only one long gun?
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Geckgo
Member
A shotgun is a "utility" gun. Great for home defense, allows hunting of birds with ease, good on rabbits and squirrels and other small game, as well as larger game up to deer, depending on ammo. Also great fun for shooting trap. It's pretty much a "do everything" rifle, all you have to do is have the right ammo and the right choke and it will do what most any other rifle out there will do. If you want to begin learning rifle accuracy, on the other hand, a 22 might be a better choice, to save some cash while punching paper.
,the Gecko
,the Gecko
Depends on what you need, under 100 yards for many uses, shotgun. 100 yards small game cheap easy to carry ammo .22 long rifle [rimfire] over 100 yards big game, a bolt action mil surplus, check for cheap ammo prices for which one to get. If you want hunting long gun, pair it with a Lee field loader, at $25 the cheapest way to reload one round at a time. Cabellas sells them then you can go with any modern sporting arm with telescopic sight.
Hunterdad
Member
I love the versitility of a shotgun. Get an 18.5" barrel for HD, a 26"-28" barrel for small game/clay birds and a 20" rifled barrel for big game. A shotgun really does cover all your bases, for the most part. Of course, like every other gun, it does have its limitations. Don't expect to put a shotgun on the bench and make clover leaf groups at 200 yards. If you're looking for versatilty, it doesnt get much better than a shotgun with interchangeable barrels.
oneounceload
member
20 gauges, since they are on a smaller frame, can have as much, and even MORE recoil than a 12.
To achieve the lowest possible ACTUAL recoil you need:
The heaviest gun you can handle with the lightest possible loads that will reliably work the gun
(Actual recoil is what does the long-term deep-down damage))
FELT recoil, aka PERCEIVED, aka "KICK", is a function of how well the gun fits, as well as the power of the load. This can be mitigated by using a semi-auto gun that uses gas to elongate the recoil pulse over time, a good recoil pad, and any of the aftermarket recoil devices like Gracoil, G Squared, Bumpbuster, etc, which tend to use either springs, air, or some form of hydraulics to also elongate the recoil pulse
Depending on what your needs are, a shotgun can be a good tool to have; otherwise, handguns and rifles also have their rightful places
To achieve the lowest possible ACTUAL recoil you need:
The heaviest gun you can handle with the lightest possible loads that will reliably work the gun
(Actual recoil is what does the long-term deep-down damage))
FELT recoil, aka PERCEIVED, aka "KICK", is a function of how well the gun fits, as well as the power of the load. This can be mitigated by using a semi-auto gun that uses gas to elongate the recoil pulse over time, a good recoil pad, and any of the aftermarket recoil devices like Gracoil, G Squared, Bumpbuster, etc, which tend to use either springs, air, or some form of hydraulics to also elongate the recoil pulse
Depending on what your needs are, a shotgun can be a good tool to have; otherwise, handguns and rifles also have their rightful places
Naybor
Member
IMHO, defiantly the shotgun. I keep a double barrel 12 ga. loaded with 00 Buck by the headboard. It has a 5 round butt-stock shell holder with two 00 buckshot reloads, two combo #4 and #6 shot in the same magnum shell, and one #7 1/2 shell (for snakes). Should be ready for about anything. The shell holder is the only "tactical" add on and is definitely handy.
I do have a .22 semi-auto for plinking (lots of use) and a bolt action .22 mag that gets very little use.
I do have a .22 semi-auto for plinking (lots of use) and a bolt action .22 mag that gets very little use.
RickMD
Member
For the one gun hunter there is no more versatile firearm than a 12 gauge pump shotgun with an extra slug barrel. It allows you to hunt more game than any rifle regardless of caliber.
thunder173
Member
If it must be only one gun,..I vote the 12 gauge also. Extra barrels and an appropriate array of ammunition,..it can do most everything out to 75-100 yards,..and do so without necessarily beating the shooter up in the process. That would be a function of using the correct ammunition for the task at hand. Suggest if you can that you maybe visit a Shooting Club in the area you live,...explain your issues and concerns. I am certain some good folks can give you some great first hand information,..and maybe even get you on the range to try a few out.
towboat_er
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A combo...22 cal over 12 gauge
I'm looking for a long gun for survival/ home defense. I'm not a hunter. I live in the city with access to one public range. I enjoy shooting pistols more than rifles or shotguns. I have read a pistol is to fight your way to a long gun. With my time and money I can only afford one long gun. I'm deciding between a shotgun or a .22 rifle?
