Thank y'all for the help. I got Remington 870, 26" barrel, 3"chamber from Cabelas fro $305 with night sight and 3 chokes. I would say good deal. I took it to the range for my very first trap shooting and it was one of the best afternoon I have ever had! I think I have a new hobby. My wife loved it as well even though for her it is really heavy gun (she is 115lbs). The kick is surprisingly ok, even after 200+ shots I felt ok.

Now I do not want o start a new thread so I will ask here (if it is against rules I can create new thread). What ammunition would you recommend (you like to use) for

* Practise shooting (skeet, trap)
* Rabbit hunting (e.g. allowed in Granger area - "non-toxic shot or no larger than #4 lead shot")
* Doves
* Genreal Watterflow hunting (ducks etc)


Also does any of you use shotgun to hung a big game (boar, deer etc) with slugs?

As I'm new into shotguns I got a little confused with all parameters of the load.

Thanks a lot everyone!

Congrats on the gun purchase and new hobby. Here's my answers:

1. Whatever is cheapest in shot size 7.5 and up, 2 3/4".
2. Size 4, 5, or 6's in whatever is cheapest in 2 3/4". But I've even hunted rabbits and squirrels with 7.5's.
3. Whatever is cheapest in shot size 7.5 and up 2 3/4".
4. Steel shot #2's or #3's are my favorite, 3". I like Kent Fasteel and Remington Sportsman Hi-Speed Steel.

how your going to store the ammo will be more important than what kind you get.. keep it dry and room temp.

Do not worry I have a dry cool place to store ammo. Thanks for the note though

Thank you DocHorton!


If I understand correctly 7.5 has a lot of very small projectiles so the rabbit would was completly smashed/full of lead. Is that correct? That is why you recommend to use I use larger projectiles (lower number)?
Why is the size different here from the doves? Is it because you shoot doves on closer distance? [/quote]

[/quote]

Rabbits are a lot tougher than dove and if you're shooting on the move, fewer larger pellets have more stopping power than lots of little ones. Sure, I've killed a lot of rabbits with 7.5s but as the range increases, and cover, you may need a heavier load to do the job. Ducks and geese are also much larger and tougher than dove and may also be shot at greater distances than dove, so you need a heavier load. The recs are spot-on, IMO.

I have always hunted squirrels and rabbits with left over 7.5 shot from dove season. If I was buying ammo specifically for rabbits and squirrels, #5 or #6 is what I would buy.

Also, you need to use non-lead shot for waterfowl.

Thank you guys! It is clear now.. you are really helping me, it is one thing to read general rules and another to get a direct answer.