Sure-I already know it's going to rankle some feathers (no pun intended) because I won't be listing any shot guns I have not fired! Now unquestionably you folks know your shot guns and have favorites. Now; let us begin: the best for me for balance to start with as I used a Winchester 1200 pump that was strictly designed for bird hunting but I do not consider it an ideal crow gun despite the numbers I have killed. I used the 1200 for years and years. Again I do not consider it an ideal crow gun dumb as that sounds.If it's the only thing you can afford then the gun you have is the best crow gun.
Ithaca featherweight model 37.: this gun had an orange sight and ventilated rib. Perfectly balanced. Just stay away from heavy loads without a shoulder pad of one nature or another.
Remington 870-absolutely ideal in any barrel length (I used a police "riot" gun I borrowed)and that was ideal for the most part. My personal remington 870 had a longer barrel and I regret selling it to this day...
Remington 1100 semi auto short barrel 12 gauge(all were 12 gauges by the way) which had eight shots....no I never "sprayed and prayed"!!
For laughs I used a Rossi overland outside hammers. Looked cool; performed as well too...unfortunately I always used it when crow activity picked up handicapping myself..
An H&R single shot. For whatever reason I used one and did very well with it...one season...I found that I tended to shoot more cautiously when I used it.
I forgot I had a pair of double S&S many years ago too....worked very well. I used them when you could still hunt water fowl with lead shot which is why...let some game warden ask me if my gun was plugged
Mossberg pump..always reliable..always...in that time however every one else used an 870..if you didn't have a wingmaster you sure was poor!!(And not in the ranks of "cool" either!) And that fit me to a "T"!
Notice I didn't list anything I currently have? Well I'd be full of baloney especially given that I posted all the problems I had so despite the classic names I will leave them out until I have more experience with them! I'd rather have another 870 to regain my credibility regarding a good shotgun I'd recommend. So if you are a first time crow shooter the first two might be ideal. I base my recommendations on my experience and weight and or specifically balance. Are there better out there? Sure, probably ...so it's basically whatever you use that works for any of you. That is always the best. So anyways I expect some irritated fellow shooters but before you give it to me; remember what I said here. I didn't say if you are not using the above you are using garbage:for the record I never said that. What guns I'd never use? That is based upon if I had nothing else. I won't say. So fire away(no pun intended)!!
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Top Cat Statutes never replaced or rewrote the constitution!
I tried for size a Mossberg and they sure have come a long way BabY1 I'd recommend that for sure! THe older models were not as well balanced like I had years ago...
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Top Cat Statutes never replaced or rewrote the constitution!
If you enjoyed the 870 so much and regret selling it, go find another one and start shooting. The new one can be had pretty darn easy. If you want a Wingmaster then start looking around at Gunbroker and the Gun Library on Cabelas website. The Wingmasters are pretty easily found. My 870 is a great shotgun, its not a Wingmaster though.
-- Edited by Lefty2Barrels on Friday 13th of October 2017 11:05:11 AM
With shotguns its all about fitting your correctly. The needs to fit you so it hits where you are looking. That means the drop at the comb and heel need to be right for you. Second the cast, neutral being straight, cast off (bent to the right) for right handed shooters cast on (bent to the left for left handed shooters). The thicker the stock of the gun the more critical the cast becomes. Remington shotguns typically have a thin stock in my opinion. Beretta and Browning tend to have a thicker stock. Lastly is your length of pull, LOP. You also have a to have a very consistant gun mount for these factors to work together.
-- Edited by Lefty2Barrels on Friday 13th of October 2017 02:46:57 PM
If you enjoyed the 870 so much and regret selling it, go find another one and start shooting. The new one can be had pretty darn easy. If you want a Wingmaster then start looking around at Gunbroker and the Gun Library on Cabelas website. The Wingmasters are pretty easily found. My 870 is a great shotgun, its not a Wingmaster though.
-- Edited by Lefty2Barrels on Friday 13th of October 2017 11:05:11 AM
I will follow your advice-I will look!
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Top Cat Statutes never replaced or rewrote the constitution!
