Author Topic: Shotgun advice wanted (Read 1043 times)

coss · « **on:** December 25, 2009, 10:25:31 AM »

This is a first post from a new member, who heard about this site on Marlinowners.

I'd like to get a general-purpose shotgun for use with both shot and slugs, and am considering the H&R Pardner in 20 ga smoothbore, either the regular or compact models.

I would welcome advice from experienced users concerning:

1. 12 ga vs. 20 ga.
2. Whether a rear sight or optics are needed for slug use at ranges of less than 50 yards for a shooter whose eyes are over 50.
3. Can a rifled barrel be purchased and added later, or is this more expense and trouble than it is worth?
4. The length of pull of the compact model can be extended with a slip on recoil pad, but is the muzzle blast of the short barrel a problem?
5. Is the 26" barrel length of the regular model cumbersome in the woods?
6. Is a single shot gun limiting in any meaningful way for general use?
7. Anything else I've forgotten to ask?

Thanks to all, and Merry Christmas.

Coss

Spanky · « **Reply #1 on:** December 25, 2009, 10:41:51 AM »

I'll try to answer you.

1. I did a poll on here some time back and the 20ga. won by a landslide over the 12ga.
2. Good groups can be had out to 50 yds. or more with just the bead but a 20ga. barrel can be drilled and tapped for scope mount if you want to use optics. (I have one and it shoots great with a 4x scope)
3. You can add a rifled shotgun barrel later but you won't be able to shoot shot out of it.
4. Muzzle blast is not a problem at all, in fact, alot of us cut our Pardners down to 20" or so.
5. Whether or not the 26" is cumbersome would depend on how thick it is where you hunt. I've never had any problems with the full length barrels though. I do cut mine down but that's just my preference.
6. The only time I would say the single is limiting would be hunting hogs or bears or something of the sort. (animals with the potential for coming after you)
7. You didn't ask but I'll say it... look around and find yourself a Tracker 1 in 20ga. It comes with factory front and rear sites and it's probably the most useful shotgun barrel the factory ever produced. Bunnies to bears, skeet to slugs, it can do it all.

Hope this helps.

Spanky

Doublebass73 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 25, 2009, 02:19:27 PM »

1. I went from the 12 to the 20 and would never go back.
2. My 20 gauge Pardner with screw in choke shoots minute of deer with the bead sight at 50 yards.
3. I wouldn't bother with the rifled barrel unless you were shooting past 50 yards.
4. Not sure, have never had a shotgun barrel that short.
5. I hunt VERY thick woods and the 26" barrel is no problem at all.
6. All of my hunting guns are single shot so you know what my answer is.
7. Spanky's recommendation of a Tracker 1 is a great choice. The 20 gauge 26" screw in choke is another good choice for all around use.

coss · « **Reply #3 on:** December 25, 2009, 02:52:14 PM »

Thanks for the detailed answers. It seems the numbering system was working well, so I'll continue.

8. Am I correct in assuming the Tracker I has a short smoothbore barrel while the Tracker II has a rifled barrel?

9. Can the Tracker I be purchased new, or is it out of production?

10. If it's out of production, is there any chance H&R will make more at some point?

Spanky: my nephew is also a USMC veteran of the Iraq war. Thank you for your service.

Coss

Spanky · « **Reply #4 on:** December 25, 2009, 03:08:18 PM »

You're welcome for the service... it's an honor to serve this country.

The Tracker I barrel is a smoothbore and I believe it's 24" long. The Tracker II is rifled and also 24" long.

The Tracker I is out of production so it's harder to find them but they do show up from time to time. I just made a trade deal to get one myself.

(20ga. of course)

I (and many others) wish the factory would bring back the smoothbore Tracker. A 20" or 22" Tracker smoothbore with ghost ring sites in 20ga. would be really nice.

Spanky

wreckhog · « **Reply #5 on:** December 25, 2009, 03:20:45 PM »

I'd buy a Tracker 1 20 gauge if I could find one for what I consider a good price. Any 20 can be drilled and tapped for a scope base. Short barrels torque up more. More that than muzzle blast. Any Handi is 6 inches shorter than a pump. So a 26" Handi is like a pump with a 20".

demented · « **Reply #6 on:** December 25, 2009, 08:40:18 PM »

One of the neat things about Single shots is that they are inexpensive enough to own multiples...So buy a 12 AND a 20! If I could find a Compact 20 guage, short barrel with screw chokes, I'd buy it in a minute. Would be a perfect match for my 12.

Doublebass73 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 26, 2009, 04:13:21 AM »

Another good one to look for is an H&R buck 20 gauge. I believe the model is 162 (from the old company). I bought this barrel from a member here and it went right onto an SB1 frame that I had. I gave it to a good friend who did some work for me. It was a smoothbore and had a cyl choke with a folding rear rifle sight which made it very versatile.

gwhilikerz · « **Reply #8 on:** December 26, 2009, 04:51:18 AM »

Buy yourself a 20 ga. youth model (22" barrel), add a sims pad and go hunting. I have had one for several years now and my other guns hardly ever see any use. They are fun little guns.

