I been shooting for qute some time but am very new to hunting. I am going hunting this year for my first time out. My newbie question is this: I have been eyeing one of those rife/shotgun o/u combos for a couple years. I think they would be great in a survival hunting situation. However, is there any time or place where one can actually head out into the woods and harvest what one can find? It seems to always be very regimented. I mean to say, take a bird with the shotgun or something of the furrier variety if it should appear.
newbie question
- Thread starter 7Star
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hardluk1
member
You did not say where you live . That does help some what with weapon choice. Get a hunting rules and regs to read or down load . See how much you have of a season during Bow, Black Powder, Shotgun and rifle if any. Then talk to local hunters about when deer rut and pre-rut are. You might find that a Bow is #1 on a list and a gun next. There are several firearms out that can be set up for several use's. T/c and cva atleast can shot a rifle, shotgun and blackpowder with just a barrel change. Go by your local gun/bow shops and talk to some guys there about learning about your area. Also do a search about new hunters and this has been covered sevaeral times in the last week.
Thanks for the reply. I think maybe you misinterpreted my question a bit. I am not researching for a rifle or shotgun purchase and I definitely do not want a bow. I want to buy a particular shotgun and rifle combo o/u. I was just asking if there is a time or place where I could use it in a more survival oriented multiple game purpose. Any location any state any time. Thanks again.
bad_aim_billy
Member
I assume you're talking about a gun such as a 20 gauge/.22 combo? In something like that, sure, it would be fine for survival. Say you're in a survival situation where weight is an issue. So you carry a set number of heavy shotshells and light .22 rounds, and use the shotshells for birds and bigger varmints, and .22 for squirrels and smaller varmints, saving the shotgun ammo for more important and bigger game.
As far as game seasons, lots of stuff like woodchuck and red squirrel are open all year long in most states. Same with feral pigeons.
As far as game seasons, lots of stuff like woodchuck and red squirrel are open all year long in most states. Same with feral pigeons.
wyohome
Member
Most states have seasons where grouse, pheasant, ducks, and deer overlap. You would need a rifle that was of legal caliber however.
dagger dog
Member
7,
Dove and squirrel season usually run together in several states, and the combo gun has a niche there, also for rabbit if you flush the quarry the shotgun works out, or if you spot and stalk the rifle is availble to take the head shot and save damaging the meat!
Dove and squirrel season usually run together in several states, and the combo gun has a niche there, also for rabbit if you flush the quarry the shotgun works out, or if you spot and stalk the rifle is availble to take the head shot and save damaging the meat!
7Star;
Several states, Wyoming and Montana that I personally know of, offer the option of either shotgun or rifle for the taking of some upland bird. Specifically, the mountain grouse types.
Of course, you'll want to access the regs yourself, but that's been the case for a long time up here in the northern rockies.
Hope that directly answers your question.
900F
Several states, Wyoming and Montana that I personally know of, offer the option of either shotgun or rifle for the taking of some upland bird. Specifically, the mountain grouse types.
Of course, you'll want to access the regs yourself, but that's been the case for a long time up here in the northern rockies.
Hope that directly answers your question.
900F
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
The amount of regimentation is going to vary from state to state, and there are private-property consideratons as well as game laws.
So, obvious question: Where are you?
"Survival": If post-apocalyptic survival, hey, the game wardens will be trying to survive, not write citations for hunting violations. If merely lost in the boonies, shoot whatever food you need for staying fed.
In the meantime, your own state's wildlife agency publishes rule books and also commonly has a website which shows the rules.
So, obvious question: Where are you?
"Survival": If post-apocalyptic survival, hey, the game wardens will be trying to survive, not write citations for hunting violations. If merely lost in the boonies, shoot whatever food you need for staying fed.
In the meantime, your own state's wildlife agency publishes rule books and also commonly has a website which shows the rules.
Thanks alot. It's good to know the options are there. The combo I was looking at was actually a 12G/30'06 but the 20G/22 does sound like it may be a very good option. I haven't seen one of those yet... It's the design of the things that just really interest me, as well as the practicality. I'm in Florida now.. but I'll be going out in PA for dove the first time, on a friends property. I'l just be taking my 12G o/u. However, I'm hoping to go on a really good trip soon. Thanks alot!
Legionnaire
Contributing Member
Have fun, 7Star ... and welcome to PA!
On the question of combo guns, I have and hunt with two older (circa 1964) Savage 24s. One is a .22LR/.410 and the other a .22Mag/20 gauge. They are the cat's meow for small game, especially squirrel. I scoped both of mine, and they are very accurate with the rifle barrels. That said, neither centers the shotgun pattern around the rifle's point of aim--overlaps, yes, but not well centered, so I have to make allowance for that. Shotgun slugs don't hit the rifles' point of aim, either (actually, foster-type slugs don't seem to shoot very well from the 24s' full-choke barrels). Anyway, unless you have a way to regulate the barrels on the combo you're looking at, don't count on the two barrels hitting in the same place.
On the question of combo guns, I have and hunt with two older (circa 1964) Savage 24s. One is a .22LR/.410 and the other a .22Mag/20 gauge. They are the cat's meow for small game, especially squirrel. I scoped both of mine, and they are very accurate with the rifle barrels. That said, neither centers the shotgun pattern around the rifle's point of aim--overlaps, yes, but not well centered, so I have to make allowance for that. Shotgun slugs don't hit the rifles' point of aim, either (actually, foster-type slugs don't seem to shoot very well from the 24s' full-choke barrels). Anyway, unless you have a way to regulate the barrels on the combo you're looking at, don't count on the two barrels hitting in the same place.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
I've also seen the combo in .223/20-ga.
You can always go to a German drilling. SxS shotgun with a centerfire rifle underneath. A tad heavy. But, so is the 12-ga/'06, based on a friend's version thereof.
Florida's loaded up pretty heavy with feral hogs...
You can always go to a German drilling. SxS shotgun with a centerfire rifle underneath. A tad heavy. But, so is the 12-ga/'06, based on a friend's version thereof.
Florida's loaded up pretty heavy with feral hogs...
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