Bird hunting - where to begin?

Sweet Melissa · 08-14-2007, 12:56 PM

I will start with the disclaimer that I know just enough about this subject to sound really stupid. So, if I post something that doesn't make sense, feel free to correct me (or my husband will. :smile

I am starting to gain interest in bird hunting- grouse to start, and maybe waterfowl at some point. My husband and I have been talking shotguns, but we're not exactly sure what would work for me. Remington 870 Express and Wingmaster have come up, (do I sound stupid yet?) but we would welcome other suggestions.

One consideration is that I am on the short end of 5'3", so do I look at youth models or should I modify an adult model to my liking? Also, I don't want to put out a lot of $ to start, since all I've really shot so far is a skunk and a few pop cans.

Swamp Puppy · 08-14-2007, 01:09 PM

an 870 is probably a good start for you.

with shotguns, how a gun "fits" you is really important. go to gun stores and handle them. close your eyes and bring the gun up to your shoulders as if you were going to shoot it. hold it there..then open your eyes. you should be looking down the gun barrel so that the bead on the end appears to be sitting on the back of gun, in other words, you shouldn't see any of the gun barrel. you may have to practice this a few times to get it right...but you should be able to get it right. contrary to popular belief..(especially gun salesman belief) it is possible to buy an inexpensive gun that will fit you well enough to be a reliable shooter. WITHOUT spending 800 - 1000 dollars in custom modifications.

also, if the gun feels ackwardward to you look for a different gun. a youth model gun may well be what you want for your 5' 3" frame, but if you can handle a full size gun you should go with that.

i am not sure of what your budget is, but you may also want to look at the Stoeger 2000 autoloader or maybe a Charles Daily Autoloader. these will cost you just a bit more than an 870, but with your small frame (and presumably shorter arms) you may be better off on your second and third shots if you don't have to wrestle with a pump.

another option would be an inexpensive Over/Under. the Stoeger Condor is about the same price as an 870 and there are a few other inexpensive doubles out there. an O/U will be about 3-4 inches shorter in overall length than a pump or an auto.

once you get your gun sorted out..let me know if you and your husband want to get your "feet wet" on a waterfowl hunt. i'll be happy to take you out for an intro. i only warn you that it is addicting and i am not to be held responsible for any budget shortfalls that come from purchasing decoys, calls, boats, or anything else we waterfowlers find to spend money on. lol.

CombinationLicense · 08-14-2007, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Melissa

I will start with the disclaimer that I know just enough about this subject to sound really stupid. So, if I post something that doesn't make sense, feel free to correct me (or my husband will. :smile

I am starting to gain interest in bird hunting- grouse to start, and maybe waterfowl at some point. My husband and I have been talking shotguns, but we're not exactly sure what would work for me. Remington 870 Express and Wingmaster have come up, (do I sound stupid yet?) but we would welcome other suggestions.

One consideration is that I am on the short end of 5'3", so do I look at youth models or should I modify an adult model to my liking? Also, I don't want to put out a lot of $ to start, since all I've really shot so far is a skunk and a few pop cans.

That doesn't sound like an inappropriate question at all and I'm sure there will be lots of IFISHers that can help you out. Regardless of the brand, model and type of shotgun that you select it has to fit you well and be comfortable for you to shoot. I would recommend that you find someone in your local area that can let you try some guns out to help you decide. Dan Mitchell at Mitchell's Clay Target Sports is fairly close to you and he's one of the best shotgun guru's around. The Oregon Waterfowl Festival is going on there this weekend and you might want to drop by and talk to some of the folks there. If that doesn't work for you please drop me a pm and we can talk some more about it. I have several different kinds of youth shotguns that our boys use and you could make the trek up to Gresham to try them out if you want.

"CL"

Swamp Puppy · 08-14-2007, 01:16 PM

ah yes, speaking of gun shopping, do yourself a favor and stay out of the Gun Room in Portland.

