Today, more and more people are beginning to get involved in amateur or professional hunting, but when it comes to such an issue as choosing the caliber of a smoothbore weapon for hunting, disputes and disagreements begin, because the number of opinions is directly proportional to the number of hunters. Of course, using one type of weapon for all types of hunting is not possible, and its choice must be approached wisely.
Classification of guns for hunting.
Obtaining a hunting license and a permit to store weapons is already a thing of the past. It is absolutely legal to become the owner of a brand new gun. But the main thing here is not to rush, but to thoroughly study the theory. So that the purchase is truly successful and pleases its owner for many years.
All guns are divided into:
— smooth-bore;
— rifled (rifle, carbine, fitting);
- combined.
A smoothbore gun fires buckshot, shot and other charges at a medium distance. Popularly, this type of gun is called a “hunting” gun.
Rifle guns are designed to fire bullets over long distances. It should be borne in mind that without 5 years of experience in owning a smoothbore gun, it is impossible to obtain a license to store and use a rifled gun according to the law of the Russian Federation. From this we can conclude that a beginner can only afford a smooth-bore hunting rifle.
Combined guns, or, as they are also called, slug-shot guns, can shoot both long distances (bullets) and medium distances (shot).
"Gladkostvolka" in turn is divided into:
- “break” - the barrel leans back;
- "neodkidku" - does not recline.
A "breaker" is hunting jargon for a gun that is loaded by placing cartridges in the chamber. This type of weapon is in great demand due to the fact that it allows its owner to quickly replace the cartridge. It is also very unpretentious in care and use.
Shotguns with non-retractable barrels consist of:
- Trunk.
- A magazine with cartridges.
- Mechanism for removing cartridges.
The main feature and advantage of the guns of this system is their rate of fire and high power. The downside is that they are quite difficult to care for: they do not tolerate contamination and require constant adjustment and lubrication. If one of these conditions is not met by the owner, the gun may present unpleasant surprises during the hunt.
Shotguns with a folding barrel are:
- External trigger.
- Intra-hammer.
The first type of guns is older in origin, and therefore reliable and strong. But unfortunately, in our time they have begun to be produced in much smaller quantities.
Hammer-driven guns or “hammerless” guns are quite popular on the modern arms market, but they are much more complex in their design.
All types of shotguns are also available: single-barrel, double-barrel, three-barrel and four-barrel.
It is quite difficult to call a single-barreled gun a “hunting” gun, as there are several reasons. The first is that it is impossible to fire a second quick shot. This is not good when hunting, since the game can run away, and in the worst case, even attack a person. Secondly, for a beginner, for whom it is very important to gain shooting practice and enjoy the first hunt, this most likely will not succeed.
Despite the disadvantages, the single-barreled gun also has significant advantages. It is quite affordable in price, so any hunter can buy it. This device is also distinguished by its obedience, dexterity and low weight. Taking into account all these factors, we can say that this type of gun is suitable for professional hunters with extensive experience.
The double-barreled shotgun is an unsurpassed leader in the arms market. The trunks on it can be paired, both vertically and horizontally. Which arrangement of trunks is better is a rather complex question and the answer to it will be extremely subjective. Many hunters say that there is no difference, or it is insignificant. There is an opinion that guns that have vertical muzzles shoot more accurately.
Hunting rifle caliber
Is it worth buying a self-loading gun?
Currently, almost any gun store can provide the buyer with a huge selection of self-loading shotguns. They may have a gas recharge system or an inertial one. The advantage of the gas exhaust system is the lower recoil force, which provides the hunter with more comfortable shooting. And the indisputable advantage of the inertial system is its ease of maintenance.
But, despite the ease of use of self-loading weapons, experienced hunters will not advise a beginner to buy them, since this does not contribute to the development of discipline in the shooter. If a person was unable to hit his target with the first or second shot, then with the fourth and subsequent shots, he is unlikely to hit it. But when newbies miss, they begin to release their entire magazine in the hope that they will hit, even by accident. Therefore, beginners are advised to take a classic double-barreled shotgun, without reloading systems.