I don't have enough crows (where I hunt) to really get a good sense of what works best to be honest. I've shot Remingtons so long that I thought my 870 would be best..then I tried the old Remington 11-48 I inherited over 30 years ago and had my best day ever. Same stock geometry as an 870, so that may have contributed. :) Now that I think of it, I've had my best grouse days with that old recoil-operated gun too, in spite of the fact that I have way better shotguns for that job.
Beginning to think there might be some serious hunting mo-jo built into that shotgun, my grandfather was an avid hunter.
You didn't ask, but if there was one I could TRY for crows...it would be a Remington Versamax. Softest-shooting semi I've ever tried, but I was shooting targets with it.
Great Topic T.C. and from what I've seen in my 60 yrs it usually depends on what a person likes, few shotgunners enjoy the luxury of trying different guns afield that said I think most folks buy because they like the looks of a gun and that is influenced by a lot of factors such as what Dad or friends hunted with. Personally I've never liked a Browning (hold on Browning Guys) but its just my taste, they're great guns. Anyway I now use a Rem. Versamax that my son bought me And have been well pleased with it, prior I used a Win. 1400 that is our backup now and was influenced by my Dad on these. He actually wore 2 completely out. You know I can only think of a few shotguns that I truly dislike. Just glad we have a lot of choices to meet all of our needs and likes.
I loved your story Butch! Never heard of a "Versa Max"...that'll have to wait for me though...I need to just become more familiar with my current shotguns...never a good idea in my book to use a different one all the time though....know the gun you like and how can you miss?
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Top Cat Statutes never replaced or rewrote the constitution!
Been reading this thread with a lot of interest. Time has come to help No. 1 grandson with a shotgun and I've been saving for an Rem 870. My question to everyone is, should I get the youth model or regular size to start him? I've been leaning toward the regular size 20ga with the 26" bbl. He's not a small guy, stands 5'4" at 12 1/2 yrs old. Any thoughts??
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Old Ironworkers never die, they just rust away - Bob Harrington
Lefty, thought about that but was concerned if the "small" receiver would have a replacement stock available or just for the adult "large receiver" stocked versions. Checked on LOP and the youth model is 13" while the "adult" model is 14". Also weight difference, that I can find, is only 1/4 lb. Not being well versed in the shotgun dept., has me spinning and scratching my head, looking for advice from ya'll on the ins and outs of things. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks
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Old Ironworkers never die, they just rust away - Bob Harrington
The 12ga vs. 20ga reciever is likely different but the youth 20ga and regular 20ga is only the stocks LOP. The 12ga stock and the 20ga stocks do not interchange.
Another thing, can your grandson handle the recoil of the 12ga? If so Id say go for the 12ga and buy a used stock to cut down for now. Save the original for later.
Theres a couple ways to skin this cat Dixie, Im happy to help.
Lefty, thanks but I'm set on the 20ga. No.1 grandson can handle it better than a 12ga. and don't want him getting "gun shy" and picking up some bad habits. Thanks!
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Old Ironworkers never die, they just rust away - Bob Harrington
I keep two shotguns in the blind with me. I have a Remington 870 with a modified choke and a Mossberg with a full choke. Don't use the Mossberg as much. It is for those high flying Fish Crows.
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I hunt therefore I am!
If you are not stepping forward, you are stepping backwards. Time stands still no for No Man.
Dixie, you will likely find a nice deal on a 20ga 870 right around Black friday, maybe sooner. I wouldnt worry too much about it being youth or not since you can buy a youth stock if you need it.
Thanks Lefty! I believe I've settled for the "adult" 870 in 20ga. Since I'll be at Valhalla at that time, it'll be perfect to pick one up and at the same time, have No. 1 son decide about the youth stock then. I think the 1" difference in LOP and the 6" difference in overall length (1" LOP and 5" barrel length) can be dealt with. No. 1 grandson will be excited about graduating from a single shot 410, to the 870. (Maybe an early Christmas present???)
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Old Ironworkers never die, they just rust away - Bob Harrington
Sounds good, my daughter is getting an early Christmas present from me next week, a new .223 to use for coyote hunting with her Ole Man.....Im excited to get it for her.
I remember too I once had this 3 shot semi auto matic 20" barrel Winchester 12ga...how I wish I never got rid of given what would come later in this time period when crows could be found every where in the old Walpole days when hundreds wandered through the valley....today you'd only see one flapping on by...!! So where did they all go? Where the food is and despite the abundance in the old Walpole area...there still is scarcely any. So much for that. THe geese are in abundance here and there (ducks too)although most by and large stay on the Vermont side...
