Pump action shotgun suggestions?

[Bmj89]

Hey everyone,

Recently I went on my first waterfowl hunt. I’m hooked. Now it’s time to gear up. I’ll be in the market for a pump action 12 gauge predominately for snow geese. Budget is $750. What are your suggestions and why? This is my first shot gun I borrowed an 870 on my last hunt.
Two of my considerations are: why or why not. What else is out there?
- Remington 870 express super mag
- Beneli Nova


Thanks in advance.

[fps plus]

If I was going to choose between the 2 Remington 870

[Pioneer2]

A Wingmaster 870 with screw in chokes.

[elkhunter11]

I am not a fan of the new 870 Express , because of rough chambers. If my budget was $750, I would just purchase a used SX-3 or an SA-08, and go semi auto, for less recoil with heavy waterfowl loads.

[Dean2]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I am not a fan of the new 870 Express , because of rough chambers. If my budget was $750, I would just purchase a used SX-3 or an SA-08, and go semi auto, for less recoil with heavy waterfowl loads.

I agree. No upside to a pump when shooting 3" steel and it is getting hard to find a well built pump under 1000 bucks.

[ward]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

I am not a fan of the new 870 Express , because of rough chambers. If my budget was $750, I would just purchase a used SX-3 or an SA-08, and go semi auto, for less recoil with heavy waterfowl loads.

X2, Lots of used autos available. It helps if you have the experience or knowledge to ensure you buy the right one though.

[saskbooknut]

Benelli Super Nova is not much beyond your price, with shim adjustable stock.
My Nova feeds any shell utterly reliably, and its 8 pound weight sops up recoil.
I don't shoot 3 1/2 inch, don't need them, and the recoil will loosen your back teeth.
Semi-auto shotgun has advantages, but your price range is a bit low, even for a used one.

[MyAlberta]

Originally Posted by Bmj89

Hey everyone,

Recently I went on my first waterfowl hunt. I’m hooked. Now it’s time to gear up. I’ll be in the market for a pump action 12 gauge predominately for snow geese. Budget is $750. What are your suggestions and why? This is my first shot gun I borrowed an 870 on my last hunt.
Two of my considerations are: why or why not. What else is out there?
- Remington 870 express super mag
- Beneli Nova


Thanks in advance.

Never fails. We setup the decs with our white coveralls, then concentrate on the ducks. Our best shoots for snows are locating them stringing out from field to field, on a rough weather day.

Soon the snows will be gone, and the real shoot begins as those big honks brake into the decs. I use a 2 3/4” Bernelli auto.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by saskbooknut

Benelli Super Nova is not much beyond your price, with shim adjustable stock.
My Nova feeds any shell utterly reliably, and its 8 pound weight sops up recoil.
I don't shoot 3 1/2 inch, don't need them, and the recoil will loosen your back teeth.
Semi-auto shotgun has advantages, but your price range is a bit low, even for a used one.

Cabelas has the SA-08 on sale for $599 right now, well within his budget.

I often see used SX-3 shotguns for $700-$800

[graybeard]

A buddy found an older Remington Wingmaster 870, 3" chamber, screw in chokes and it came with three barrels.....In 85%-90% condition....All wood furniture.

- 28" field, vented rib barrel with screw in chokes
- 20" smooth barrel with rifle sights
- 24" rifled barrel with rifle sights and he mounted a old 4x Banner scope on it....

All for $900......He is now set for anything he wants to do.

There are a lot of 3" Wingmaster's out there for $400-$500....

In 1952 my dad got a corn cob Wingmaster for his birthday and to this day, it still functions like new, with too many cases of ammo through it, to remember.

Just sharing ........ Good luck,

[58thecat]

make sure it fits you....not just with a light jacket on....put on your gear and shoulder the gun...things gotta feel good and naturally line up.....

[Bmj89]

The sa-08 was the original gun that peaked my interest. But my hunting buddies said their experiences with semi autos and jamming in general haven’t been great.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by Bmj89

The sa-08 was the original gun that peaked my interest. But my hunting buddies said their experiences with semi autos and jamming in general haven’t been great.

Unless you buy the cheapest Turkish junk, modern semi autos are very reliable if properly maintained.

