Bolt action shotguns

Gil Martin · Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2017 2:46 pm Post subject: Bolt action shotguns

I have a fondness for these classic old shotguns. They sell for not much money on the used gun racks. I prefer the Harrington & Richardson tubular feed models that were sold by Sears many years ago and gave one to my neighbor. I missed it so i went out and bought a replacement. Most were full choke and work well on squirrels and turkeys. I believe they are ideal for safely training new shooters. Just the idle thoughts of an idle fellow. All the best...
Gil

slimjim · Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2017 3:36 pm Post subject: Re: Bolt action shotguns

Gil, any picture of your new classic? I had a couple of Mossberg bolt action with 2-shot magazines. They had adjustable chokes.

Vince · Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2017 11:15 pm Post subject: Re: Bolt action shotguns

I've used a couple of different brands of bolt shotties, and must admit I have a bit of a soft spot for them. The first was I believe a Winchester back in about 1970 and the other was a three shot Mossberg that had a screw adjustable choke fitted. The Mossberg was very accurate and accounted for many rabbits, ducks and the odd shark.

slimjim · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2017 3:23 am Post subject: Re: Bolt action shotguns

I would always amaze the guys I hunted with that had pumps. I could shot just about as fast with the Mossberg bolt action as they could with their pumps. The Mossberg was very smooth and I developed a technique with a single hand motion up and back could cycle a new round into the chamber with repeatable quickness.

Azar · Member Joined: Jan 04, 2010 Posts: 275 Location: Utah

My father has a bolt action 16 gauge Mossberg with the detachable mag and a screw adjustable choke. It was a gift from his father years ago. It's been years since I shot it but I seem to remember it being rather a heavy pig. Smile

slimjim · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2017 2:17 pm Post subject: Re: Bolt action shotguns

The 20ga Mossberg was pretty light. The safety was a problem for me though. As I walked through the field, it was too easy for my right hand to turn the thumb safety off as I moved the gun to avoid brush.

PaulS · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2017 2:49 pm Post subject: Re: Bolt action shotguns

I have an old Wards 20 ga bolt. I got it for $5, I think and had to put a spring in it to make it feed from the magazine. Just a wire spring with a slight "S" bend to it. I made it from a piece of 12 AWG steel fence wire. After heat treating and tempering it worked fine and has ever since. Old enough not to have a serial number.

SingleShotLover · Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2017 11:57 am Post subject: Re: Bolt action shotguns

My first shotgun was a Sears 20-gauge bolt action with adjustable scope. Worked great and accounted for lots of quail and rabbits. Solid and reliable. Wish I still had it, but I loaned it (along with a rifle) to my brother when he got out of the service so he could do a little hunting. Unfortunately he decided to sell both for drinking money instead.

Vince · Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2017 3:56 pm Post subject: Re: Bolt action shotguns

SSL wrote:

... Wish I still had it, but I loaned it (along with a rifle) to my brother when he got out of the service so he could do a little hunting. Unfortunately he decided to sell both for drinking money instead.

Glad to hear I am not the only one with a brother like that. burr

Elvis · Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2017 10:22 pm Post subject: Re: Bolt action shotguns

there are a fair few marlin goose gun bolts around over here,most have the polychoke fitted......getting old and well worn now, all the ones Ive seen are anyway..... now sweat/attach a rifled barrel onto the action and you would be onto something worthwhile.

Dawgdad · Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2017 6:31 am Post subject: Re: Bolt action shotguns

Savage makes Model 220 and 212 bolt action rifled slug bore shotguns with the accutrigger. I have been thinking about getting one of those for deer. Reviews I have read lead me to think that the 20 ga would be less recoil and still deadly to 150 -200 yards.

My first weapon was a Mossberg 20 ga box mag bolt gun too. Good memories.

Elvis · Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2017 10:02 am Post subject: Re: Bolt action shotguns

Dawgdad, get a hold of a lyman shotgun reloading manual.... sure the gun manufacturers will tell you they good for that range (and I remember remington magazine 20+ years ago that showed 100 shot group of 4" with sabots from rifled barrel) read what lyman says and effective range is still under 50 yards...30 is more like it.
if you can get you gun/rifle to group well enough for 100-150 yards and can work out the drop needed go for it...but you will need to do your homework on this one I believe.

Gil Martin · Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2017 7:25 am Post subject: Re: Bolt action shotguns

slimjim,
I do not have an ipad or an iphone so I do not take many pictures. I still have an ancient flip phone for $45 a month.

Dawgdad,
I picked up two Marlin bolt action slug guns a few years ago with rifled barrels for very little money. They were based on the Marlin Model 55 Goose Gun with shorter rifled barrels. They are astounding up to 100 yards with LightField sabot slugs. I would not take a shot at deer at 200 yards with any bolt action slug gun. Just a personal preference thing. Yes, got to love those bolt action shotguns.

All the best...
Gil

DallanC · Site Admin Joined: Jan 18, 2005 Posts: 3572 Location: Utah

Many many years ago growing up, a +80 year old family friend showed me his favorite shotgun. It was a octagon barrel, .410 bolt action shotgun. It was sooo cool and old looking. He used it all the time to shoot pests. I've always wondered what kind of gun it was.

-DallanC

hunterjoe21 · Posted: Sat Jan 14, 2017 11:17 am Post subject: Re: Bolt action shotguns

Dawgdad wrote:

Savage makes Model 220 and 212 bolt action rifled slug bore shotguns with the accutrigger. I have been thinking about getting one of those for deer. Reviews I have read lead me to think that the 20 ga would be less recoil and still deadly to 150 -200 yards.

My first weapon was a Mossberg 20 ga box mag bolt gun too. Good memories.

Dawgdad,

I have a Savage Model 220 I bought before I ever thought about moving from Ohio. I wouldn't hesitate to take a 200 yd shot with it. It will shoot a .75 inch group at 100 yds with Remington 3" Accutips.