[kungfuhippie]

I want to get a shotgun for rabbit and quail hunting and possibly duck in the future. What gauge do you recomend? What choke? What load? I can go get a 12ga something or other for cheap, but I figure I should get the right tool for the job.

Thanks everyone.

mods-if this is the wrong place, feel free to move it.

[kungfuhippie]

I decided to not be lazy. I googled for a answer.

People were talking about what they used, but not why, or what else would work.

The debate I saw was .410, 20 ga with 6 or 8 shot. A few commented that the 12ga would not only kill, but grind into hamburger your bunnies too.:neener:

So, since I've never hunted duck, let alone hunted with a shotgun will a 20 ga be worthwhile for duck? and what chokes should I consider for the three animals (I have no idea, but I figure it may differ)

[redneck2]

IMO 12 guage is your answer. 20 would work for rabbits and quail, but 12 is pretty much the program for ducks/geese.

Open choke (IC) would be great for rabbit & quail. I'd use 4's or 5's for rabbits and 6's for quail. If you wanted to limit your cost, 5's would probably work for quail and rabbit.

If you get something like an 870, the choke comes with it. Other chokes for ducks also come with the gun. HTH

[kungfuhippie]

Thanks, that's what I suspected. I've been rabbit hunting with my sks
and that doesn't damage the animal much. I just figure I should get the right tool and stop using a "butcher knife" to cut a slice of cheese:)

I think I'll get a 12ga in the next month or so, no point in buying one shotgun now and another later. And if I put it off when an oportunity to duck hunt comes up I won't have 10 days to wait to get a gun, duck season will be over:neener:

Yeah, sure, no point in buying another gun:D

[kbheiner7]

A small guage gun is entirely appropriate for rabbits and quail. Through ducks into the mix though and a 12 guage is your only option, IMO. You can control meat damage through choke, shell and shot selection. My recommendation would be a 12 guage pump or auto with screw-in chokes.

8 shot will work for rabbits and quail. I like 3s for ducks when using steel. With other non-toxic loads, you can go with 4s unless it's windy or the birds are just spooky in general.

[Bill2k1]

With a 12, you can do goose too! Just size up on shot. 12 is the best all around shotgun. All the other sizes are for when you get a case of shotgun fever and you need to own all of them.