Just one shotgun?

[bdancer]

Here's the deal--I don't own a shotgun, but I've got the opportunity to start hunting birds. At the same time, I'd like to have a shotgun that I can use for home defense. Is it reasonable to hope to be able to buy just one shotgun and be able to use it for both purposes? How inaccurate are 18 in. barrel shotguns when used for hunting? Are there ways to keep the shot dispersion down? I'm thinking 12ga Remington 870; perhaps this one or this one. Or are the two purposes just too different to be properly served by just one weapon? Thanks for the help!

[BUCKMARK]

Your on the right track.

The 870 would make a great choice for both hunting and defense.

I would go with a bargain priced 870 Express synthetic stock with a 26" or 28" REMCHOKE barrel. The use of choke tubes will help you with all phases of hunting from doves to turkey.

Use this gun for hunting and H.D. until you decide to buy the 18" H.D. barrel for the gun. I would add a Trijicon bead sight for night use.

Leave the H.D. barrel on the gun year-round until the night before hunting trips, then take the 30 seconds to convert it back to a field gun.

[BUCKMARK]

and no... barrel length has little to do with velocity or pattern size. Longer barrels tend to swing easier and smoother making them the top choice for serious clay shooters.

I like 30" or 32" barrels on my clay guns...but a 18" tube would pattern rather well at the same distances.

[Mr_Anderson]

I would do the same. one gun two barrels

[markheck1]

The shorter sight picture on the shorter barrel makes it harder to swing for birds, at least that's what I think! My 835 is kinda short, makes it hard to shoot birds with...well...little ones anyway. Either that or it's just me, never really tried another gun.

[bdancer]

Originally Posted by BUCKMARK

I would go with a bargain priced 870 Express synthetic stock with a 26" or 28" REMCHOKE barrel. The use of choke tubes will help you with all phases of hunting from doves to turkey.

Use this gun for hunting and H.D. until you decide to buy the 18" H.D. barrel for the gun. I would add a Trijicon bead sight for night use.

Leave the H.D. barrel on the gun year-round until the night before hunting trips, then take the 30 seconds to convert it back to a field gun.

Heh, didn't know you could do that. That simplifies matters. Do all shotguns allow barrel changes like that? And just to be clear, you're talking about this gun, right? Would there be a significant benefit to getting the magnum version so I can stick bigger cartridges in there?

As for choke tubes, they're interchangeable, right? What's so special about the RemChoke barrel?

Thanks for the advice; it's a real help.

[scoutjoe]

Rem 870s, Mossberg 500s both can "barrel swap" pretty easy just like that

as for the Remchoke, I was under the impression that Remington chokes were different from say Mossberg chokes...which are different from Benelli, etc...

and if I messed that up, somebody will be along shortly to help ya out

[Brick]

Bear in mind that here in PA, your hunting implement must be a "manually operated or semi-automatic shotgun with a capacity of not more than 3 shell in chamber and magazine combined." So if you want you can choose something like the Browning "Gold" semi-auto, just plug the magazine to proper capacity when hunting. A variety of barrels are available.

[FUNDAMENTALS]

If you do purchase a shotgun and have more than 1 barrel, i believe it would
not hurt you to look into someone who shoots "Trap" or "Sporting Clays".
I can think of no better way to learn How to Shoot and Learn how your
Shotgun Functions, wether it be Semi-Auto or Slide Action. They are great
sports within themselves and great teachers.

[phillyd2]

Agree. 870. Nothing wrong with the Express and synthetic stock. 18" for HD and 28" for Clays or Hunting. Only down side is that some snobs may look down on you like they usually do to me on the line but hitting the birds should be your reply. If you get into it more seriously you can always buy a fancier shooter for looks later on.