Shotgun Vs. Rifle
- Thread starter badger_29
- Start date
TripleDeuce660
Active member
In my mind, if you have a scope with a really wide FOV you are still good to go when its in shotgun range. The only time I see a shotgun as an advantage is when they do not stop.
AWS
Custom Accessory Maker & Retired PM Staff
A European made combo gun, with two triggers or a safety and selector, low mounted 1-3, 1-4 or 1.5-5 scope. You have both guns in a single package, no movement required to change weapons, instant selection of rifle or shotgun and you don't need heavy 3" loads for the shotgun the rifle barrel will reach out any distance.
Most Euro combo guns are well made, they aren't made to dump on the US market but sold to sportsman over there, they are well regulated or have adjustable regulation. Mine, I've had four all shoot sub-MOA groups to 300 yards, yet with the wide FOV of the low power scope I've killed flushing birds on the way back from a stand.
here's from a past post.
The Savage 24 combo guns are a pain, all the things you've heard are true. If you think about one look into a Euro made one, with two triggers and a safety instead of a hammer and selector. That way you can keep the scope mounted low for a better cheek weld and no trying to deal with a hammer or selector under the ocular bell. Two triggers gives you instant selection of rifle or shotgun. Most Euro shotguns that have joined barrels are very well regulated, on guns with un joined barrels are adjustable for point of impact. You can also get away with much lighter shot loads as you don't have to reach out as far with the shotgun because you can use the rifle barrel for longer shots and you don't have to deal with changing weapons. I get great results using 1 oz of NP BB's in my 16ga combo gun.
This is an American Arms/Marrochi 12ga/222 Rem, very accurate little rig. note the barrels are seperated, the block mid barrel adjust elevation and the connecting block at the muzzle adjusts windage, Biakal, Valmets, and Marrochis are set up this way.
This is the Bernardelli 12ga/5.6x50R Mag(222 Rem mag lengthened 3mm and a rim) note the barrels joined by side ribs, more expensive to make do to regulating and they won't shoot stings of shots with out the barrel heating and making the point of impact walk. Rarely do you get more than one or two shots with the rifle on a stand without it having a few minutes to cool.
The Bernardelli at work.
This is a 12ga/5.6x50R mag but there are a bunch out there in 222 Rem.
Most Euro combo guns are well made, they aren't made to dump on the US market but sold to sportsman over there, they are well regulated or have adjustable regulation. Mine, I've had four all shoot sub-MOA groups to 300 yards, yet with the wide FOV of the low power scope I've killed flushing birds on the way back from a stand.
here's from a past post.
The Savage 24 combo guns are a pain, all the things you've heard are true. If you think about one look into a Euro made one, with two triggers and a safety instead of a hammer and selector. That way you can keep the scope mounted low for a better cheek weld and no trying to deal with a hammer or selector under the ocular bell. Two triggers gives you instant selection of rifle or shotgun. Most Euro shotguns that have joined barrels are very well regulated, on guns with un joined barrels are adjustable for point of impact. You can also get away with much lighter shot loads as you don't have to reach out as far with the shotgun because you can use the rifle barrel for longer shots and you don't have to deal with changing weapons. I get great results using 1 oz of NP BB's in my 16ga combo gun.
This is an American Arms/Marrochi 12ga/222 Rem, very accurate little rig. note the barrels are seperated, the block mid barrel adjust elevation and the connecting block at the muzzle adjusts windage, Biakal, Valmets, and Marrochis are set up this way.
This is the Bernardelli 12ga/5.6x50R Mag(222 Rem mag lengthened 3mm and a rim) note the barrels joined by side ribs, more expensive to make do to regulating and they won't shoot stings of shots with out the barrel heating and making the point of impact walk. Rarely do you get more than one or two shots with the rifle on a stand without it having a few minutes to cool.
The Bernardelli at work.
This is a 12ga/5.6x50R mag but there are a bunch out there in 222 Rem.
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AWS
Custom Accessory Maker & Retired PM Staff
TrippleDuece, is right also, with a low power variable again the ones I listed for the combos work well in the woods, with FOV's of 60-100 feet on low power close in even moving targets are pretty easy to keep in the scope, see openings in front of the coyote so your ready for the shot, even see a second coyote following or behind the one you are on. If you do have coyote hang up it is easy to turn the scope up for the longer shot. Remember though "there is always time to turn a scope up but never enough time to turn it down".
I was typing about combo guns while he was posting.
I was typing about combo guns while he was posting.
SlickerThanSnot
New member
Originally Posted By: badger_29What do you guys carry into the woods with you? A Shotgun or Rifle or Both. Are there any dedicated shotgun only guys? What kind of range can you reliably Kill at with your shotguns? Are there some specific Chokes that are really that much better?
these days it is 99.5% shotgun for me. and never carry both. a caller, a seat and a 1 firearm and hopefully a coyote or 2 on the way back to the truck is enough for me to carry.
with lead loads i can reliably kill a coyote at 30 to 40 yards. i have some heavier than lead loads and also some WAY heavier than lead loads that can extend that reliable range another 15 yards or a little more.
the choke will depend on the load and the shotgun. only you shooting the shotgun at a pattern board will be able to determine that part.
these days it is 99.5% shotgun for me. and never carry both. a caller, a seat and a 1 firearm and hopefully a coyote or 2 on the way back to the truck is enough for me to carry.
with lead loads i can reliably kill a coyote at 30 to 40 yards. i have some heavier than lead loads and also some WAY heavier than lead loads that can extend that reliable range another 15 yards or a little more.
the choke will depend on the load and the shotgun. only you shooting the shotgun at a pattern board will be able to determine that part.
