New to guns, advice needed!

BGman · December 29, 2011, 11:09 PM

I want to get into hunting, mainly deer and small game. I live in Ohio and am looking for a pump at most 600$ or700$. What would be the best bang for the buck? Thanks!

frigate88 · December 30, 2011, 05:42 AM

Benelli nova or super nova, or you could use what I use, a mossberg 500. Great gun and will never fail you.

Dave McC · December 30, 2011, 06:31 AM

Don't buy one yet. Try out friends' gun and see what feels best.

US and Italian made guns are reliable and well worth the money. Clones from Asia not so much.

Try a Mossberg 500, Remington 870, Ithaca 37, Prowning BPS, etc....

darkgael · December 30, 2011, 06:42 AM

You should be able to buy a very serviceable pump gun - one that will give you long and reliable service - for substantially less than $600.
Any on that list will work.
Pete

BGman · December 30, 2011, 05:12 PM

Thanks. I've been looking around at the benelli nova and super nova and is the SN really worth the extra money?

frigate88 · December 30, 2011, 08:12 PM

You dont have to spend the extra money on the super nova unless you want to. I've been using the nova for years for deer and pig and have a few hundred rounds of buckshot and slugs through it. Haven't had an issue yet and it's super easy to maintain. I also didn't really like the trigger guard on the supernova, but Thats just my personal preference on it. The nova will do you just fine. Once youve been hunting for a while you'll get more familiar with that your likes and dislikes are and can choose a gun from there. But the nova is an excellent first choice. Me and my hunting buddies have been using that gun for years. Its actually kind of funny cause we look like a Benelli advertisement commercial rolling around with all black synthetic novas. But my main pump gun for hunting is still the mossberg 500.

Gehrhard · December 30, 2011, 09:18 PM

Yeah, handling some is a good idea with the understanding you are leaving the stores WITHOUT buying one.

Then go back and order the Deer/Field Mossberg 500 combo for rifled slugs. Thay also make a heavy-scoped-barreled sabot round firing combo.

oneounceload · December 30, 2011, 09:33 PM

Go to your local club and announce your naivete, and then borrow/rent as many as you can to see what fits you the best and works for you

BGman · January 1, 2012, 03:22 PM

Thanks, really appreciate it!

jrothWA · January 2, 2012, 10:49 AM

If so, then consider heading down to north side of Findley to Jaqua's shop,

They would probably help in types you should consider.

Have you done any shot-gunning, trap, skeet???

Just trying to get a feel for recoil you can handle.

Also for NW ohio deer, you may need to consider using the sabot shell to give you more range, as that area is a tad open, with isolate woodlots.

BGman · January 2, 2012, 11:19 PM

It does mean bowling green. I'll have to go and check that shop out.

I've done some shooting with my buddies before, but that's all

thanks for the tip, I'll have to try that out when I get one

Sure Shot Mc Gee · January 3, 2012, 12:40 AM

Best thing you could do is: Go to a gun shop where the counter help know "what they are talking about."-- Wear the {clothes & coat} you intend to hunt in for the most part. Try all them pumps for swing, weight, and sighting down the barrel. Pay attention and listen for good advice. Big point?-> Buy what you can afford!! Nothing more. Nothing less. You'll be pleased with your purchase.

upstate81 · January 3, 2012, 01:32 AM

Don't rush it take your time. I like winchester pumps these days novas feel like dollar store tupperwear to me. The browning BPS is great as well I'd look a few over. I've always been an american made guy till I found winchester shotguns aren't american made anymore. OTOH the weatherby PA08 is turkish made and that's a great gun as well.

December 29, 2011, 11:09 PM	#1
BGman Junior Member Join Date: December 29, 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 4	New to guns, advice needed! I want to get into hunting, mainly deer and small game. I live in Ohio and am looking for a pump at most 600$ or700$. What would be the best bang for the buck? Thanks!

