Shotguns: Auto vs. Pump? 20ga vs 12ga?

Kaianuanu

Kaianuanu

New member
I've never hunted coyotes with a shotgun, only rifles. I was thinking about getting a cheaper shotgun and i was wondering if if a semi auto really has any advantage over a pump when it comes to predator hunting. And, is there a range difference with a 12ga and a 20ga? I prefer to shoot 20's but if 20's suck for coyote hunting, then i'd just get a 12.
 
I personally like a pump shotgun, because it is simple and generally more reliable, especially when you are looking at shooting a wide variety of ammo. You really have to spend some serious cash if you want an autoloader that will function well shooting 2.75" trap loads and 3.5" turkey loads.

Is one better than another for predator hunting, I think you'll get alot of opinions.

I own a Benelli Nova that is used for predators, turkey, dove, sporting clays, and anything else requiring a shotgun.

As far as 12 vs 20. I'd go 12 guage, if for no other reason than being able to put more shot in the pattern.
 
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I like the K.I.S.S. method when I comes to shotguns. I use pumps simply because there is less room for mechanical error. I would use 12 gauge I've never tried 20 gauge for coyotes I know it could kill one but why risk it.
 
i don't like to use a shotty, only suppressed pistols and rifles, just my style... there are always advantages to both actions, semi auto you can make quicker follow up shots, plain and simple... looks like your from the south so cold weather wont have as harsh of effects on a semi auto like they do here, regardless, semi auto you have a higher probability of a jam, and a 12 is gonna give u more area and knock down, but ur 20 will get it done.
 
That is true about the semis, now that i think about it, I remember when i went to shoot doves in the mountains in jamaica, my cousin just bought a beretta semi auto for like $2500usd and it still had failures to cycle like every 3rd mag.
 
While semi auto is faster than a pump if I need a follow up shot quicker than I can work the slide on my pump I need to reconsider my first shots. Just my 2 pennies
 
Originally Posted By: jlutcher51While semi auto is faster than a pump if I need a follow up shot quicker than I can work the slide on my pump I need to reconsider my first shots. Just my 2 pennies

very true
 
Originally Posted By: jlutcher51While semi auto is faster than a pump if I need a follow up shot quicker than I can work the slide on my pump I need to reconsider my first shots. Just my 2 pennies
good point, but sometimes its not up to u to reconsider your first shot... like anything there are many variables to take into consideration... ie, 3 hard chargers, the difference between a pump and semi might be 3 dead dogs, maybe it was because you couldn't run ur pump quick enough, or maybe all 3 got away because your auto jammed...
 
The need for a fast second or back-up shot when turkey hunting is usually because you missed the first shot. So reconsider you may at your own leisure. But with coyotes often the need for a fast follow-up shot is because they just take some extra killing. It isn't uncommon with a shotgun to need to add more lead to solve the immediate problem of a yipping, spinning, coyote about to sort himself out and light out for parts unknown. I don't know if a semi-auto is that much better than a pump because most of us are using 3" loads and recoil plays a part in the shot to shot recovery time. I can shoot a pump gun pretty darned fast. However, it is nice when using a semi-auto not to have to divide your attention from the problem in front of you to work the action. There it is, no definitive answer, shoot what appeals to you most. If you're wondering, I shoot a couple of Benelli auto's and really wouldn't care to switch back to my 870's unless I had no choice.
 
Speaking of coyote hunting with a shotgun, I use a 12 ga. Benelli M1S90 (a semi-auto). I shoot 3" Dead Coyote or 3" #4 Buckshot.
My Rem 870 (a pump) is the ONLY shotgun I have ever owned that has jammed while hunting. It fed a round out of the magazine when I fired a 3" mag at a turkey. Jamming the gun so bad I thought I was gonna have to take it to a gunsmith. That gun did the same thing two more times on a goose hunt. It has only done this when the magazine is loaded with 4, 3" magnums.
As to the 20 ga. for coyote hunting... It won't throw enough shot to satisfy me.
Stick with a 3" or 3 1/2" 12 ga. IMHO.
 
Auto or pump they are both good. For predators and turkey I use a Mossberg 835 Grand Slam 12ga with a 20 inch barrel. That 20 inch barrel is NICE when sneaking around in thick cover.

I hunt ruffed grouse and use a Remington 1100 LT-20. Had this gun for 20 years and fired 1000s of rounds. Never had a failure. I can empty five shots with the auto MUCH faster than the pump.

So it just boils down to which one you like better. Youll get less re-coil with the auto. But better dependability with the pump. A 20g will shoot just as hard as a 12g and have the same size pattern with the same size shot, but the 12 will have more shot in the pattern.

If I could buy one shotty for everything and was on a budget it would probaly be Benelli Nova pump with a 24 inch barrel. That would take care of everything from ducks to dogs.
 
I own Rem 870 Pumps a Rem 11-87 and a Beretta AL391, they are all 12 ga 3" guns.

For quail and dove I don't mind using a pump but for coyotes and waterfowl I prefer the semi-autos. When it is cold and I have been sitting or laying still for long periods of time I like just pulling the trigger.

As far as I know, NOBODY makes a good 20 ga coyote load. So if you are going to shoot a 20 ga at coyotes you will need to reload your shells. I have seen some coyotes taken with some of my 20 ga reloads, they had lead BBB or lead T shot in them.

If you want to hunt coyotes, get a 12 ga.
 
I can shoot a pump just as fast as someone that is aiming with a semi. Just cause you can sling lead as fast as you can pull the trigger isn't going to make it better. Hear them fast three shots out duck hunting all the time and wonder how far over the bird their last shot was. Read alot of articals and they have said the pumping action helps to bring the gun back down and your able to pick your next shot better with a pump.

Been shooting a pump since I was 12 and I'm 38 now with lots of trigger time. You get time behind a pump and it's all one fluid movment while firing. When I shoot I don't even remember pumping the gun.

Only plus I see is if your sensitive to recoil the semi may help on that.

Between 12 or 20 for coyotes I would go 12 no questions asked.
 
I'd DEFINITELY go with a 12ga over a 20ga as far as predators/turkey are concerned.
As far as semi vs pump, both will kill them equally as well. All depends on how much you want to spend.
I'm shooting a Benelli SBE 2 ($1500) and a Mossberg 835 ($350). My Mossberg actually patterns better than my Benelli. But my Benelli shoulders perfectly and is very lightweight to carry.
 
I shot Skeet and Trap doubles with a pump for many years. My X and her father were both pump gun shooters and when it came to shooting double on the trap or skeet field you couldn't even see the slide move but they shoot about 5000 rounds a summer.

Go with a 12ga pump if that is your only weapon, you have a much better selection of shells for preds. I shot a 20ga/223 O/U for a fgew years and the 20 worked well because I had the 223 barrel for the longer shots.

AWS
 
We all live on a budget. If money is tight in your world, the mossburg pump is a hard gun to beat, due to their price in pawn shops...usually $125-$150 with 28" screw in choke barrels.

870's abound but command a much higher price.

The Remington 1100, 11-87 take a lot of recoil out of the equation on heavy 3" buck shot loads, and the Beretta 390-391 kick even less.


I have used a large number of shotguns over the years including the Ithaca 37, which will stomp your brains out and the Ithaca 10ga semi auto with a 32" full choke.

Some people have trouble with pumps, like me. I short stroke the action, ejecting the hull and leave an empty chamber...don't even ask me how I do this???

I still have two Mosburg pumps that are loaner guns that have seen a lot of hunting...they just keep working.

12ga, 3" #4 buck shot is awesome and if you can afford the T shot, buy it.
 


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