Around this time each year I visit several WMAs in my area when they allow small game hunting. I’m usually shooting squirrels, but sometimes there’s an opportunity for ducks, doves and rabbits. Additionally, depending on which WMA I’m on, I can also shoot hogs during the small game hunts. A lot times I can be out all morning or most of the day and cover several miles looking for game. It’s nothing strenuous, like hunting out west in the mountains, but having something lightweight (less than 5 lbs) is nice.
Additionally, having something compact and very portable would be great. I’m planning on chopping the barrel (not less than 18.5”) so that when folded it won’t be any longer than the length of the buttstock. Most of the times I’m carrying my weapon in my hand, but there’s often times when I’m just trying to get to an area that I know is better habitat for a target species where I’d like to toss it in a small backpack. In some places it’s just better to have two free hands and not have a gun slung over a shoulder on a sling.
My initial thought is that this inexpensive shotgun would be in 20 gauge as it is more suited for small game and wouldn’t kick too bad in something lightweight. However, the shotgun I’m interested in only comes in 410 and 12 gauge. I’m thinking with a 12 gauge I’d have more versatility. I can carry a couple standard buckshot or slugs for hogs, a few steel shot shells for ducks/doves, and a number of mini shells 7.5 bird shot for small game. While I know the buckshot and slugs would probably have some very stiff recoil in a light shotgun, i likely wouldn’t be shooting many of these loads, especially from a single shot, break action shotgun. The duck/dove loads probably wouldn’t be enjoyable to shoot either, but once again, I don’t plan on taking repetitive shots, like I would in a dove/duck hunt, mostly just shots of opportunity. Lastly, I would think that the mini shells would be ideal for this type of shotgun as a standard 12 gauge birdshot load is overkill on most squirrels and rabbits and theses smaller shells would help reduce the recoil in a lightweight shotgun.
While I’m 75% leaning towards the 12 gauge, but there’s a part of me that says that the recoil will be prohibitive and I should get the same shotgun in a 410. While 410 will be better with recoil and good for small game, I think it will be less than ideal for ducks/dove/hogs. Additionally, 410 can be difficult to find at times and is more expensive, whereas 12 gauge is ubiquitous and not too costly.
This isn’t intended to be my main hunting shotgun, more of a fun inexpensive gun to tinker with that will be carried more than shot.
What are your thoughts? Would you go for the 12 gauge or 410 with this shotgun?
Additionally, having something compact and very portable would be great. I’m planning on chopping the barrel (not less than 18.5”) so that when folded it won’t be any longer than the length of the buttstock. Most of the times I’m carrying my weapon in my hand, but there’s often times when I’m just trying to get to an area that I know is better habitat for a target species where I’d like to toss it in a small backpack. In some places it’s just better to have two free hands and not have a gun slung over a shoulder on a sling.
My initial thought is that this inexpensive shotgun would be in 20 gauge as it is more suited for small game and wouldn’t kick too bad in something lightweight. However, the shotgun I’m interested in only comes in 410 and 12 gauge. I’m thinking with a 12 gauge I’d have more versatility. I can carry a couple standard buckshot or slugs for hogs, a few steel shot shells for ducks/doves, and a number of mini shells 7.5 bird shot for small game. While I know the buckshot and slugs would probably have some very stiff recoil in a light shotgun, i likely wouldn’t be shooting many of these loads, especially from a single shot, break action shotgun. The duck/dove loads probably wouldn’t be enjoyable to shoot either, but once again, I don’t plan on taking repetitive shots, like I would in a dove/duck hunt, mostly just shots of opportunity. Lastly, I would think that the mini shells would be ideal for this type of shotgun as a standard 12 gauge birdshot load is overkill on most squirrels and rabbits and theses smaller shells would help reduce the recoil in a lightweight shotgun.
While I’m 75% leaning towards the 12 gauge, but there’s a part of me that says that the recoil will be prohibitive and I should get the same shotgun in a 410. While 410 will be better with recoil and good for small game, I think it will be less than ideal for ducks/dove/hogs. Additionally, 410 can be difficult to find at times and is more expensive, whereas 12 gauge is ubiquitous and not too costly.
This isn’t intended to be my main hunting shotgun, more of a fun inexpensive gun to tinker with that will be carried more than shot.
What are your thoughts? Would you go for the 12 gauge or 410 with this shotgun?