-Ed Johnston

James in Idaho · 08-14-2007, 01:45 PM

My daughter is almost 5'2" now, she's gone thru a youth single shot 20 guage (kicked like a mule), an 870 youth 20 gauge (heavy), and now shoots a Remington 11-87 20 guage. Loves it, and the semi auto takes a lot of the kick out of the picture. I'd recommend an auto loader for that reason alone. As far as what to hunt, start with doves, then go find some grouse. Pheasants are a kick, if you like bad weather ducks and geese are fun (and challanging to cook well), and chukar is just insanity.

scottishsetter · 08-14-2007, 02:08 PM

Ahh! Shopping for shotguns sounds fun and I bet your husband will take you out and about doing it.

Some thoughts; a Browning BPS pump 20ga. but alas they are heavy.
Rem pump 20ga. still somewhat heavy.
Benelli 20ga. pump lighter[?]
Ruger over under 20ga. costs more but would be industructible.
Browning Gold or Rem auto 20ga.s sweet but more $
Beretta 390 1RL Youth # 8084897 at auctionArms
Stick to a 20ga.and 3" chamber is nice if not a must;;; if you two need another shotgun and like shooting them then you'll know more of what you want; but I'll say start with a twenty first.[They're fun]
Go to Mitchells shoot some clay pigeons ask if they have a 20ga to rent/borrow? Get some exposure to the guns and types That is why I said GO SHOPPING!
JUST DON'T BUY. Look for a set time frame, talk it over with your husband and say the two of you agree to hit say six stores and six types of shotguns in hand AND then talk about the buying. Make the gun store [help] show you the 20ga.shotguns they have; HANDLE them, it's OK to do. [Oh this is what gunnuts love,pour over the newest and latest]
Good luck

Hawk · 08-14-2007, 03:15 PM

I'd almost start with pheasants. Although they can scare the cr** out of you when they jump up, they are a little slower, bigger targets, and easier to hit. Chukars are nuts; those things take off like they were shot out of a cannon. Quail are too small until you've got more experience, and they fly fast too. Grouse are just plain stupid, but if you can get them to fly they aren't too bad. With the preserves, you can get on pheasants (and quail and chukars too) right now, and be dialed in for waterfowl when they get here in the fall.

I'd agree with the recommendations for a semi-auto. I can shoot my Browning Auto-5 3" magnum and, using low base 2-3/4" shells it kicks about as much as a 10/22; virtually nothing. I'd say go with a 3" or 3-1/2" 12 gauge as it gives you a lot more options for shells than a 20 gauge.

Hunt'nFish · 08-14-2007, 03:48 PM

Personally, I be asking other women what they shoot and why.
We men think we know it all ya know.......and of course we are NEVER wrong.

Tossing waterfowl in the mix pushes me to recommend a 3" 12ga.
If it were not for that I'd have said a 20ga also.

Here's a suggestion......vist Mitchell's Sporting Clays and ask Dan what he thinks. He deals with all kinds of shooters and can help suggest models that have a higher probability of fitting you than any of us here.
You can also rent guns to try as well. I ALWAYS recommend the try before you buy route.

Also, come join us at the Waterfowl Festival this weekend and visit Dan's Shop....maybe fondle a few light clays guns.
Just a suggestion anyway,
Hunt'nFish

MarshBum · 08-14-2007, 03:53 PM

I started with the 870, then moved to the Stoeger 2000 when the barrel on the 870 became "fatigued".

The advice given here is pretty good. Get a good fitting gun, and then just get out there. Nothing can replace experience, so go get some!

But, honestly, the fit is the most critical. My Stoeger fit like two left hand gloves until I shimmed and shaved into a good fit. My shooting deffinately shows it (I'm still not very good, but at least I don't totally stink now).

Good luck and report back on your findings. It would be interesting to see what you settle on and why.

