What shot gun to buy

[DRBetz]

Hey All,

 

My wife and I have gone with my family shooting clays a few times and she really enjoys it.  We are not shooting anything specific, just hand throwing clays and shooting at them.  We have gone enough now and she has expressed enough interest that I want to buy a shot gun, instead of constantly borrowing one from my uncle.  She prefers shooting a 20 gauge over the 12, so I am looking for some advice on what to get.  Ideally I would like something that I could also use hunting and to spend less than $300.  I have seen advertisements for 20 gauge Mossberg 500 with interchangeable barrels in that price range and read good things about them and contemplating going that route, after of course going to make sure the gun would fit her well.  Does anyone do any hunting with a 20 ga Mossberg, and if so what type?  Currently I am only hunting deer and small game, but am interested in trying out duck hunting, and maybe bear as well.  I realize there isn't a perfect gun for all game, but I hope to at least find one that can be used for both her shooting clays and me shooting deer.  Thanks for any suggestions.  

[Tarhunt]

It may not be in your price range but, check out the Ruger Red Label 20 ga. Over/Under. I purchased one many years ago and I love it but, they are pricey.

[Haskell_Hunter]

I own that Mossberg 500 with the pair of barrels and couldn't be happier with the gun.  It's great for a shooter with a smaller frame and priced right.  I got one for my daughter, and we both shoot it.  The scope on the rifled barrel is worth the money alone, it's not the greatest, but of all the "comes with scope guns", it's pretty darn good for the money.

 

The barrels are easy to swap. There is a screw cap at the end of the magazine underneath the barrel.  Unscrew that and swap the barrels out.  Takes less than 5 minutes.

 

IMHO, great gun and well worth the price.  I am very happy with mine.

[MeatEater]

I have the Mossberg with the cantilever barrel. As Haskell mentioned, they are very easy to swap and the scope stays attached to the barrel.

 

Been using it for years with only minor adjustments to the scope.

[Rusty]

We have several Remington 870s in both 12 and 20, they are great all around guns. 

[Bucksnbows]

I'm one that prefers Remington 870s to Mossberg 500s, but to each his/her own.  I did buy a two barrel Mossberg youth 20 gauge for my daughter because the price was right.  Of the animals you listed, only pass shooting ducks is a bit light for the 20 gauge.  But shooting ducks coming in to decoys that 20 will be OK.  With a sabot slug, it is great for deer or bear.  She should be happy with either brand or others.  Sounds like you don't want to spend the coin for a semi auto, but if you change your mind on price, then a 12 ga. will not be tough on her shoulder with the semi auto and she can shoot anything in NJ well with it.  Weight can be an issue, however.   

[DRBetz]

Thanks for all the replies, I just applied for my FID and will be taking my wife out to see what fits her best between the Remington and the Mossberg in the meantime.  I would be interested in buying a semiauto 12 but at the moment I just don't think it is in the cards.  She has shot both bolt and a break action double barrel 12 ga, and can handle them alright but I would rather not spend out quite that much money at the moment. 

[Rusty]

Here's 2 of our 870s busting some birds.  My daughter is shooting a 20 and I have a 12.  

 

[BowhunterNJ]

I don't think you can wrong with either! Once you have your FID, go to a local shop and feel them at the counter. Shoulder them over and over, see what feels best and gives you the most consistent sight picture repeatedly and go with it. Operationally I think both are proven dependable and great for the pricepoint!

[MZW]

Another reasonably priced pump that gets overlooked a lot is the benelli nova.i own 870's and I'd take my Nova anyday.

[bigwuhead]

I would take your wife to handle some of the guns in person.  I made the mistake of buying what I thought would be a good gun, a mossberg 835 so that I could bear and deer hunt with it and I absolutely hated shooting it.  I wasn't comfortable handling it because i'm on the short girl side and it just wasn't made for girls with shorter arms.  I've since had the chance to try shooting and handling different models and see the benefit of checking out as many as possible before making a purchase, especially for your wife.  You want her to be as comfortable as possible with the gun, with holding it, handling it and shooting it.  Otherwise she won't enjoy it.  You may want to take the ride to Cabelas as they have a decent selection of guns to handle or Dicks.  Good luck.

[not on the rug]

Either the 500 or the 870 is a fine choice. Handle them both and see what they feel like.

 

There is a good deal on over in the clasifieds on nj hunter on a 20g mossberg combo. He's a hell of a good guy too.

Edited January 16, 2016 by not on the rug

[Axiom]

or Dicks.

 

 

[DRBetz]

I am going to try to bring her to the planned get together in Clinton and see what she likes the best. It sounds like it should be a good opportunity for her to have some opinions. Thanks for all the advice.

[Rusty]

I am going to try to bring her to the planned get together in Clinton and see what she likes the best. It sounds like it should be a good opportunity for her to have some opinions. Thanks for all the advice.

 

 

Good plan.  I'll have 870s in 20 and 12 that she can shoot.