DanTheFarmer
Member
Good Evening All,
I'm thinking of getting into the world of shotguns. I borrowed a Remington 1100 for the spring turkey hunt but I didn't see a thing (heard plenty around me and I watch them walk through my blueberry bushes most evening now) so I didn't fire a shot. I'm considering getting my own shotgun for the Fall turkey season.
I've handled several brands in a local, big, gun store and I think I like the layout of a Mossberg 500 best. I know it is one of the classic "starter" or "value leader" type of shotguns and my finances dictate nothing too fancy.
My intended use is turkey with birdshot, and later deer hunting with slugs. My town allows rifles for deer but several of the neighboring towns are shotgun only. Ranges will be short (50 yards is highly likely).
Several questions:
I'm leaning toward 20 gauge for the lesser recoil but if there is a good reason for 12 I'm persuadable. So, 20 or 12 gauge?
I'm leaning toward the Mossy 500 but is there another choice I should be considering?
Cabela's is running a special for a Mossy 500 with a walnut stock vs. the more common "walnut stained hardwood". What kind of stock do you recommend, walnut, "walnut stained hardwood", or synthetic? Is the "walnut stained hardwood" o.k. or is it cheesy?
I want to be sure I understand slugs. Mossberg sells rifled slug barrels. If that is the way to go then I use sabote slugs, correct? The Foster or Brenneke slugs are for smooth barreled slug barrels, correct?
Thanks for any and all input.
Dan
I'm thinking of getting into the world of shotguns. I borrowed a Remington 1100 for the spring turkey hunt but I didn't see a thing (heard plenty around me and I watch them walk through my blueberry bushes most evening now) so I didn't fire a shot. I'm considering getting my own shotgun for the Fall turkey season.
I've handled several brands in a local, big, gun store and I think I like the layout of a Mossberg 500 best. I know it is one of the classic "starter" or "value leader" type of shotguns and my finances dictate nothing too fancy.
My intended use is turkey with birdshot, and later deer hunting with slugs. My town allows rifles for deer but several of the neighboring towns are shotgun only. Ranges will be short (50 yards is highly likely).
Several questions:
I'm leaning toward 20 gauge for the lesser recoil but if there is a good reason for 12 I'm persuadable. So, 20 or 12 gauge?
I'm leaning toward the Mossy 500 but is there another choice I should be considering?
Cabela's is running a special for a Mossy 500 with a walnut stock vs. the more common "walnut stained hardwood". What kind of stock do you recommend, walnut, "walnut stained hardwood", or synthetic? Is the "walnut stained hardwood" o.k. or is it cheesy?
I want to be sure I understand slugs. Mossberg sells rifled slug barrels. If that is the way to go then I use sabote slugs, correct? The Foster or Brenneke slugs are for smooth barreled slug barrels, correct?
Thanks for any and all input.
Dan