Slug question

[bigcim]

I have a beretta 12g 391 urika smoothbore. I will be hunting an area for deer next year that is shotgun only.
Heres my dilemma I'm trying to decide to spend the money on another barrel for the beretta ($300+) or buy a mossberg 500 field/deer combo for $250. If I did decide to get the mossberg I need help on whether you guys would get a 12g or 20g. The area I'm going to hunt is also lead free. With the price of replacement barrels it make the decision hard, new barrel or new gun.

 

[mgkdrgn]

Personally, I'd go for the Mossie combo and stick the other $50 into ammo.

With the two barrel deal, your basically getting two guns for less than the price of just a barrel for the Baretta ... and now you have a spare gun.

20g would be enough for deer ... but you might as well stick with 12g. Since the Baretta is a 12g, you only have to stock one type of ammo. Makes the bulk purchases easier.

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

+1 for the mossberg. I own a 500A for home defense and absolutely love it!

 

[earlthegoat2]

I own a Mossberg as well but I also own a Beretta. I have slug barrels and field barrels for both as well. In my opinion I would splurge for the barrel for the Beretta. I bet Im not far off when I think that you would prefer the Beretta over the Mossberg.

One thing to consider though is if you plan on doing a lot of deer hunting with shotguns. I live in MI in a permanent shotgun zone so paying the big bucks for quality in the first place is a sound investment since Im going to be using it for a long time.

About 20ga: It is perfectly OK for deer sized game and it is actually preferred by me over the 12ga in almost all hunting scenarios.

 

[bigcim]

I never shot a mossberg so I wouldn't know if I prefer it.
I know I'm need to justify the purchase to the Mrs. When I told her my options she thought the value was in a new gun. Any more suggestions

 

[earlthegoat2]

Since resale value might be a factor I bet the Beretta Barrel would hold more value longer than the entire Mossberg outfit but you would be able to off the Mossberg easier.

 

[bigcim]

I guess your right about the resale value. I only own one 12g and a 20g youth model in the same urika platform.

 

[Borch]

You don't necessarily have to stick to the Mossberg to be below the 300 dollar mark. I bought an H&R Ultra Slug Hunter 2 years ago and I love it. Mine was 250 brand new but I've seen them as low as 175 used. If you are not familiar, it's a single shot break action 12 ga. with a 24 inch rifled heavy barrel and it comes with a factory mounted and bore sighted scope. They come in several different models, deluxe, compact, ultra light, etc.. I bought the standard and I love it. With 3 inch mag .50 caliber sabots I can put 3 to 5 slugs in a 1 to 1.5 inch group from 100 yds standing and I've put slugs in the 10 ring from as far as 225 yards on the bench.

I live in the shotgun only area of MN and I've hunted with several different shotguns in my life but my H&R is far and away my favorite.

 

[Rmart30]

Id definently buy another gun before I paid that for a barrel.
You arent held to a Mossberg either, although there isnt a thing wrong with them.
I have seen 2 rifled barrel 1300 winchesters sale in the last month, one used in great condition,looked new, receiver factory drilled and tapped, syn stocks, $150.
The other a NIB with tru glow sights,drilled and tapped receiver,wood stocks, $200.

There was a 870 combo last week online for $250

 

[earlthegoat2]

I can also attest to the HR Ultra Slug Hunter. My dad has one in 20ga and there is no finer slug shooting platform. Single shot though, but I dont think that matters. I prefer the looks and feel of the laminated stock option.

 

[bigcim]

I have a H+R 12g smooth bore kicks like a mule and I like the idea of having a quick follow up shot if needed
Here in southern california I dont run into a lot of used slug guns or new ones come to think about it

 

[earlthegoat2]

the Ultra Slug Hunter weighs a ton and hardly kicks at all. Plus 20 ga is pleasant more still.

 

[mickman]

sorry, am totally biased to remington 870's. had a 20 gauge cantilever and could hit a 10" square steel swing target at 225 yards 4 out of 5 times consistently. 20's recoil less and have plenty of oomph for deer out to 150 yards. (yes, i've killed them that far with a 20)

 

[Borch]

My H&R slug gun kicks less than any other slug gun I've ever fired. The barrel is heavy as hell.

 

[delta duck force]

I agree with going with a gun that is designed for slugs only. If you try to put a slug barrel on a gun that is designed to shoot birds. I dont think youll be as happy as you could be. I splurged last month on a new Hastings open field ultra slug 3 1/2" magnum 20 ga. No thats not a typo its a 3 1/2" 20 ga. slug gun. The Hastings 3 1/2" slugs are only $11 a box and its a fricken tack driver out to about 125 yds touching holes, even at 180 I shoot a 3" group from a bench. The gun is an H&R that hastings remachines the barrel for to accept the magnum loads. I paid the extra money and got the laminated thumb-hole stock (which they dont offer in the 20 gauge, I had the gun shop owner swap it off of a 12 gauge) with the sling and Nikon 2-7x scope I have about $650 into it but the standard walnut version was about $369 If I remember right, which is $100 more than the regular 3" 20 gauge. What ever caliber you decide on get a gun thats made to shoot slugs, dont cop out and put a slug barrel on a gun thats designed to shoot birds. If nothing else most shotgun only zones allow muzzleloaders which shoot very well also. Im a bowhunter 1st and a slug hunter 2nd and if you think you have to shoot 200 yds to kill a deer you shouldnt be hunting. even a bad hunter can get within 50 yds of a whitetail.

 

[bigcim]

delta do you have a pic of your rig

 

[bigcim]

I think I'm leaning to the extra 12g. Theres always a buddy who you want to take hunting and doesn't have a shotgun. Does anyone here have experience with a slug barrel on a beretta semi, do you prefer it to a pump gun

 

[bigcim]

What ever I decide on better do it soon