I am preparing to purchase a shotgun next weekend. I plan to buy a 12ga. pump model which will serve in home defense, hunting and competition roles. From reading some of your threads, I will be able to reload my empties AND shoot slugs, either with a rifled barrel or with the smoothbore. Biggest question is, if I buy a shotgun chambered for 3" shells, can I also shoot 2-3/4" through it without any problem? Next, when I was a police officer, we loaded with something called tactical slugs (I think they were Federal brand). What makes a slug "tactical"? Finally, I'm considering Winchester and Mossberg as my choice to buy. Any opinions or advice?
if I buy a shotgun chambered for 3" shells, can I also shoot 2-3/4" through it without any problem?
Yes. Perfectly.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Phantom76239
Next, when I was a police officer, we loaded with something called tactical slugs (I think they were Federal brand). What makes a slug "tactical"? Finally, I'm considering Winchester and Mossberg as my choice to buy. Any opinions or advice?
Someone better will be by in a few to give their opinion on those questions.
FWIW, I'd choose a Remington.
Remington 870 and 887, H&R Pardner Pump, Ithaca 37, and the Mossberg 500 and 835 are all excellent pumps. the 835 is chambered for 3 1/2 shells, but shoots 3" and 2 3/4" shells fine. Remington's 887 and 870 Super Magnum also handle 3 1/2" shells.
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Last edited by Tack Driver; 08-23-2009 at 09:59 PM.
Reason: Forgot a model.
...and I'm not sure what qualifies a shotgun slug to be called tactical.
As far as shotguns go...
...I've chosen Mossberg three times (500s) and haven't been disappointed.
A police officer helped me buy my first shotgun 35 years ago, a Mossberg,...
...and it was a longer-barreled version of what he carried in his car.
Mossberg shotguns are simple and durable...
...plus they're very affordable.
Also, should I drop mine by accident in the field...
...I won't get my nickers in a wad over it.
I've bagged pheasant, duck, goose, sage hen, etc. with mine...
...and they perform as needed every time I pull 'em up to shoot.
In fact...
...I've dropped birds in a variety of situations with my simple Mossberg when other fancier shotguns didn't do the job (which may have been operator error on the shooters part).
I'm looking forward to reading what you decided to buy...
Last edited by LiveToShoot; 08-23-2009 at 10:03 PM.
I am preparing to purchase a shotgun next weekend. I plan to buy a 12ga. pump model which will serve in home defense, hunting and competition roles. From reading some of your threads, I will be able to reload my empties AND shoot slugs, either with a rifled barrel or with the smoothbore. Biggest question is, if I buy a shotgun chambered for 3" shells, can I also shoot 2-3/4" through it without any problem? Next, when I was a police officer, we loaded with something called tactical slugs (I think they were Federal brand). What makes a slug "tactical"? Finally, I'm considering Winchester and Mossberg as my choice to buy. Any opinions or advice?
1), yes your empties can be reloaded, although some shells reload better than others. AA hulls seem to be a favorite for reloading at the skeet range.
2) Sabot slugs are made to shoot from a rifled slug barrel. Regular slugs(foster) are usually shot through a smooth bore slug barrel and can be shot through a regular barrel with any choke but a cylinder choke tube would probably work best.
3) 2 3/4 or 3", either one as already stated.
4) Not sure about the tactical slugs- I am sure someone will know.
I really prefer a Remington 870. If I was to buy a new one I would get an 870 with your choice of 26" or 28" bird barrel and a cantilevered rifled slug barrrel for deer. That way you can mount a scope on it and remove it as one piece without altering the scope. FWIW
Federal’s Tactical TruBall Rifled Slug provides an amazing accuracy improvement for smoothbore shotguns. The unique TruBall system locks the components together, centering the slug in the barrel. This unique system promotes clean separation of components after muzzle exit to ensure greater down-range accuracy.
TruBall is capable of 2” groups at 50-yards—more like what you’d expect of sabot slugs shot from a rifled barrel. Federal Tactical Slugs also feature an all brass head for improved extraction and ejection and a blue hull for easy visual identification. The TruBall Rifled Slug ushers in a new generation of rifled slug systems and provides the confidence you need in standard police shotguns.
5 rounds/box, 250 rounds/case.
Specify box or case quantity.
I didn't get this very good but it sounds like they are supposed to be more accurate.They had another one that was supposed to expand faster to stop over penetration.For hunting I would just buy the hunting slugs or if you get a rifled barrel and want more range,buy sabots.Yes a 3" will handle 2 3/4" or 3". ,,,sam.