RickMD
Member
For survival the .22 is the ticket but not recommended for self defense. I seriously question the need for a "survival" weapon in Hawaii but who knows; the Japs might attack again. If you like handguns best, get yourself a .38 or .357 revolver and it should serve your stated purposes.
huntsman
Member
Leaky Waders
Member
For me...if I only had one long gun...and I don't, the shotgun would be better. Actually, I did own a shotgun before a centerfire rifle.
Because:
1) Versatility - you can hunt quail, dove, ducks, rabbits, squirrel, deer etc by varying your loads.
2) Laws - many public hunting grounds are 'shotgun only' or 'shotgun only' during small game season. So, even if you can get centerfire rifle rounds for small game, you're not allowed to use it.
3) You can shoot clays and skeet with a shotgun...you can do it with a rifle if your Annie Oakley.
4) Regardless of ninjamallcrowdtacticalrequirements you can use any shotgun in a pinch to defend your home. Many people even advocate a shotgun with slugs as bear defense - when people bring up bear threads they are really asking can my gun kill anything in north amercia.
As for recoil, depending what you want to do with your shotgun will determine your payload and ergonomics of your shotgun. A shotgun that 'fits' will have less perceived recoil than one that doesn't. A heavy shotgun produces less recoil than a light shotgun in same configuration. Some people add weight to their shotgun for this reason.
To buy a heavier shotgun, you can look for companies that make smaller gauges on 12 gauge frames - like a 16 on a 12 or 20 on a 12. But, many shotgun people like the same gauge to frame scale.
Semi autos are known for dampening recoil because of their weight and the mechanics involved cycling the chamber uses some of the energy from the hull. But, some semiautos can be finnicky on lighter loadings. O/U and SxS are more expensive than the average pumps - both of these platforms have the ability to shoot everything chambered for it...unless it's a recently produced 870...then you may have people making excuses for some remingtons with lack of qc and gun finishing blaming it on bulk ammo that other guns can shoot - but I digress
.
Because:
1) Versatility - you can hunt quail, dove, ducks, rabbits, squirrel, deer etc by varying your loads.
2) Laws - many public hunting grounds are 'shotgun only' or 'shotgun only' during small game season. So, even if you can get centerfire rifle rounds for small game, you're not allowed to use it.
3) You can shoot clays and skeet with a shotgun...you can do it with a rifle if your Annie Oakley.
4) Regardless of ninjamallcrowdtacticalrequirements you can use any shotgun in a pinch to defend your home. Many people even advocate a shotgun with slugs as bear defense - when people bring up bear threads they are really asking can my gun kill anything in north amercia.
As for recoil, depending what you want to do with your shotgun will determine your payload and ergonomics of your shotgun. A shotgun that 'fits' will have less perceived recoil than one that doesn't. A heavy shotgun produces less recoil than a light shotgun in same configuration. Some people add weight to their shotgun for this reason.
To buy a heavier shotgun, you can look for companies that make smaller gauges on 12 gauge frames - like a 16 on a 12 or 20 on a 12. But, many shotgun people like the same gauge to frame scale.
Semi autos are known for dampening recoil because of their weight and the mechanics involved cycling the chamber uses some of the energy from the hull. But, some semiautos can be finnicky on lighter loadings. O/U and SxS are more expensive than the average pumps - both of these platforms have the ability to shoot everything chambered for it...unless it's a recently produced 870...then you may have people making excuses for some remingtons with lack of qc and gun finishing blaming it on bulk ammo that other guns can shoot - but I digress
.
YES ! It is very much OK and will give you reduced recoil as long as you remember it is a 20ga. In other words, if you want to deliver the shot load and power of a 12ga, then get a 12ga. The 20ga shoots less of a payload when you select the proper ammunition, but for example the 2&3/4" #3 buckshot loading has the energy level of about two 357 magnum handgun cartridges. That's a very acceptable knock down formula in my opinion.
The light dove loadings are adiquate for most game taking and slugs will take deer size game just fine. You don't need three inch for anything.
