One shotgun to rule them all

[Mosin77]

So I’m not really a shotgun guy. I have a Sears model 20 12g, (high standard pump,) a Stevens 311a 16g, a Winchester 97 riot gun, and a Maverick 88 12g pump. Also an antique double or two. I picked these up because the price was right but I don’t shoot them much. If I were to get one nicer shotgun for whatever a shotgun can do in 2024 (ok let’s exempt combat… I’m not ponying up for a Benelli M4) -I’m specifically thinking recreational clays but a model that gives nothing up for potential hunting even if it means the scores are lower— what would I choose? I see a lot of gorgeous 1100s for not much coin but there has to be a reason they’re less popular, right?

Not necessarily looking to sell my existing guns but, for example, I know the Stevens was historically a great waterfowling gun, but nowadays that’s a no-go because it’s not designed for steel shot. It’s not in anyone’s list of good clay or wing shooting guns either. The Maverick and Winchester are not great for clays or hunting because they have ~18” cylinder-bored barrels. That leaves me the (also not great for steel) High Standard, which, again, is a lot better than no gun, but is chiefly commended for its low cost and old world craftsmanship.

So what (realistic, attainable) shotgun should I add to the list?

 

[Chevelle SS]

I'd just get a vent rib 28" barrel for your Maverick. I think the Maverick is the "king" of the budget new production shotguns. They just work.

 

[Barnfixer]

If all my shotguns got burned up or stolen or something and I could have one to fill the void. I’d probably get a 20ga browning cxs with 28” or 30” barrels. That just me though.

 

[entropy]

The only reason you see cheap 1100s in your area is they are probably not prized there. The main reason Joe Schmoe doesn't prize the 1100 is because it requires regular maintenance.

Either buy a 28" Mod (or choke tube) barrel of your Maverick, (standard Mossberg 500 barrels fit the Mavericks) or a used 1100 and learn how to take care of it. They will last a long time with proper care.

 

[sparkyv]

...beat me to it!

I'd just get a vent rib 28" barrel for your Maverick. I think the Maverick is the "king" of the budget new production shotguns. They just work.

Either buy a 28" Mod (or choke tube) barrel of your Maverick, (standard Mossberg 500 barrels fit the Mavericks) or

 

[Scooter22]

Spend 150 bucks or less for a barrel for your Maverick. Cheap, plain shotgun that works. The Clays guys may snicker and point at it until you beat them. Then they will just be PO'd. Thats the best part.

 

[Howland937]

Around here, you can't touch an 1100 of any kind for less than $700 unless it's an absolute dog. 1100 LT20? A grand or more with one barrel- $1500-ish for a pristine one with vent rib. Extra barrels are about 3 bills.

Are you wanting a nice shotgun, a good shotgun, or a good shotgun that's nice?

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

So I’m not really a shotgun guy. I have a Sears model 20 12g, (high standard pump,) a Stevens 311a 16g, a Winchester 97 riot gun, and a Maverick 88 12g pump. Also an antique double or two. I picked these up because the price was right but I don’t shoot them much. If I were to get one nicer shotgun for whatever a shotgun can do in 2024 (ok let’s exempt combat… I’m not ponying up for a Benelli M4) -I’m specifically thinking recreational clays but a model that gives nothing up for potential hunting even if it means the scores are lower— what would I choose? I see a lot of gorgeous 1100s for not much coin but there has to be a reason they’re less popular, right?

Not necessarily looking to sell my existing guns but, for example, I know the Stevens was historically a great waterfowling gun, but nowadays that’s a no-go because it’s not designed for steel shot. It’s not in anyone’s list of good clay or wing shooting guns either. The Maverick and Winchester are not great for clays or hunting because they have ~18” cylinder-bored barrels. That leaves me the (also not great for steel) High Standard, which, again, is a lot better than no gun, but is chiefly commended for its low cost and old world craftsmanship.

So what (realistic, attainable) shotgun should I add to the list?

I have a Remington 870 12ga with a 23in fully rifled barrel and a cantilever mount with a Leopold Red Dot, and then I picked up a Carlsons 18.5in remchoke barrel with a Mod choke for buckshot and birdshot. Its an older early 2000s model and works pretty well.

 

[luv2safari]

So I’m not really a shotgun guy. I have a Sears model 20 12g, (high standard pump,) a Stevens 311a 16g, a Winchester 97 riot gun, and a Maverick 88 12g pump. Also an antique double or two. I picked these up because the price was right but I don’t shoot them much. If I were to get one nicer shotgun for whatever a shotgun can do in 2024 (ok let’s exempt combat… I’m not ponying up for a Benelli M4) -I’m specifically thinking recreational clays but a model that gives nothing up for potential hunting even if it means the scores are lower— what would I choose? I see a lot of gorgeous 1100s for not much coin but there has to be a reason they’re less popular, right?