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Top Cat Statutes never replaced or rewrote the constitution!
If you enjoyed the 870 so much and regret selling it, go find another one and start shooting. The new one can be had pretty darn easy. If you want a Wingmaster then start looking around at Gunbroker and the Gun Library on Cabelas website. The Wingmasters are pretty easily found. My 870 is a great shotgun, its not a Wingmaster though.
Well I went gun shopping and all there were for 870s was a slug gun(definately not a crow shotgun-way too heavy) and a rare 16 guage-where will I find the ammo? So I passed them up. Lots of used Mossbergs though which I found a little puzzling...maybe older models as the newer ones seemed on a par with the Remington pumps..! But quite frankly, this area is Remngton country period...I was taken aback at all the Bennelli shotguns, used and new. I was thinkinbg "HUH???" I did double takes left and right! Then I spotted a brand new "old" favorite of mine and got bogged down "delayed"....you know why? I learned under Blowbama certain classes of people are specifically banned from owning fire arms! Nothing at all to do with crime at all! You can guess. I think this is why the "delay"....Blowbama wrote all these "executive" laws so called that had targeted veterans and now he targeted another class as well...people he also doesn't especially like! And you can guess who we are too! Who was the president who sent the IRS after now...they were by and large republican voters in example or likely or known to vote republican...!!! That was a start..I think Cl;inton target basically anyone who didn't vote for HIM and the rest were harassed by BLowbama for basically the same or veterans ...let's see now; Clinton sent the IRS after the NRA and the like; and Blowbama went after the rest except he used "executive order" whatever to finish off the rest or anything Clinton didn't touch...!
-- Edited by Lefty2Barrels on Friday 13th of October 2017 11:05:11 AM
I will follow your advice-I will look!
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Top Cat Statutes never replaced or rewrote the constitution!
So what “old favorite” shotgun did find Cat? I dont think I would have passed on the 16ga 870 if the price and condition were right.
I never see any 16ga ammo .....only 20 and 12 and 410.....
All of the used shotguns were in the five hundred smackaroo range...and up...water fowl season is still on along with pheasant and goose here in the G ranite state...well I am waiting on the "INstant Back ground check"...here in NH an "instant " so far has turned out to be since 4:00pm yesterday and counting....and no word yet..the "right to keep and bear arms" and all that at government "disgretion" and all that..a real "right" indeed...!
OKay I am hoping to take home a fun gun: Stoeger arms coach gun. THe light weight and cool looks and and an often slow time of crow activity makes it possible to successfully use one...
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Top Cat Statutes never replaced or rewrote the constitution!
I spotted an 1100 or two and got a little excited until I saw the price tags of almost $600 smackeroos....so I moved on...so I kept browsing and couldn't believe my eyes-an almost "mad Max" shotgun! So I wasted little time in getting the paperwork rolling. Still waiting on the "NICS" though from an agency that participated in killing Texas children to "save" them in Waco then burned the whole place down and no "guilty" parties even-now that is "justice for all" in a "free" country even. NO really-they call it that. "Liberty" even-no kidding. The laughing stock of the world !!
So I was told if I don't hear from the gun shop to come back Thursday to pick it up...love those "Instant" background checks even. They ought to do one of those on the government...
And I got shotguns I can use to be sure so no big deal but it's the principle of the deal here.
ON another note the coach gun requires (in my views) some kind of shoulder pad so I bought one. It is murder with heavy loads. So I only used light loads and a shoulder pad in the past with one and it was a dream to shoot...it has other advantages such as a wide sight to aim with-I used the barrels. It doesn't self eject which is a bit of a handicap in high volume shooting here. I don't know what to expect anyways. Just a fun gun. Around here shorter barrels are a huge plus for me. But if someone has a blind in the middle of a field then barrel length is strictly up to the shooter. I don't think the crows carry tape measures much.
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Top Cat Statutes never replaced or rewrote the constitution!
