I keep getting involved in subjects like this, and I've gotten a couple E mails in the last month inquiring about, "What is the best shotgun for _____?".
So, these things are fun to kick around so here's my picks. This is ignoring finances,BTW.
Kindly remember, I'm old, cantankerous and set in my ways....
SERIOUS shotguns for HD, "Tactical", and WIHTF:
A properly set up 870, due to reliability and effectiveness.This doubles nicely for buck/slugs for deer.
Slug guns for deer:
While that 870 is a great choice, if money were no object, I'd probably go with a bolt action, full rifled bbl with a twist suitable from Brenneke/Forster slugs rather than sabots, and a low power scope, like the Leopold 1X4.
Waterfowl:
Unless a 10 ga really took my fancy(unlikely), I'd stick with an 870 with a 3" chamber here. 3 1/2" shells don't pattern that well, and the guides I know on the Eastern Shore haven't been busting down the gun shop doors buying them.
Upland hunting:
This splits up here. Most upland game can be handled well with an oz of shot, and is shot inside 35 yards, oft well inside. Since this will be carried a lot, and I'm old and feeble, we're talking about a shotgun weighing less than 7 lbs, using the above load, but capable of handling 1 1/4 oz for pheasants and with tubes from Cyl to IM for varying conditions. And make it a SXS with a straight grip stock. Or make it two, a light 16 ga for that load with 26' bbls and another 12 ga, choked around LM/IM with longer bbls for a smoother swing.
Turkey hunting and turkey shoots:
This is as special purpose a shotgun as anything else can be. Mine will be another 870, with cone and choke work. Second choice, a Winchester 37 SS, same bbl mods.
Clay Games:
Here's where it gets kinda complicated. Each game has its criteria that preclude one gun set up one way, being a good choice for all. A common thread, due to the number of shots fired in the course of a day, an auto would be the best choice. The Berreta 390-391 series has lots of fans, but since I prefer keeping all my guns US made, I might have to choose the 11-87, and live with the fact that the others last longer.
Some constants....
All the stocks have to fit me, all the triggers have to go off safely around 3-3 1/2 lbs,and they all have to be quite reliable. Tempermental shotguns are egregious...
There's plenty of OPINIONS here, and we can discuss them to our heart's content, enjoy....
So, these things are fun to kick around so here's my picks. This is ignoring finances,BTW.
Kindly remember, I'm old, cantankerous and set in my ways....
SERIOUS shotguns for HD, "Tactical", and WIHTF:
A properly set up 870, due to reliability and effectiveness.This doubles nicely for buck/slugs for deer.
Slug guns for deer:
While that 870 is a great choice, if money were no object, I'd probably go with a bolt action, full rifled bbl with a twist suitable from Brenneke/Forster slugs rather than sabots, and a low power scope, like the Leopold 1X4.
Waterfowl:
Unless a 10 ga really took my fancy(unlikely), I'd stick with an 870 with a 3" chamber here. 3 1/2" shells don't pattern that well, and the guides I know on the Eastern Shore haven't been busting down the gun shop doors buying them.
Upland hunting:
This splits up here. Most upland game can be handled well with an oz of shot, and is shot inside 35 yards, oft well inside. Since this will be carried a lot, and I'm old and feeble, we're talking about a shotgun weighing less than 7 lbs, using the above load, but capable of handling 1 1/4 oz for pheasants and with tubes from Cyl to IM for varying conditions. And make it a SXS with a straight grip stock. Or make it two, a light 16 ga for that load with 26' bbls and another 12 ga, choked around LM/IM with longer bbls for a smoother swing.
Turkey hunting and turkey shoots:
This is as special purpose a shotgun as anything else can be. Mine will be another 870, with cone and choke work. Second choice, a Winchester 37 SS, same bbl mods.
Clay Games:
Here's where it gets kinda complicated. Each game has its criteria that preclude one gun set up one way, being a good choice for all. A common thread, due to the number of shots fired in the course of a day, an auto would be the best choice. The Berreta 390-391 series has lots of fans, but since I prefer keeping all my guns US made, I might have to choose the 11-87, and live with the fact that the others last longer.
Some constants....
All the stocks have to fit me, all the triggers have to go off safely around 3-3 1/2 lbs,and they all have to be quite reliable. Tempermental shotguns are egregious...
There's plenty of OPINIONS here, and we can discuss them to our heart's content, enjoy....