New Shotgun

[jlmcendree]

OK....so waterfowl hunting has pretty much came to a halt here.....other than snow goose hunting.....and it is time that I start looking into a new waterfowl gun. I would like to get a pump, and I would also like a camo covering such as max 4. I am a true believer in the Remington 870, mostly because I have shot that gun a lot, and I tend to be more accurate with it than most others I have shot. I went to Bass Pro, and they tried to sell me the Binelli pump (not sure of the model). I didn't like the looks of it, but they swore it was a duck killin machine. What other brands have you shot that you would reccomend? Also, would you go with a 28" or 30" barrel? Would you go ahead and get the 3.5" chamber, or will the 3" be good enough? I will use the same gun for ducks & geese, and maybe even pheasant on days that I plan on hitting the ducks in the morning, and pheasant later in the day.

[rigthis]

I understand your love of the old 870. I shot one for years myself, and have friends who swear by them. So did I for that matter.

When it was time to get a new gun a few years ago, I wanted a pump as well, but my Philosophy was (and still is) to never pay very much for a gun that I fully intend to abuse. My shot gun is likely to get used as darn near every thing from a walking stick to a paddle when I'm not shooting it.

Any way, I got a Binelli Nova, which is chambered in 3 1/2". I've shot every thing from pheasants in North Central Kansas, to Geese and ducks in East Texas and Louisiana and found it extremely accurate. Which is suprising considering it's ME shooting!!

The Nova's composite stock looks a bit strange, but I'm extremely satisfied. I believe they make a camo version for a few dollars more. It breaks down to about 4 pieces to clean, when I do clean it that is... and doesn't kick too much. I like it being chambered for 3 1/2" for those speckle belly hunts we make in our family's Gueydan rice fields. It'll take 2 3/4" or 3" just fine as well.

I'd stay away from Mossberg, my experience: they kick like a mule.

[tashaz33]

I have always shot the Rem 870 also and it's a great gun! My brother bought a Benelli Nova this past summer and I got to use it numerous times. It was a great gun. The stock is a little weird, but it is a great gun to use! Especially being able to shoot the 3 1/2 shells, which can come in handy where I'm at.
I myself am looking to purchase the Nova, but keep the 870 also. Can't have too many guns :)
Let us know what you end up doing!

[pbrdog]

I've got a Rem 870, a Mossberg 500, and a Stoeger Condor O/U. As far as recoil go, the Stoeger is the least recoil. The Rem and Mossberg are the same. There's no recoil to even worry about. The Mossberg comes in a Crown series, which has the vent rib with 3 chokes and a slug barrel with rifled sights. Price is under $250 usually if you look around.

[lildikens]

if u do not mind spending 1400 or so then get a Bennelli chambered in 3 1/2 with a 28 " barrel
The 30 " is a bit much to carry and swing for upland. Also make sure the gun is set up to take steel shot.
If money is an issue then check out the Charles Daly chambered in 3 1/2 or the russian Bakil made for Remington.in 3 1/2 .
I would go with the 3 1/2 for water fowl as it really lets you reach out and touch some geese :)

[martydavis]

I recently picked up a Winchester 1300 pump all decked out in camoflauge from Gunbroker.com for a nice price. It isn't chambered for 3 1/2", but I've heard tell quite a few of the 3" loads are every bit as good as a 3 1/2" load. My Winchester 1300 has a 28" vent rib barrel and came with three chokes - IC, Mod & Full. It supplements my Mossberg 500 pump that I use and abuse for pheasants. And the "speed pump" system - wow! what a smooth pump action it has!

[jlmcendree]

My shot gun is likely to get used as darn near every thing from a walking stick to a paddle when I'm not shooting it.

That is some funny stuff Rigthis, but isn't it true, especially when waterfowling. I was going to mention that in my opening thread....the fact that I don't plan on spending too much on a gun that will see some abuse, however, using it as a paddle maybe going a little further than I intend, but the point is well taken, and I agree totally. You know, after reading your replies, I have been looking at the Nova on the internet, and I am very interested in it. I have read some reviews, and have seen all positive, except for the pump action being a little loose, and maybe a little noisy. Nonetheless, I think the Nova needs to be put into a definate possibility for my new waterfowl gun quest. I plan on making a decision in about a month, and will pass on any info. that I may find out in the mean time.

Thanks for your input........It is so nice to have this site to visit, and get good advice from people that may know a lot, but are not "know it alls".

[rigthis]

Good luck on your new gun.

hal

[Lucky Dog]

If you like the 870, shoot it well, and like the price, I think you know the answer. You will not go wrong with a 870.

If still considering the Nova, look into where you can get the thing fixed, if it breaks. That is what tilted me away from Benelli. Nobody in my area was an approved smith for them. Every body has parts and can fix the Remingtons.

Personally, I'm not a 3 1/2" fan. so I went with the 3" chamber in my guns.

Enjoy whatever you buy.

[Gun Dogger]

I have shot 870's for years. I still shoot a Wingmaster. I changed the barrel out with a Express to get the matted barrel with wears a lot tougher. It is chambered for threee inch rounds and does all I need it too.
~ Buck

[Clint]

Welcome to the site Gun Dogger!

As far as shotguns go, I own: an 870 - 20 guage (H.S. graduation gift), an 870 - 12 guage, 3" w/ slug barrell (30th birthday gift) and a Mossberg 500 - 12 guage (I bought in the 80's when I was a student with very low on funds). Pretty simple shotguns in my house.

Between the three it's all I've ever needed. I'm so used to pump shotguns that when I used my friends Benelli semi-auto in a pinch one day, I kept trying to pump the dang thing out of habit... lol :confused::)

[bird dog]

the benelli nova is a realy good gun i have the same one is good for all types of wing hooting but i just won th extrema and defiently prefer that

[Canned Heat]

My hunting buddies have Benellis and love them. I have an old Winchester Model 12 and a couple different Remingtons. My favorite though is a Browning BPS Mossy Oak Shadow Grass pump that I got last year.
I'm so used to pumps that when deer hunting rolls around, I endup "pumping" my semi auto or my bolt action. There are tons of nice shotguns out there... if you have the money.

[jlmcendree]

What to do? What to do? I still like how the 870's feel, from the butt, to the comb......it just feels right. However, every gun shop I go into, I get the same answer....."get the Nova". Right now, I will stick with my sportsman 48, Remington model 1100 that my great grandfather gave to me. I just hate beating that gun up while waterfowling.