It really depends on the kind of hunting that I am doing. There are days when I want to reach out, days when I want to watch them coming in, then I run my rifle.
There are days when I want to be in their faces.
I usually run a shotgun for foxes and bobcats and a rifle for coyotes.
So it's not really an either/or proposition. Both have advantages both have drawbacks. I don't usually run both because I don't want to lug around that much gear. So pick your gear depending on your hunt.
There are days when I want to be in their faces.
I usually run a shotgun for foxes and bobcats and a rifle for coyotes.
So it's not really an either/or proposition. Both have advantages both have drawbacks. I don't usually run both because I don't want to lug around that much gear. So pick your gear depending on your hunt.
derbyacresbob
Well-known member
Yesterday I made 9 coyote calling stands. On 4 of those stands I took my rifle and a shotgun. On 2 stands I took just the rifle, so on 3 of the stands I took only my shotgun.
I ended up killing 5 coyotes, 3 with a rifle and 2 with my shotgun. On one stand I had a coyote hang up at 100 yards away so I switched from my shotgun to my rifle and killed the coyote with my rifle.
If I had to choose between just a rifle or just a shotgun for all of my coyote calling I would use the shotgun, because I can hunt any terrain with a shotgun, I don't have to look for rifle calling spots.
I carry a shoulder bag with a 12 volt battery, a FoxPro Fury and SP-60 speaker and a decoy in the bag on one shoulder, my rifle on the other shoulder, my shotgun in one hand a chair in the other hand and my camera around my neck when I take both the shotgun and a rifle on a stand.
I ended up killing 5 coyotes, 3 with a rifle and 2 with my shotgun. On one stand I had a coyote hang up at 100 yards away so I switched from my shotgun to my rifle and killed the coyote with my rifle.
If I had to choose between just a rifle or just a shotgun for all of my coyote calling I would use the shotgun, because I can hunt any terrain with a shotgun, I don't have to look for rifle calling spots.
I carry a shoulder bag with a 12 volt battery, a FoxPro Fury and SP-60 speaker and a decoy in the bag on one shoulder, my rifle on the other shoulder, my shotgun in one hand a chair in the other hand and my camera around my neck when I take both the shotgun and a rifle on a stand.
West.Mass.Hunter
Member
I carry both. That can be a pain but I think it's worth it
Originally Posted By: derbyacresbobYesterday I made 9 coyote calling stands. On 4 of those stands I took my rifle and a shotgun. On 2 stands I took just the rifle, so on 3 of the stands I took only my shotgun.
I ended up killing 5 coyotes, 3 with a rifle and 2 with my shotgun. On one stand I had a coyote hang up at 100 yards away so I switched from my shotgun to my rifle and killed the coyote with my rifle.
If I had to choose between just a rifle or just a shotgun for all of my coyote calling I would use the shotgun, because I can hunt any terrain with a shotgun, I don't have to look for rifle calling spots.
I carry a shoulder bag with a 12 volt battery, a FoxPro Fury and SP-60 speaker and a decoy in the bag on one shoulder, my rifle on the other shoulder, my shotgun in one hand a chair in the other hand and my camera around my neck when I take both the shotgun and a rifle on a stand.
When you say decoy in the bag, are you talking about a coyote, and if so do they work?
I ended up killing 5 coyotes, 3 with a rifle and 2 with my shotgun. On one stand I had a coyote hang up at 100 yards away so I switched from my shotgun to my rifle and killed the coyote with my rifle.
If I had to choose between just a rifle or just a shotgun for all of my coyote calling I would use the shotgun, because I can hunt any terrain with a shotgun, I don't have to look for rifle calling spots.
I carry a shoulder bag with a 12 volt battery, a FoxPro Fury and SP-60 speaker and a decoy in the bag on one shoulder, my rifle on the other shoulder, my shotgun in one hand a chair in the other hand and my camera around my neck when I take both the shotgun and a rifle on a stand.
When you say decoy in the bag, are you talking about a coyote, and if so do they work?
duckstopper
New member
Originally Posted By: badger_29
I carry a shoulder bag with a 12 volt battery, a FoxPro Fury and SP-60 speaker and a decoy in the bag on one shoulder, my rifle on the other shoulder, my shotgun in one hand a chair in the other hand and my camera around my neck when I take both the shotgun and a rifle on a stand.
I'm impressed with all that gear you're carrying. It must be worth it with 5 coyotes for the day.
I carry a shoulder bag with a 12 volt battery, a FoxPro Fury and SP-60 speaker and a decoy in the bag on one shoulder, my rifle on the other shoulder, my shotgun in one hand a chair in the other hand and my camera around my neck when I take both the shotgun and a rifle on a stand.
