Sn3aKyGuY
.30-06
Hey there MO.com! I'd just like to start off by saying I've been trolling the forum here for a while and not only have I learned a great deal from this site, but it's the most friendly forum I've come across in a long time. Most people are eager to help and give you non-flaming/accurate information or point you to someone that can. I just want to say thank you for that to all the members that have made it there mission to help us new mossy owners/shooters.
Now, a little about me. I'm an outdoor enthusiast that loves everything from fishing and hunting to hiking and camping. I have a 2 1/2 year old son with another on the way, hopefully another boy! One of my greatest wishes is that I can teach my children about conservation, wildlife and the joy of destroying paper and clay in a safe and fun way. I grew up with many a air rifles/pistols, .22's and even a .410, but as I found my way into the city as I got older, I found myself farther and farther from the things I enjoyed. So over the last year or so I've been slowly working on getting myself back to a place where I can enjoy those things I once enjoyed. That's what brings me here.
Now I mentioned I owned/shot a lot of rifles but the only shotgun experience I've really had (outside of the occasional clay slaughter with friends) is an old .410 my childhood friend used to take rabbit hunting. Missing those days of past I decided I wanted to get back into rabbit hunting and eventually into deer hunting. So I swung by my local Scheel's where I had met a very knowledgeable salesman that helped me with my Glock purchase a few months back and started explaining my situation and he showed me a Mossberg 500 Field/Deer Combo in 20-gauge. After some explaining from him about how far 20-gauge slugs have come in the last few years I decided this was the gun for me. Not too crazy for rabbit, but strong enough to knock a white tale over in it's tracks (with the proper shot placement of course). After I got home I started doing some more research which lead me here, and I have to say that even with the 12-gauge, shall I say - purists, I found answers to all my questions and even a few answers I didn't know I was looking for.
I haven't picked this gun up yet, but my birthday is coming up in about a month and I have a feeling the wife is going to 'let me' get it as an early gift. That brings me to my one unanswered question. What do you folks think should be the first investment towards this gun? Cleaning kit and ammo are the obvious ones, so I challenge you to think a little outside the box. Again, thanks for all the awesome, drama-free posts that have led me this far into my decision.
Now, a little about me. I'm an outdoor enthusiast that loves everything from fishing and hunting to hiking and camping. I have a 2 1/2 year old son with another on the way, hopefully another boy! One of my greatest wishes is that I can teach my children about conservation, wildlife and the joy of destroying paper and clay in a safe and fun way. I grew up with many a air rifles/pistols, .22's and even a .410, but as I found my way into the city as I got older, I found myself farther and farther from the things I enjoyed. So over the last year or so I've been slowly working on getting myself back to a place where I can enjoy those things I once enjoyed. That's what brings me here.
Now I mentioned I owned/shot a lot of rifles but the only shotgun experience I've really had (outside of the occasional clay slaughter with friends) is an old .410 my childhood friend used to take rabbit hunting. Missing those days of past I decided I wanted to get back into rabbit hunting and eventually into deer hunting. So I swung by my local Scheel's where I had met a very knowledgeable salesman that helped me with my Glock purchase a few months back and started explaining my situation and he showed me a Mossberg 500 Field/Deer Combo in 20-gauge. After some explaining from him about how far 20-gauge slugs have come in the last few years I decided this was the gun for me. Not too crazy for rabbit, but strong enough to knock a white tale over in it's tracks (with the proper shot placement of course). After I got home I started doing some more research which lead me here, and I have to say that even with the 12-gauge, shall I say - purists, I found answers to all my questions and even a few answers I didn't know I was looking for.
I haven't picked this gun up yet, but my birthday is coming up in about a month and I have a feeling the wife is going to 'let me' get it as an early gift. That brings me to my one unanswered question. What do you folks think should be the first investment towards this gun? Cleaning kit and ammo are the obvious ones, so I challenge you to think a little outside the box. Again, thanks for all the awesome, drama-free posts that have led me this far into my decision.