Hunting on Texas Public Lands - firearm advice?

I'm a newbie hunter. Thinking about going out on the Texas Public Lands. Maybe starting small with squirrel, rabbit, etc. But, I've looked at several of the public areas and they don't allow any firearms except shotguns. I know nothing about shotguns. 12 ga? 20 ga? .410?Then of course, pump vs. semiauto??? Suggestions????

As this will be my first shotgun, I'm not planning on getting a real expensive one. Any reason not to get a Remington 870 Express 12 ga. for a first shotgun?

Thanks,

The Remington 870 Express is a good, quality gun.

However, for not alot more money, you can get a Benelli Nova, which is lighter, shoots 3.5' shells (nice if you want to go goose hunting), comes with all 3 chokes. It is also a nicer gun (imho).

Around here, 870's sell at Wal-Mart for $230. A Benelli Nova can be had for $280.

Nope, there's no reason in the world not to get a Remington 870 Express for a first shotgun. But you do have to be careful, it might be your last shotgun too. The 870 is a good shotgun that sees a ton of use all over the world. If you were to have only one shotgun, that would be a good one. And with 12 ga, while you might be a bit overgunned for some species, it'll certainly work for just about everything. Pick up a rifled slug barrel and you're even good for short range deer and black bear hunting.

Thanks for the heads up!!! Sounds like the Benelli is a good step up for not alot more money.

Scott

The only thing wrong with an 870 is that it's a pump. While there are the old time die hards out there who swear by pumps and eat their share of game. For the most part, you will put more food on the table with an autoloader.

For a little more money then a new 870 (i.e. $100-$150) you can get a used 1100. Then you'll have a shotgun that will do you good the rest of your life, no matter where you shotguning future takes you. Whether it be dove and ducks or skeet and sporting clays. BTW - living in Texas you gotta try the dove hunting (only 5 days away!)

If you do decide to get an 1100, try and find a newer model with rem chokes. That way it can be adapted to many uses.

Good luck,

Baloney. I have been able to work the action on a pump (*ANY* pump) faster than a new target can be aquired. Meaning the speed difference between a pump and an auto is meaningless.

Besides, who would want to carry around the extra poundage? No thanks - I'll stick with my pumps. And I'll use the saved money to buy quality shells (man I love that HeviShot).

Somehow I figured I'd hear from at least one of the die hard pump gunners

Like I said, there are those that can shoot a pump as fast and well as an automatic (you being one). However, it takes quite a bit of skill to cycle a pump as fast as an automatic. And it takes more skill on a pump then an automatic to make an accurate follow up shot. All these are skills that a new shooter would have to learn on top of hitting accurately in the first place. So I would suggest that they would be better off with an auto so the new skill learn'n can be focused on hitting and not working the gun.

When I used to shoot a pump, I would occasionally try to hurry the follow up shot and not get the shell fully ejected. Then it'd jam up and I wouldn't even get the second shot off. Of course I never was very good a pump shooter.

Give me an auto!

My first shotgun was an auto (a 35 year old Browning) and while I have retired it I now own a Remington 1100. I guess I'm spoiled but auto's are the only way to go.

However...............for home defense, there is nothing like the sound of a pump shutgun to make an intruder crap himself and reverse course <VBG>!

No, you misunderstood what I was saying.

EVERYONE can shoot a pump faster than they can aquire a new target.

That's a problem of the gun, not the gunner.

One of the reasons I prefer a SxS is I waste fewer shells pumping and sky-busting. You have to stop, reload and calm down.. Doves are too unpredictable in their flight..

Sam A. Kersh NRA Patron TSRA Life Member LEAA Life Member Gun Owners of America