Recommendations on Shotgun for Deer

[Exmasonite]

Hey everybody... so i've been living in Michigan for about 9 years and have come to 2 conclusions:

1) I love venison
2) It's about darn time to bag me a deer

So, as i'm in the lower 1/2 of the "mitten" of Michigan, I'm restricted to using a shotgun or muzzleloader. I have been in the market for a HD shotgun for awhile but haven't been able to bite the bullet... er... shell, so to speak.

I was looking for some recommendations on a decent, inexpensive shotgun, probably w/ the deer barrel to start but w/ the option of adding a good HD barrel (presumably shorter) later as the funds become available.

I searched and found a thread saying the Remington 870 and Moss 500 were good starting points. Honestly, i'm only looking into spending ~$200, if possible. I'm still saving for that .45 (hopefully XD 45 SC in the next 6 months, wink wink) and would rather spend any extra money on ammo in order to improve my marksmanship. Who knows... maybe hunting won't sit well with me. I've never done it before... but figured i should give it a go at least one season.

Thanks for the time and comments.

[bd]

Hit the pawn shops and gun shops and try to find a used 870 or 500 if possible in your range.

I'm not familiar with the 500 but my 870 has been a great gun and I wouldn't have a problem buying a good used one.

With the wide selection of screw-in chokes for the 870 you'll be able to use it for all sorts of applications - deer, waterfowl, turkey, small game etc, etc. by changing chokes.

Better start looking soon, with deer season approaching a lot of other folks will be looking too.

Good Luck

bd

[ouija]

i got my 500 for $150, never fired, at a pawn shop. its been a great gun, no problems! could have just been at the right place at the right time. good luck

[beardman2]

I don't mean to hijack your thread but... why do some places require a shotgun?

[Ske1etor]

I vote Mossy 500 or Remy 870 Express. Those are the only two shotguns I will ever shoot. One because they are darn cheap and two because the price has no effect on the quality.

[JD McDorce]

While both the Remington 870 and Mossberg 500/535/835 make good choices, finding them new at the $200 price point is somewhat rare (you might be able to find a Charles Daly pump on sale at Wal-Mart for around that price). While I can't vouch for the quality, Williams Gunsight in Davison has a bunch of used Mossbergs around that price point, with Remington's running a bit higher.

In addition to Shotgun and Muzzleloader (as well as bow & arrow), you can also use .35 caliber or larger straight-walled cartridge handguns in the Shotgun zone (max cap of 8+1).

[JD McDorce]

Originally Posted by beardman2

why do some places require a shotgun?

The most plausible explanation that I have seen is that the intent is to exclude rifle use in areas with high (human) population, due to the historic differences between the effective distance of rifle rounds versus "conventional slugs" and buckshot (I suspect that the difference may not be so great between a .45-70 and a modern saboted slug). Many of the implementing laws and regulations go back 50 years or more and, similar to most laws and regulations, are based on a mix of practical and political considerations.

[Timmy44221]

Most people use a high powered rifle, shotgun, muzzle loader, or arrows to hunt deer. The rifle cartidge has the longest range of them all, and highest possibility of hitting a bystander.

[beardman2]

I see. Ok makes sense. I guess.

[Frostyeyes]

Why not just make a hour or so drive and get out of the shotgun zone???
Or if you have a decent hunting pistol they can be used in the shotgun zone IIRC