New to shotguns

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bama_lou

Joined
Jun 15, 2004
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I was finally able to go to the shooting range this past weekend and spent the day shooting clay targets with 3 friends, a shotgun, 9 boxes of shells and my credit card(:o).

The gun was a simple pump action Mossberg 500, 12 gauge with the 28" barrel, IIRC. Basically a "trainer" gun, one of my friends uses to instruct people new to the sport.

Decided that I like shooting clays as a recreation, I went to my local sporting goods store and looked at the Remington 870 Express, with research and recommendation, I found out would be the best for beginners like me.

There were 2 models that I looked in particular: the Remington 870 Express and the Remington 870 Express Super Mag, both 12 gauge and wooden stock as a personal preference. My first question is: what's the difference between the two?

I also looked at shells, what kind should I particularly look for when using the gun for mostly sporting clays? I remember my friend showing me a spent shell, with the parts inside it including the shot- smaller than a plastic BB used in toy guns.

Appreciate any answers and comments you guys offer.
 
Pump actions are not the best when shooting sporting clays you lose a bit of time when you have to shoot two birds..Double barrel or autos are better. Most SC ranges are set up for # 7 shot size, 2 3/4" shell, target loads and a MOD choke . Take lessons !!! It's a great sport.
 
If you like a pump the remington 870 express is a great gun to start with. relatively inexpensive and will outlive you. I don't like the 3 1/2 inch supermag, basically this is just a longer 12 gauge shell to hold more shot to help duck hunters when lead shot was banned for duck hunting. it kicks like a mule and the shells are expensive and you don't need it for either hunting or sporting clays. as far as shot size goes when i go white trash skeet shooting we use field loads in either number 7 or 8 shot. The mossberg 500 gets a bad rap but is a pretty good gun for the money, it's a little lighter than the 870 which makes it easier to carry but you pay for it with slightly heavier recoil when you shoot. as mentioned above most serious sc i've seen use a double barrel shotgun but if you're just getting started a pump is much cheaper and will serve you well.
 
A 12 gauge 870 Express is a fine choice! It should be marked on the barrel for 2.75" and 3" shells. That Express Super Mag version must be rated for 3.5" shells as well. Personally, I wouldn't want a 3.5" shell unless it was loaded with 000 buckshot and an enraged African lion or Alaskan bear wanted to eat me immediately. There are many loadings of the standard 2.75" shell that will do almost every conceivable thing you will want, including recreational shooting. For that matter, an 870 in 20 gauge will do a good job in most cases, too, using both 2.75" and 3" shells. The only practical application I see for the longer 12 gauge shells holding gobs more shot is if you are shooting the newer nontoxic shot (much of which is less dense/lighter weight per pellet) at high-flying waterfowl. You will not go wrong with an 870. There are many spare barrels available and they can be swapped in mere seconds, too.
 
Every honest American needs at least one 870, or 590!
 
Robert H said:
Every honest American needs at least one 870, or 590!
Click to expand...

Absolutely! I have one of each...:D

On the subject of starter trap guns, I would recommend that you look at the Spartan Autoloader marketed by Remington. You can usually find them on sale for around the price of an 870, and for clay shooting, you will be much better off. One of my duck hunting buddies has been using the heck out of one this year and it is working out great. :thumbup:
 
Is everyone else done???

With the 870 Express SuperMag, you can chamber 2 3/4" shells up to 3 1/2" shells, doesn't matter. The 870 Express can chamber 2 3/4" shells or 3" shells. For sporting clays either gun will fit the bill. I would use #8 shot myself for sporting clays. If you are going to hunt with the gun the 870 Express should be fine. For years, I hunted geese with a 2 3/4" chambered Browning. Not much of a problem as long as I was hunting over decoys. Pass shooting for geese? Not much difference there except the 3 1/2" shells may have made a bit of a difference...but not much. As far as duck hunting goes? Most any gun chambered for 2 3/4" is fine.

Craig
 
I've been shooting sporting clays, trap, and skeet for 10 years now. I don't hunt much anymore, so my shotguns don't see much duty as game-getters.

