New to hunting...

[photogpat]

870's and Mossbergs are almost the AR's of the shotgun world. Infinitely customizable and oodles of accessories for each platform.

An 870 with a 20" rifled barrel and cantilever scope rail for deer/bear -- swap out with a 26" Versachoke for duck/trap/skeet/pheasant/grouse -- swap out with 18.5" police barrel for "social work". I put a Blackhawk Knoxx Stock on mine...gotta love it! http://www.blackhawk.com/product/SpecOp ... 08,165.htm

Extra 870 and Mossberg barrels can be found at nearly any pawn/used gun store. Metro Pawn in Richfield has a bucket of them nearly anytime.

[grousemaster]

870's and Mossbergs are almost the AR's of the shotgun world. Infinitely customizable and oodles of accessories for each platform.

An 870 with a 20" rifled barrel and cantilever scope rail for deer/bear -- swap out with a 26" Versachoke for duck/trap/skeet/pheasant/grouse -- swap out with 18.5" police barrel for "social work". I put a Blackhawk Knoxx Stock on mine...gotta love it! http://www.blackhawk.com/product/SpecOp ... 08,165.htm

Extra 870 and Mossberg barrels can be found at nearly any pawn/used gun store. Metro Pawn in Richfield has a bucket of them nearly anytime.

He's right. You really don't need a rifle....a slug is plenty for the types of ranges you'll be dealing with in that part of the state...unless you really want a reason to buy a rifle of course.

[ex-LT]

What does everyone have to say about the Remington 870 magnum 26" shotgun? I like the wood stock. From the reviews it sounds like a decent gun for the money. Any pros or cons? Also, can a single sight be upgraded on that gun? Thanks again for all the input!!!!

While I have nothing bad to say about the 870s, you may want to look at something like this http://www.fleetfarm.com/catalog/product_detail/hunting/firearms/shotguns/mossberg-535-ats-pump-action-combo-shotgun-field-deer. I haven't heard many if any bad things about the mossberg 500 series. I only suggest this because of the 3.5" chamber.

I don't understand the fascination with the 3 1/2" chamber. Yes, it delivers a larger payload at higher velocities than a 3" shell, but at a trade-off of more recoil. Additionally, with the new non-toxic shot options (tungston-iron, bismuth) there's really nothing the 3 1/2" can do that a 3" can't do. In fact, the 3" non-tox options routinely surpass the performance of 3 1/2" steel loads.

IMO, unless you're goose hunting on the prairies in ND or on big water, where 60+ yd shots are common, a 3 1/2" is unnecessary.

[grousemaster]

What does everyone have to say about the Remington 870 magnum 26" shotgun? I like the wood stock. From the reviews it sounds like a decent gun for the money. Any pros or cons? Also, can a single sight be upgraded on that gun? Thanks again for all the input!!!!

While I have nothing bad to say about the 870s, you may want to look at something like this http://www.fleetfarm.com/catalog/product_detail/hunting/firearms/shotguns/mossberg-535-ats-pump-action-combo-shotgun-field-deer. I haven't heard many if any bad things about the mossberg 500 series. I only suggest this because of the 3.5" chamber.

I don't understand the fascination with the 3 1/2" chamber. Yes, it delivers a larger payload at higher velocities than a 3" shell, but at a trade-off of more recoil. Additionally, with the new non-toxic shot options (tungston-iron, bismuth) there's really nothing the 3 1/2" can do that a 3" can't do. In fact, the 3" non-tox options routinely surpass the performance of 3 1/2" steel loads.

IMO, unless you're goose hunting on the prairies in ND or on big water, where 60+ yd shots are common, a 3 1/2" is unnecessary.

Yea, I don't mess with the 3.5" shells anymore.

[Holland&Holland]

I don't understand the fascination with the 3 1/2" chamber. Yes, it delivers a larger payload at higher velocities than a 3" shell,

you're goose hunting on the prairies in ND or on big water, where 60+ yd shots are common, a 3 1/2" is unnecessary.

Think maybe you answered your own question there

[Mdclinks]

What does everyone have to say about the Remington 870 magnum 26" shotgun? I like the wood stock. From the reviews it sounds like a decent gun for the money. Any pros or cons? Also, can a single sight be upgraded on that gun? Thanks again for all the input!!!!