And no-I wouldn't use it outside New England. If it was the only gun I had? Naturally I would. Here it's crazy. You can have an all day slow shoot; couples here and there, a handle once in awhiles. Really nutty....OR they can come in all at once and you get a couple and a few stragglers after that. Done for the day. So it isn't particularly a bad choice, a Stoeger arms coach gun. Not even a single shot Money was tight that year so I had to sell to make ends meet and an H&R got me by. I had a partner with a pump btw. H&R is a great back up gun too. Keeps you in the game. THe beauty with the Stoeger and H&R is the light weight-got to love it especially if you got to walk almost half a mile to get to your shooting location...you will appreciate it. I don't know how guys do it with those heavy anti-aircraft goose specialty guns. I met a fellow once. He was carrying a lawn chair too! I asked him about that. H said he sleeps until the geese come in!
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Top Cat Statutes never replaced or rewrote the constitution!
So how did I manage to get away with a single shot H&R that year many moons ago? The crows came in singles and doubles mainly and a partner had the pump and nowhere near the amount of crows you who live in crow saturated areas...where your local roost can be anywhere from several thousand to 300,000? But it is great to train a newbie though to hit the crow I suppose?
I also was using light weight bird shot-the equivalent of a dove load however I didn't shoot any doves which is illegal here in NH...but they sell it calling it that. Also it still recoiled pretty good so I used a rubber recoil pad all the same...I tell you I also aimed very, very carefully without benefit of a follow up shot. I have managed to hit a fleeing crow reloading but it was already hit so I had time.
When I hunted alone with a double wasn't a great idea either. For what it is worth more crows than I anticipated were in the area so I blew some possible triples. Still compared to 1977 say; I was handicapped at that point. 1977 was still pretty hot for NH as I never saw so many crows in my life. You could tell it was late season as all the leaves were now various shades of dull orange and brown and flocks of upwards to one hundred were coming down , taking a break on the hills surrounding the River Road valley .....now not one after the other, there were some minutes to pass before another group showed up but fairly regularly. At this point the general rifle season for deer was in full swing. I also knew the goose and pheasant hunters were busy elsewhere with their deer stands too!
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Top Cat Statutes never replaced or rewrote the constitution!
I use a nova 12 ga with a full choke.this has been my favorite shotgun.it kicks pretty hard but my kill ratio has improved!(sported a black and blue shoulder for 12-13days)
I use a nova 12 ga with a full choke.this has been my favorite shotgun.it kicks pretty hard but my kill ratio has improved!(sported a black and blue shoulder for 12-13days)
I remember days like these well.....during crow season I would -maybe not as bad you are describing-a nice sore shoulder-until the next weekend and almost healed to do it all over again. These days are far different-no crows (joking) shoulder pads are everything! Or you can get an 11-87 using whatever ammunition the gun is set up for-it takes different rings for high brass and low or it'll jam !
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Top Cat Statutes never replaced or rewrote the constitution!
I have heard of a "versa max" and that is a recoil reducer? The shoulder pad known as the "limb saver?" Anyways the 11-87 was fantastic for me regarding heavy loads and recoil. I couldn't believe it. The violent recoil was there but I felt very little of it. I learned too that you needed low brass rings for low brass shot and a different set after removing the low brass rings to successfully use the heavy loads.
Heavy recoil can be a serious problem if you are regularly shooting at lots of crows-you'll pay pretty good!
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Top Cat Statutes never replaced or rewrote the constitution!
I used a shoulder pad with my BPS and 8s I think...no recoil at all meaning felt like a .22!! This shoulder pad I was talked into buying and I like it!
I forgot Blowbama banned Social Security people from buying firearms oh by the way...like he did veterans and practically anyone who might be republican or likely republican...good ole' Blowbama..only he could save the republicans from themselves!
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Top Cat Statutes never replaced or rewrote the constitution!
Browning Auto 5 light 12 stalker model....have a magnum in the stalker model as well, but for some reason that light 12 is pure death when it comes to killing crows.
I am or enjoyed my BPS shotgun...it has a vent rib and ejects the rounds at my feet-how cool is that? Is it an ideal crow buster? Well BobAs' partner for his video I am told used one...it is heavier than an Ithaca Featherweight but basically the same idea. For the few I shot this year there wasn't any misses!
But basically every shotgun has pros and cons. Ideally I think if I lived in a crow saturated area then a ten shot semi-auto would probably be the hot set up...that and a lot of ammo!! (And few misses?)
