what shotgun for crows and magpies?

S

skidooracer_99

New member
i dont know anything about shotguns or have used one. i wanna pick one up for shooting magpies, crows, and pidgeons around the farm. found lots of remington 870's that i like, probably just an all black synthetic to start with. dont know what length of barrel i should get? 18, 20, 26, 28? could you guys help a new guy out with reccomending a gun, and what type of shells fit my needs best? thanks!
 
A simple 870 will do fine. Get one with interchangeable choke tubes if possible, otherwise if it's an old fixed-choke barrel probably Modified choke is best. 12 gauge, low-base shells will work for magpies and pigeons, number 7 1/2 or 8 shot will do. For crows, which are a bit larger and usually far more wary (and harder to get close to or bring in close), high-base shells in #6 shot work great. Low-base shells have a bit less powder/shot, high base shells have a bit more.
 
For the birds you've listed I'd buy a 20 gauge. An 870 with at least a 26 inch barrel would be a good choice. You'll be doing a lot of pass shooting so a 28 inch might be an even better choice. With the 870 you can always get another barrel in a different length if you want it later on.
 
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and i forgot to mention that most of the birds i will be shooting at are sitting in trees, on old buildings, or in the grass. i wont be shooting at many actually flying in the air. so would the 18" work well in my situation?
 
The 18" will have a very open choke (improved cylinder) which makes it a short range gun (25-30 yards?). At those ranges, shooting sitting birds, you might as well get an accurate spring-piston air rifle. And yes for flying birds the 26-28" have more weight out front and will swing more smoothly. Believe me you will be shooting them in the air, since once you blast one all the rest will take off, or they'll take off when you approach too closely. I recommend the 12 gauge over the 20 because it throws a lot more shot. If you are recoil sensitive or want cheaper shells, the 20 will do OK but will probably shorten your range by a few yards.
 
The shotgun in the link you posted isn't a bird shooting
scattergun. It is a home defense shotgun to be used with
buckshot, or rifled slugs. It isn't an improved cylinder
choke, but rather a cylinder barrel, which means NO choke.
Now with that said, you could purchase this shotgun,
for the home/camp defense gun, and purchase a 26" or 28"
"Rem-Choke" barrel for it, and then it would be suitable
for crows, pigeons, and other flying varmints.

Squeeze
 
I`m gonna go against everyone here and say get a mossberg. I am a rem man, but the mossberg 500 is better then the 870 at least I think so
 
If they are sitting in a group, a 10gauge with improved cylinder.lol (it may not work for you, but it's what I use)

Rem 870 or Mossberg 500 are both cheap and will shoot almost everytime.

For flying pigeons, I use an old side by side 12gauge. Makes me feel kinda old school.
 
Any shotgun that you have mentioned will work. The main thing about a shotgun that most people don't really, understand is gun fit. If the shotgun doesn't fit you at least a little you will struggle. I give shooting lessons and i always stress the gun fit issue. Probably no factory gun will fit you like it really needs to, so just find one that you can mount with your eyes closed and when you open your eyes you are looking straight down the barrel, Also your beads need to be in a figure 8 alignment(if you have a center bead) If you do not have a center bead just make sure you dont see to much of the top of the rib, or dont see enough of the rib.(You dont want to be looking into the back of the receiver, forcing you to lift your head for a good sight picture.
I have shot a lot of live pigeons in competition and just for farm control. and believe me they are tough critters. I like a 1,1/4 oz of 6 shot with at least a mod choke. Not sure about the crows or magpies. Shotguns with screw in chokes is the only way to go, but if you find an older 1100 or the like make sure it has at least a mod choke. Good luck and have fun. Remember the gun needs to feel really good to you or its not worth a dime as far as hunting goes.
 
Crowbusters.com has an article in the member's section called "downsizing for crows". It says that bigger isn't always better. Bob Arohnson, widely acknowledged the best crow hunter ever, says he uses a 20 guage in the CB FAQ.
 
The one shotgun that does everything is an 870 super mag. Get it in camo. I have an 870 super mag and will not use anything else for hunting!!!
You will not regret it.
 
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