new shotgun for duck hunting?

[Lurchdubious]

hey fellas, I'm about to go out & buy my first shotgun for some duck hunting. what guns do you recommend? i've been told I need 3" shells, & i'm looking for a good quality pump action shotgun in the $200-$300 range. thanks in advance!

[Krodad]

Benelli Nova or Winchester 1300 are both rotary bolt style pumps...I have them both and would never go with any other style of action.

Now, since it's a lifetime investment, don't go on vacation this year and get yourself a Benelli M2 Autoloader and you'll never need another shotgun.

[docopharm]

For the money, it's hard to beat the Remington 870...I haven't shot it myself, but I've heard good things about it. It's nothing real special, but it's probably the best you'll find for around $400. Money no object: Benelli is the way to go, but they ain't cheap. I use an older Belgium Browning Auto. I don't think I'd go to a pump now, I guess it's all in what you get used to though.

[G1Texas]

Look at these two: http://www.benelliusa.com/firearms/supernova.tpl
http://www.remington.com/products/fi...per_magnum.asp

[redneckpapa1996]

Benelli is an awesome gun if you got about 1500.00 to spend, go for it...

For the miser(like me) the mosseburg is a great gun and will shoot the 3" mag rounds and will only set you back about 300.00 or so....I`ve had mine for 7yrs. and have shot at least 1000 shells through it...It is a pump action and with the 3" magnum shell you better hang on....Good luck and happy hunting....

[Grizzlymudder]

for that kind of money, mossberg or remington 870. i'd go with the 870. i just bought the 870 combo at ****'s sporting goods. it comes with a smooothbore barrel for birds and a rifled slug barrel for deer. it's got a $30 rebate from remington too so final cost came to about $330. pretty good for a dual-duty shotgun.

[njtitan]

if your looking for a cheap pump....you can't beat these...

Mossberg 835 or earlier 500 series....these things are indestructible...

Browning BPS

Remington 870 or

Bennelli Nova


you will not be let down by any of these....

WalMart carries a full line of the Mossberg guns usually and sell them dirt cheap...so does ****'s

good luck

[Lurchdubious]

thanks for the replies guys. it's between the remington 870 express ($240 after rebate) and the benelli nova ($300). i just got back from seeing these guns & holding in person and the benelli just feels so much better to me. it's a little thicker and in my big hands that just fits better. pretty much everyone i've asked said to go 870, but i really do like the nova's feel better & from what i read on some bird forums, the nova has quite a following. i won't get to shoot either before buying, but right now it sounds like benelli's gonna get my money. i'm buying it on friday.

[redneckpapa1996]

Originally Posted by Lurchdubious

thanks for the replies guys. it's between the remington 870 express ($240 after rebate) and the benelli nova ($300). i just got back from seeing these guns & holding in person and the benelli just feels so much better to me. it's a little thicker and in my big hands that just fits better. pretty much everyone i've asked said to go 870, but i really do like the nova's feel better & from what i read on some bird forums, the nova has quite a following. i won't get to shoot either before buying, but right now it sounds like benelli's gonna get my money. i'm buying it on friday.

A Benelli for 300 bucks ???????? Better buy all of them !!!!!
Haven`t priced shotguns for a while, but never seen a Benelli for less than 5-600 bucks !!!!! I need to buy a benelli now !!!!

[BKW]

I'd check the pawn shops and gun stores in your area before buying a new in-expensive shotgun. I just bought a Remington Model 11, a clone to the Browning Auto 5 locally for $175.00. The gun is minty and was made in 1947, so the wood is of better quality than what passes for walnut today.

[Krodad]

The Benelli Nova has always been a relatively inexpensive pump. The only thing I wish they would change is the loose feeling forearm...it's not really loose in any way, but I don't love the feel of it. It's a Benelli, not a Stoeger or some off brand, and they won't put their name on anything that is inferior...it really is a great gun if you want a pump.

Now, for just a hair under $1000.00 the Benelli M2 is the finest auto, bar none. JMHO.

Also, don't forget to look at a Winchester 1300. I have a couple myself, and I think they are the smoothest pump around. It's a rotary bolt that locks up in the barrell extension, not in the receiver, so they can make the receiver with aluminum, making it lighter and rust proof. It is VERY simple, and absolutely rock solid with almost nothing to go wrong. Also, if you have big hands (and big fingers) they put the safety in front of the trigger rather than behind, and it makes it easy to access and very natural to use and move the finger to the trigger. Of course, the Mossbergs have the top safety, which for some, is the best place. The problem I have with the Mossbergs is that they are a relatively complicated action and I have had friends that have had problems in a freezing duck marsh 'cause they can tend to get a little gummy if they are not VERY clean and lubed with the right oil, though they are a proven design with lots of proponents for good reason.

You will get more aftermarket accessories with the Remington 870 than any other shotgun out there...aftermarket stocks, barrels, chokes, etc. seem to all be available for the Remingtons no matter what...Winchester not so much. Benelli is even less supported in the aftermarket.

Most important thing is how it feels to you.

[BKW]

I do believe the Winnie 1300's were foreign made...and because USRA is out of business...there won't be any more 1300's.

Browning is taking over some of the gun designs...(not the 1300 tho) but no Winchesters will ever be made in the US again.

Winchester is not out of business...US Repeating Arms is...they were licensed by Olin, the parent company of Winchester to make guns using the name.

They folded several months ago.

[Krodad]

See, that's what these forums are for.

I remember that about USRAC now...so, forget the Winchester as I'll bet parts and support are going to be a beeotch.

Although I still like my winchesters!

Is it safe to assume Mexico?

[BKW]

Originally Posted by Krodad

See, that's what these forums are for.Although I still like my winchesters! Is it safe to assume Mexico?

NO not Mehico....Belgium and by Miroku in Japan...all the new Winchester 1886's, 1895's, 21's etc are made there.

I like my Winnies, too.

[white_titan05]

i would go with the 870 just cause i got one and love it no problems shoot great but go with wat u want and like that is my choice because i can not aford a benelli haha 870 great gun i recomend it