First gun (shotgun)

[hodgson]

In a few days, I'll be buying my first gun. I'm pretty settled on buying a Remington 870 super magnum, mainly for squirrel hunting to begin with. I wanted to know if anyone had any particular advice on maintenance/practice.

For example, I've been told that a rifle needs to be broken in. My understanding was that this was for the sake of the rifling. Does anything of the kind need to be done for a shotgun? The gun I'm getting is smooth bore . . . as far as I know.:D

Also, I have instructions for cleaning a pump action gun, but how often should it be done?

Finally, I'll be starting at a shooting range to practice. The 870 comes with a modified choke. So when I'm shooting a target, what should I expect or be looking for?

Maybe a better question is whether anyone knows a book that would serve as a good introduction to all this. I have some things, but they don't go into detail.

I realize this is asking a lot of questions at once, but any advice will be appreciated.

[skeeter]

I read somewhare that you should clean the shotgun , When new , clean real good BEFORE ya use it .Nice choice Im looking too get a 11-87 12 gauge myself , Model 11-87™ SPS™ Super Magnum

[brandon2000]

He's right. Clean it real well before you use it. It has factory grease and oil on the slide and down the barrel and you need to get this off to help prevent build up. As for the modified choke, it will produce a semi tight pattern and is good for medium range dove shooting or close range turkey shooting. It is real good for squril hunting. If shooting clay targets, then you should use the improved choke. Just my 2 cents though. But really clean the gun before you shoot it. Also try to get a gun tha has the mat finish on the barrel and reciever and a synthetic stock. This will help prevent rust and the stock will help with accuracy. I hope this helps.:D

[hodgson]

That definitely helps. If you hadn't said so, I probably would have assumed it was good to go without cleaning when I bought it. And, yes, the one I was looking at has the synthetic stock. I'll be getting it today or tomorrow. Which means I guess I'll be cleaning it today or tomorrow. I probably won't go to a range until next weekend, and I don't know when I'll start hunting with it, but it looks like squirrel season goes on for another four months, so I've got plenty of time . . .:)

[11-87shooter]

i have the 870 super mag. i got it in a combo and i only use it for deer, mainly ft knox and NY state. never even had the vent rib on. mine came with the 3 choke system (imp cyl, mod, and full). i will caution you if you fire 3 1/2 " thru it because it will kick like a mule. i tried 3" slugs and it whooped me good.

get it real clean before you use it. and every time you use it clean it. i always do, maybe you dont have to but it cant hurt.

the only chokes i am real familar with are the full and imp cyl i use these on my 11-87. now i just keep the full in for ducks and such and once you get used to it thats all you will want to shoot anyways. but if you are going to be shooting slugs thru it use the imp cyl or buy a rifled choke for sabots.

good luck and safe shooting.

[skeeter]

11-87Shooter how long ? @how do ya like your 11-87?? THANKS

[Valley Station]

Make sure it has a plug in it to limit gun to hold maximum of three(3) shells.
Get you a can of 3 in 1 oil, ake an ol' wash cloth and make you an oil rag.
Every time you come in from hunting, wipe off the outside of gun with oil.
Once a year, take a cleaning rod and run an oil patch through the inside of barrel. Sweaty hands during early squirrel season will rust one up before you know it, if you don't keep oil on the metal.

[hodgson]

Thanks for telling me about the annual oiling. I've already taken it apart and cleaned it once, but I'll add the yearly to my maintenance.

But I thought the plug/3-shot-limit was only for certain kinds of birds. Do you really need the plug for squirrel hunting (or other game)? I searched and came up with this http://www.le.fws.gov/waterfowl_baiting.htm under federal regulations but here it seems to apply to waterfowl.

Edit: The 3-shot rule for small game hunting in Kentucky is here http://www.kdfwr.state.ky.us/06huntsmallgame.asp?lid=1614&NavPath=C151C527 under Legal Hunting Equipment.

[11-87shooter]

11-87Shooter how long ? @how do ya like your 11-87?? THANKS

skeeter, i love my 11-87. could not tell you how many guys i hunt with want it. cant remember when i got the gun (probably 8 or 10 years ago) but it was the best kind, free lol. my father worked for remington for 30+ years and it was one of his safety prizes. to bad he is retired now. i loved those "cheap" remingtons. right now i only use it for small game and waterfowl, and skeet shooting.

[ducknbuckhunter]

yep, make sure of the plug, dont want to get in trouble on the first day, make sure everything is working right, shoot it before u go hunting. and i personall, like to clean my guns after every use, cuase i never no when im going back out again, and keeps the guns in good shape