Not necessarily looking to sell my existing guns but, for example, I know the Stevens was historically a great waterfowling gun, but nowadays that’s a no-go because it’s not designed for steel shot. It’s not in anyone’s list of good clay or wing shooting guns either. The Maverick and Winchester are not great for clays or hunting because they have ~18” cylinder-bored barrels. That leaves me the (also not great for steel) High Standard, which, again, is a lot better than no gun, but is chiefly commended for its low cost and old world craftsmanship.

So what (realistic, attainable) shotgun should I add to the list?

Often overlooked is the Winchester Super-X Mdl 1 autoloader. It was beautifully made.

 

[Justin]

Get a Benelli M2 or M4.
If you're looking for clay games and hunting, go with a semi-auto Beretta.

That's basically it. When it comes to SA shotguns, there's Benelli, Beretta, and everyone else.

If you get an 1100, be sure to stock up on o-rings.

 

[Mannlicher]

I bought this Mossberg 20GA Cruiser for a defense shotgun. Quickly realized the pistol grip was not going to work for me. Picked up a stock and then a vent rib barrel with choke tubes. Now I can set it up for whatever I need to do.

 

[Savage30L]

I did all of my shotgunning for 20 years with a Browning BPS. I bought it new in 1978. Ducks, doves, squirrels, deer, skeet, you name it.

Browning has changed the stock fit on the newer models and it isn't the gun it once was. But if you can find an older one in good shape, you'll probably love it.

 

[W.E.G.]

If you want to shoot competition clays, YOU MUST get a gun that is FITTED to you. Shotgun is not a game where you can just "get a good one" and go at it, and expect success.

Most claybird games seem to be centered around two-shooters. If you're shooting two-shooter shotgun games, get fitted for a good two shooter.

 

[FL-NC]

Mossberg 930. with whatever chokes and barrels required for your purposes.

 

[eastbank]

i know a shooter who uses a 1100 trap 12ga and he shoots 2-3 hundred rounds on most weekends thru the trap-sporting clays season here with no problems, he takes the forend off along with the barrel and the rings-o ring. speys the mag tube with cleaner, wipes it off with a rough cloth ,assembles it . the times i have shot with him i have not seen a malfunction with that 1100. i know thats not a lot of shells to some here , but it proves to me that its quite reliable and the time to do that cleaning didn,t take 15 minutes.

 

[jmr40]

On a repeater I want a 26" or shorter barrel. At 26" you have about the same overall length and balance of a 30" barreled double. I have never cared for 28" on a pump or semi-auto. Not a lot of 24" options, but that puts me at about the same length as a 28" double and I find that to be the best all-around length.

There is nothing wrong with an 1100. They are old technology, but still work for most people. They aren't very versatile, and most won't handle 3" shells. The handful that will handle 3" shells won't reliably shoot light loads.

Most newer guns will shoot any 3" or shorter shell reliably. That is the biggest disadvantage to the 1100.

I've owned and shot a lot of different shotguns, but the Benelli M1, M2 is the one I'd pick to do everything. The M1 is the older version, the M2's changes were mostly cosmetic with a more modern stock. I have 2 of the older M1's, a 24" and a 26" gun. They are rugged, reliable, light and do everything I need to do. New you're looking at $1300ish.

There are other decent options at half that price, but only with 28" barrels. It's worth the money to me to get the shorter barrels.

If I could live with a 28" barrel this is probably the most shotgun for the money at under $1000.

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/beretta-a300-ultima-semi-auto-shotgun

 

[Mosin77]

How about the Auto 5? Are they worth considering?

I had no idea the Maverick could take aftermarket barrels. I just assumed I was stuck with the “riot” configuration. Cool!

 

[entropy]

The new ones or an older original one? Either way kinda spendy. Remington (Model 11) and Savage/Stevens ( Models 720, 745, and 755A) can be found for less.

 

[Mosin77]

Older ones. There’s a store locally that has around a dozen auto 5s in stock in various configurations. They’re pretty but I don’t know that I’d really be moving forward compared to what I have.,

 

[cfullgraf]

Alot depends on what your plans are. Competition guns have different requirements from casual clay games to bird hunting to SD purposes.

Various uses will overlap other uses.

Currently, I shoot skeet with an over/under but for critter gun around our horse farm I use mostly a pump gun (Rem 870 or a Mossberg .410 500)). I might use a semi-auto.

I've done a little bird hunting over the decades but when I did go bird hunting, I used an over/under. But, a pump or semi-auto or even a side by side would work fine.

Regardless of your use, you need to be with the second **** capability of your shot gun. It sucks to be shooting a pump gun and expect to shoot a second round without shucking the action.

 

[Bill460]

You're going to get 1,000 different answers from 1,000 different people. That's a bit like asking what color Corvette should I buy? Or what kind of digital camera should I get? Your best bet would by to visit several different gun shops, and look over as many different models as you can.

I don't know where you're located, but if it's near any of the big box stores like Sportsmans Warehouse, Bass Pro, or Scheels, that would be a good place to start, as they have very large inventories. But with that said, there are many mom and pop gun shops that have a pretty decent inventory as well. It all depends on your location. Buy what you like, and what feels good in your hand... Not what someone else recommends.