While I have nothing bad to say about the 870s, you may want to look at something like this http://www.fleetfarm.com/catalog/product_detail/hunting/firearms/shotguns/mossberg-535-ats-pump-action-combo-shotgun-field-deer. I haven't heard many if any bad things about the mossberg 500 series. I only suggest this because of the 3.5" chamber.

I don't understand the fascination with the 3 1/2" chamber. Yes, it delivers a larger payload at higher velocities than a 3" shell, but at a trade-off of more recoil. Additionally, with the new non-toxic shot options (tungston-iron, bismuth) there's really nothing the 3 1/2" can do that a 3" can't do. In fact, the 3" non-tox options routinely surpass the performance of 3 1/2" steel loads.

IMO, unless you're goose hunting on the prairies in ND or on big water, where 60+ yd shots are common, a 3 1/2" is unnecessary.

I don't use the 3.5"ers until late duck season when we are busting ice to get to the open water on the Mississippi river bottoms. By then the birds are all northern birds with massive amounts of pin feathers and are more call and decoy shy. Longer shots are sometimes more necessary and we prefer that they go down without having the chance to sail. With the 3.5" its easier on the dogs but its not as easy on the shoulders. Then again when its 10* below you have enough padding on the shoulders. I just like the versatility of having it when I want/need it.

[Irish.40]

I was talking to a coworker and he mentioned deer hunting with handguns. Does anyone have experience with this? Or was he feeding me a line??

[DitchDR]

You can hunt deer with a handgun statewide. Same caliber restrictions .22 and centerfire or greater. There was a time not to long ago where (and correct me if Im wrong) the smallest caliber you could hunt with in a handgun was a 10mm. I know theres another topic about somebody wanting to use an AR pistol in the "shotgun" zone. SO you could use a pistol like a T/C Encore or Contender ( I know theres a couple of other companies that make pistol) in rifle calibers (I.e. .270, .243, so on and so forth). I used .243 for a couple of years and was unsuccessful, meaning I never got to shoot. Just make sure you know whats beyond your target if you using a pistol in a rifle caliber like you would for any type of firearm . Ill be using a 44 Mag this year down by Winnebago and NW of Alexandria.

[grousemaster]

I was talking to a coworker and he mentioned deer hunting with handguns. Does anyone have experience with this? Or was he feeding me a line??

As a new hunter, you will want to use slugs or a rifle....

[Mdclinks]

I was talking to a coworker and he mentioned deer hunting with handguns. Does anyone have experience with this? Or was he feeding me a line??

As a new hunter, you will want to use slugs or a rifle....

I was thinking the same thing. Especially if you are moving north into the rifle zone. I can see using a pistol in a shotgun zone, but it would just seem like you are limiting yourself in a rifle zone.

[tman]

I was thinking the same thing. Especially if you are moving north into the rifle zone. I can see using a pistol in a shotgun zone, but it would just seem like you are limiting yourself in a rifle zone.

Handgun hunting is very popular up north.

Think .44 and .357 magnums, long barrels, and optics.

[Lunchbox]

I was thinking the same thing. Especially if you are moving north into the rifle zone. I can see using a pistol in a shotgun zone, but it would just seem like you are limiting yourself in a rifle zone.

Handgun hunting is very popular up north.

Think .44 and .357 magnums, long barrels, and optics.

But for somebody new to hunting completely? I wouldn't tell them to rule it out, hard to recommend it as a place to start though. That just my .02

[Holland&Holland]

I was thinking the same thing. Especially if you are moving north into the rifle zone. I can see using a pistol in a shotgun zone, but it would just seem like you are limiting yourself in a rifle zone.

Handgun hunting is very popular up north.

Think .44 and .357 magnums, long barrels, and optics.

But for somebody new to hunting completely? I wouldn't tell them to rule it out, hard to recommend it as a place to start though. That just my .02

No different than anything else, gotta start somewhere. As long as they are safe and ethical about it, to each their own.

[Irish.40]

Well, I picked up a 870 today. Now to get to the range. Can't wait to shoot this thing!! Thanks again for all the input guys!

[srtolly]

I went with the Mossberg 835 for the versatility. I forgot about the handgun. I have a .357 that I would love th take out. Can you carry the handgun and still have the shotgun?