[bushpilot]

I was in the same dilemma this summer. I ended up picking up a Benelli Nova for $525 out the door from Cabela’s. It fit me the best, and it shoot and cycles well. I prefer it to my brothers browning bps waterfowl. For your budget, maybe look into the mossberg 930 for a semi. You can. Look at the reviews online, which seem favourable.

[Outbound]

Between those two, the Benelli unless you want a ton of aftermarket options in which case get the 870. I'm a big fan of the Mossberg 500 series myself. I prefer the ergonomics of the Mossbergs. I don't like the saftey and slide release positions on the 870s. I've never had a failure with a Mossberg shotgun despite running the hell out of them and abusing them far and above what would be remotely considered reasonable.

[DeadEyeGardner]

We have a couple models of the Winchester SXP as we are always on a budget. They handle and shoot well, never had an issue with either of them yet. Had them for 3 and 4 years now. They will shoot up to 3-1/2, have threaded chokes, come apart to clean very easily.

[Just4hugh]

Originally Posted by DeadEyeGardner

We have a couple models of the Winchester SXP as we are always on a budget. They handle and shoot well, never had an issue with either of them yet. Had them for 3 and 4 years now. They will shoot up to 3-1/2, have threaded chokes, come apart to clean very easily.

I've heard the SXP is a good pump. There's a steoger m3500 semi going for 700 shipped in the classifieds rn. Heard nothing but good things about those guys.

[35 whelen]

Wingmaster,

[Bmj89]

What are thoughts on a Winchester sx4 if I go to a semi?

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by Bmj89

What are thoughts on a Winchester sx4 if I go to a semi?

Excellent shotgun for the money if it fits you. I have used an SX-3 as my go to waterfowl gun for the past 7-8 years, and it has been flawless.

[fordtruckin]

Bear in mind, all 870s are not the same. I'm an 870 armorer and depending on the model you purchase dictates the level of fit/finish and quality of components aka metal vs poly etc... The 870 Express is the cheapest model. As I think Elk mentioned the fit and finish has had issues. I have an 870Police magnum for work and even on that geared towards military/law enforcement professionals I had issues with it. The bolt where the extractor fits in had a nasty little burr on it causing it to catch.

[Yukongold]

I have an early 60's Ithica Model 37 Featherweight that is a gorgeous 12 guage. These guns ejected from the bottom rather than side ejection. This feature kept moisture and rain from entering the breech. Flawless machine that has never jammed.

[catnthehat]

Real Wingmaster - anything else is just a corn sheller
Cat

[Newf]

Check out the Browning BPS. I have one, doesn’t come out of the safe much anymore, but a solid shotgun. The feature I liked most about it was the bottom ejection.

Oops....just checked Cabelas website - might be slightly out of your price range right now. $900. Maybe they’ll go on sale.

[Redneck 7]

My vote goes to an 870. Have had one for about I think 9 years. Basically lived in my truck, used it for shooting coyotes. Few foxes, other varmints in the farm yard, other flying critters and even lend it out for goose hunts. Never had a single issue with it, other then when a small rock got in it from bouncing around in my truck. Field stripped it and the rock popped out easy enough, was shooting in no time. It is an express, so it’s a lower cost shotgun but I wouldn’t say cheap, doesn’t bother me banging it up out hunting or what not.

I’d recommend buying what you can afford now and you can always upgrade later, then you have a decent back up or loner if you needed one.

[buckdog]

Benelli nova/super nova has my vote
buy a good quality aftermarket choke and shoot the cheap winchester super x 3" #2 shot......seems to kill geese better than spending a fortune on the high end ammo

[Pioneer2]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

Unless you buy the cheapest Turkish junk, modern semi autos are very reliable if properly maintained.

Is Turkish guns are not supported when you need parts.

[DanJ]

I shot every bird I aimed at with my Remington 870 Express. It's my favorite shotgun.

[Dean2]

Originally Posted by DanJ

I shot every bird I aimed at with my Remington 870 Express. It's my favorite shotgun.

Yep, ground seating them really ups the hit rate.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by Dean2

Yep, ground seating them really ups the hit rate.