redrockranger
Silver $$ Contributor
870 Remington, 26" barrel with choke tubes. You can shoot 1 0z loads to magnums. 20 or 12 ga.
Lol I am just starting my hull hording adventure since I just started reloading shotgun for skeet.... At least it's different , I have enough brass for pistol and rifle and it's easier to find a 12ga AA hull in the grass....As several have mentioned there are so many ammunition choices that it probably doesn't matter what gauge for rabbits and most birds, waterfowl being the exception.
It mainly comes down to the weight of the gun vs. the cost of the ammo and the felt recoil if shooting heavier loads.
Ithaca 37 is a fine pump that ejects out the bottom but the safety is in the trigger guard and will need to be reversed. No big deal but it might require a replacement. They are light and a 12ga doesn't weigh much more than most 20's.
Of course if you reload most of the disadvantages of each gauge disappear and you just acquired new hobbies like hull hoarding.
With the cost of lead shot plus shipping these days I have given up loading shot shells for the most part. I still have some shot left over from days past if I need to replenish my stock of special hunting ammo. I can purchase 12 gauge shot shells cheaper than I can reload them for general target shooting. I have hand loaded more slug and buck shot ammo than anything in the past few years. I don't shoot shotgun's as much for hunting as I used to because the rabbits and birds have about disappeared in my area due to coyotes and land development for housing. I will do some squirrel hunting with the shotgun while the leaves are still on the trees but once the leaves thin out of drop the 22 rifle or T/C Contender 14" barrel 22 pistol or Ruger MKII comes out.
Where in general are you located? People are complaining about the lack of rabbits and groundhogs in Ohio because of coyotes. The older farmers have told me the groundhogs have REALLY disappeared over the last 20 years.
And I do the same method for hunting squirrels. Shotgun when the leaves are on the trees. Then it's either 22lr or 17hmr. Or I'll still use a shotgun if I'm still near some homes.
The Rem 27 yard handicap gold box loads in 7 1/2 make great grouse loads.
Are these the ones you suggested..thank youThe Rem 27 yard handicap gold box loads in 7 1/2 make great grouse loads.
Hello.
Forgive my ignorance as I'm new to the bird thing..I get 7 1/2..27yrd handy cap..does that mean to wait till birds are approx that distance away
Are these the ones you suggested..thank you
You are all set! Don't get talked into heavy kicking loads--a standard 3 dram load with 1 1/8 oz of shot will do the trick and be the most economical. I'd go even lighter for targets.Wow..what a response..
Well I was able to pick up a beautiful like new 1975 rem 870 12ga from a forum member
The wood on this shot gun is almost to pretty..
It's very pretty..very basic..12ga..
It will get the job done for my intended purpose..
I'm very grateful to this gentleman for his generosity.
Its always nice to meet a forum member ..and talk well anything really..but it usually revolves around a good gun story...
Thank all..I am properly armed with all the information I required on this subject..many years in the out doors worth of knowledge on this forum.
Damn the internet is so cool,we can share our life experiences with one another....
I dont realy know how many people miss the fact..
Many of us here didnt have the internet as children or young adults for you old stinkers..haha
And when I sit in my cumfy chair with my cell phone..I literally have the world in my finger tips..
The smart phone is a wonderful device ( I choose to use as a valuable tool)..any question I may have any goofy odd ball idea I may have..I can find information or direction with the internet..
( yes yes..one needs to use the law of averages and apply it to information gathered on the net)..
But that is what is so magical about it..people from around the globe from all walks of life with completely different personalities and perspective can share there knowledge and thoughts..then we mentally filter and process our new found information and away we go....
...Now If society could remember follow the rules we learned in kindergarten..be honest..be kind..bla bla bla..the fundamentals of life most of our mothers tried to smack into us
We would be much farther ahead..hahaha..
Great response here..thank you ladies and gentlemen..
Keep safe
.keep healthy