Best all-round small game shotgun

This is a slightly larger group than just birds. It also includes ducks/geese and rabbits. I wouldn't include squirrels as I don't consider hunting squirrels with a scattergun a sport.

What would be your choice it you could only own one shogun?

BEAR

If I only had one it would be my 20 ga Wingmaster

God,Mother,Country,and Hot Rods. Done with political crap.LOL

I'm with Deaddog,

Except mines a SBE in hardwoods camo. I've got an extra rifled slug barrel for it, and plan on gett'n a shorty for grouse. Spot

I'd probably have to say a Remington 870. The things are everywhere, well proven, and accessories out the whazoo. Make mine a 12 gauge with Rem-Choke. That's what I got.

Paritur pax bello - Peace is obtained by war.

I'm not much into shotguns. Only have one. A Winchester 1300 youth model 20 gauge, 3 chokes, 3" chamber, 20" barrel. Wanted to get something for a truck gun and I liked the short stock and barrel. Figured it might come in handy for close up yotes, rattlers, and crows. Never used it as much as I hoped I would.

Now one of our friends sons wants to do some clay pigeon shooting so it might just get out of the closet once in a while. Got a whole box of clays that's been sitting around waiting to be shot. Time to put em to use.

Somebody better call the Secret Service. Let 'em know there's an illegal alien in the White House...and it ain't the cook!!

Have an old Mossburg pump in 20ga 3" youth model. great little garage sale find. have to hunker up on it but has killed a few grouse and bunnies.

Fella's;

I'll take my 20, regardless of some other opinions. As tens of thousands of hunters know, it's entirely possible to take waterfowl with a 20 gauge.

As for which 20 gauge, probably my Browning BPS.

900F

Birth certificate!? He don't need no steenkink birth certificate!!

Remington model 1100 was voted BEST semi-auto of the last 50 years of the last century.......Just for them that doesn't know the facts OK.

However, one gun that hunts em all and no problems ever, I would go with a 20 gauge in a Remington or Winchester pump (3 inch shells) gun and leave those high flying geese or ducks to my Browning Gold, while sitting in the blind, as it is really to heavy to be walking through fields or flooded wooded water looking for ducks.

Thank A Vet For Your Freedom!

All;
Even with the lead free reg's , a 3" 20 ga will take any NA bird at a reasonable range and all the rest at the ranges people shoot at , disregard the 75 yd duck and goose shooters , they are dreaming, not shooting!
Even the much maligned .410 is capable of very decent results , within a reasonable range.
Useing a 6 ga ++ magnum to kill a 2lb or less bird at 50 yds or less is just killing , not sporting.

Don

It's pretty hard to beat the 870's, or even the Mossbergs for just plain using guns, although there are a lot of more expensive ones on the market.

My wife has nice little Franchi 20 guage, but mine is an old Fox Sterlingworth side x side, 12 guage. In fact I have two of them. One I got by trading a stock rack for after a guy had blown one of the barrels out about 16 inchs up from the breech.

I always thought I could find a set of barrels for it. After about 15 years, I started to look for a smith to rebarrel it. Minimum price was $2K. So two years and a lot of frustration later I did it myself, I did have a smith ream it out for skeet and improved. Ended up that set of barels fit my other one, so now I have a side x side stocked perfectly to fit me, barrels for quail and dove, and barrels for pheasants.

Bear, the 1st one I was given to me by my aunt after my uncle passed away. He had bought two back in the 40's with consecutive serial numbers. They both hunted and killed a lot of rabbits and pheasants with them in SW PA. The stock was in bad shape, but the barrels were like mirrors inside. I always liked doubles. My father hunted with an Ithica double and I thought I was always doing some thing special when he let me take it out. I about croaked when my aunt said she sold the other one for $75, and then the guy never paid her.

This might be all fluff to some , but there is lot to be said for tradition, and carrying round a nice firearm that has some history to it.

Edited by saddlesore

Saddlesore
If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Best all-round small game shotgun Posted: 22 July 2004 at 11:31
	This is a slightly larger group than just birds. It also includes ducks/geese and rabbits. I wouldn't include squirrels as I don't consider hunting squirrels with a scattergun a sport. What would be your choice it you could only own one shogun? BEAR

Ranch 13 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .375 Holland & Holland Magnum Joined: 02 June 2004 Location: Guernsey Status: Offline Points: 657	Post Options Post Reply Quote Ranch 13 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 July 2004 at 11:52
	I'm pretty satisfied with my 20 with the 3 inch chambers.
	The most expensive bullet there is isn't worth a plug nickel if it don't go where its supposed to.

