A common campfire debate is if one could only own one gun, what would it be? There are many possible answers depending on a hunters specialty. For the generalist hunter though, there is only one answer that allows the hunter to continue the pursuit of virtually all types of game: a shotgun. But shotguns are as varied as their rifled counterparts. Today we look at the pros and cons of the common hunting shotguns and how they translate to the field.
Pump Guns
Pros
Pump-action shotguns have been a common sight in the duck blind and grouse woods for a long time. One reason for this is the reliability. Because the pump is a manual action pump guns are super reliable, regardless of the load. This means that if you want to be able to run super light target loads or even specialty loads like flares or bear-bangers you don’t have to worry if the gun will cycle it. Another benefit of the pump action over a double barrel is the extra shell of capacity.
Finally, the biggest strength of the pump action is its affordability. For 300-400 dollars shotguns like a Remington 870 or a Mossberg 500 are effective hunting tools that will last for decades and thousands of shells. Most sub 400 dollar semi-autos and doubles will be very low quality.
Cons
On the flip side, pump actions aren’t as fast or smooth shooting as autoloaders and doubles. This is because you have to pump the action, jerking the sight picture every time you cycle in a shell. The sight picture disruption and slower cycle time lead to getting fewer shots off at birds on the wing.
Bottom Line
Pump guns offer a reliable lifelong hunting tool for a reasonable price. For budget-conscious shooters they are an excellent choice. However, for the hunter who wants the most effective tool possible, autoloaders or doubles are better choices.
Autoloaders
Pros
Next, the semi-auto shotgun has been around since J.M. Browning invented the Auto-5 in 1898. Like pumps, autoloaders give the shooter access to a third shell. Also, autoloading shotguns harness energy from the shot, reducing felt recoil . Finally, autoloaders are fast cycling, allowing the shooter to follow-up without disrupting their sight picture.
Cons
Conversely, semi-autos are not without their drawbacks. First of all, they are much more susceptible to reliability issues related to lack of cleaning. Also, some autoloading designs struggle with cycling really light loads. Typically, inertia designed actions tolerate neglect better than gas actions while gas actions handle light loads better. Beretta and Browning offer top of the line gas shotguns, and the best inertia shotguns are made by Browning and Benelli.
Finally, semi-automatic shotguns are more expensive than a typical pump action. A good rule of thumb is a semi-auto will cost around double what a pump shotgun does for a similar level of quality.
Bottom Line
Semi-automatic shotguns are great hunting shotguns for those with a little bit more money to spend. The extra speed and recoil reduction makes it easier to use in the field on multiple birds than a pump and it holds an extra shell over a double barrel. However, you pay for that extra speed with your pocketbook as autos are much more expensive than pumps.
Double Barrels
Pros
The most classic of hunting shotguns is the double barrel design. The double barrel combines the unfailing reliability of the pump action with the speed of the semi-automatic. There is also a certain panache that comes with taking a beautiful walnut-stocked double into the field.
Another unique benefit of double barrel shotguns is that they have two barrels. This means that each barrel can be fitted with a different choke. This allows for a wider choke for the first shot, which is typically closer, and a tighter choke for the second shot as the birds fly away.
Cons
On the other hand, the biggest drawback to a double barrel is its capacity. Unlike pumps and semi-autos, when you’re hunting with a double you only have two shots before it is time to reload. Another disadvantage from shooting a double barrel is because it is a fixed action, the shotgun will tend to recoil more than semi-automatic designs with use some of the energy to cycle the action. More recoil means longer time to get on target, which ultimately leads to slower follow-up shots.
Finally, the last drawback of double barrel guns is their price. Building a sturdy lockup with both barrels regulated to shoot to the same spot is not cheap. Quality double barrels start at around 1500 dollars and go up from there. Some high-end doubles are well into the 5 figure price points.
Bottom Line
Double guns offer an advantage to the traditional hunter who wants tailor a pair of chokes optimized for his hunting location. The unfailing reliability and fast follow-up are attractive attributes, at the cost of a third shell. The double barrel is the best choice for a modern day renaissance man who has the money to spend on a premium shotgun.
Closing Thoughts
In closing, there are benefits and drawbacks to each of the popular hunting shotgun actions. At the end of the day, all of them can be used effectively to hunt birds, small game, or as slug guns. So pick whichever fits your hunt style, budget, and most importantly gets you excited to get out in the field.