Shotgun for Goose Hunting?

Buddy’s 13 year old kid just got a Remington 870 Super Mag. Under $500 new. It will last a lifetime and can use for everything.

Hodag Hunter wrote:

It will last a lifetime and can use for everything.

No chance I’d carry a heavy shotgun like that around for upland hunting. Fine for stationary hunting but carrying around for hours on end, not a chance. That would get old real quick.

gimruis wrote:

No chance I’d carry a heavy shotgun like that around for upland hunting. Fine for stationary hunting but carrying around for hours on end, not a chance. That would get old real quick.

OK Plenty of people have carried an 870 around just fine. Maybe work out a bit or just get your birds faster

gimruis wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Hodag Hunter wrote:</div>
It will last a lifetime and can use for everything.

No chance I’d carry a heavy shotgun like that around for upland hunting. Fine for stationary hunting but carrying around for hours on end, not a chance. That would get old real quick.

What? Those guns aren’t that heavy.

I always like to see a kid start with a pump. In a shoulder-to-shoulder blind, a BPS is the nuts. Easier on your buddies ears and side of his head. Also love the top tang safety, think it’s the safest way to go. If your set on an auto, I’d consider a lightly used higher end shotgun.

Angler II wrote:

What? Those guns aren’t that heavy.

I carried one around for 8 years until I could afford a lighter shotgun. When I was 16 that was all I could afford until I entered the work force full time. If you do a lot of upland hunting an 870 is way too heavy to be carrying around.

I don’t think the OP is looking for an all purpose shotgun though so this discussion is a moot point. An 870 is fine for hunting sky carp.

gimruis wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Angler II wrote:</div>
What? Those guns aren’t that heavy.

I carried one around for 8 years until I could afford a lighter shotgun. When I was 16 that was all I could afford until I entered the work force full time. If you do a lot of upland hunting an 870 is way too heavy to be carrying around.

My browning citori O/U weighs more than an 870…

Many of the auto loaders do as well..I’m not sure what gun you’re shooting unless you drop down to a 20 gauge

My beretta A400 is very reliable & light. Get yourself some good ammo, I run the original Hevishot. Fortunately I went nuts yrs ago & stocked up, Hevishot is crazy expensive now.

Look into the TriStar shotguns. I have a couple buddies that have them and they love them. I bought my daughter a small lightweight 20ga. semi that eats 2 3/4 or 3 inch shells. Great little gun, had not jammed yet. If you read, you will hear about jams. Just follow the directions and clean the gun of the packing grease, and relube and you will be fine. I have been thinking about one for myself. I believe my Daughters is a TriStar Viper. They are lower priced. They are also pretty light as compared to a Stoeger and are gas operated so the recoil is pretty light and swing nice, not like a canoe paddle.

First shotgun that I could call my own was an 870 express 12ga 3 inch. Believe I bought as soon as I turned 18. Before that I learned on my dad’s wingmasters, both 20 and 12. Still have that express today and will sometimes carry for nostalgia sake. Pretty sure the OP said no pumps and I respect that. But, there is nothing wrong with those old pumps.

I paid $600 for my A300 4 years ago. Looks like they are significantly more now!

Check out a Weatherby SA-08. Has been flawless for 4 years now. Buddy shoots one also with zero issues. Can get one for around $500

gimruis wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Hodag Hunter wrote:</div>
It will last a lifetime and can use for everything.

No chance I’d carry a heavy shotgun like that around for upland hunting. Fine for stationary hunting but carrying around for hours on end, not a chance. That would get old real quick.

Never really got old. Wasn’t very heavy at all, think you need to bulk up a bit more, hit the weight set or something. I still use the 870 from time to time. Hands down best most reliable gun I’ve owned. It’s been swamped numerous times and still keeps kicking. I’ve had my v3 for 2 seasons now and hasn’t had a hiccup but I’m sure it will

I thought everyone started with an 870 or 1100…but would agree with the previous posters about getting a gun that fits him. Signed, a lefty shooter who’s shot right handed guns my whole life

Reeds has Winchester super x4 3″ for $699 or 3 1/2 for $799. Either would be good. Good gas operated guns.

BigWerm wrote:

Signed, a lefty shooter who’s shot right handed guns my whole life

Oh my gosh I thought my old man was the only person who did that.

snelson223 wrote:

Reeds has Winchester super x4 3″ for $699 or 3 1/2 for $799. Either would be good. Good gas operated guns.

I haven’t really been following but that’s a pretty good price for them isn’t it? I got an SXP for my goose/beater gun and actually like it a lot, especially for how cheap it was. I shot an SX3 once and it felt very similar, maybe better because it wasn’t as front heavy. I’d get one of these.

Feathers wrote:

The only 3.5 loads have been at turkeys and even that isn’t necessary.

