Shotgun Search

[trav06]

for the shotgun zone what are some reasonably priced guns that would be best for whitetail deer. Right now I have a .410 and that just doesnt cut it.

[PrtyMolusk]

Howdy-

Just about any used 'name-brand' will work.

Mossberg, Ithaca, Remington, Winchester, etc.

Even some of the second-line brands such as Higgins, JC Penny, Maverick (by Mossberg) will be suitable.

Decide on a caliber (12 ga. or 20 ga. are probably the best suited for deer) and decide whether you want a rifled slug barrel or want to use screw in choke tubes or Foster slugs (personally, I'd go with rifled over screw-in choke tubes or Foster-style slugs).

Figure out a budget, find your weapon (there are several 'sticky' threads with gun value sites and gun 'For Sale' sites), and then buy an assortment of slugs. You'll need to shoot several different brands to determine which one shoots best from your weapon.

Season is fast approaching, so get busy! ;)

[Shop Rat]

2 reasonably priced shotguns for deer are the Remington 870 with a fully rifled barrel and the H&R Ultra Slug Hunter. The 20 sabots are good for 75+ yards and for longer shots the 12 is more than enough.

The new 20 ga sabots have as much power as the 12 ga fosters. There are alot of good slugs, too.

My setup is the H&R 12 and 20 with either platinum tip, barnes, and Hornady slugs. All of these slugs shoot the same for my guns. (Maybe 1/2"-1" difference for the point of impact)

There are other good guns and slugs, but this combo works for me. With 6 shots, I have only one deer going 30 yards and 5 dropping. Good luck.

[Socks]

If you want a gun you can you for other things, such as trap or sporting clays, or pheasant, squirell, etc. I'd look a the Rem. 870. Very dependable. I've taken all my deer with mine using a smooth bore. Sometime around this year they'll start offering a combo package that has a smooth barrell and a rifled barrell. I think it's usually around $325. The only problem with the combo set is that the rifeled barrell is iron sights and not set up for a scope. Just look into it. I love my 870 for deer. Just my oppinion.

Joe

[ironman11]

Go with a rifled barrel otherwise your shots are 50 yards tops. I use an 870 fully rifled with a cantalivered scope mount and Federal premium sabot 1oz 2 3/4 inch slugs. I have taken deer up to 150 yards with that combo, sighted in at 100 yards. This combo drops the deer almost right where they stood. If you don't want to spend the money on a good shotgun, use a muzzleloader, I have CVA 50 cal I got at Bass Pro for $125 a few years ago and it is as accurate as my buddy's $500 Knight.

[sullyxlh]

for the shotgun zone what are some reasonably priced guns that would be best for whitetail deer. Right now I have a .410 and that just doesnt cut it.
The best gun for the shotgun zone is an inline muzzleloader,better all around plus an expanded hunting season

[archerjustin]

The best gun for the shotgun zone is an inline muzzleloader,better all around plus an expanded hunting season

I agree!

[omega58]

I'll also agree with the muzzleloader option, better deer gun than a shotgun, plus you get extra time with the muzzleloader.

[sigman]

Remmington 870 pump. Can buy a rifled barrel if you want. Bout 250

[Thunderhead]

Smoothbores aren't bad. My 870 will put 5 rounds in a 5" circle at 100 yards with a couple touching...................
This would be the smoothbore slug barrel with rifle sights.

[rjg30]

The only choice is an in line muzzleloader. With the right combination of powder and bullet (mine is 150 pyrodex and 245 gr. powerbelt) and a good scope, shots out to 200 yds are possible. If you hunt in the southern part of the state on a farm...shots that long are a possibility.

[Thunderhead]

The only choice is an in line muzzleloader.

This couldn't be farther from the truth.
I've shot many fine shotguns, smoothbore and rifled that easily kill deer out to 150 yards, tho my max range with the smoothbore is 125.

The Single Barrel Ultra 12 / rifled, is one example. She'll putt'em thru the same hole at 100 yrds. Cost : About 169.00.

[kingfishcam]

Yep, the single shot Ultra is a 200 yard gun, with practice of course.

[Thunderhead]

I've never sighted mine in that far..............your losing a helluva lot of energy at that distance. You might put a hole thru paper, but I wouldn't take the chance on a deer.

[kingfishcam]

190 yards with a Hornady slug, dropped in its tracks. Pleanty of energy for a well placed shot.

[spk131]

I shoot a .50cal Thunderhawk with 100gr and a 250 sabot. I shot a doe at 200 yards and dropped her in 10 yards.

A note however, I shoot my muzzle loader more than any other hunting tool I own, I do not recomend shooting a muzzle loader at an animal at 200 yards if you have never practiced it or are not comfortable with it.

[H&R12]

For the money, I would buy an H&R either 12 or 20 ga. I have the 12 with a Bushnell 3-9X40 scope on it and have never had a lick of trouble with it. 2 years ago I used it in the rifle zone and took and big doe at 106 yards. My buddy had a deer he shot a 186 yards with his on film. Mine like Remington Ultra Core Loct. His is more of a Barnes and Hornady fan. Just very heavy to hump through the woods all day. Much more of a stand gun. I also have an 870 that I have had for 19 years and have never had any issues with it. If you plan on moving around at all, I would go with the 870.

[POLARBEAR]

gander in novi has 2 slug guns on the rack as of friday evening. Both of them were around $130 used. each were single shot, one h&r and the other new england firearms. Both looked like nice guns. For what it is worth.

[tool40]

where I hunt I can't shoot that far. I haven't had to shoot more than 60 yrds. Scout some more than trying to take bad shots. Beginners need to learn patience. Some of the guys on here have been hunting many years and shooting longer. I would rather you not shoot than wound a deer. Be careful some yahoo almost shot me out of a tree last year. Hit what you aim at. Thanks toolman.

[TrekJeff]

The nice thing you get with the 870 12ga. option is the versatility. You have your shotgun zone deer gun and an all around small game shotgun.. You have options of 3" and the newer 3.5 mag..I'm not sure if the smaller 2 and change is offered anymore or not. I picked my combo up in the 90's when I was home on leave from the Navy. It is my most versatile gun and accurate as I need to be when I use it for deer in the area I hunt. I just sight it in for 50-75yards. Here in the SG zone I hunt thick cover, so long shots aren't an option, plus it's a bulldozer through the brush, that's if I'm not using my S&W .44 pistol...but that's another topic.

Find what fits and take your time, but take the time before you go afield:idea:

[eddiejohn4]

12 gauge ithica deer slayer is a great weapon. I also say an inline muzzle is a great choice also. I have used both with much success.

[Skibum]

Put me in the camp for an inline ML if you want a dedicated deer gun for Southern Michigan. My rifled barrel 870 has been collecting dust in the safe since I got my T/C Omega.