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gun buying advice? Please advise

dbmstr124dbmstr124 Member Posts: 4 ✭✭
edited December 2007 in Ask the Experts
I am in the military and moved to Goose Creek, SC from Strasburg, CO. I grew up hunting and we used rifles to hunt big game and I used a Remington 870 express for everything else. I moved here and people use a shotgun for everyting, even a 20 GA for deer. The deer are much smaller around here, but still....I'm not used to it. I have been looking at buying another shotgun because I sold my guns and wanted some advice.
I loved my old shotgun but I have looked at the Benelli Nova, and Supernova lately and like that quite a bit as well. I'm not sure if the gun is worth the extra money over the Remington. I will hunt bore, duck, deer and whatever else they have out here. I am wondering what a good steal of a deal on each gun would be and if the Remington would still be the better buy. I appreciate all your help, and great forum by the way...Thank you in advance.

Comments

  • CubsloverCubslover Member Posts: 18,601 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    IMHO the Remington 870's are very hard to beat. Their actions are MUCH smoother than the Nova's. Right now Remington is running a $30 rebate on all guns.

    An 870 Combo in 12ga would be perfect. Rifled barrel for boar, deer, etc. and the vent rib for everything else.

    Plus the Remmy's Finish will stand up to the elements much better.
    Half of the lives they tell about me aren't true.
  • dbmstr124dbmstr124 Member Posts: 4 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    the rifled boar causes the slug to spin right? The vented boar is what? Thank you? Sorry if I sound dumb
  • CubsloverCubslover Member Posts: 18,601 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by dbmstr124
    the rifled boar causes the slug to spin right? The vented boar is what? Thank you? Sorry if I sound dumb


    No problem. The Rifled bore (aka slug barrel) is used with Saboted slugs, some slugs are still lead, others are copper, and others are alloys. The Sabot is a plastic "sleeve" that the bullet sits in. When the shell is fired, the sabot carrying the bullet engages the rifling. Spinning along with the bullet. When it exits the barrel, the sabot breaks away and the bullet carries on to the target. Some of these shotguns can acheive excellent accuracy (1" groups at 100yds, while 1.5-2" groups are the normal).

    The vent rib barrel is a smooth bore that is used in conjunction with screw in choke tubes. It fires your standard shotshell. A plastic wad that acts the same as the Sabot for a slug. It is filled with shot (many different sizes of shot, weights, and the shot can be found made of numerous different metals), and when fired it carries the shot out of the barrel. The wad quickly decellerates and the shot carries on towards its target. Different types and sizes of shot are used with the different choke tubes to produce the right patterns of shot for individual purposes.

    The slugs are useful for big/dangerous game (deer, bear, boar, moose, elk, etc), while the shot is use for upland game(quail, pheasant, rabbit, squirrel), varmints, and waterfowl(duck, geese, etc). Different shot sizes and materials are useful for different purposes.

    You can also use the shotgun as a VERY productive defense weapon. Firing buckshot, which range from 1/5" pellets to almost 1/2" at high velocities.
    Half of the lives they tell about me aren't true.
  • dbmstr124dbmstr124 Member Posts: 4 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Thank you very much for all your help. I will look into another Remington 870 express and go for the Camo so it looks tough lol...thanks again.
  • savage170savage170 Member Posts: 37,572 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    another vote for 870
  • midnightrunpaintballermidnightrunpaintballer Member Posts: 2,233 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    +1 for the 870
  • v35v35 Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    A vented bore is a recoil reduction modification produced by drilling a number of holes in a shotgun barrel's sides. It is called porting after the company, Magnaport and is in effect a muzzle brake.
  • jamesjojamesjo Member Posts: 2,242 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have always preferred the wingmaster to the express, but no matter which model you go with it' always pretty hard to beat an 870
  • Wolf.Wolf. Member Posts: 2,223 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    --
    Remington 870, Remington 870, Remington 870.....

    "The truth shall set you free!" [:)]
  • 1KYDSTR1KYDSTR Member Posts: 2,361 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    This will clinch it...pick up one at a time both of these guns by the butt stock and barrelwith each hand. Now, one then the other, shake vigorously. The Nova sounds (handles/looks/swings) like a box of rocks. The Remington WILL NOT sound like that guaranteed, Wingmaster OR Express. My favorite pet demo in the store!
  • charliemeyer007charliemeyer007 Member Posts: 6,572 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Wow its 870 handsdown. Pick up an mag extentcion/brace/sling for it before the ban comes back. The 8 round one works well with 20 in. tube. A pistol grip is nice. I like the non shiney bead blasted finish on my express. Oh and thank you for your service to our country.
  • SCOUT5SCOUT5 Member Posts: 16,181 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    E-mail on the way.

    Scout
  • HandgunHTR52HandgunHTR52 Member Posts: 2,735
    edited November -1
    dbmstr124 - I was a game warden on the Weapons Station while I was stationed there. If you plan to hunt deer and pigs on the Weapons Station, I would suggest getting an inline muzzleloader. Muzzleloaders and shotguns are the only weapons legal to hunt with on the Weapons Station. If you talk to the guys out there, most of them use a muzzleloader because of the extra accuracy over a shotgun. Talk to Curt Porter (one of the Game Wardens) and he can help you out. Tell him that Mike Broas told you to talk to him for his expertise. Unless you plan on hunting with the dog running crowd (which is legal there BTW), you really don't need a shotgun.
    If you plan on hunting ducks, then be prepared to fight the gators for your kills. [:0] It really isn't an option unless you have a boat. The only reason that you may need a shotgun hunting on the Weapons Station is if you plan on hunting doves and then the 870 will work just fine.
    If you plan on hunting anywhere besides the Weapons Station, then you can use a rifle, it just isn't necessary. The muzzleloader will work just fine. I hunted there for 4 years and only pulled out my shotgun for doves. If you want more information, feel free to e-mail me.
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