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Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Shotguns

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animalwithin
.275 member


Reged: 31/01/20
Posts: 71
Loc: California, United States
First shotgun recommendations
      #372996 - 10/01/23 07:56 AM

Hi everyone,

I have my first turkey hunt scheduled in April and I currently do not have a shotgun.

I'd like to purchase one that I can use for not only turkeys but also other upland game and waterfowl in the future.

I'd like to keep things under $1000 and I live in the extremely gun-friendly state of California so please keep that in mind.

Any recommendations?

-Sam


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DarylS
.700 member


Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26414
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: First shotgun recommendations [Re: animalwithin]
      #372999 - 10/01/23 10:06 AM

At that price point, Mossy 500 or 835(mine).
The "almost fancy" Mossy M835 comes with a vent-rib 28" bl. with chokes, and a 24" rifled barrel with open sights.
Mine came with steel chokes and standard as well.
The rifled barrel does well with standard full sized slugs. I see you are in a no-lead zone - that's unfortunate.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


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85lc
.375 member


Reged: 19/01/18
Posts: 889
Loc: Georgia, USA
Re: First shotgun recommendations [Re: DarylS]
      #373002 - 10/01/23 01:14 PM

Daryl, good recommendations.

While most of my friends use 12 ga guns for geese & ducks and light 20 ga guns for upland birds, I started using my goose gun for upland birds using light 2 3/4" shells and found it worked very well.

I am used to non-lead shot for waterfowl but didn't know that there is say small shot for quail ir doves. Are those shells readily available in California?

--------------------
RB


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DarylS
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Re: First shotgun recommendations [Re: 85lc]
      #373003 - 10/01/23 04:06 PM

Pretty sure their are either small bismuth or at least #6 in steel/iron.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


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animalwithin
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Reged: 31/01/20
Posts: 71
Loc: California, United States
Re: First shotgun recommendations [Re: DarylS]
      #373029 - 11/01/23 04:09 PM

Thank you both for the replies! I'm eyeing the Moss 835 Ulti-Mag after your suggestions which gives me a good range of shotshells to choose from for different game.

I THINK I should be able to find lead free shells here in different sizes but I have to do some research before I can say for certain.


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NitroXAdministrator
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Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39063
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
Re: First shotgun recommendations [Re: animalwithin]
      #373030 - 11/01/23 05:22 PM

Quote:

Thank you both for the replies! I'm eyeing the Moss 835 Ulti-Mag after your suggestions which gives me a good range of shotshells to choose from for different game.

I THINK I should be able to find lead free shells here in different sizes but I have to do some research before I can say for certain.




Can't help with your question, but good luck with your turkey hunt and future shotgunning. A shotgun is a must in every hunters and shooters gunrack.



--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"


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animalwithin
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Reged: 31/01/20
Posts: 71
Loc: California, United States
Re: First shotgun recommendations [Re: NitroX]
      #373084 - 13/01/23 04:56 AM

Thank you NitroX!

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DarylS
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Reged: 10/08/05
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Re: First shotgun recommendations [Re: animalwithin]
      #373092 - 13/01/23 06:45 AM

Did I mention the 835 has a 3 1/2" chamber for heavier steel, bismuth and tungsten loads.
The 24" (hog/bear rifle) rifled barrel also has a 3 12" chamber, but shoots well with a variety of ammo.
I guess the Saboted .50 cal. Barnes bullet would be legal in your State.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


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animalwithin
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Reged: 31/01/20
Posts: 71
Loc: California, United States
Re: First shotgun recommendations [Re: DarylS]
      #373098 - 13/01/23 08:04 AM

Quote:

Did I mention the 835 has a 3 1/2" chamber for heavier steel, bismuth and tungsten loads.
The 24" (hog/bear rifle) rifled barrel also has a 3 12" chamber, but shoots well with a variety of ammo.
I guess the Saboted .50 cal. Barnes bullet would be legal in your State.




I know the 835 Ulti-Mag can accommodate up to 3 1/2" shells. I'm pretty sure I can find steel loads in the different diameters.


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DarylS
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Reged: 10/08/05
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Re: First shotgun recommendations [Re: animalwithin]
      #373099 - 13/01/23 08:24 AM

Seems to me, steel, tungsten and bismuth are available in 2 3/4" and longer cases, in smaller shot sizes.
I think I would be inclined, for migratory birds, to use tungsten shot.
I have heard good things about Federal Black Cloud steel shot
however bismuth shot from Hevi-metal is about the same price, as black cloud steel, seems to me. The heavier pellet weight is a good thing.

https://www.rogerssportinggoods.com/hevi...waterfowl-loads

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


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animalwithin
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Reged: 31/01/20
Posts: 71
Loc: California, United States
Re: First shotgun recommendations [Re: DarylS]
      #373113 - 13/01/23 04:56 PM

Thank you Daryl!! This is all very helpful and is making the prep for this hunt much easier. Still have much to learn about shotguns and the corresponding ammo though.

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DarylS
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Reged: 10/08/05
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Re: First shotgun recommendations [Re: animalwithin]
      #373122 - 14/01/23 05:39 AM

The main problem with steel(iron) shot, is that it is very light in comparison to the same sizes in lead. That is why there are huge shot sizes in steel, larger than lead sizes, which, except for buck shot sizes, stopped at BB shot.
Now there are T and F and other large sizes in steel shot. Larger, means heavier, but also fewer pellets in a load due to the volume being restricted.
Heavy shot and Bismuth are better in that regard and have shot charges(weight) closer to the normal ducking and turkey load sizes.
Tungsten shot is even heavier than lead, thus even smaller (thus more of them) than normal lead shot can be used & still give the killing power.
I have seen in print that #7 tungsten shot is equal to 5's and 6's in lead which are/were used by many for ducks, myself included. I liked 5's for pass shooting and 6's as well as 7 1/2's for shooting over decs. The fine shot was great for close shooting as it penned the heads and necks, but not the breast meat.
I've not hunted turkey, but in steel, I think a mix of steel 2's and 4's might be good for heads and necks. Finer yet, in Tungten, I think.
Some companies sell "turkey" loads.
The 835 will handle them all.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

Edited by DarylS (15/01/23 02:19 PM)


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lancaster
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Re: First shotgun recommendations [Re: DarylS]
      #373135 - 15/01/23 06:06 AM

a second hand Browning Auto five?
its never wrong

--------------------
Norwegian hunter misses moose, shoots man on toilet
.
bringing civilisation to the barbarians


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bwanabobftw
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Reged: 29/12/04
Posts: 662
Loc: Texas
Re: First shotgun recommendations [Re: lancaster]
      #373236 - 17/01/23 10:27 PM

You might look for a Remington 870, around here they sell for well a under a $1000.
Good luck on your turkey hunt !!!!!!!!!


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NitroXAdministrator
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Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39063
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
Re: First shotgun recommendations [Re: bwanabobftw]
      #373240 - 18/01/23 12:35 AM

Just use lead. Ffff the govt!

"Screw'm! Screw'm all! Screw the gov'm'nt!”
Philip Anthony Hopkins - Col. William Ludlow





https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=THP1wlGT2fA


--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"


Edited by NitroX (18/01/23 12:46 AM)


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