sourdough44

I've got a Trulock 'Precision Hunter' extended choke for my M2. Look at their site, I think they have what you are looking for. They are great chokes & a nice company to deal with.

I like my M2 also,nice lightweight & a joy to carry.

#6 Hevi-Shot or Rem "HD" loads & a tight choke.

Something was not on right & tight. You know the saying 'if you want something done right'. Plenty say a smith has to do everything, the one time I had a loose scope is when I let the shop do it.

What type of buckshot are we talking? I did hunt in MS behind deer dogs & 00 buck may be O.K. for that. For the most part buckshot is about the last thing I would use on deer. If it's a shotgun I'd go slugs. I shoot #4 buck out of a Trulock 'precision hunter' in my M2 for predator hunting. It is a .675 or so constriction, between normal full & the tightest of turkey chokes. I also use that choke for turkey hunting. For 00 buck I would try Mod to maybe full. For the smaller buckshot I would go full to a little tighter.

If it's like my M2 there is a retainer with 2 small holes that you pinch together to get at the plug. Look in the manual. For me the holes are small & it takes a fair pinch so I went out & got a pair of pliers made to pinch such a retainer. They were not much from the local hardware store. They have fine points made to pinch similar springs. With them it worked like a champ.

Yes the M2 & SBEII use the same 'crio' type chokes. That sounds like a fine choice. I got a Trulock .670 for my M2 but I only checked the pattern out so far with my 'HD' BB predator loads.

A rifled choke tube to is to be put on a smoothbore barrel. Fully rifled slug barrels do no have threads to put on a screw on choke.

And what price may I ask?

Just about any modern CENTERFIRE rifle or shotgun can be dry-fired with no ill effects. A rimfire is different, as the firing pin hits on the edge & may strike the rim of the chamber, though many do not. The only 'snap-caps' I have are for my 22's. Part of my belief comes from a talk I had with a tech rep with Browning at their Arnold, MO site. I may not want to dry fire just for the heck of it, but to release the pin on a shotgun or non-bolt rifle I do it all the time.

I would get a semi-auto with a 26" barrel & a 3" chamber. I have a Browning Gold & a M2, both are fine guns, sorry I get by fine without the 3.5 option.

To each his(or her) own, but I would do the 26" for an everything barrel length.

That's great. I have a 2006 catalog & the newer DVD but I like holding a printed catalog of what's available.

I am more of a 308 guy but I do reload 30-06 for a hunting partner. I like & use H 4350 & Sierra 165 & 180 grn Gamekings & Hornaday 165 & 180 reg & BT interlock SP's. I like 165 for deer but since the guy is partial to 180's so I usually load them for him. Semi auto rifles can have some additional issues. Some rifles it easy to adjust or change out a spring on the trigger(mod 70,A-Bolt) & it can get more difficult. The replacement option is easier on some. If it's the R1 I have not a clue.

I don't have a favorite anywhere near the top tier but as far as the 2nd amendment I'll take any republican over Obama or Billary.

The Rem catalog says 'HD' is almost as soft as STEEL & that it is softer than 'Hevi-Shot' pellets. When I cut apart a HS shell it had a good wad around the shot that should protect the bore from the shot. The problem I have with Hevi-shot is that the pellets are not uniform. Many were not round & there were some less than stated size particles in there, Hevi-shot Dead Coyote loads. I have had good results with HS though. Yes I shoot size 'T' hevi-shot & Rem HD through tight chokes. I use a .680 on a Gold semi-auto & a .670 on my M2, both chokes are Trulock precision hunters. I mostly use HS & now the new HD on predators & turkeys(#6 for turkeys). Right now through 31 Jan or maybe 15 Feb Remington has a $15 rebate per 10 box of HD shells, limit $150 per household. Details at the Remington site. That brings 10 HD shells down to just under $20 per 10. That's doable for a low round turkey & predator shooter.

Sorry, can't help much but awhile back I wanted a new sight on a 'Gold' barrel. I ended up taking the barrel only to Gander Mtn & the smith put it on while I waited. I don't think he even charged me above the cost of the sight. He had the tool & know how and it was quick.

I just bought my 1st Benelli, M2 Steady Grip 24". My use is predators & turkey for now. I have it ready to go with a .670 Trulock Precision Hunter choke,a sling, & shot limiting plug removed. I just have to check the pattern with Rem 'HD' BB & some 'T' shot. I had to get a spring squeezing pair of pliers to get the plug out. Once I had the pliers it was easy, without them difficult. The plug came out because I/we have ended up with empty guns during a coyote encounter while needing another shot.

My gun funds are on the low side now but I have the idea of a lightweight 20 kicking around.

I just bought an M2. My dealer said he could get me one for $475. I'm not sure if that's camo or blued. I did order a camo gun so maybe he figured camo.

Look at the ballistics of some of the premium waterfowl & other loads that came out with the non toxic rules. The advantage of the 3.5" was/is mostly when shooting steel shot. If you plan one shooting steel a lot you should consider it. I have one 3.5" shotgun I bought in the late 80's. I have not bought steel shot in over 10 years. Yes I still have some around. For predators, waterfowl,turkeys & all the rest a quality 3" is all I ever need. There is that 'wow' factor with the SBE & 3.5" though.

I agree, once you let a few local strongmen try it's time to pony up with the gunsmith. I had an issue with a screwhead broke on firearm not to long ago. I took it to a smith & he got it out, they have their ways.

I don't know much about the R-1 but I do have a BAR Stalker in 308 & like it a lot. I don't know the price difference but I would give some consideration to the BAR. The R-1 would be much less common(more unique) I would think.

I just ordered an M2 and would be interested once I get my gun.