Tikkabuck Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator Robert E. Lee IV Joined: 10 June 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 8740	Post Options Post Reply Quote Tikkabuck Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 July 2004 at 12:54
	If I only had one it would be my 20 ga Wingmaster
	God,Mother,Country,and Hot Rods. Done with political crap.LOL

deaddog Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator AKA The Flying Gun Joined: 23 April 2004 Location: Svalbard Status: Offline Points: 991201	Post Options Post Reply Quote deaddog Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 July 2004 at 14:12
	Bennelli M1 Super 90, I can shoot a light 1oz trap load followed by a 3" Hevi-shot with never a jam. 7 shot tube I have been able to have five empty hulls in the air before the first empty hits the ground. Switch barrels and go slug hunting. Wonderful trigger pull for an auto shotgun. Not as pretty as my second choice an over under but much more useful. DD

Spot shooter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Left BSB in Disgrace Banned Joined: 19 June 2003 Location: Bahrain Status: Offline Points: 0	Post Options Post Reply Quote Spot shooter Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 July 2004 at 15:12
	I'm with Deaddog, Except mines a SBE in hardwoods camo. I've got an extra rifled slug barrel for it, and plan on gett'n a shorty for grouse. Spot

Moose6 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby AKA The Knoxville NASCAR Nut Joined: 25 July 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2191	Post Options Post Reply Quote Moose6 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 July 2004 at 01:02
	Remington 1100 12 ga.
	Y'all shoot straight!!! Moose - Knoxville, TN

The_Mountaineer Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby West BY-GOD Virginian! Joined: 02 July 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 2653	Post Options Post Reply Quote The_Mountaineer Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 July 2004 at 02:18
	I'd probably have to say a Remington 870. The things are everywhere, well proven, and accessories out the whazoo. Make mine a 12 gauge with Rem-Choke. That's what I got.
	Paritur pax bello - Peace is obtained by war.

Guests Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Guest	Post Options Post Reply Quote Guests Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26 July 2004 at 12:18
	Not to much variation! I have settled on my 20 ga 3 inch lightweight Rem 870. Got a couple in 12 guage, trap skeet,turkey guns; but the 20 is pretty good alround for me. Carries easy and has choke tubes. BEAR

Gunrunner Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Forest Grump Joined: 05 July 2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1970	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gunrunner Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 03 August 2004 at 17:15
	I'm not much into shotguns. Only have one. A Winchester 1300 youth model 20 gauge, 3 chokes, 3" chamber, 20" barrel. Wanted to get something for a truck gun and I liked the short stock and barrel. Figured it might come in handy for close up yotes, rattlers, and crows. Never used it as much as I hoped I would. Now one of our friends sons wants to do some clay pigeon shooting so it might just get out of the closet once in a while. Got a whole box of clays that's been sitting around waiting to be shot. Time to put em to use.
	Somebody better call the Secret Service. Let 'em know there's an illegal alien in the White House...and it ain't the cook!!

Kingpin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby aka Old IronSides Joined: 01 July 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 11716	Post Options Post Reply Quote Kingpin Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 August 2004 at 03:18
	All good answers. I like the Benelli, but, as we all know, I have a very soft spot for Remingtons. I own and shoot 870's and 1100's. The 870 is about the friendliest shotgun that there is, due to how many of them there are, and parts availability. All my Remingtons have a lot of shot put through them, and aside from minor maintenance repairs, all run as reliable today as they were when I first brought them home. Benellis are good guns too. About the only Winchester I own is a Model 12, but, I have drawn a bead on a '97 that I hope to bring home soon. I also shoot a WW Greener double, that I really like. It was made long before I was born, but it is truly a joy to carry all day. There are a lot of great shotguns on the market, but sadly, there are a lot more junky ones too. About the only thing I can say about shotguns is, shoot it as much as you can, get good with it, and you will never be disappointed with it, no matter what kind you have.......................Kingpin
	There are times when a normal man must, spit in his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.

soggyshooter Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .375 Holland & Holland Magnum Joined: 11 June 2003 Location: Antigua And Barbuda Status: Offline Points: 886	Post Options Post Reply Quote soggyshooter Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 August 2004 at 09:24
	Have an old Mossburg pump in 20ga 3" youth model. great little garage sale find. have to hunker up on it but has killed a few grouse and bunnies.

2Bits Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .243 Winchester Joined: 10 August 2004 Status: Offline Points: 186	Post Options Post Reply Quote 2Bits Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 September 2004 at 05:12
	Since somebody threw in DUCKS & GEESE your pitting a long range and heavy load type gun which elimininates a 20 gauge or 16 gauge right away folks. I will go with the Browning Gold in 3.5 inch 12 gauge for the geese, and load down with 3 inchers for duck and pheasant. Then use 2&3/4 inch for the quail, rabbits and squirrels. Incidentely more than 90% of all squirrels taken in the woods are with a shotgun! It is far to dangerous to be using a rimfire or centerfire rifle....OK. Edited by 2Bits
	Thank A Vet For Your Freedom!

