Snuffy

If you will notice not to many people get excited about a person buying a shotgun and a case or two of shells. Let that be a rifle or pistol and flags start to go up. I feel a person can't have too many shot guns or shells no matter what the the gauage is. Me I like 20 or 12, always a plus if the 12's are 3 inche but not needed really. Yes there is limited range on a shotgun, but with the training I have had in the service and with the state at 200 yards with my shot guns and me knowing its 200 yards (which I will know the range) shall we say your a$$ will be toast, if you don't die soon you will wish you had.. I love fish hooks also, and other things that don't go bang but are sure going to hurt along time. Come for me if you must but the price is going to be high. Remember if your coming for me you are my next re-supply point. What ever you have I will have and and of course you won't mind if I am using what you had. You will be past hurting. I think John Waynne said that.
Going to add this also 22's and 22 mags also nice to have passing thought.

Bustah_c

Well, I for one, do get excited about shotgun talk because I am currently in the market for one. I am trying to get the pros and cons of 20 ga. vs. 12 ga. ( I am leaning toward 12 ga)

I have a small budget for it so I am loking at used, but the Maverick has recently caught my eye. Especially sice the particular Ithica 37 I wwanted is past..

So, Snuffy, lament away!

I am listening

44s Rock

I also like shotguns, got my eye on a 12ga 870 at my local, just need some money!

sheepdog

...a Mossberg youth 20 pump is an excellent house gun...short and easily managed...recoil's fine for anyone over 8, and you got 6....

Snuffy

Bustah_c there is less recoil with the 12 most of the time but not always. Effective there in more effect with the 12 than the 20 your shooting more shot. So the pattern has more shot or buck shot in the pattern. Easy way to show this a small cup of water as compared to a larger cup of water. Throw each the same way and the large will cover more area hands down every time. For defense both are good and both will do the job. Nothing wrong with the Maverick is a fine shotgun. Made by Mossber pump's are good to let them know you have shorgun and they all sound the same in the dark 410 28 20 16 12 or 10. The price on 20 or 12 about the same price and can be had any where they sell shot shells. Extended mag tube's IMOP are better with the 20 than the 12 less weight over all. Doubles are nice but they are more shoot and they understand its not a good place to be. Here again 12 or 20 looking into the buisness end thet look the same a mess and your it.
Still there is nothing wrong with a single either, with a little practice shooting one and I can have you shooting almost as fast as a pump. With a little rutym and you will be fine firing and reload and fire. Sorta like the Fox trot 1 fire 2 eject 3 reload 4 fire. 1234 on the business end you are a mess. H&R are good in the single Remington Winchester Mossberg Ithica all good pumps.
There are several China made shotguns that are good also. I have 2 TTN both made in China and they are may match guns. Speed I can shot 8 rounds in 9.8 seconds out of a double that I have to cock each time. I know I am slow but I am working on it.
The load you want there is alot to be said for buck shot at close range fine at long range much better for me. Me I like 4's 6's 71/2's 8's. Bag guy or not your going to hurt them so bad at close range 50 feet or less that they will no longer want to do harm to you and yours. Trust me they are going to be hurting real bad. There will be plenty of time to put in a slug or buck shot to finsh them off.
Once they are shot the body is going to explode and blood is going to fly all over the place. Its a mess and if you shot them you made it, Face and knees are the places to shoot. Reason less body armory there than any other place. But bottom line shoot at what you know you can hit, if you shoot them in the foot they aren't much harm to you and yours trust me. And you will have plenty of time to finsh them off.
What I have typed here is kill or be killed, if things go bad you have to have that in your mind. And only if you have too. They show up on your door step and things have gone bad its kill or be killed. 12 or 20 pump double semi auto or single will all do the job and do it well.
Remember you don't need a $1,000.00 shot gun just need to know how to shoot the shotgun you have.
Hope this helps please feel free to ask anything of me you want and I'll do my best to help. If you want or need more detailed infro pm me for my addy or phone number and we can talk anytime ok pal. wow cornered the market on typo's on this one lol

Snuffy

your right there pal most people over look them, but they will dang sure get the job done and fast too. And I forgot to mention 2 3/4 is plenty 12 or 20. 3 inch's are nice but really nothing that much differance.

deputy125

i do love the shotgun and it is the primary when it comes to home or vehicle........my handgun is indeed "handy", but the shotgun rules providng i can get to it.

take a good look at the available shells on the shelves in your area.

some places carry little in the way of defensive 20 loads, while others carry multiple choices in 12 and 20.
Generally Academy Sports is an excellent source.