Geoff

baltz526 · 08-14-2007, 04:58 PM

a browning bps pump 20ga is not heavy, but they kick pretty good with 3" kent fast steel for waterfowl. but with any upland or dove load it is very light recoil and there are no cycling issues you get with light loads in autos.

Swamp Puppy · 08-14-2007, 05:26 PM

i've seen quite a few ducks taken with a 20ga. maybe not at skybusting ranges, but over decoys...heck yeah.

Beeatease · 08-14-2007, 06:29 PM

I realize it's quite a ways off but you might try ODFW's BOW program they have a shoot in Oct.

http://www.dfw.state.or.us/outdoor_s...w/schedule.asp

You might contact Nancy to see if there is a shoot close by that you can check out shotguns. Tuesday and Thursday Nights at Canby Rod & Gun Club are trap nights and I know there used to be quite a few ladies who shot.

goosegunner · 08-14-2007, 06:31 PM

My wife took interest in bird hunting with me a few years ago.I was in a duck club on SI and she tagged along a couple times and wanted to try it for herself.We ended up getting her a remington 1100 light weight 20 guage 3 inch capable and she loves it.

Sweet Melissa · 08-14-2007, 07:58 PM

Sounds like a trip to Mitchell's in order. As has been stated, I really just need to get out there, both to look at guns and do some shooting. With two small babies, that's not too easy right now. But they will grow, and hopefully they will want to join us when they are old enough.

Anyway... I see no one has mentioned Mossberg. Are they not worth looking into? I think I was looking at a youth model they had, and it seemed to be a very comfortable fit.

Also, James in Idaho- I wasn't sure what I would do with duck if did shoot one, until I had some duck sausage. Very good, and not greasy or gamey at all. I don't know how many you would have to shoot to make it worthwhile, though.

Beeatease, thanks for the info! I didn't know about that. I'll sign-up tomorrow.

toas243 · 08-14-2007, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swamp Puppy

ah yes, speaking of gun shopping, do yourself a favor and stay out of the Gun Room in Portland.

-Ed Johnston

,those guy`s are a pieces of __________ you know what I mean

thehunt · 08-14-2007, 08:28 PM

Personally I like automatics. I think it gives a beginner one less the thing to think about. Not only are you attempting to be proficient with the gun, you have to worry about pumping and shortstroking. I would reccomend the youth model 1187. Have fun!!

CombinationLicense · 08-14-2007, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Melissa

Anyway... I see no one has mentioned Mossberg. Are they not worth looking into? I think I was looking at a youth model they had, and it seemed to be a very comfortable fit.

We just purchased a Mossberg Bantam 20 ga a couple of weeks ago for our youngest boy. It's a nice little shotgun for the money ($229 on sale) and has all the features necessary for small framed shooters. It's much lighter than the semi-auto Remington 1100 LT-20 he was carrying although it kicks a bit more. That works for us because he was getting tired of carrying the heavy gun on long walks and it couldn't shoot 3" shells, which he wants to do this year for duck hunting.

I've been shooting Mossbergs for many years and have never had a significant problem with them. These days, I mostly shoot my SKB O/U or Beretta Optima semi-auto but I still shoot a 12 ga Mossberg pump-gun for waterfowl and turkey hunting

"CL"

MarlinMark · 08-15-2007, 03:21 AM

Any 20ga. that fits well and you like to look at. Lugging an "ugly" gun around is like carrying wet wood to a campfire.

Mark

scottishsetter · 08-15-2007, 06:01 AM

For the $$$ and the reliability I'd say handling a 20ga Browning BPS is a must. They do have a Micro that is lighter than standard model although the bbl. is only 22". New 20ga BPS runs about $425 across the net. I would not be afraid of used Browning BPS models.

Sweet Melissa · 08-15-2007, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarlinMark

Lugging an "ugly" gun around is like carrying wet wood to a campfire.

Yeah, I understand that. I like some of the laminate stocks, or I guess I should say I think they look interesting. But I will not buy another gun with a plastic stock. My little 10/22 has a streak where some cleaning agent ran down. I wasn't the one who cleaned it, and it bummed me out for a minute or two when I first saw it.