For most general purposes the 20ga works very well , and is easier and faster to handle .
Rob96
Member
I have two long guns, a Mossberg 500SP and a Remington 700 heavy barrel in 308. The 12 gauge comes in for home defense and close in defense. The 308 is for reaching out.
"Beware the man who owns but one gun. He probably knows how to use it."
If it is a shotgun, relax.
If you are armed with a rifle you can outrange him.
Unless he flanks you,,,
A 12 guage pumpgun is a good choice if you can only have one.
If it is a shotgun, relax.
If you are armed with a rifle you can outrange him.
Unless he flanks you,,,
A 12 guage pumpgun is a good choice if you can only have one.
USAF_Vet
Member
thankfully we live in a country where even if there are draconian gun laws, nothing limits you to just one.
I like the versatiliy of the standard pump action shotgun. Not a lot of moving parts to break usually equals reliability. Shotguns are usually easier on the budget versus a rifle. On my Mav88, I have a 28" goose barrel and a 18.5" HD barrel, and will eventually get the 24" rifled barrel and the muzzle loader barrel. No other gun has so much versatility. Although I'm still waiting for Mossberg to come out with rifle inserts for the barrels.
Ammo type is also more versatile than a rifle. With my 12 gauge, I can shoot anything from 7-1/2 low recoil trap loads to 3" magnum slugs. That gives me options for sporting clays, wing shooting, small game, large game and if they ever develop a rifled insert like I mentioned before, the possibilities only go up from there.
Also the shotgun at least equals the options for sighting systems and optics. Bead sights for shooting clays and wings, rifle sights for deer, ghosts rings for... whatever. Scope mounts are readily available and plenty of options for heavy recoil optics are on the market. There isn't a lot a shotgun can't do.
Rifles are more, in my experience, task specific. The rifle may excel at those tasks well above and beyond a shotgun, long range accuracy for example, but that rifle lacks the versatility of the ole slug slinger.
There is a reason my first gun was a shotgun, and there is a reason I'll always have a shotgun. It's a do-all (for me) type of gun. YMMV.
I like the versatiliy of the standard pump action shotgun. Not a lot of moving parts to break usually equals reliability. Shotguns are usually easier on the budget versus a rifle. On my Mav88, I have a 28" goose barrel and a 18.5" HD barrel, and will eventually get the 24" rifled barrel and the muzzle loader barrel. No other gun has so much versatility. Although I'm still waiting for Mossberg to come out with rifle inserts for the barrels.
Ammo type is also more versatile than a rifle. With my 12 gauge, I can shoot anything from 7-1/2 low recoil trap loads to 3" magnum slugs. That gives me options for sporting clays, wing shooting, small game, large game and if they ever develop a rifled insert like I mentioned before, the possibilities only go up from there.
Also the shotgun at least equals the options for sighting systems and optics. Bead sights for shooting clays and wings, rifle sights for deer, ghosts rings for... whatever. Scope mounts are readily available and plenty of options for heavy recoil optics are on the market. There isn't a lot a shotgun can't do.
Rifles are more, in my experience, task specific. The rifle may excel at those tasks well above and beyond a shotgun, long range accuracy for example, but that rifle lacks the versatility of the ole slug slinger.
There is a reason my first gun was a shotgun, and there is a reason I'll always have a shotgun. It's a do-all (for me) type of gun. YMMV.
DM~
Member
I've spent weeks at a time in the Alaskan bush, with just one long gun... You just have to pick the right long gun!
DM
DM
Rob96
Member
Shoulder them both and see which feels best for you. You really can't go wrong with either one.
sean m
Member
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- Feb 15, 2007
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- 576
For utility use a Savge 24 C 2lr over 20 ga is hard to beat. Miine has a 30 cal ammo can that comes with it when traveling. The can holds 300 rnds of 22 LR, 50 rnds of birdshot, 15 rnds of buck, & 15 rnds of slugs. Also 100 rnds of 357 mag come along for my carry revolver. An old style Bundsweher knife, a pull through cleanng kit, small 1st aid kit, match safe, magensuim bar, 30 ft of paracord, small spools of wire and monafilament, ductape, space blanket, & a painters drop cloth round out the gear in the can. It's a tight fit but makes a great kit.
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