Entered the world of shotguns w/ a win 1300!

P

Peter Gun

New member
Got a shotgun today! Had an itch I had to scratch. Got a great deal on a Winchester 1300 used for $159 in great condition. Has a really long barrel and only the mod choke tube. I think the barrell is 28" though it said 30" on the tag. Has a really nice stock w/ striped wood and says waterfowl special on it. I'm mostly going to use it for clays but might do some other stuff too. If I use it for a HD back-up can I shoot buckshot or slugs or do I need to get a defender barrel? How much difference do choke tubes make on this long barrel? Is it worth buying some to play with?
What kind of loads would be good for upland birds (grouse, quail) w/ the long barrel? Should I bother w/ 3" shells for upland or clays?
I took it to the range to test it out and it seems to function like new. Patterns w/ Walmart special federals seem to be pretty uniform. About 20" spread at 50yds. I think its #8 shot.
How do I remove the magazine plug that limits to 2 rounds? It didn't come w/ a manual, but I ordered one today. I like it! Getting my buddys clay thrower out tommorrow!
Thanks for looking!
 
Congrats on new toy. A few answers to some of your questions.

Your present bbl will shoot slugs and buck safely, but may prove unwieldy for HD.

Get two more tubes, on e an open choke like Cylinder, Skeet or IC, and one IM or Full for trap, turkey and turkey shoots. This'll set you up for darn near all wingshooting and clays.

3" mags are overkill for the uplands and egregious for clays. They're waterfowl and turkey loads. Start off with some cheap 1 oz loads in 8s or 7 1/2s.

HTH....
 
Thanks Dave!
I think I'll get an 18" barrel for it as well. That way I can have a short cylinder barrel for defense and close quarters bird hunting, and then a full choke for the 30". That should cover everything pretty well, huh? I didn't realise the barrels changed so easily! I feel like getting one barrel for every choke! :D
Can anyone suggest a good place to buy barrels? Or anyone have an 18" they don't need anymore?
Thanks for the help.
 
My HD is 28" and I have no qualms (is that a word) about using it. It is accurate, dependable, and it just feels right.

Those are the things that are important to me. An 18" barrel might suit me better, but unfortunately I don't have one to try out :(

But I aint skeerd.


Stinger
 
mine is actually a 30" bbl after all. I don't find it particularly unweildy, but I noticed that it started to feel pretty nose heavy after a while of holding it up on target. I imagine a situation where I either have to stalk an intruder for a while or hold on someone while help arrives and it seems like it might be hard to maintain aim. Besides an 18" is prob fun! :D
 
12" less of bbl do not make a pump gun that much easier to hold up,Peter. The big advantage of a short bbl is manueverability.That advantage is somewhat overblown.

I did a walkthrough of Casa McC with my 870TB, 30 bbl and 15" LOP stock, and had little more trouble than with my HD 870,a good foot and change shorter.

Still, shorties are fun too, so look around. Cabela's doesn't carry Winchester bbls, but somebody does.

Another thing,since you're new to shotguns....

Each time we add a skill and/or new weapon to our collections of same, we use muscles in different ways than they're used to. Every day, spend a few minutes handling and mounting to groove in your muscles and accustom them to these new moves.

HTH....
 
Thanks again Dave. I guess you are the resident shotgun guru, huh?
I live in a tent right now and it's been raining. I've spent the long nites swinging my shotgun around the tent at my shoulder. :) Good thing I'm so anal about checking the chamber or I might have shot out my portable TV!
I really like this winchester, fits me much better than the 870's I've used. The main reason I want the shorter barrel is for backpacking and in the truck. The 30" doesn't quite fit across the window! :)
 
You're welcome,Pete.

Shotgun guru? Nope, just a longtime shotgunner that's gotten a good overview from lots of experience.

Advice:

Check the archives for threads on Proper Mounting Techniques, stance etc,. There's a wealth in good info there that'll make your progress swift and steady...

HTH...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top