First shotgun - alternatives to Mossberg/Remingteon combos...

[icefisherman]

Hi guys,

I've used last couple months researching, reading, watching you tubes etc. trying to decide on my first shotgun...most likely pump...may be semi but haven't researched those too well...
Will be hunting pretty much everything I can find the time for....from ducks/geese to deer and upland birds, rabbits, etc. Locations in Southern Ontario going with well connected friends of mine.
Read all the previous posts on the subject and the forum's prevailing wisdom on Remington 870 vs. Mossberg 520/535 combos. All well appreciated and under serious consideration.

But...would like to ask different angle questions.

What alternatives to the two options above are available?

The 535 triple combo will cost well over $600 by the time all is in...the 870 and 530 slightly less but within that range... so here are few specific questions that bother me:

- Are there any other combo barrels shotguns worth consideration?
- Are there any other (non combo barrel) shotguns worth consideration? I realize going this way will require buying more than one gun to be able to do what the triple combos above will do.
- Will it be better strategy to go with 2 more expensive/higher quality single barrel guns vs. the triple combos? Spending more in the beginning but saving on the long run from having to upgrade in a year or couple?

Just trying not to make the wrong decision and buy a gun I need to upgrade/replace shortly. For purchases like that (to be used for years to come) I prefer buying right the first time even if it cost a bit more to start.

Would appreciate all your comments and suggestions.
Thanks,

Cheers,
Ice Fisherman

[mox72]

Browning BPS. I had the intention of buying one of the two mentioned above but then picked up the browning and the difference in quality is almost unbelievable. Well worth the extra bucks.

[topher]

Winchester exp.. Smooth as butter...

[robster]

Have you looked at a s/s or o/u. Many will call them grandpas gun. but grandpas know a thing or two and shot a lot of game with them. Two different chokes, two of the same chokes, different shell combos...find guys are selling or trading them in at some shop for semis, pumps. Too bad. These are good guns but the shooter has to make an effort to pattern both barrels.

[topher]

I got the 3" version ... Sxp (field) got it Saturday.. Put 4 boxes of target load through it on the weekend.. Operated flawlessly. And its very quick.. I have used 870's and Mossberg 500's.. (Old ones not the new garbage guns) and the Winchester just was smooth....

[sharps4570]

Should budget permit, it would be best to go for two separate firearms.....

1. Smoothbore shotgun 12ga for Small Game - in this case, due to potential of Wingshooting opportunities, gun fit must be the top criteria for product selection. If buying used, need to ensure that the shotgun is equipped with 3in chamber, screw-in chokes and compatible with steel shot.
- Pump: Browning, Benelli, Ithaca, Rem 870 Wingmaster (build quality of older Remingtons i.e. 80s/90s production will be superior compared to recent manufactures)
- Semi: Beretta, Benelli, Browning, Winchester, Weatherby

2. Rifled Barrel Slug Gun (assuming that your deer hunting will be limited to WMUs of Southern ON permitted for SG and/or ML only).
- Single shot: H&R Ultra Slug Hunter 20ga
- Bolt Action: Savage 20ga

[icefisherman]

So I take it, there are no other shotgun combos aside from the Mossberg and Ramington...
Like what I read about the Browning BPS...if the BPS is to be used for ducks/geese upland and turkey...can a second rifled barrel be purchased for it or do I need to buy separate shotgun?
If it a second shotgun what model and at what price point?
Trying to figure out total cost of two separate good quality shotguns vs. the Mossberg or Remington combos....

Cheers,
Ice Fisherman

[sharps4570]

So I take it, there are no other shotgun combos aside from the Mossberg and Ramington...
Like what I read about the Browning BPS...if the BPS is to be used for ducks/geese upland and turkey...can a second rifled barrel be purchased for it or do I need to buy separate shotgun?
If it a second shotgun what model and at what price point?
Trying to figure out total cost of two separate good quality shotguns vs. the Mossberg or Remington combos....

Cheers,
Ice Fisherman

One could purchase a Cantilever barrel (rifled) for the BPS. However, that extra barrel will be expensive unless you come across a good deal on a used specimen.

A new single shot 20ga H&R Ultra Slug Hunter or its Deluxe version will cost $264+tax and $328+tax respectively (price quoted from Ellwood Epps' current inventory). Those heavy barreled slug guns are inherently accurate when a particular gun is matched with appropriate brand of sabot slug. The H&R USH will be heavy though.

A new barrel (BPS) will cost about the same.

[Wingmaster12]

Mossberg also has another combo package other than the 500/535. They offer a combo in their 930 semi. 28 or 26" bird barrel and a 24"rifled barrel with iron sights. 3" chamber.

[mox72]

As sharps suggested, you could probably get a dedicated slug gun for about the same price as a second BPS barrel.