"reduced recoil" 12 ga rounds are quite effective in helping with recoil. They are available in various buck and slug offerings and are also available in the bird hunting 12 ga loads from winchester in the "AA" offerings in a "feather" load.

generally, you have a much broader selection and availability of 12ga ammo across the board...........now whether you need so many choices is another matter.

to be honest, i just keep slug and "oo" for defense, and shoot everything else with #6's.........

Snuffy

Because of collateral damage or danger I disagree with you on slug or buck shot. The civilain has few if anyone to back them should someone else be injured in a shooting weather they are justified or not. And with the lack of stopage a normal home will give to the slug or buckshot the home owner or resident is the one apt to be on ths short end of the stick so to speak. #4's #6's will more than do the job at close range in the home.
Academy does have some good deals but they are not the only place to buy. Many gun shops can offer a better deal once bird season is over which it almost is any way. Wal mart can be a good suorce as well. I got my Maverick for $275.00 out the door, fairly cheap and its never been shot either the man was in need of money and the shop owner knew I would buy it if it was at the right price. He was right, so a good shotgun can be found. Doesn't have to be brand new either unless you just want brand new.
But we do agree the shotgun is the way to go home or truck/car ya can sure back them down fast without firing a shot. I have alot of respect for the shot gun.

sheepdog

...in a home, I like slugs up first for a more accurate shot in case they've gotten one of the family by the throat...then follow with buckshot for a running shot in the yard...buckshot might have one flyer that could make the whole effort worthless...same for outside situations...slugs first...every one of those pellets have a fat lawyer attached to them...as far as #4 or #6 for an anti-personnel round...I know(and have cleaned up after) #6 at close range...a light load 12...head shot...10' away...but a shot to the torso across a room might not STOP the threat...though he'd be all chewed up...wouldn't wanna find out personally but I'll save mine for critters who won't be shooting back...if that's all I had to shoot...I'd ring the first shell...

Snuffy

There you have it pal take the advise you want and throw the rest out.

sheepdog

...naw, just save 'em for squirrels and such...too expensive to just throw out... :P

Bustah_c

Thanks for all the advise, gentlemen. I really do appreciate that you take the time to school me. I am still a little confused about "reduced recoil" Does it actually say "reduced recoil on the box or is it because bird shot IS reduced recoil?

I am asking mostly because I want to have my daughters shoot it as well and none of them weigh more than 90 pounds soaking wet....

12 ga is by far the most choices in this area of the state.

Snuffy

Winchester feather lites. Less recoil. Limb saver or gel pad will also help a great deal as well.

sheepdog

...when I were a lad...there weren't no fancy no-recoil shells...we just had lightweights shoot the short brass bird and rabbit loads...they were light enough...then came all the city slickers...

Snuffy

I am sure you have never been a lightweight.

sheepdog

...wouldn't be able to GIVE me a short-brass shell...I had to miss with a 3 3/4---1 1/4 high brass shell every time...sore shoulder and all...I was all of 154 when I went in the Corps...WORST I ever got kicked was an old 32" rabbit-eared 10 ga...with a 3 1/2" #4 goose load...once was enough...

Josh †

you can get shorter barrels for the 870s for $100 so you can have a 26/28" for hunting then a 18" with a tube extender for home defense. That what Ill pry do, 870's feel way tougher then my 887 nitro. An 200 yrds with a shotgun; youll have to show me how to shoot sometime! ha id like to learn how to pull that off. If you seriously think of it this way, a gun in home defense is only good for the largest area in your house, (this is if you life in the city, nobody wants to shoot a neighbor on accident, or have a neighbor shoot back, long story short government would push this through the media to promote stricter gun control). However in the country 200yrds is something that is a neccesity expeically if your a farmer. I know alot of farmers that pack 50cals; zeroed at 300 yrds. nice tho.

Snuffy

With the sights and scopes that are avialbe to the shooter making a 200 yard shot with a shotgun using slugs can be done easily with just a little practice.

44s Rock

I've killed Deer at 100 yards with a 410, never thought of trying 200 yards. I would like a 20 but 12s are more plentyful in tactical configuration.

tx gun runner

1 oz of shot flying 1100 fps shot in a cylinder bore , the 12 kicks less then a 20 . I did a test on this with 2 311 Steven SS with 20" tube years ago because of my bad shoulder . For SASS I shoot 3/4 oz 12 now . My hunting gun is a 1100 Remy gas gun which recoil less the 90% of the auto loaders out there . 11-87 kicks harder then the 1100 , the gas port is different ....