What kind of shotgun should I buy for hunting and skeet shooting.?

Question

I am looking to buy a 12 gauge to hunt duck and shoot. I don't want to spend a lot. How long of a barrel do I need to skeet and hunt, can I buy a gun that holds more than 3 shells and still hunt, is the mossberg 590 good for both?

Answer 1

There are a lot of excellent 12ga out there.

Fit and comfort is the mots important factor.

I use a Charles Daly Field Hunter VR-MC semi-auto for water foul and skeet (practice for water foul)

I use an Ithaca 37 (pump) for dove and quail (skeet for practice)

For actual skeet and trap shooting I use a Charles Daly Model 206 Sporting AE-MC (over under) with the 28" barrel

As for an overall gun I would look at;

Remington 870 (pump)

Ithaca 37 (pump)

Charles Daly (Semi-auto)

My default grab and go get the ducks/dove/quail/whatever is my Ithaca 37.

If your a left handed shooter I would go with the Ithaca, they are bottom eject

As for capacity, I have been known to grab my Ithaca 37 trench gun (8+1) put a plug in the tube so it only holds 2+1 and go quail hunting with it.

Answer 2

i know in oklahoma, you can not use a shotgun capable of holding more than 3 shells while hunting migratory birds unless you use a plug. just something to remember if you pay for the extra capacity and you can't use it, it's kind of wasted money

Answer 3

Although my favorite shotgun is the Winchester 97, for versatility you really can't beat the Rem 870.  I can't speak on the Mossberg, never owned one.

Answer 4

You will never hear me recommend any shotgun other than a Mossberg (preferably 500). once again, you usually (?always?) aren't aloud to use a shotgun with more than three shell capacity to hunt anyway.

Answer 5

mossberg model 88 youth can purchase at walmart new for under 200.00 good for both skeet and hunting.you can purchase a gun that holds more than 3 but you have to plug it for hunting

Answer 6

Reminton 870 pump express. very popular model, reliable, exc for ducks and skeet, 28 inch barrel, 300bucks. you cant go wrong. Just look at how many of this gun was sold and what they have to say about it. good luck

Answer 7

The Mossberg 590 is a heavy duty Police / Miltary model not suited for hunting. Its a fine shotgun but wrong application. --------- The regular Mossberg 500 would be fine if your on a budget...

http://www.mossberg.com/products/default...

This model 500 # 50120 would be more suited for skeet / trap and duck hunting applications.....

http://www.mossberg.com/images/Mossberg_...

If you have a little bit bigger budget then consider the Mossberg 930 auto-loader... These hold 5 shells

http://www.mossberg.com/products/default...

This Model 930 is well suited for your application # 85110

http://www.mossberg.com/images/Mossberg_...

A 28 inch barrel would be perfect......

Answer 8

Benelli m2 MAx 4 camo Comfortech stock.

I not sure if anyone else makes a shotgun.

Seriously though..... 28 Inch is a good all around legnth.

Buy a  Benelli if you can aford it .

If you want a pump you have 2 choices rem 870  Less than $300  Rock solid and reliable or for another $100 you can get a benelli nova # inch shells or a super nova 3 1/2 inch shells.

If you want an auto and want to shoot alot save a buy a good one..

If you do buy a Benelli or any other gun follow the break in instructions it is very important for the proper function and future maint of gun.

Answer 9

i like and own a remington 870... one of the most reliable pump guns on the market.... they sell plugs to make it only hold 3 shells total

22" for skeet and ducks.. use high brass rounds for ducks, use the same or low brass for skeet....

Answer 10

Unfortunately an "ideal" shotgun for serious skeet shooting is very different from an "ideal" shotgun for duck hunting, so a gun to do both will be a compromise.  For skeet, one needs open chokes and fast handling, while for waterfowl tighter chokes and longer barrels are desirable. Interchangeable choke tubes are also needed for a dual purpose gun as more open chokes are desirable for skeet (where the shots are at about 21 yards) and tighter chokes more desirable for waterfowl where longer shots are the norm.  A 28" or 30" barrel is desirable.  

The Remington 870 pump shotgun is good for both informal skeet and for duck hunting, however for "serious" (competitive) skeet, the pump action is a handicap. An autoloader or Over/Under might be a better compromise.  Benelli (with 3" chambers) are excellent waterfowl guns, but very expensive and not designed for skeet.  Over/Unders, although excellent for skeet, limit one to 2 shots while hunting.

Waterfowl hunting guns may hold up to 3 shots in the chamber and magazine combined.

Although many like the Mossburg 590, which is economically priced, it is not seen at serious shotgun competitions.  It is a very durable functional shotgun, but does not have the "handling" quality of better guns.  You should go to a gun store with a selection of different brands  and handle various shotguns to find the one that mounts easily and seems "responsive".  Try it with both light clothes you would wear for skeet shooting and heavier clothing you woud wear for duck hunting.  Try mounting the gun with your eyes closed and then opening them to determine if the fit allows you to be looking down the barrel without conscious effort.  If it doesn't, keep looking.

Answer 11

I too own the remington 870 and it is a great firearm, however, my dad has a mossberg 500 and its also a great firearm. So if you on a budget get the mossberg