I will take a look at the Brownings, scottishsetter. Thanks.

Swamp Puppy · 08-15-2007, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweet Melissa

Anyway... I see no one has mentioned Mossberg. Are they not worth looking into?

they have rules about that sort of language here...in keeping with the PG environment, i have refrained from sharing my thoughts on MossJunk.

Sweet Melissa · 08-15-2007, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swamp Puppy

they have rules about that sort of language here

Oh, dear, I'm sorry.

As a bit of a side comment... My husband found an old shooting merit badge manual from his scouting days. He said that if I fulfill all the requirements outlined in the book, we can look at some nicer guns. I think it's a good idea, makes him feel like I have some actual interest, and I'll learn something in the process.

I have to write a 200-word essay on "My Responsibilities as a Shooter." LOL. I hope I get an "A."

Swamp Puppy · 08-15-2007, 07:52 AM

i hope you realize i was joking about the language part....lol.

billc_sbio · 08-15-2007, 09:35 AM

I've started several galfriends out shooting and hunting for birds, and most of them have started out using 20 ga.s at the RANGE and for Upland Birds (all, except one, who was REALLY "into it" and she started off with an 870 Wingmaster in 28 Ga. and then had her own TWO O/Us, one in 20 Ga. for Upland and and Pointing Dog Trials and another in 12 Ga. that she used for Upland/Waterfowl)

I'd say a 20 ga. with 3" capability would be really good for most bird and some (limited) Waterfowl hunting.

However if you ever get "serious" about Ducks/Geese, a 3" 12 Ga. will be in your future.

Hawk · 08-15-2007, 10:00 AM

Several folks have recommended the 3" 20 gauge, but I just don't see a lot of rounds out there for that gun. SW has about the best selection that I remember, and I remember thinking there were only 2-3 shot sizes in 3" for 20 gauge guns.

2-3/4" shells for 20 gauge come in shots from about 4-8, high and low base as well as magnums, and can be bought "cheaply" just about anywhere. I just don't see that many retailers selling 3" 20 gauge.

I still think 12 gauges gives her the greatest versatility to learn now, and have the same gun grow with her capability; unless you want to buy more than one shotgun, in which case a 20 gauge now would be ideal, and a 3-1/2" 12 gauge would come later.

billc_sbio · 08-15-2007, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawk

Several folks have recommended the 3" 20 gauge, but I just don't see a lot of rounds out there for that gun. SW has about the best selection that I remember, and I remember thinking there were only 2-3 shot sizes in 3" for 20 gauge guns.

2-3/4" shells for 20 gauge come in shots from about 4-8, high and low base as well as magnums, and can be bought "cheaply" just about anywhere. I just don't see that many retailers selling 3" 20 gauge.

I still think 12 gauges gives her the greatest versatility to learn now, and have the same gun grow with her capability; unless you want to buy more than one shotgun, in which case a 20 gauge now would be ideal, and a 3-1/2" 12 gauge would come later.

Well, here's "the deal" when it comes to hunting with/using the 20 ga. in many places, Oregon included.

The reason for having 3" versatility (it's only the chamber length in the case of a pump or Double Barrel gun) is when you step onto that State WMA or Federal NWR land that REQUIRES Non-Toxic Shot, you have the option of grabbing a couple of boxes of 3" #4 Steel Shot in lieu of your normal 1 oz. 2-3/4" load of #6 Lead for those Pheasants.

Ditto for #6 Steel in lieu of #8s for Quail.

In 20 ga. you NEED that extra capacity the 3" shell affords to make up for the larger sized Steel Shot. With a 20 ga. you're already limited in total volume and the extra volume the 3" shell affords helps get your pellet count back up where you want it.

3" 20 ga. shells aren't overly common, but they're out there. A little pre-planning on what you're going to need in advance will let you find and get them in plenty of time.