I am looking at getting a shotgun for hunting birds (grouse, doves, ducks). Would I be better off with a 20 or 12 gauge? Also would there be an advantage in getting a O/U or side by side over a semi-auto? I want some thing cheap, so far Im looking at a CZ 720/712, Baikal IZH 27/43, Lanber, or a Bennelli Nova, Reminton 870. Can someone suggest which one would be best?
Shotgun for bird hunting
- Thread starter raj100
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Al Thompson
Moderator Emeritus
Little more info please. 
Budget? Game mainly hunted? Shooting sports?
Reason is, these things vary greatly by region or state. I.E., Browning shotguns are at premium prices here, Rem 870s not so much. In the northern states, Brownings are less expensive. Ducks (ASAIK) need three inch loads, doves here fall well to 7 1/2 skeet or trap loads.
Budget? Game mainly hunted? Shooting sports?
Reason is, these things vary greatly by region or state. I.E., Browning shotguns are at premium prices here, Rem 870s not so much. In the northern states, Brownings are less expensive. Ducks (ASAIK) need three inch loads, doves here fall well to 7 1/2 skeet or trap loads.
IF you intend to hunt ducks every season go with a 12ga. There is far more available duck legal 12ga ammo than there is 20ga stuff. All of it is expensive 20ga being more so than 12ga. Other than that a 20ga will work for the rest, will work for ducks in close too. Heck I have a shooting/hunting buddy who uses a .410 for ducks.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Sounds like you need a general purpose shotgun, capable of many missions. A good choice, though far from the only one, would be an 870 with a tube choke barrel. Mice to moose, civil unrest to all out war on evil little clay frisbees, it'll cover all the bases, though a more specialized tool may perform one mission better.
12 gauges have more choices in ammo, a big plus on a doitall.
A simple way to expertise.
Buy an 870.
Get it fitting you.
Buy lots of ammo.
Try to wear out the 870. Before the thing even polishes in, you'll be shooting better.
12 gauges have more choices in ammo, a big plus on a doitall.
A simple way to expertise.
Buy an 870.
Get it fitting you.
Buy lots of ammo.
Try to wear out the 870. Before the thing even polishes in, you'll be shooting better.
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For me, a shotgun requires two tubes. But, to do that right requires an investment that is likely to be larger than what you currently have in mind. Hard to go wrong with Daves advice RE: 870. It will do it all (but without the class of a "proper" gun ).
Shoot it until you are sure that you want something else. And do yourself a favor, don't ever shoot, or even look at, a high quality SxS. The disease has no known cure.
Scott
).Shoot it until you are sure that you want something else. And do yourself a favor, don't ever shoot, or even look at, a high quality SxS. The disease has no known cure.
Scott
Hawk
Member
It is especially insidious when a major factory has the temerity to name one after me. Not this year, maybe not next, but someday...
At least it's low rent compared to a lot of SXS's.
Nathanael_Greene
Member
Myself, I think it's hard to go wrong with a Remington 870.
I also prefer a 20-gauge to a 12, but I can't even tell you why. I just shoot a 20 a little better.
I also prefer a 20-gauge to a 12, but I can't even tell you why. I just shoot a 20 a little better.
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