Author Topic: bolt shot guns (Read 1567 times)

45-70.gov · « **on:** April 27, 2009, 06:49:41 AM »

why are they so cheap?
anything wrong with them?
what is the best one?

just recently discovered this ECONOMICAL gun

how about an H&R model 348...they any good?
just an old beater to tinker with and refinish

is any one else into these guns?

Syncerus · « **Reply #1 on:** April 27, 2009, 06:54:06 AM »

Usually they balance poorly and are clunky. That said, the ones which I have used were virtually indestructible with even minimal care. One of the very first shotguns that I used as a kid was a 20 ga bolt gun; I still have a secret fondness for them, although I'm sure it's purely nostalgia.

kitchawan kid · « **Reply #2 on:** April 27, 2009, 06:57:18 AM »

I have hunted with the Mossberg bolt in 12ga. and still have a 410,they do kept on working.

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #3 on:** April 27, 2009, 07:12:15 AM »

The Browning A-Bolt 12ga is far from a cheep slug gun

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #4 on:** April 27, 2009, 07:50:25 AM »

on some of the older guns the bolt handle in a slot is all that secures the action shut when shooting .( no lugs ) It was a cheap way to build a gun so nothing has caused the value to rise . The browning cost a lot but its bolt is different ( has lugs ) it is stronger . The Savage 210 will equal the Browning in shooting if not in looks . ( yep i shot both ) , The tar-hunt bolt gun should beat them both . Mossburg has one for slugs also and it cost less that the other three .

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #5 on:** April 27, 2009, 09:12:13 AM »

I always found the marlin/ mossberg awkward to shoot a second shell with at birds in the air. The bolt is far forward for fast cycling and you hav to reach to get the bolt closed.
But as a deer or turkey gun they seem to work fine.
I have shot a couple of the Mauser shotguns and they are a little better but again they are three times the price of the marlin.
For one of my winter projects I would like to find one and add a rifled barrel to the Marlin/ mossberg for a slug rifle.
But like the single shot guys the ones that like the bolt like the bolt and you can not pry them out of their hands.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #6 on:** April 27, 2009, 09:15:32 AM »

I was thinking of that bbl switch also , my gun smith advised aginst it because of the lock up used in those guns is weak for a slug gun .

spruce · « **Reply #7 on:** April 27, 2009, 10:46:30 AM »

A Mossberg 20ga was my first very own shotgun.

They may not be pretty or well-balanced or fast for followup shots, but mine accounted for a lot of birds, bunnies, and squirrels!

After a couple years I had more money and just had to have something "bigger and better" so traded it off for something I can't remember now - wish I had it back!

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #8 on:** April 27, 2009, 10:48:06 AM »

i have heard others call them farm guns !

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #9 on:** April 27, 2009, 12:02:02 PM »

Shootall,

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #10 on:** April 27, 2009, 12:03:27 PM »

mcwooduck ?

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #11 on:** April 27, 2009, 12:04:57 PM »

Shootall,
I am confussed.
If it will handle a 12ga 2 3/4" slug or buck shot why would it not do so if it has a different Barrel on it. Even a shorter one.
Sounds like he does not want to do a barrel swap.
And with the cost of the Handi Tracker II at a few hundred bucks it would be cheaper to own one or two of those than have a slug gun made.

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #12 on:** April 27, 2009, 12:05:55 PM »

Sorry, Had a mouse error that sent just your name.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #13 on:** April 27, 2009, 12:14:31 PM »

not really , I wanted a 20 ga. ( the Savage 210 hasen't appeared yet ) and the presure of a slug going thru. a rifled bbl.vs. a smooth bore , a sabot that fits tight vs. a undersized slug , a load of shot at 1200 fps vsa slug at 1500-1800 fps were his concerns when you add the fact that often the bolt handle is the only thing keeping the bolt in battry and it is often times sodered on and old . The other thing is these guns flex to much to make good turkey shoot guns ( the bolt handle thing again ) so expecting a tack driver out of one would be alot to ask .

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #14 on:** April 27, 2009, 12:45:47 PM »

OK. Good points.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #15 on:** April 27, 2009, 12:47:11 PM »

I really really wanted to convert one .

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #16 on:** April 27, 2009, 12:56:26 PM »

What about won of the Mauser 98 shotguns?

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #17 on:** April 27, 2009, 12:59:32 PM »

I have never seen one , do they have lugs to lock up ?

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #18 on:** April 27, 2009, 01:07:40 PM »

Yea it is a 98 action with a large bolt face and a shotgun barrel mounted on it.
The three I have seen were in So. CA and got to shoot one of them.
You may try the Shootist in Murietta, CA he sometimes has one in his shop for about 300 to 350.
I do not have a phone number. But a Call to 951 555-1212 and ask for the Shootist in Murietta CA and you should be able to get a number.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #19 on:** April 27, 2009, 01:09:48 PM »

12 or 20 ?

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #20 on:** April 27, 2009, 01:13:50 PM »

12 but I am sure you could turn it into a 20.
I have not been in his shop in 7 months and am not sure what he has. I moved from the area.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #21 on:** April 27, 2009, 01:20:58 PM »

I have the Savage 210 and its a good slug gun , kicks like a mule . The put the 20 in the cat. but haven't seem one yet . Might wait a little longer , maybe will have the acurtrigger

streak · « **Reply #22 on:** April 27, 2009, 03:32:44 PM »

Back in the 80`s I decided I needed a bolt handle shotgun. As I live in Colorado and Canadian Honker`s are in good supply! I selected the 10 Gauge Marlin Goose Gun with 32" barrel. She`s a little hefty, but once you get to tracking on the goose she follows through and delivers her message at both ends! As mentioned in an earlier post these bolt guns really are tough.
I also on occassion load her up with BB`s and varmint hunt for fox or coyote. They are in danger out to 55-65 yards!

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #23 on:** April 28, 2009, 01:27:10 AM »

I had one in 12 ga. , after the swaged choke had seen a few loads of steel shot there was little or no choke left .

45-70.gov · « **Reply #24 on:** April 28, 2009, 04:29:49 AM »

i saw a 16 gage mouser on an auction site

it sold for $200

it was a cool looking gun

looked just like my 8mm german rifles

Maritime Storm · « **Reply #25 on:** May 01, 2009, 01:41:07 AM »

I have a Marlin 55GDL in 12ga with the barrel brought back to 25.5", it's heavy to lug through the woods, but at that barrel length it's perfectly balanced. They are slow for a quick second shot, the smaller gauges are less likely to jam when you're in a hurry for a second shot. Having said all that, it's rare that I miss a shot with mine.

GLHolmes · « **Reply #26 on:** October 03, 2009, 05:59:50 AM »

My dad now has his grandfather's Mossberg 85-A bolt action shotgun. Only problem is, the extractor broke and we have had zero success tracking down a replacement. The helpful folks at Havlin Sales and Service (Mossberg gun parts) told us that we can probably rig up a homemade extractor. They said they've seen some pretty remarkable extractors work on those bolt action shotguns!

Mack in N.C. · « **Reply #27 on:** November 05, 2009, 03:26:38 PM »

only bolt shotgun i have is a savage 410 repeater...has tube under barrel......i do want a 12, 16 or 20 to hunt with........i like them...mack

Thebear_78 · « **Reply #28 on:** November 05, 2009, 05:38:05 PM »

I had a bolt 410 and my dad had a 20ga bolt, both marlins, they werw great for bunnies and squirrels. I couldn't think of a better bunny gun than a 410 bolt.