How to Choose a Shotgun for Deer Hunting

Because of laws against deer hunting with rifles in densely populated and urban areas, shotgun hunting is an ideal alternative. But choosing a shotgun, or a "slug gun" as most deer hunters call them, is unlike choosing a center-fire rifle like a .30-06 bolt action rifle or a .30-30 lever action rifle. Selecting a shotgun/slug gun for the sport is as different as the style of hunting.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Consider the area you'll be hunting in. Open or lightly wooded areas generally mean you will take your shots from a longer distance. Heavily wooded areas and locations that have limited fields of fire such as canyons will require your shots to be at a much shorter range. This may have an effect on the shotgun that you buy due to the different barrel types and slug types available to the shotgun hunter. You can have a smooth-bore slug barrel. You might also use a smooth-bore slug barrel with a screw-in rifled choke tube. Or you can have a full-length rifled slug barrel for your slug gun. The ammunition varies greatly as well. You can fire foster-type slugs, non-sabot-type slugs or sabot-type slugs.

2. Know your budget. Many different kinds of slug gun systems exist and the prices vary with manufacturers and types.

3. Choose a shotgun that fits you. When you pick out a shotgun or slug gun, make sure that it feels comfortable. The shotgun should fall smoothly into place on your shoulder. The weight of the shotgun should feel easy to handle when it is in your hands. The feel and weight is important because in addition to just the shotgun itself you may want to have open rifle-type sights or a scope. You also will have to carry your ammunition and other accessories for your shotgun system. Any hunter will tell you that you will tire yourself faster if you carry too much weight or are uncomfortable.

Tips & Warnings

• When you choose your shotgun/slug gun system you have to consider barrel type and ammunition type together to get the maximum performance out of your weapon. Know your limitations with this type of system. Most shot gun users fire their slug the way they fire shot shells, which is not the right way to handle a slug gun. You will also be unable to make the long-range shots with a slug gun that you can with a rifle. A range of 100 to 150 yards is about the maximum range even with the best system.

Resources

• Shot Gun World
• Mossberg

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