View Full Version : Bolt-action shotguns?
Today I ended up trading in a bunch of firearms, mostly stuff that I didnt shoot or use anymore. I couldnt make up my mind on what I wanted to do with the money/credit. So I just took a check from the shop and went on my way.
One shotgun did catch my eye, just because of the versitility of it. The price is little more than a single shot shotgun and about half the price of a pump.
Any comments on Bolt action shotguns? I think the price was $115
Bolt action J.C. Higgins 20GA
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/supayob/IMG_1650.jpg
Wyobuckaroo
08-08-2009, 08:33 PM
Looks to be in nice shape.
Is the variable choke in good condition ?
If it is a 3" chamber, that would be a plus. More versatile with the ammo that is available.
Presume it is 3 shot total, 1 in chamber and 2 in magazine. That's all you need for waterfowl.
I had an old Marlin 12 gauge with a 2 shot removable magazine, and fixed modified choke that was a great "truck gun" It was a 3" chamber, but never used or needed 3" ammo very often.
If you can use it, go for it.
Good luck
Wyo
Ya the picture above is just some picture I found online. The shotgun is like a pump with the tube carrying the shells. I think I might have to hit up the shop again today. Ill tell the outcome of it.
-B
ZOOBEAR
08-09-2009, 07:15 AM
I would do a little checking first. I owned one in 12 guage and they were recalled. There is a problem with bolt failure if I remember right. I was instructed to send in the bolt and they sent me $80.00. The guns cant be repaired. Im pretty sure this included the 20 guage to but Im not sure.
Pitdog
08-09-2009, 09:49 AM
If no one has abused the choke, then it is probably a pretty good shotgun with a lot of use left in it. Sold one years ago that was a tube fed bolt gun, seen a lot of the detachable mag fed versions over the years.
I would do a little checking first. I owned one in 12 guage and they were recalled. There is a problem with bolt failure if I remember right. I was instructed to send in the bolt and they sent me $80.00. The guns cant be repaired. Im pretty sure this included the 20 guage to but Im not sure.
I found some info online on this topic it was just the 12 gauge shotguns. The 16 & 20 gauges didnt have this problem. Thanks for the heads up though.
-B
swampyankee
08-09-2009, 03:36 PM
I have a J.C. Higgens 12 gauge bolt action, with the tube magazine. It was purchased by my grandfather I believe sometime back in the 40's. My brother used it for hunting until about 8 years ago when he bought a new remington. Besides a cracked stock, this J.C. bolt action seems to be passing the test of time.
ZOOBEAR
08-09-2009, 09:45 PM
Glad to hear it was just the 12.
I imagine it would make a good gun for the money.
swampyankee
08-10-2009, 12:24 PM
Just remembered something else. I went pheasant hunting with it a couple of times. I'm not sure if you and get faster with practice, but the cycling action with the bolt was too slow to get a second shot on a bird moving. Just something to think about if you going to use it for this.
Tuckahoe
08-10-2009, 03:22 PM
Like Swampyankee said it is slow shooting. However it is a neat no longer made shotgun that would serve you well for hunting. If the price was right I would buy it. I like a poly choke and wish shotguns today came with them.
I had a bolt action .410 that I trimmed the barrel down to 18.5 inches. I carried it with me in the summer to shoot snakes at the river where I fished. It held three rounds and I kept six extra on the stock.
I'm not to worried about a follow up shot with the shotgun, since most of the bird hunting I do is with a single shot 12 gauge.
Id say It would serve me well as my "modern trade gun" and trunk gun. Man I need to go pick it up tommorow!
Anyone know how many rounds the tube holds? for the 20 gauge?
-B
Cutter
08-12-2009, 12:16 PM
I have a 12ga Glenfield bolt action that I bought new when I was 18. Was that really 45yrs ago. It holds one in the chamber ant two in a detachable mag. It has always fired when I pulled the trigger. Talk about kick, shooting slugs will leave you with sore spot.
Well I started Vacation today, so first things first.
I went to the gunshop. I really wanted to pick up the Higgins Bolt action 20 gauge but after looking over it I found out it has a full choke & was selling for $140
Like stated above I wanted an all round "modern trade Gun".