Great topic... The quick to load Browning Maxus is hard to beat. Skip got us using this fine shotgun based on his recommendation. Now Texas Matt, Lone Star Phil and I all use them with complete satisfaction.
Side loaders are the best for rapid reloads in my experience(as in "my" experience so let's not go ape doo if you disagree-what works for you is always the better way so to speak).. Let's say you are empty and one is coming in-you roll the round in and let the action slide home and you should nail the rascal!
Unfortunately of late the shooting was absolutely pathetic; all the crows drifted down en masse' after the season ended! This is like one year we had an extended winter and the crows started showing up in April where by then our season had ended for spring!!
This is also why I opposed the lengthy no hunt for crows! Okay let's "protect" them until June or something but while I only hunt in late fall these days; still it might be the only time to get any at this rate!
And frankly right now I don't see that ever happening-not a chance in blazes! I doubt Fish & Game would even consider it given the history of crow seasons in this state...it's not where the money is. Largely if it's not Goose,turkey or ducks (and deer) it's basically dead in the water-those ideas won't fly(no pun intended) regarding an extended crow season.
Years ago(70s through mid 80s when it all started to go to blazes) the locals were bunching up nicely in late summer and roosting even...so much has changed now it's practically strictly migration or barely anything at all!
-- Edited by killer Crowalski on Tuesday 26th of December 2017 05:43:16 AM
-- Edited by killer Crowalski on Tuesday 26th of December 2017 05:48:11 AM
-- Edited by killer Crowalski on Tuesday 26th of December 2017 05:48:57 AM
My best crow shotgun is my best everything shotgun. I have 3 barrels for it. It fits me like a golve, it shoots perfect point of impact to point of aim, it's light because I walk into a lot of public ground, it's reliable as any thing on the market, it has never jammed but did benelli click a couple of times when i neglected to let the bolt slam. I like the placement of the safety, the shape of the forearm, there the width of the rib, the balance, the short forearm, the operation. For me it's my Benelli M1, I have been shooting it for a decade and wouldn't trade it for the latest and greatest with enough cash boot to buy a new one.
Beat all around field gun ever to me.
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A SUPER 90 and a crow in range, life is good. A good sandwich and bag of M&Ms doesnt hurt either.
My Browning Pump Shotgun is really sweet but I still believe there are better out there. Overall I rate it as pretty nice. But what I consider a really good shotgun is one that absorbs the recoil so here my 11-87 shines. The BPS does not! I will probably slap on a limb saver recoil pad but the size shot I use renders that idea unnecessary-my 11-87 can do the heavy loads far better.
On that note I feel the 11-87 was designed for water fowl so keep this in mind when looking for a good crow gun. Just maybe you ought to save up for a BobA. style shotgun if you got tons of crows...
Again the shotgun should be light weight and well balanced...comfortable to shoot...you might find your area with a heavy influx of crows and otherwise the recoil will really bruise you up. BobA has a story about the old Ft Cobb days where this fellow tried to use heavy loads and he could only observe as his shoulder took a beating. I think BobA. has a story based on personal experience too....
So recoil and balance are extremely important and a huge part of your game...and comfort...you won't get it using heavy loads in -say-an Ithaca Featherweight...model 37 but I still love that gun...if you aim it it is too!
You folks with he heavy stuff try recoil absorption. This was a large reason I missed years ago...
If you have tons of crows you might go super high tech. Magazine extensions (where legal) will keep you in the game longer particularly in high volume shooting but here again your balance will decline a little as your gun will be a little heavier. And I have used barrel extensions and love it. However again the question becomes out of state...here in New England in its' head long race to rejuvenate colonialism just getting a gun can result in a lot of hoop jumping red tape...tons of paperwork but the criminals don't do that. NO way. You can tell libtard mentality involved here.
Anyways the barrel extension might not work so well for you.
A good gun strap or belt-sling-is probably ideal too. I use a slip on one. I cannot have that sling hooking on a branch when I am shooting. Anyways when I am packing it in; I can reattach the sling.
And have been well pleased with it, prior I used a Win. 1400 that is our backup now and was influenced by my Dad on these. He actually wore 2 completely out. You know I can only think of a few shotguns that I truly dislike. Just glad we have a lot of choices to meet all of our needs and likes.
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