Help: Shotguns for youth and modern slugs in older 20 gauge shotguns - The Firearms Forum

flyingfinn · 11-19-2009, 07:44 AM

Greetings,

These forums seem like a great resource and this is my first post.

Here's my situation and multi-pronged question: I'm looking for a first shotgun for a 12 year old boy. Would like to bird hunt and deer hunt. I have two shotgun options available to me right now:

1) Connecticut Valley Arms, 20 ga., break-open, in excellent condition, owner wants $100-$130

2) Iver Johnson Champion, 20 ga., single-shot, break-open, barrel says "CHOKE BORE BARREL LUG", good condition, owner wants $75

Sorry, I can't provide much more detail than that right now.

My main question: Can I shoot rifled slugs out of either of these guns?

Are there better options for a first shotgun for a youth?

Thanks in advance,

flyingfinn

jim summers · 11-19-2009, 07:54 AM

I am no expert but i think either one would do a good job shooting a slug. My sons first outing for deer was when he was 11 he used a Winchester single shot 20ga with slugs and that gun did the job just fine. He killed a four pointer, i think the 20ga is a good gun to start out with.

Alpo · 11-19-2009, 09:18 AM

I, personally, would go for the Iver long before I even thought about a CVA. "Choke bore" means full choke, which was normal on old single-shots.

There are two types of slugs. Sabot and Foster.

You want the Foster kind. Sabot slugs are for use in rifled shotgun barrels. They don't work for beans in a smoothbore.

Brenneke slugs are a Foster-type, with a wad attached to the backside. I think they are the best of the Foster type, but they do cost more.

11-19-2009, 07:44 AM	#1
flyingfinn Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 1	Help: Shotguns for youth and modern slugs in older 20 gauge shotguns Greetings, These forums seem like a great resource and this is my first post. Here's my situation and multi-pronged question: I'm looking for a first shotgun for a 12 year old boy. Would like to bird hunt and deer hunt. I have two shotgun options available to me right now: 1) Connecticut Valley Arms, 20 ga., break-open, in excellent condition, owner wants $100-$130 2) Iver Johnson Champion, 20 ga., single-shot, break-open, barrel says "CHOKE BORE BARREL LUG", good condition, owner wants $75 Sorry, I can't provide much more detail than that right now. My main question: Can I shoot rifled slugs out of either of these guns? Are there better options for a first shotgun for a youth? Thanks in advance, flyingfinn -->

11-19-2009, 07:54 AM	#2
jim summers Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: I reside in southern Indiana, you can almost step out of my back door and be setting on Patoka Lake Posts: 1,056	Re: Help: Shotguns for youth and modern slugs in older 20 gauge shotguns I am no expert but i think either one would do a good job shooting a slug. My sons first outing for deer was when he was 11 he used a Winchester single shot 20ga with slugs and that gun did the job just fine. He killed a four pointer, i think the 20ga is a good gun to start out with. __________________ To Whom Much Is Given, Much Is Required.

11-19-2009, 09:18 AM	#3
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,662	Re: Help: Shotguns for youth and modern slugs in older 20 gauge shotguns I, personally, would go for the Iver long before I even thought about a CVA. "Choke bore" means full choke, which was normal on old single-shots. There are two types of slugs. Sabot and Foster. You want the Foster kind. Sabot slugs are for use in rifled shotgun barrels. They don't work for beans in a smoothbore. Brenneke slugs are a Foster-type, with a wad attached to the backside. I think they are the best of the Foster type, but they do cost more. __________________ Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy, and taste good with catsup - George of Lod, Year of Our Lord 297 I always take precautions. Beware the Evil Bullet Fairies.