Newbie Shotgun Question

MississipVol · 01-10-2013, 14:31

Settled on a Remington 870 and considering which model I should get.

I would like a 12 gauge pump I could use for HD (under the bed gun), clay target shooting, and occasional bird hunting (dove mostly).

Could I get by with a 18 1/2 in barrel or do I really need to go with a longer barrel and maybe get a shorter barrrel (for HD) later?

I erally like the Remington 887 Nitro Mag Tactical or maybe even its cheaper cousin - the Remington 870 Synthetic 7-round.

I appreciate your thoughts! Thanks!

Aceman · 01-10-2013, 16:29

You really do need a second barrel. Birds and clays are just not gonna cut it very long at all with 18.5 cyclinder bore. A choke might help for a bit. But there are generally not a ton of 18" with chokes.

I have a Mossberg 535 with 22" and 28" barrels that would work for both. I use a 20" for indoor sports anyway.

Get the "combo" package. It really is the best deal. Not saying you can't, but it will grow old real fast. And it will likely cost you some birds.

Indoors - 18" cyclinder with a bead.

Outdoors - 28" with a vent rib.

**MrMurphy** · 01-10-2013, 18:17

Having shot clays and skeet with an 18".....get a two-barrel combo.

Usually found at Cabelas, Academy, Big Five, etc as a bargain deal.

The 18" is fine for indoor work and the 26 or 28" with chokes will handle anything else.

MississipVol · 01-10-2013, 18:19

so given the choice, would you get a 26 or 28" when you will primary use that barrel length for skeet and doves?

Aceman · 01-10-2013, 19:37

I'd go shorter, but that's my preference. I don't really care. I'd use whatever was on the cheaper gun!

Again - let me seriously pimp the Mossberg Field/Security combo. Or the more hunter-cool looking 535 (which I love).

Aceman · 01-10-2013, 19:43

The indoor gun really is that - an indoor gun. You can do anything with them, but honestly, they lose a lot of appeal fast as things get fartehr away, or are moving at speed/distance.

vafish · 01-10-2013, 19:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by MississipVol

so given the choice, would you get a 26 or 28" when you will primary use that barrel length for skeet and doves?

Either one would be fine.

The 26" will swing just a bit quicker on dove, the 28" will be a bit smoother on skeet. But it really isn't that much difference.

Ferdinandd · 01-11-2013, 20:29

A Mossberg 500 combo is a good choice for dual use. Or buy an 870 Express in field configuration, then buy a shorter barrel for HD. If you go with an 870, I have a Tac barrel 18" long/screw-in chokes that I'd like to sell.

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