Best gun for small game hunting?
- Thread starter Ig33
- Start date
Why would you require two shotguns for Turkey/Ducks that are both 12gauge j, just different actions?So if he wants to try geese another gun and squirrels another? I like your acquiring more guns train of thought though. He’s new to hunting so I believe one he becomes familiar with until some experience is under his belt. Going to a gun club for some first hand help would be great for a new hunter as well.
12 gauge is a versatile tool , that can be used for many things. use the correct load, and the correct chokes and a lot can be accomplished.
PATTERN the gun with your load and chokes. very easy to tack a piece of paper to a tree. shoot it and see what happens, especially important for turkeys.
i would recommend a semi-auto. easier to learn point and shoot. the only disadvantage is when it comes time to unload. dont be a truck hunter for small game and this isnt really a problem...
dont blow the budget on something so fancy you are scared to get it dinged up. first shotgun , should be a tool moreso a prised possesition how some guys treet their trap and skeet guns.
PATTERN the gun with your load and chokes. very easy to tack a piece of paper to a tree. shoot it and see what happens, especially important for turkeys.
i would recommend a semi-auto. easier to learn point and shoot. the only disadvantage is when it comes time to unload. dont be a truck hunter for small game and this isnt really a problem...
dont blow the budget on something so fancy you are scared to get it dinged up. first shotgun , should be a tool moreso a prised possesition how some guys treet their trap and skeet guns.
I’ve owned nearly every manner of shotgun over the years. I still do the majority of my shotgun hunting with a pump gun. A new hunter couldn’t do much better than a 12 gauge multi barrel pump gun combo. I’m not much of a Mossberg fan, but I guess they sell a lot of guns. Don’t listen to these people telling you to buy 20’s or buy 3 different guns. Keep it simple, learn to shoot, use appropriate loads for the creature your hunting and a 12 gauge pump combo will kill you everything from grouse to geese, turkey and deer. It’s nice to have multiple options and I support that, but when your just figuring things out, it’s best to keep it simple and then branch out to other options in the future.
I couldn't disagree more. If you make it a 12g you can do all easily with different shell selection. At least I have for 40 years.
While its fun to have more gun and different guns, the answer to the OP's question of which is the best is a 12g. Price range is up to the OP, but a cheap single shot or a few thousand on an auto will all do all of those things easily.
I've used almost all of them, and still most days for most things can't find a good reason not to grab my old beat up 870 pump for any of those game species. If I was new and had 1500 to spend, I'd get a 870 pump and a 10/22 and spend the rest on ammo.
Picking a make and model for someone else is like saying pick a car for me. It won't work. It might give you an idea of where to start.
A 12 or 20ga will do everything you ask for with varying the choke and the load. A shotgun is basically a tube you point at game. You pay for the fit and finish and the higher grade of materials and craftsmanship. $50 bucks for a beat up used single to the price of a new house that choice is yours.
Spend some time around gun shops trying shouldering different makes and models and see what feels right for you. Chances are you'll acquire more than 1 gun. Eventually you'll have one or 2 or even 6 for each intended game type
For small game that guns or flys I prefer a double barrel mostly sxs in 12 or 20
For fast flying or running game I like a lightweight shorter gun like a Beretta a400 28ga
For game that sits still like squirrels I use a single or double
For ducks I like a semi auto 12ga and for geese a sxs 10ga
Turkey I use a variety of everything
A 12 or 20ga will do everything you ask for with varying the choke and the load. A shotgun is basically a tube you point at game. You pay for the fit and finish and the higher grade of materials and craftsmanship. $50 bucks for a beat up used single to the price of a new house that choice is yours.
Spend some time around gun shops trying shouldering different makes and models and see what feels right for you. Chances are you'll acquire more than 1 gun. Eventually you'll have one or 2 or even 6 for each intended game type
For small game that guns or flys I prefer a double barrel mostly sxs in 12 or 20
For fast flying or running game I like a lightweight shorter gun like a Beretta a400 28ga
For game that sits still like squirrels I use a single or double
For ducks I like a semi auto 12ga and for geese a sxs 10ga
Turkey I use a variety of everything
If I had to choose 1 gun for all my Beretta 1301 comp 21" would likely be it although it's not very attractive or classy and lacks the soul of a double. It is a reliable fast light soft shooting gun that will see hard use and extreme weather and I'm not afraid to scratch it
Some people have very specific mods to their turkey guns. Depends how serious you want to get. Mine is scoped, has pistol grip, and has had a trigger job putting the pull just under 2lbs. All things I would not want on my waterfowl gun. Of course, people have been shooting turkey with nothing but a bead for decades, it all comes down to personal preference.