December 30, 2011, 06:42 AM	#4
darkgael Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2006 Location: Homes in Brooklyn, NY and in Pennsylvania. Posts: 5,473	$ You should be able to buy a very serviceable pump gun - one that will give you long and reliable service - for substantially less than $600. Any on that list will work. Pete __________________ “Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports ... all others are games.” Ernest Hemingway ... NRA Life Member

January 2, 2012, 10:49 AM	#10
jrothWA Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2006 Posts: 2,519	Does "BG" mean Bowling Green? If so, then consider heading down to north side of Findley to Jaqua's shop, They would probably help in types you should consider. Have you done any shot-gunning, trap, skeet??? Just trying to get a feel for recoil you can handle. Also for NW ohio deer, you may need to consider using the sabot shell to give you more range, as that area is a tad open, with isolate woodlots.

January 3, 2012, 12:40 AM	#12
Sure Shot Mc Gee Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,876	New to guns, advice needed! Best thing you could do is: Go to a gun shop where the counter help know "what they are talking about."-- Wear the {clothes & coat} you intend to hunt in for the most part. Try all them pumps for swing, weight, and sighting down the barrel. Pay attention and listen for good advice. Big point?-> Buy what you can afford!! Nothing more. Nothing less. You'll be pleased with your purchase.

December 30, 2011, 05:42 AM	#2
frigate88 Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2011 Location: LOXAHATCHEE, FL Posts: 204	Benelli nova or super nova, or you could use what I use, a mossberg 500. Great gun and will never fail you.

December 30, 2011, 06:31 AM	#3
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Don't buy one yet. Try out friends' gun and see what feels best. US and Italian made guns are reliable and well worth the money. Clones from Asia not so much. Try a Mossberg 500, Remington 870, Ithaca 37, Prowning BPS, etc....

December 30, 2011, 05:12 PM	#5
BGman Junior Member Join Date: December 29, 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 4	Thanks. I've been looking around at the benelli nova and super nova and is the SN really worth the extra money?

December 30, 2011, 08:12 PM	#6
frigate88 Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2011 Location: LOXAHATCHEE, FL Posts: 204	You dont have to spend the extra money on the super nova unless you want to. I've been using the nova for years for deer and pig and have a few hundred rounds of buckshot and slugs through it. Haven't had an issue yet and it's super easy to maintain. I also didn't really like the trigger guard on the supernova, but Thats just my personal preference on it. The nova will do you just fine. Once youve been hunting for a while you'll get more familiar with that your likes and dislikes are and can choose a gun from there. But the nova is an excellent first choice. Me and my hunting buddies have been using that gun for years. Its actually kind of funny cause we look like a Benelli advertisement commercial rolling around with all black synthetic novas. But my main pump gun for hunting is still the mossberg 500.

December 30, 2011, 09:18 PM	#7
Gehrhard Junior member Join Date: July 15, 2009 Location: East of the Missississippippi Posts: 675	Yeah, handling some is a good idea with the understanding you are leaving the stores WITHOUT buying one. Then go back and order the Deer/Field Mossberg 500 combo for rifled slugs. Thay also make a heavy-scoped-barreled sabot round firing combo.

December 30, 2011, 09:33 PM	#8
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	Go to your local club and announce your naivete, and then borrow/rent as many as you can to see what fits you the best and works for you

January 1, 2012, 03:22 PM	#9
BGman Junior Member Join Date: December 29, 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 4	Thanks, really appreciate it!

January 2, 2012, 11:19 PM	#11
BGman Junior Member Join Date: December 29, 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 4	It does mean bowling green. I'll have to go and check that shop out. I've done some shooting with my buddies before, but that's all thanks for the tip, I'll have to try that out when I get one

January 3, 2012, 01:32 AM	#13
upstate81 Senior Member Join Date: October 20, 2011 Location: NY Posts: 801	Don't rush it take your time. I like winchester pumps these days novas feel like dollar store tupperwear to me. The browning BPS is great as well I'd look a few over. I've always been an american made guy till I found winchester shotguns aren't american made anymore. OTOH the weatherby PA08 is turkish made and that's a great gun as well.