re: .410 or 20ga for Rabbits and Dove

Any Mossberg, Remington, or Winchester pump shotgun in 20 gauge is pretty much your standard starter gun. I wouId look for a 24-28” barrel - 26” is about ideal for a 20 gauge. As stated before, the 20 gauge is a lot more versatile caliber and it’s easier to hit with a 20 gauge for a new shooter. A 410 is a challenge. On models:

Remington 870 is the gold standard for pump guns - hundreds of thousands have been made, maybe millions, and they’re as utilitarian and functional as possible. I like the safety position best on a Remington. Look for 870 Wingmaster models for a little nicer gun - they’re worth the extra money IMO. Easy to disassemble, assemble, clean and well balanced.

Mossberg 500 - thousands and thousands made. Not as smooth as a Remington. Lots of people love them but I’ve never owned one or particularly cared for the models I’ve shot.

Winchester - model 12, 1200, or 1300. Winchesters are smooth and fast. I mean smooth and fast. Model 12 was the original gold standard for pump guns before the 870. Beautiful shotguns but likely outside your price range. Of the three I’d look for a utilitarian 1980’s/1990’s 1300. They’re great guns and can be had for cheap - especially Ranger models. Great starter gun but not as nice as a Wingmaster Remington.

Aftermarket chokes should be readily available for any of the guns listed. Parts, barrels, etc. also available. Gunbroker is a great spot to find deals, but before I went and bought, I’d go to some pawn shops and find models on the shelf and see how they fit. Different people prefer different guns for fit, trigger pull, etc.

You may be a Remington man or swear by Winchester, but there’s only one way to know...

First gun I got as a kid was a crack barrel single shot .410. Use it exclusively for rabbit hunting.

I got my first 28 gauge last year and I love that thing. Thats all I shoot for doves now and I cant wait to shoot rabbits with it. It might seem like a small load but more and more companies are catering to the subgauges in terms of ammo for ducks and geese and ive actually used mine to kill ducks as well. It might be harder to find ammo wise but its not hard (hell, ive found that some walmarts carry 28)

I was gifted by my grandfather a beretta a400 unico and it is a SWEET shooting gun but being a Benelli guy, the 28 Ethos is very tempting

In Sept I didnt teal hunt with anything other than #6 steel in the 28

I cant upvote that post enough

I also have an old NE firearms breakopen single shot .410 already, but it doesn't shoot straight.

Is the 26in Remington 20ga Express with the "vent rib choke" a good rabbit/squirrel/dove gun?

The only potential negative I read is that parts of the trigger assembly are plastic, and that the wood isn't actually wood, it is veneer, but otherwise solid guns for the price. You are saying it is worse than that?

I'm speaking of the Express model 870 20ga.

#5 lead for ducks in 20 gauge is deadly

I can't hit doves with a 12 gauge and ain't seen a rabbit on our property in 2 years . Sticking to deer , ducks and geese .