Markus · « **Reply #9 on:** December 26, 2009, 05:06:14 AM »

Welcome to the forum! If I were going to own one gun to use for hunting it would be a tracker I 20ga.

petemi · « **Reply #10 on:** December 26, 2009, 08:50:30 AM »

I've got .410 and 20 ga. with 22 inch barrels. The .410 is full and the 20 Mod. My 12 ga pump grows fat in the rack while my 20 does most of the work. It throws slugs very well with just the bead. I shoot the slugs mostly for fun cause we're in rifle country here.

Pete

Jimbo47 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 26, 2009, 09:53:54 AM »

Haven't read any of the other posts, just your question, but I can just about bet everyone says the same thing, and all I can say is get the 20 gauge and you won't ever be sorry you did.

With slugs mine shoots the size of a fist at 40 yards with Remington sluggers and the bead sight.

It's light weight but doesn't punish you like a 12 will in the same weight gun. It's not cumbersome at all in the woods and carries really well and easily balances when making a quick shot.

I like it as a my knock around gun that I can grab and go, and not worry about bumping a scope, and I can handle anything from deer, to hogs, to turkeys, rabbits, doves, and quail with an all in one gun, and a handful/pocket full of various slugs and shot.

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #12 on:** December 26, 2009, 10:47:19 AM »

If you work at it and shoot it alot a 20ga smooth bore cut to 20"w/a peep site will go 75yards or even a little more if every thing is right.Kurt

coss · « **Reply #13 on:** December 30, 2009, 02:49:12 AM »

I found and purchased a used NEF Topper Model 098 at a gun shop for $85, with a recoil pad, sling swivels, and a Master trigger lock included in the price. It was a consignment sale and the proprietor knew a lot about its prior use because the previous owner was a friend of his. It had been a woods carry gun for an upland bird hunter who fired nothing but #6 Remington shot through it. It has plenty of honest carry wear but no major defects, and has a 26" barrel.

The serial number begins with NHXXXXXX, and from the FAQ section, it would appear to be a 1993 model. Is this correct?

Can anyone tell me about this particular model?

Thanks for the warm welcome, and I'll post an update once I've had a chance to shoot it.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #14 on:** December 30, 2009, 02:52:23 AM »

If turkey or Goose will be hunted then the 12 wins hands down . For others the 20 will get you by.

a4beltfed2000 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 30, 2009, 03:20:00 AM »

the 20 ga are the best shotguns hands down! I shot a yote with the 12 ga (3inch 00 buck) and while he died, I think he was in better shape than me after the gun went off

I traded recently for a tracker 2 shotgun barrel and couldn't be happier, I was hoping for the tracker 1 but someone got to it before me.

Thats two barrels-spanky- two you have beaten me too....... Im keeping count

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #16 on:** December 30, 2009, 03:31:50 AM »

poor or wrong shell selection does not make the 12 ga. bad . When my sons were young i got a 20 ga.youth mod. it was light and kicked like a mule to them . So I got a 12 ga. cut the stock added a short bbl. it weighed more than the 20 ga. so if we shot loads equal to the 20 ga. loads it had less felt recoil. We sold the 20 ga. and never looked back . we only used 23/4 inch loads and reduced recoil buck shot .
It seems some must use the max. load for what ever they shoot and not select the best load for the job at hand . Guess it is best to max out a 20 than to use a comfortable load in a 12 .

a4beltfed2000 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 30, 2009, 04:11:30 AM »

I did not say that the 12 ga was the wrong choice for the job, I said it was harsh. The point of using 3 inch 00 buck shot for coyotes, is due to the fact, that they yotes which raise hell with our animals on our little farm, also are usually encountered in the thick brush around our property, most of the time on the move, usually carrying a chicken turkey or similar animal. I have 3.5 inch buckshot for my remington shotgun as well. I keep the NEF shotgun as the knock around gun.....

12 ga are a poor choice for small game such as rabbits and squirrels in my opinion

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #18 on:** December 30, 2009, 04:38:54 AM »

All i said was its harsh because of the ammo choice not the gun .

coss · « **Reply #19 on:** December 30, 2009, 04:23:30 PM »

Umm, anyone know something about a Topper Model 098?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #20 on:** December 30, 2009, 05:55:52 PM »

The model 098 Topper was available in 12ga, 20ga and .410 bore, Mfrd 1974-1981.

Tim

sachel.45 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 30, 2009, 06:54:19 PM »

quote
12 ga are a poor choice for small game such as rabbits and squirrels in my opinion
[/quote]

im gonna go with the 12 gauge as the more versatile gun imho i can shoot 7/8 oz loads (or smaller) just as easy as anyone with a 20 gauge and no rabbit or squirrel is gonna know the diffrence plus i can shoot loads no 20 gauge can touch

a4beltfed2000 · « **Reply #22 on:** December 31, 2009, 12:16:57 AM »

I will not argue the fact that the 12 ga has a larger shell selection than any other shotgun, however I fully believe that choosing the correct shotgun for your quarry, is as important as choosing the shot size and choke. That desicision of correct firearm is solely dependant not only users skills and experience but body size and build.

Sometimes less is more.