Perhaps, but the with turkeys you only shoot once all season. With geese, you are shooting boxes of shells. Butchering your shoulder is a good way to describe it.

buckybadger wrote:

-Stoeger M3000/3500
-Franchi Affinity 3/3.5
-CZ – 1012
-Mossberg 935
-Tristar Viper Max

A very good list when it comes to the entry-level autos.

If the budget allows, I’d also consider the Beretta A- series, but agin these are more money than most on the list.

Much of what you hear repeated about entry-level autoloaders comes from more than a decade ago when the Turkish makers came onto the scene and there was definitely some learning on the job going on with their initial efforts. And then they got better and better.

Also, autoloaders in general and regardless of brand are only reliable as long as they are cleaned, assembled properly, and lubricated. I have personally cured 2 “unreliable” Stoegers by showing the owners the correct order for the spring washer and flat washer that sit under the fore-end cap. I have also “fixed” numerous “unreliable” Berettas, Benellis, Remingtons, and I’m sure several other brands with my magic spray can of Rem Oil that I keep in the truck. These are just a few examples of “unreliable” autoloaders that turned out to have an owner problem, not a gun problem.

So to the guns. To give you some current experience, I have:

A Stoeger M3000 from the first year that model came out (10-plus years old). It’s been flawless. Shot pheasants in the rain and snow, been dragged around at -10 coyote hunting, shot 2 turkeys, and I would estimate well over 1000 rounds fired at clay targets. Great simple design and easy to maintain.

Two Tristar Vipers that my sons use for trap and birds. See my review of the TriStar Viper 20 gauge in the Shooters Test Bench forum. Between the 20 and the 12 gauge that I bought later last season, my sons have over 2000 rounds through these guns. Never the slightest issue. No failures to fire, no misfeeds, no ejection hangups. 100% reliable.

I love gas autos because I like how soft shooting they are. Between the Stoeger and the Tristar, I’d personally buy a Tristar, but you can’t go wrong with either.

CaptainMusky wrote:

Is the beretta A300 gas or inertia driven? I couldnt find anything referencing it. I do like the recoil reduction system so that leads me to think its inertia. I absolutely love my beretta A390 that I have owned since High School. Only let me down one time, but that was when it got so much crud in it laying in the bottom of a filthy duck boat and it wouldnt fire.

The 300 is like they took the 390 and gave it a cheapo fit and finish. They are very similar mechanically.

I would take a look at a Girsan auto loader as well My SIL purchased one and several friends have as well for kids/grandkids all speak highly of it. Sub $500 and comes with 5 choke tubes.

One note that I don’t believe anyone has mentioned is certain guns like the SX4 don’t have a magazine cutoff button. That’s a feature I use alot when laying in a blind and switching out shells if need be.

snelson223 wrote:

Reeds has Winchester super x4 3″ for $699 or 3 1/2 for $799. Either would be good. Good gas operated guns.

Great deal nowadays.

About 15 years ago I stopped into Frontiersman in St. Louis Park and he had a lightly used camo SX2. He was asking $500, which I thought was a decent deal. Talked him down to $400 and brought it home. It was the very best gun I’ve ever owned. That shotgun got about 10 cases of trap loads and 1-2 cases of 3″ every year for the last 15…Only thing I have replaced is the recoil tube when I bent and cracked it…river, current, boat, ouch…

I recently replaced it with a Maxus Wicked Wing and I love it even more.

tswoboda wrote:

The 300 is like they took the 390 and gave it a cheapo fit and finish. They are very similar mechanically.

Thumbs up! Looks like a great gun. I will never buy a new gun with a wood stock again since they only look good at the gun shop and just get scratched up.

So to recap the thread,

We can’t decide on what gun is best and Gimruis needs to hit the weight room…
DT

deertracker wrote:

Gimruis needs to hit the weight room…
DT

LMAO

Back in 2006 I purchased a brand new SX2. It has been one of the best purchases I have made. I grew up shooting a pump 870 and the SX2 is just as reliable. I have the extended 28 inch barrel on mind so I dont think Gimruis would be lugging this around all day either. It has been a super reliable gun for me. I have shot all shells from low base trap load to 3.5 inch goose loads with no problems. I think sometimes you can find SX for near that 800 dollar mark. This would be my vote.

Reeds has a black SX4 3.5 inch gun for $699. I bought my son an SX4 for a graduation gift. Been a great gun. The SX series has a great reputation.
DT

I own an A300 with thousands of rounds through it. Trap, duck blind, or a goose field. The thing has never failed me. Super easy to clean and recoil is light. I would purchase another one immediately if I ever lost this one. Even more so now that they have fancied up the finish on them.

deertracker wrote:

We can’t decide on what gun is best and Gimruis needs to hit the weight room

LOL. Well played.