CB900F Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator Honor, Integrity Joined: 10 June 2003 Location: Eritrea Status: Offline Points: 8857	Post Options Post Reply Quote CB900F Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 16 September 2004 at 13:46
	Fella's; I'll take my 20, regardless of some other opinions. As tens of thousands of hunters know, it's entirely possible to take waterfowl with a 20 gauge. As for which 20 gauge, probably my Browning BPS. 900F
	Birth certificate!? He don't need no steenkink birth certificate!!

d4570 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Joined: 27 January 2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 9961	Post Options Post Reply Quote d4570 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 September 2004 at 03:20
	I've got a Stevens DBL 20 that I truly love I've had it for 47 years, I got it at a local drug store (Western Drug) for $25.00 new. I haven't a clew how many shells and things I've shot with it ( a lot!!!!!!!). When the kids were small and just starting to hunt I cut off an 1 1/2 off the stock for them. I saved the peace thinking I'd put it back on later, but I found out that it was an 1 1/2 to long for years! It shoots like a new gun!! Any way my vote goes to my Stevens!! The BEST!!!
	Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box

2Bits Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .243 Winchester Joined: 10 August 2004 Status: Offline Points: 186	Post Options Post Reply Quote 2Bits Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 September 2004 at 04:40
	Remington model 1100 was voted BEST semi-auto of the last 50 years of the last century.......Just for them that doesn't know the facts OK. However, one gun that hunts em all and no problems ever, I would go with a 20 gauge in a Remington or Winchester pump (3 inch shells) gun and leave those high flying geese or ducks to my Browning Gold, while sitting in the blind, as it is really to heavy to be walking through fields or flooded wooded water looking for ducks.
	Thank A Vet For Your Freedom!

Peterb Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .223 Remington Joined: 08 October 2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 50	Post Options Post Reply Quote Peterb Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 October 2004 at 12:10
	My go to gun is a Browning Superposed 20 Ga in 3". It is my main gun for 30 years and I have never needed more. Put one to your shoulder and you simply MUST go home with it.

drinksgin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .243 Winchester Joined: 17 October 2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 218	Post Options Post Reply Quote drinksgin Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 20 October 2004 at 16:43
	All; Even with the lead free reg's , a 3" 20 ga will take any NA bird at a reasonable range and all the rest at the ranges people shoot at , disregard the 75 yd duck and goose shooters , they are dreaming, not shooting! Even the much maligned .410 is capable of very decent results , within a reasonable range. Useing a 6 ga ++ magnum to kill a 2lb or less bird at 50 yds or less is just killing , not sporting.
	Don

BIG LOST Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .22 LongRifle Joined: 28 August 2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 48	Post Options Post Reply Quote BIG LOST Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 27 February 2005 at 13:48
	not counting sandhills,swans,geese and passshooting ducks,,,I'll go 20ga.,otherwise 12ga.,,,,,,,,,,,,sorry beloved 28ga.!!! Edited by BIG LOST
	"....I LONG TO BE WHERE THERE IS NO LAW FOR THE BRAVE,....AND NO ASYLUMS FOR THE CRAZY.......AND I NEVER TAKE NO FROM A MAN WITHOUT THE AUTHORITY TO SAY YES........BUT I NEVER ASK ANYWAY......

saddlesore Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List .416 Rigby Joined: 16 June 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1345	Post Options Post Reply Quote saddlesore Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 March 2005 at 11:20
	It's pretty hard to beat the 870's, or even the Mossbergs for just plain using guns, although there are a lot of more expensive ones on the market. My wife has nice little Franchi 20 guage, but mine is an old Fox Sterlingworth side x side, 12 guage. In fact I have two of them. One I got by trading a stock rack for after a guy had blown one of the barrels out about 16 inchs up from the breech. I always thought I could find a set of barrels for it. After about 15 years, I started to look for a smith to rebarrel it. Minimum price was $2K. So two years and a lot of frustration later I did it myself, I did have a smith ream it out for skeet and improved. Ended up that set of barels fit my other one, so now I have a side x side stocked perfectly to fit me, barrels for quail and dove, and barrels for pheasants. Bear, the 1st one I was given to me by my aunt after my uncle passed away. He had bought two back in the 40's with consecutive serial numbers. They both hunted and killed a lot of rabbits and pheasants with them in SW PA. The stock was in bad shape, but the barrels were like mirrors inside. I always liked doubles. My father hunted with an Ithica double and I thought I was always doing some thing special when he let me take it out. I about croaked when my aunt said she sold the other one for $75, and then the guy never paid her. This might be all fluff to some , but there is lot to be said for tradition, and carrying round a nice firearm that has some history to it. Edited by saddlesore
	Saddlesore If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles

Wing master Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Administrator AKA StraightShooter Joined: 10 June 2003 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 8029	Post Options Post Reply Quote Wing master Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 March 2005 at 15:50
	Ill have to go along with the guys that said 870 Remington. Make mine a Wingmaster. That being said I got an SKB over/under a while back and havn't shot another shotgun since. Hmm, I hope I dont have to change my handle. Wing master
	I have always considered myself to be quite the bullshitter, But ocasionally it is nice to sit back and listen to a true professional......So, Carry on.