I realize what your saying but the whole point is a new hunter picking a gun for small game. What was implied was a 12gauge pump for turkeys and a 12gauge semi for ducks as well as a 410 over/under. People serious about hunting might also use un modified firearms. Modifications are just a personal preference to make the gun more suitable for your required application. Nice choices for a dedicated Turkey thumper by the way. Going to a gun club and handling/shooting different guns will help narrow the choice as well.
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
For birds, I would agree. For everything else there’s the rifle.
For the OP, and what the poster above has no doubt already indicated, I’d find yourself a blue collar heirloom quality pump 12 gauge 3”, with screw in chokes. Might as well make your first one worth keeping, rather than a cheap hollow plastic stocked shortcut.
A non-Express 870 would do. Or you can go Italian.
Get a good all around 12 pump. It can then become your backup gun to a varied and task specific battery of firearms.
Eventually, you'll have a 410 rabbit and grouse gun, an Italian double barreled shotgun for upland birds, a semi for geese, another semi for ducks, a custom build for turkeys, and rifled barreled slug gun for deer. So, plan on someday "needing" seven shotguns at least!
Eventually, you'll have a 410 rabbit and grouse gun, an Italian double barreled shotgun for upland birds, a semi for geese, another semi for ducks, a custom build for turkeys, and rifled barreled slug gun for deer. So, plan on someday "needing" seven shotguns at least!
Turkey and duck, 12ga with a 3.5” chamber (you need longer shells when using steel shot as the shot is less dense). For other upland/small game a decent bolt or lever action .22lr and/or a 20ga (break action or pump). I’d avoid semi-auto stuff for a variety of reasons.
Buy the best guns you can afford, but remember the grouse is just as tasty whether it was shot with a $75 cooey or a $2000 Franchi. So even if you can’t drop the cash for firearms that will get handed down to your grandkids, there’s no reason you can’t still enjoy the sport.
Also, be weary about 28 and 410. They are better options for upland game, but ammo is really expensive and often hard to find. 12ga is cheapest, but takes practice to be able to use well without ruining a lot of meat. 20 is a great option (but still takes practice).
Good luck.
Buy the best guns you can afford, but remember the grouse is just as tasty whether it was shot with a $75 cooey or a $2000 Franchi. So even if you can’t drop the cash for firearms that will get handed down to your grandkids, there’s no reason you can’t still enjoy the sport.
Also, be weary about 28 and 410. They are better options for upland game, but ammo is really expensive and often hard to find. 12ga is cheapest, but takes practice to be able to use well without ruining a lot of meat. 20 is a great option (but still takes practice).
Good luck.
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They certainly can be.
No one needs 3.5" shells...lol..
Lots of guys killing all types of waterfowl with 7/8 oz and 1 oz loads from 20 gauges.
As far as ruining meat.....different chokes and loads help with that.
Mossberg 500 or 535 combo. Can get them with 3 or 2 barrels. The 535 will take up to a 3 1/2 inch shell. The 500 will only take up to a 3 inch. I bought the 3 barrel combo. Waterfowl, Turkey and rifled slug barrel. I believe the 3 barrel kit can be had for around $700 or $800 new. I've had my 500 for about 12 yrs. Has never let me down.
In all my testing, I'm yet to find a 3.5" that patterns better than 3" when comparing the same brand, shot size and using the same gun. I used to use 3.5" for goose and turkey.. now 3" max for all my hunting. Better patterns, cheaper, easier on the shoulder.
Agreed, 3.5" is just not needed and sure isn't fun to shoot. 95% of my ducks have been taken with 2.75". I always have some 3" BB's for geese, but otherwise there is no need.
But people love to believe the gun store telling you what you need and not what real life experience tells you.
