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Pit Hunting Thread

Bounce to see if anyone's up to anything. Going bowhunting this weekend.
 
My German Shorthair is having his first real hunting season this fall. I am figuring out dog handling and, after some months away at school this summer, he is making great progress with hunting. Today was excellent. He was a quail-finding machine and his points were like something out of a magazine.
 
I've killed two nice fall gobblers. Good spurs and beards. I decided not to shoot a small buck but I've been tracking a nice 8-point and I think I know where to get him.
 
So, I think I'm finally about to pull the trigger (no pun intended) on getting my first shotgun. I've wanted one for awhile and some friends and I are going to shoot some clays this weekend. I'd appreciate any advice that anybody has with respect to pump vs. semi-auto.

I'm looking at the Remington 870. While the most frequent use would be for clays, I'd like to be able to use it for actual hunting. Thanks in advance.
 
DeaconCav06 said:
So, I think I'm finally about to pull the trigger (no pun intended) on getting my first shotgun. I've wanted one for awhile and some friends and I are going to shoot some clays this weekend. I'd appreciate any advice that anybody has with respect to pump vs. semi-auto.

I'm looking at the Remington 870. While the most frequent use would be for clays, I'd like to be able to use it for actual hunting. Thanks in advance.
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Get a semi or over-under. Nothing wrong with a pump, but the modern O/U's and Semi's are so much nicer and more refined. I'm partial to Beretta's myself.
 
leftcoastdeac said:
Get a semi or over-under. Nothing wrong with a pump, but the modern O/U's and Semi's are so much nicer and more refined. I'm partial to Beretta's myself.
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Thanks. I'm trying to keep costs down on this first one which is what led me to the 870. But, I also subscribe to the school of "buy nice or buy twice"
 
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870. No question. Every man's first shotgun.
 
Yeah, if you plan to shoot clays with it, I would definitely go with a semiautomatic. Tough to shoot sporting clays with a pump. Any of the B's work: Beretta, Browning, Benelli
 
Yea, whatever. I still say start with an 870 for $250. Learn to shoot before you spend $2k for a B gun. I outshoot all of my buddies with my 21 year old 870 express mag. I don't worry if it gets pluff mud or saltwater on it. I've had to use it as a boat paddle. Still goes bang when I pull the trigger. Every. Time.

FWIW, Remington, Winchester, and even Mossberg make fine semi autos for a fraction of the price of the B's. Just stay away from Stoger.

I'm not trying to steer anyone away from the Berettas or Benellis, but for a first shotgun, you can't beat the versatility, reliability, durability, history, and price of an 870.
 
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ibleedgoldandblack said:
Yeah, if you plan to shoot clays with it, I would definitely go with a semiautomatic. Tough to shoot sporting clays with a pump. Any of the B's work: Beretta, Browning, Benelli
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Semi-automatic, or over and under. I'd stay away from pump action, unless it's purely for home protection (yes, I know, there are great shooters who love them; I'm just not one of them). I'm a (older model) Browning A-5 guy. Haven't looked in a while, but you could pick up used ones for a decent price a few years ago. I also love the Beretta Xtrema. An 11-87 would be another good option.
 
shooting clays to be a better hunter then get the 870 and not an o/u.
 
For a good value on a semi-automatic, take a look at the Stoger. Same basic action as a Benelli but at a significantly lower price point.

For clays, I would prefer an O/U. That is also my preference for quail, pheasant, and a few other game birds. I do prefer a 12 gauge semi-automatic for waterfowl.

Check out a place like Mid-South Guns in Wagram, NC, for some used options if you want to save some money. A used Browning Citori or Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I - both widely available - would be excellent choices and will hold their value.

"Don't get a pump" is the best advice on here - I had two and got rid of both of them.
 
They're worthless pieces of shit. My hunting partner has one.

ETA - guess I should expand on that. Benellis and Stogers both are inertia-driven. And, yes, Stoger is a Benelli holding (Benelli purchased sometime in the 200s), but the similarities end there. The actual firearms and actions are very different. I have first hand experience with both. I've witnessed an M3500 misfire, fail to feed, and the bolt get stuck. Their shortcomings are well documented.

If you're looking for a budget semi auto, look at Winchester, Remington, and Mossberg. Folks hate on Mossberg, but my other hunting partner has a 930, and it's been a very reliable workhorse.

I stand by my assessment that a man needs a Remington 870 before any other firearm.
 
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I grew up learning to shoot trap with a Remington Model 1100. It was reliable and would hold five shells, which I thought was fun. We had a Mossberg over/under for doubles that another family used. He liked it.
 
AMCDeac said:
For a good value on a semi-automatic, take a look at the Stoger. Same basic action as a Benelli but at a significantly lower price point.

For clays, I would prefer an O/U. That is also my preference for quail, pheasant, and a few other game birds. I do prefer a 12 gauge semi-automatic for waterfowl.

Check out a place like Mid-South Guns in Wagram, NC, for some used options if you want to save some money. A used Browning Citori or Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon I - both widely available - would be excellent choices and will hold their value.

"Don't get a pump" is the best advice on here - I had two and got rid of both of them.
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I have 5 870s. 4 12 ga. and a 20.
Love em. Never jams and the pump action helps me bring the barrel where I want it.
 
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