 

[entropy]

If you mean fits well, that makes sense. Merely "feels good in the hand" can be a deceitful criteria. I would advise going to somewhere known for having knowledgeable staff, and that is exceedingly rare at big box stores. .

Anyone can learn to shoot any shotgun somewhat proficiently by fitting themselves to the gun, but the cost will be in time and shells doing so. The better the shooter, the shorter the learning curve.

I see far too many people buy a Stoeger Condor because it "felt good" shouldering in the store only to get it to the range and have a case of CHS.
(Can't Hit Stuff)

I also see parents buying that same gun for a kid for Trap without having them even shoulder it, because they hear " You gotta get them an O/U!" from some well meaning friend. But it isn't necessarily just the cheap guns, expensive guns can have the same effect (CHS) if they don't fit. I had a somewhat costly mistake with this myself. Bought a Sauer SxS 16 ga. , one of those guns that I'd always wanted, thinking it would be an ideal pheasant gun. Had it fit me and the way
I shoot, it would have been. The sharp recoil from the 5 1/2 # joy to carry didn't even bother me, but when I took it out hunting I missed 4 pheasants. I went back to the car and got my Model 12, and hit every bird the rest of the day. My son got a nice shotgun he can hit with out of it.

So, sure go shoulder many different shotguns. If you can, bring a knowledgeable friend whom you trust to steer you right, or go to a shop known for knowledgeable staff.

 

[Mosin77]

If you mean fits well, that makes sense. Merely "feels good in the hand" can be a deceitful criteria. I would advise going to somewhere known for having knowledgeable staff, and that is exceedingly rare at big box stores. .

Anyone can learn to shoot any shotgun somewhat proficiently by fitting themselves to the gun, but the cost will be in time and shells doing so. The better the shooter, the shorter the learning curve.

I see far too many people buy a Stoeger Condor because it "felt good" shouldering in the store only to get it to the range and have a case of CHS.
(Can't Hit Stuff)

I also see parents buying that same gun for a kid for Trap without having them even shoulder it, because they hear " You gotta get them an O/U!" from some well meaning friend. But it isn't necessarily just the cheap guns, expensive guns can have the same effect (CHS) if they don't fit. I had a somewhat costly mistake with this myself. Bought a Sauer SxS 16 ga. , one of those guns that I'd always wanted, thinking it would be an ideal pheasant gun. Had it fit me and the way
I shoot, it would have been. The sharp recoil from the 5 1/2 # joy to carry didn't even bother me, but when I took it out hunting I missed 4 pheasants. I went back to the car and got my Model 12, and hit every bird the rest of the day. My son got a nice shotgun he can hit with out of it.

So, sure go shoulder many different shotguns. If you can, bring a knowledgeable friend whom you trust to steer you right, or go to a shop known for knowledgeable staff.

This is great practical advice, thank you! I am an ok rifle and pistol shot but don’t have great luck with shotguns. Maybe this is due to inexperience but maybe it’s also due to guns that don’t fit me as well as they could.

 

[Barnfixer]

If you mean fits well, that makes sense. Merely "feels good in the hand" can be a deceitful criteria. I would advise going to somewhere known for having knowledgeable staff, and that is exceedingly rare at big box stores. .

Anyone can learn to shoot any shotgun somewhat proficiently by fitting themselves to the gun, but the cost will be in time and shells doing so. The better the shooter, the shorter the learning curve.

I see far too many people buy a Stoeger Condor because it "felt good" shouldering in the store only to get it to the range and have a case of CHS.
(Can't Hit Stuff)

I also see parents buying that same gun for a kid for Trap without having them even shoulder it, because they hear " You gotta get them an O/U!" from some well meaning friend. But it isn't necessarily just the cheap guns, expensive guns can have the same effect (CHS) if they don't fit. I had a somewhat costly mistake with this myself. Bought a Sauer SxS 16 ga. , one of those guns that I'd always wanted, thinking it would be an ideal pheasant gun. Had it fit me and the way
I shoot, it would have been. The sharp recoil from the 5 1/2 # joy to carry didn't even bother me, but when I took it out hunting I missed 4 pheasants. I went back to the car and got my Model 12, and hit every bird the rest of the day. My son got a nice shotgun he can hit with out of it.

So, sure go shoulder many different shotguns. If you can, bring a knowledgeable friend whom you trust to steer you right, or go to a shop known for knowledgeable staff.

So true! About 40 years ago I picked up a new 870 trap I thought fit well at the gun shop. The plan was to start trap shooting. It didn’t fit when it came to shooting trap and as a result I didn’t start shooting trap until many years later. There were many other reasons for the delay other than gun fit but poor results didn’t help. The silver lining was when I sold it for triple what I paid a couple years ago.

 

[PapaG]

My personal choice, after 49 years of use including trap (weekly), hunting (deer, pheasant, duck and ‘yote, plus configured for h. d. Is my 1975 or equivalent TB Wingmaster. Couple hundred K rounds and still has several original parts.
I have stocks, 30”, 28”, 26”, and 21” barrels in everything from full choke to rifled.