Next to it was the Mossberg 185D Bolt action shotgun magazine fed 20 gauge with a poly choke For $110. So I went for the Mossberg considering the poly choke which I didnt know what it was until I asked I was fairly inpressed with the versitily of that thing. So I brought it home.
Heres a stock photo I found online of the Mossberg 185D
http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/supayob/mossbolt.jpg
-B
Tnonk
08-15-2009, 10:02 PM
I have an old Marlin Model 55 12 Ga. bolt action that I acquired when my father in law passed several years ago ( along with a Schmidt Ruben 7.55 MM Swiss bolt action rifle).
I never shot the 12 Ga. but I've kept it along with a couple of boxes of ammo. I wish I had some ammo for the Schmidt but it was a little expensive when I finally did find some.
I've been meaning to clean it up and go shoot it to make sure everything is working. I think if it's in good shooting order, it would make a good back up weapon.
Tnonk
gunsmoke
08-20-2009, 08:08 PM
I've got 3 of the Brownings 2 rifled 1 smoothbore all have Leupold scopes the rifled bbls I shoot double slugs in; in the smooth I shoot Sauvestre FSDS Slugs.
All three shoot beautifully. I've shot the double slugs to 150 meters they have about 1 1/2 meter seperation at that range and that is pretty useless, the Sauvestre is magnifcent out to 300 meters grouping into 8" all day at that range.
So with the return of my money...I mean my tax return & after paying off a large bill and half of another bill I kept some money for myself. $150 to play with knowing 2 gun shows where coming to town. Last gun show in the area I saw an old timer that usally just sells ammo he had a JC Higgins 20gauge bolt-action shotgun for $100, I passed up the firearm that was about 2 months ago. Well I got thinking and visited the dealers table this time around and he still had the shotgun for sale $100. I asked if he'd take less he said $90 so I walked out of the place with another bolt shotgun of course after all the paper work was done. I dont know but for some reason I love them! Its the same as the shotgun in the first post but with an adjustable polly-choke. Ill get a pic up soon.
-B
NHForester
04-19-2010, 07:08 PM
So with the return of my money...I mean my tax return & after paying off a large bill and half of another bill I kept some money for myself. $150 to play with knowing 2 gun shows where coming to town. Last gun show in the area I saw an old timer that usally just sells ammo he had a JC Higgins 20gauge bolt-action shotgun for $100, I passed up the firearm that was about 2 months ago. Well I got thinking and visited the dealers table this time around and he still had the shotgun for sale $100. I asked if he'd take less he said $90 so I walked out of the place with another bolt shotgun of course after all the paper work was done. I dont know but for some reason I love them! Its the same as the shotgun in the first post but with an adjustable polly-choke. Ill get a pic up soon.
-B
How is that shotgun working out for you?
No joke I've been so busy I havent had a chance to shoot the newer JC Higgins shotgun. Ive shot the Mossberg a number of times and love that thing! I guess once Turkey season and small game starts up again Ill see how it really works.
-B
NHForester
04-21-2010, 06:48 PM
Bolt shotguns are looked down on by some but they are a good value.
nhlivefreeordie
04-21-2010, 08:17 PM
I have an old Mossberg bolt action 20ga. with screw on chokes. I love that gun for grouse with the IC choke, and I can hunt ducks with the full choke. One year many years ago, I got 68 ducks with 3 boxes of shells, I was proud of myself, and the duck tasted pretty good too.
I like bolt action guns period, I have two Remingtons in 30.06 bolt that are my go to guns for most hunting.
I have an old Mossberg bolt action 20ga. with screw on chokes. I love that gun for grouse with the IC choke, and I can hunt ducks with the full choke. One year many years ago, I got 68 ducks with 3 boxes of shells, I was proud of myself, and the duck tasted pretty good too.
I like bolt action guns period, I have two Remingtons in 30.06 bolt that are my go to guns for most hunting.
For sure I love bolt actions. Seem to get quite a few looks from the younger guys at the range with a bolt action shotgun. Id like to see more pistol caliber boltaction rifles out there.
-B
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