with 28" barrel and 20" slug barrel. Figured that way I would already have a slug barrel for shotgun only hunting areas and another home defense option. A pump gun being racked is pretty intimidating. What do you guys think?

Later,

Dave

 

[Black Majik]

You're definitely on the right track. Go for the 870 combo, you cannot go wrong with that choice.

Have fun, then shoot shoot shoot... or as we say, practice practice practice


Also take your time and read up on all of Dave's 101 threads. It gives great tips to shooting and learning more about your gun.

Have fun!

 

[Baba Louie]

A pump gun being racked is pretty intimidating.

Never having been in that kind of situation on either end of the spectrum, I'd say... reassuring, comforting.
Good choice. I think Davidsons has the combo set on sale or something right now for $360 or so. Add some money for your dealer, maybe $400 OTD. You might find a Mossberg at a Big 5 with the combo barrel set for $220 or so if you look hard enough...

 

[sm]

Seems the "shotgun bug" done bit another one - huh?

Pump combo is a good choice. One thing about learning on a pump is the "timing " and aquistion of targets. Similar to learning to drive with a standard transmission, learning to shoot with revolvers and bolt guns.

Learning basic fundamentals in all things will always be a benefit when one transitions to other tools.

As stated before - the Linked threads and Search function will answer a bunch of questions.

Feel free to ask anytime about anything.

 

[mete]

Take lessons ,they are well worth it. Your learning curve will be much shorter and you won't get bad habits.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Good choice, Renegade. A coupla things.....

Any compromise setup like these combos will not perform in a certain mission as well as a dedicated and specialized one. However, humans are adaptable. We can work with a non optimal shotgun/load/choke and make it do the job. Shotguns are generally pretty adaptable also. A decent repeater can work in duck blind, on hardwood ridge or for WWIV with but a few changes.

An 870 with two barrels, a couple of chokes and plenty of ammo is as versatile as a mechanic's toolboz.

For any facet of shotgunning the first step is basic proficiency. Learn your tool. Buy the lightest loads you can find. Using good form as outlined in the 101 threads, use them up while learning how to load, unload, make safe, make ready to fire, fire, etc, all in the safest manner.

Shoot it,get more ammo, keep going until it feels like a body part. Lessons from a good instructor will speed things up greatly.

HTH....