My standard answer for anyone looking to get into skeet, trap, or sporting clays is to pick up a Beretta 391, Browning Gold, or Remington 1100 autoloader. They're dependable, reliable, and keep going for long enough that you'll be able to decide what's next.

Now, that may be too rich for your budget. All of those are in the $800+ range. If not that, I'd buy a non-Super Magnum 870. Understand that a pump WILL be a limitation in skeet and sporting clays, but it will be just dandy for trap. Lots of trap championships have been won with an 870.

For shells, pick up Estates or Remington Gun Clubs. They should run you about $5 a box these days. A 1 ounce load is going to kick you less than 1 1/8 ounce. Look for 1 ounce, 2 3/4 dram 8 shot. If you can find those, you're golden. 1 ounce 3 dram would be next, followed by 1 1/8 ounce 2 3/4 dram loads.
 
If you're only going to shoot clays, you probably don't want to shoot anything over the 2 3/4" shells. Lots of shots with a pump gun + magnum (3") or super-magnum (3 1/2") shells = bruised shoulder after a while.

If you think you'll hunt, however, it's nice to have the ability to put any sized shell in the chamber. That said, I don't shoot anything over 3" in any of my shotguns. Just too much recoil and not enough gain IMO.

Keep in mind that a pump gun is going to kick a bit harder than an auto-loader. Most of the auto-loaders use a gas system that effectively drains off some of the energy that would result in recoil.
 
The Rem. 870 x-pess is an awsome all around scattergun, my brother hunted tree rats, grouse, turkey, & shot skeet with his for years & it has fired without flaw everytime :thumbup: I myself use a Mossberg model 88 maverick ($150.00) you can't beat this gun for the $$$, It holds a better pattern than his 870 X-press its lighter too ;) I have never had any problems, it functions flawless. It's not as pretty as the 870 or as quite but it works GREAT ! I just got a Benelli Nova 12ga. camo w/ 24" brl. It's very heavy & loud. havent tried it out yet to see how it does.
 
The 870 Express SuperMag was my first gun. I've owned it for 10 years (got it when I was 13). I do use 3.5" magnum loads enough to make it worth it. It's the only way to go for turkey hunting! The 3" loads are great for deer (00 buckshot and slugs) but they have a lot of kick (I'd rather have a sore shoulder and a deer than no deer).

The 870 is the only way to go as far as pumps go. And if you are going to use it for hunting, a pump is great! I like my pump for clays, but I'm used to it. Most people I know use a double barrel for clays. I love the 870 because it's dead reliable, cheap, and shoots very nicely.
 
The 870 is a great gun I do prefer the Mossburg 500 for the slide release since it is behind the trigger guard instead of in front of it. But other than that they are great!. I use #6 high brass 2 3/4 shells but 7 1/2 is good too. Get yourself an 18"- 20" barrel and slap it on for home defence. Use the same shells you play with and if you ever do (God Forbid!) have to use it. it'll put a cannon ball sized hole in a man but will not have enough exit velocity left to go through the wall he's infront of. where a loved one might be. where as 00buck or a slug would continue through the house.

my .02 worth
 
I have four 870s. One I've tricked out for HD. Three are hunting guns that have had various add-ons. One nice thing is that parts and aftermarket add-ons are readily available. If it goes on a pump gun, then there's a version made for the 870.
 
Get an express combo. they have a short barrel for deer hunting and Home defense, and a longer barrel for clays and hunting.

A good pump gun man is faster than an auto. if you do not believe me, then look and see that the worlds best trick shooters shoot pumps. Once you get the hang of a pump, you can shoot just as fast accurately as any guy with an auto.

If you buy an 870, bear in mind that most are expected to last a half million rounds. thats right, 20,000 boxes of ammo. At the cost they are at right now, you can not loose buying one. if you do not like it after a year, then sell it for 90 percent of what you paid for it and you will be able to try something else, but usually once someone buys an 870, they plan on giving it to their kids. Or grandkids.

Remington has sold nearly 10 million 870's, they have sold that many for a reason, it works, it does not break, and if it breaks, a good mechanic can have it back running in an hour.
 
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