I personaly like the idea, that you included the Winchester shotgun in your choice's... The reason being the forearm being longer on the Winchester than the Mossbergs and the 870's.
If you buy one of the new Winchester pumpaction shoutguns will you please give us a range report.
I want one to to add to my collection. I currently have an 870 Wingmaster, 870 Express and a Mossberg Maverick 88 security and a H&R Pardner pump.
I don't like haveing to reach out to the forearm on pump shotguns. Winchester eliminated this problem, so I'm gonna get me one with a 26" barrel when I can.
You know the list price on the Winchester Pumps ain't bad $359.00 which you should be able to beat list price if you shop.
Good Luck...A.H
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Last edited by ArkansasHunter; 08-24-2009 at 10:15 PM.
A lot of tactical or police-issue slugs are low-recoil...they aren't loaded to full power to make repeat shots easier and faster...as well as making them manageable for smaller-statured shooters.
I would suggest a 20" field barrel with screw-in chokes...they are versatile. The 181/2" HD barrels aren't as useful for other purposes. I am a huge fan of screw-in chokes...can't beat them for multi-use capabilities. I have gotten decent, usable accuracy out of every shotgun i have fired with slugs...the rifled barrels aren't absolutely necessary IMO.
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p.s. I have owned/shot Win, Moss, and Rem shotties...I would feel confident with all three, it's a matter of value, and personal taste and ergonomics.
I would also highly recommend a 12G, regardless of the platform.
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I have a Winchester 1200 12 ga that my fiancee bought for me at a pawnshop for around $250, I love this gun, works for HD, claypigeons, and would probably be viable for anything else I want it for (especially if I buy a second barrel, it has an 18.5" bbl now). It wears a knoxx industries M4 stock, 6 shell side-saddle holder and a heat shield, great gun.
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not to steal this thread but how does that stock compare to a normal stock I have areal hard time shooting a shotgun or any weapon for that matter after my injury to my shoulder and am seriously considering that stock thanks for the info. You can P.M me if you want so we dont steal athread or something like that.
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If you find yourself in a fair fight your tactics suck!
It well be difficult to do all three with one gun/barrel configuration.
True, true.
But, with some shopping you can get a pretty cheap set-up that will get you close to doing it all.
Gun, two barrels, 3 chokes. About two fiddy.
Got a very nice used Maverick Field 88 in a pawn shop for $140.
It came with a MOD Accu-choke, so I went to Wal-Mart and bought FULL and IMP chokes for $15 each.
Ordered a Mossberg 18.5" barrel for $80.
I can go from defense to hunting/skeeting in a couple minutes.
I have a Mossberg 500A and love lit. $100 from a pawn shop in good condition. I've since replaced the wooden stock with an ATI full length stock with pistol grip. Not necessary, but my wrist likes pistol grips more. Also I bought a 18.5" barrel for it for when I have it inside. It came with a 26". I can literally change the barrels in less than 30 seconds. It's that easy and fast. I haven't handled an 870, but from what I've heard it's basically just smoother and looks pretty. My opinion is if it works perfectly, gets the job done, and costs less, I like it more. Mossberg does that for me.
If this shotgun will sit in the closet 99% of the time, fine, buy whatever you want.
If you honestly plan to shoot it more than a few times a year, don't buy a pump. Get an automatic. The recoil savings alone will be worth it. Try shooting 100 shots of 12 gauge on the trap or skeet line with a pump. Or try going bird hunting and taking the extra time to pump between shots.
Some things in life are worth saving up for. A shotgun should be one of them. Cheap shotguns look, perform and feel cheap. Buy a used nicer shotgun before you ever buy a brand new cheap shotgun. Odds are the used nicer gun was only owned by one person and they took care of their gun.
But if this purchase is for closet decoration then go ahead and get whatever you want.
Autos are harder to clear jams with...Pumps enable you to use the complete spectrum of 12G ammo with no tinkering or problems...I can fire a pump just as fast as a semi-auto...there's a reason all military and police use pumps 99.9% of the time. The recoil of skeet loads are easily manageable regardless of the weapon platform. And if ya think pumps are just used because they're "cheap", take a gander at the prices on tactical pumps.
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After my experiences during a 3-Gun shoot, I will not be purchasing a semi-auto shotgun. My cheap Pardner Pump worked better than my partner's Saiga 12 gauge semi-auto.
