Looking to start hunting

[Frazier995]

I have just moved to Minnesota in the past year and am really interested in hunting. I would like to purchase an inexpensive shotgun that would be good for a beginner but am not for sure what to look for or really what I am looking at. To start with I would like to just do some small game hunting but would like to eventually like to move onto bigger and better things. I would appriciate any and all advise that could be given.

[hanson]

Frazier-

How old are you #1?

Unless you are fairly young, I'd recommend a Remington 870 Express in 12 gauge. If you still have some growing to do, maybe go with the 20 gauge. The Express is a heck of a good & reliable gun, just as comfortable in the duck blind as it is in the deer woods shooting slugs. Its very reasonably priced also.

I shoot a Remington Wingmaster 12 gauge. Its essentially the same gun, just a little higher end and more polished on the fit & finish. I've had it 12 years now and is still as good as the day I bought it.

You'll get other opinions I'm sure but you can't go wrong with an Remington Express in my opinion for a starter gun.

[Frazier995]

I am 25. Is there any certain advantage to one gun over the other? What am I supposed to be looking for?

[chucker34]

I would agree the 870 is a great gun. It's a workhorse and according to many people, one of the best most reliable shotguns ever made. Perhaps because its so simple. Just started hunting a few years ago myself and the 870 is easy to shoot and take apart and clean and perform maintenance on. I have a friend who has more than a dozen shotguns and rifles, many "fancy" over $1,000, and he looked at his 870 one time and said "I could shoot the heck out of that thing, let it sit for a couple of years, and nothing would happen to it. I could just start shooting it again with no problem." I wouldn't advice that but the gun is a workhorse.

I bought the slug gun combo with the rifled slug barrell. Not that much more and I think it has improved my accuracy when shooting slugs.

[Froggy4371]

With a 870 combo you can not go wrong!! I own 2 of them just so I do not have to change the barrels for deer hunting. I have about 20 guns just because I can have them but I mainly hunt with my 870 super mag. I hunt ducks, geese, and deer with it and shoot trap with it. Great gun!

Froggy

[Powerstroke]

I have to agree that "bang for the buck" (take that any way you want) the Remington 870 Express is a quality gun for just about any use. I would get a 12 gauge with 26" barrel. I would skip the deer combo unless you know you're gonna hunt deer in the next couple years. No need to tack on extra expense right out of the gate.

If you're 25 then it stands a good chance that you were born in 1980. If you were born in '79 than you got lucky like me. Otherwise, if you were born after 1/1/1980 than you will be required to take a firearms safety course for some licenses. I can't get the DNR HSOforum right now so I don't know which licenses it is required for. Either way its a good thing to take if you're new to hunting.

[chucker34]

Mossberg also makes some nice basic shotguns. I think they sometimes get an unjustly placed bad rap and I prefer the 870, but it doesn't hurt to check out a few different guns at the store before buying one. If you can, go to a gun shop or place like Cabelas with a gun department versus a Wal-mart or the like. You can talk things over with people who just know guns.

[ddsbyday]

I really enjoyed reading the responses to your post. I have been shooting my 870 express for 15 years. I have never had a single problem. I have the flat finish. I hunt ducks out of a boat. I deer hunt with slugs, no special barrel. You can hunt grouse with it but I like my 20 gauge because of weight if you are walking a great distance. My 870 express has outlasted tvs, vcrs, and a bunch of other junk I spent a lot more money for. I wouldn't even be afraid to buy a used one if the barrel is clean and the action smooth. Happpy hunting!