I'm impressed with all that gear you're carrying. It must be worth it with 5 coyotes for the day.
Quote:I carry a shoulder bag with a 12 volt battery, a FoxPro Fury and SP-60 speaker and a decoy in the bag on one shoulder, my rifle on the other shoulder, my shotgun in one hand a chair in the other hand and my camera around my neck when I take both the shotgun and a rifle on a stand.
Dang, Bob, have you ever checked into a pack saddle?
Just funin' ya, sure don't want to discourage you from carrying your camera along.....would sure hate to miss out on your fine pics!
Regards,
hm
Dang, Bob, have you ever checked into a pack saddle?
Just funin' ya, sure don't want to discourage you from carrying your camera along.....would sure hate to miss out on your fine pics!
Regards,
hm
Hunting with two guns is a goat roping, and you need to carry two guns that you can just beat the crap out of....lots of equipment clanking around.
I carried a beat to crap out of Rem 700 in a plastic stock in a set back 22/250 Ai rem re chamber and a Mossburg 500 with a turkey choke, plus fold out stool on my belt, plus fanny pack. Life was good with pruning tool on my belt to prune a hole in a bush to break up my silhouette.
Green first timers sat up against a rock smoking cigars or cigarettes.
OK, if you make the last minute decision to sit with a rifle in your lap and shotgun laying on the ground, you have to live with the results and vise a versa.
In open dessert country, I found myself wanting a 3x12. In close shooting a 2x8, but was never happy over all, settled for a leupold 3.5x10x with an A.O.
If you are a wild man and go shotgun for all out, you should prepare yourself for misses due to leade on moving coyotes, 1250 fps shot is still 1250 fps...1500 fps is not going to make much difference. Keep pulling the trigger. If their tail flicks, hit them again.
I carried a beat to crap out of Rem 700 in a plastic stock in a set back 22/250 Ai rem re chamber and a Mossburg 500 with a turkey choke, plus fold out stool on my belt, plus fanny pack. Life was good with pruning tool on my belt to prune a hole in a bush to break up my silhouette.
Green first timers sat up against a rock smoking cigars or cigarettes.
OK, if you make the last minute decision to sit with a rifle in your lap and shotgun laying on the ground, you have to live with the results and vise a versa.
In open dessert country, I found myself wanting a 3x12. In close shooting a 2x8, but was never happy over all, settled for a leupold 3.5x10x with an A.O.
If you are a wild man and go shotgun for all out, you should prepare yourself for misses due to leade on moving coyotes, 1250 fps shot is still 1250 fps...1500 fps is not going to make much difference. Keep pulling the trigger. If their tail flicks, hit them again.
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derbyacresbob
Well-known member
Originally Posted By: badger_29Originally Posted By: derbyacresbobYesterday I made 9 coyote calling stands. On 4 of those stands I took my rifle and a shotgun. On 2 stands I took just the rifle, so on 3 of the stands I took only my shotgun.
I ended up killing 5 coyotes, 3 with a rifle and 2 with my shotgun. On one stand I had a coyote hang up at 100 yards away so I switched from my shotgun to my rifle and killed the coyote with my rifle.
If I had to choose between just a rifle or just a shotgun for all of my coyote calling I would use the shotgun, because I can hunt any terrain with a shotgun, I don't have to look for rifle calling spots.
I carry a shoulder bag with a 12 volt battery, a FoxPro Fury and SP-60 speaker and a decoy in the bag on one shoulder, my rifle on the other shoulder, my shotgun in one hand a chair in the other hand and my camera around my neck when I take both the shotgun and a rifle on a stand.
When you say decoy in the bag, are you talking about a coyote, and if so do they work?
My decoy is a FoxPro Jack Daddy.
https://www.gofoxpro.com/site/products/decoys/jack-daddy
I ended up killing 5 coyotes, 3 with a rifle and 2 with my shotgun. On one stand I had a coyote hang up at 100 yards away so I switched from my shotgun to my rifle and killed the coyote with my rifle.
If I had to choose between just a rifle or just a shotgun for all of my coyote calling I would use the shotgun, because I can hunt any terrain with a shotgun, I don't have to look for rifle calling spots.
I carry a shoulder bag with a 12 volt battery, a FoxPro Fury and SP-60 speaker and a decoy in the bag on one shoulder, my rifle on the other shoulder, my shotgun in one hand a chair in the other hand and my camera around my neck when I take both the shotgun and a rifle on a stand.
When you say decoy in the bag, are you talking about a coyote, and if so do they work?
My decoy is a FoxPro Jack Daddy.
https://www.gofoxpro.com/site/products/decoys/jack-daddy
^^^^^^Great decoy. I've had more coyotes come in hot since my son gave me one last year. I leave the bird audible and decoy running continuously while calling intermittently with either the FoxPro or hand call and the decoy really gets their attention. Birds come a lot closer and stay around longer than they did w/the Mojo critter, too. Not sure if its due to the audible or they like the decoy better but there is a difference.
Regards,
hm
Regards,
hm
