4 Questions to Help Choose the Best Shotgun for You

Posted by GunBroker.com on March 11th, 2021

When choosing a shotgun, there are a few things you need to factor in before making your decision. Are you just going to take trips to the range, or will you be hunting waterfowl? Which gauge is right for you? Will you need a side-by-side, over/under, semi-automatic, or pump-action shotgun? What are the differences between all of those? Whether you are getting your first shotgun or are looking to expand your collection, here are some questions you should ask yourself.

Which Type of Shotgun Is Right for You?

The first question is which type of shotgun is right for you. The often cheapest and easiest to use is the single-shot shotgun, which, as the name implies, only holds a single shot, such as the Henry Single Shot Shotgun. Next is the pump-action shotgun, such as a Remington 870 Express, which holds more than one shot, but the slide must be racked, or "pumped," after each shot. Higher-end shotguns are usually auto-loading, or semi-automatic, where the shooter only has to pull the trigger. These shoot much faster than the previous two. An example of this is the Benelli M4. Finally, and sometimes the most expensive, are the double-barrel shotguns, either in side-by-side or over/under configurations. These may come with a single trigger or two triggers. Examples include the CZ Bobwhite G2 and Franchi Instinct SL.

Which Gauge Should You Get?

The two most common gauges are 20 and 12. A 12-gauge has a larger recoil, or kick, than a 20-gauge. Other gauges include 10, 16, 28, and 410. Except for 410, as the numbers go down, the shell's diameter gets smaller and has more kick. The exception, 410, is the smallest, and there are revolvers that can use 410. It can be painful for untrained or smaller shooters to shoot 10- or 12-gauge shotguns, thanks to the kick, and you should factor this into your purchase.

What Barrel Length Fits You?

Longer barrels are more accurate, but they also make for a heavier shotgun. Keeping that in mind, longer barrels also swing more smoothly, which is highly desirable when tracking waterfowl across the sky. However, shorter barrels move faster, which is better for unpredictable birds or tracking deer or turkeys through a dense forest.

What Will You Use It For?

The final question is what you will use it for. A single-shot may be good for training younger or inexperienced shooters. A pump-action shotgun is perfect for hunting small-to-medium game or going target shooting at the range. An autoloader like the Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus is perfect for hunting birds or going to competition. Double-barrel shotguns are also ideal for bird hunting but give more a challenge while staying more reliable than autoloaders.

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