Which Type of Shotgun Is Right for Your Hunt?

Posted by GunBroker.com on January 8th, 2021

You are going hunting and need to pick which shotgun you should bring on this hunt. Should you use a pump-action shotgun, like a Benelli Supernova? Or do you go with a Beretta A400 semi-automatic shotgun? What are the differences, and why do they matter? From side-by-side to semi-automatic, here are the differences you need to know about when it comes to picking a shotgun for hunting.

Pump-Action

Pump-action shotguns, like the Benelli M4, are probably what you think of first when you think of a shotgun. After each shot, you need to pump the action, cycling in the next round. These are perfect for general hunting. You can hunt deer in the backcountry or waterfowl. Pump-action shotguns can vary in price, depending on the quality of materials, durability, and technology, such as recoil absorption, but pump-action shotguns will always be reliable and a mainstay of hunting.

Semi-Automatic

Semi-automatic shotguns, such as the Beretta A300 Outlander, are favored by waterfowl and bird hunters. Unlike pump-action shotguns, you do not have to rack the action after each shot. Instead, the shotgun does it for you, using either a gas-based system like an AR 15 or an inertia-based system harnessing recoil to do the work. It is perfect for bird hunters who might need a follow-up shot for fast-moving fliers.

Side-by-Side

Side-by-side shotguns were the gun of choice for bird hunters until pump and semi-automatic came along. Like semi-automatic shotguns, side-by-side shotguns gave hunters the ability to have a follow-up shot immediately. There may have been a single trigger that fired one barrel and then the other, or there could have been a trigger for each barrel, but these shotguns are for traditionalists. Each barrel may have a different choke, as well.

Over-Under

The over-under is similar to the side-by-side but has a different recoil pattern. The lower barrel usually fires first, which provides less barrel flip compared to a side-by-side, and thus more accurate follow-up shots. This makes it ideal for waterfowl and birds. Also, unlike a side-by-side, it has a single shot plane, like pump-action and semi-automatic, instead of one for each barrel. They are, however, heavier than side-by-side shotguns.

Single Shot

Lightweight and versatile in the types of ammunition it takes, single-shot shotguns are simple and easy to learn. They are perfect for beginning hunters and youth hunters getting to know how shotguns and hunting work. Barrels can be interchangeable, as well, and adapters can be used for sub-caliber ammunition. That means you can use ammo other than shells if you want.

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Original source: https://bit.ly/2XsjsJL