If you feel that a certain gun is difficult to use, then you definitely shouldn’t take it. The stock has various properties: length, hem, retraction, which can be adjusted if desired, if the stock itself allows it, but this should only be done with the help of an experienced shooter.
Modern smooth-bore weapons are, as a rule, suitable for only 75% of hunters. After all, sometimes the hunter’s parameters differ slightly from the standard ones, and there are also shooters who shoot from the left shoulder. It depends on which eye a person has: left or right.
There are often hunters who write with their right hand, but at the same time point the gun with their left, and for this they specially trained, because then the efficiency of using the weapon increases significantly. Beginner shooters are not advised to take a weapon with an adjustable stock, since the beginner immediately begins to look for ideal parameters for himself, and in the end makes the gun even more inconvenient.
Hunting rifle caliber.
For absolutely any type of firearm, such a characteristic as caliber is the main one. Every hunter should definitely know everything about gun calibers. The fact is that for hunting various types of game you need to use the appropriate diameter of cartridges. You cannot go out on a bird with a 10 gauge, and on a wild boar or a bear with a 20. In the first case, this is a reason for ridicule from other hunters, and in the second, it is simply life-threatening.
The term “caliber” translated from Arabic means “shape”. For any firearm, caliber is the diameter of the bore. One rule to remember: the larger the barrel diameter, the smaller the caliber and vice versa.
In Russia, the most popular are 12, 16 and 20 caliber smoothbore weapons. Less popular are 24, 28, 32 and 36 gauge.
Choosing the right caliber of gun
.410 caliber
shotgun
Many hunters feel nostalgic for the .410 caliber, because it was their first own gun, received as a gift from their father, if not in childhood, then in their youth. But don’t consider the .410 a “children’s” caliber. It is successfully used when hunting in mountainous, elevated areas, where an extra kilogram in the hands greatly affects the pleasure of hunting. With it you can catch almost any bird the size of a partridge at a distance of up to 25 meters - pigeon and pheasant, hazel grouse and quail - which are simply annihilated by 12-gauge cartridges, especially close-range shots. If you want to shoot larger game from a greater distance, you need larger calibers. Those who hunt with the .410 have something in common with muzzleloading rifle enthusiasts—they all love to hunt with their favorite weapon, accepting some of the limitations it imposes.
One can understand the pleasure of a marksman who proudly declares to supporters of large calibers that a .410 is quite enough for him for hunting. Almost all reputable gun manufacturers offer guns in this caliber. On an industrial scale, cartridges of this caliber began to be sold in England by the Eley Brothers Ltd. back in 1857. William W. Greener marketed this caliber as "suitable for naturalists, gardeners, and safety walkers." This caliber is a pleasure to hunt with. You might think that what you have in your hands is not a shotgun, but a magic cane that spews lead and flame with minimal recoil.
The Italian company Cosmi, famous for its semi-automatic shotguns,
has been making .410 caliber shotguns for many years.
28 gauge
The pleasure of shooting a 28 gauge due to its low recoil is comparable to that of a .410. The 28 gauge cartridge holds a larger amount of larger shot than the .410, so it can easily take game up to partridge size at distances up to 35 meters.
20 gauge
This caliber is suitable for hunting almost any meadow and forest game. Not the best choice for hunting waterfowl, unless we are talking about shooting at short range directly above stuffed animals. The reason is that a 20-gauge case does not hold enough shot to shoot a wound-resistant, fast-flying duck or goose. For the same reason, 20 gauge is not suitable for shooting buckshot. But it is wonderful for bullet shooting. 20 caliber bullet cartridges have sufficient energy and good accuracy. For distances over 50 meters and for large animals like moose or bears at any distance, it is of course better to choose larger caliber bullets. In many cases, 20 gauge is more versatile than smaller gauges, while being just as practical as larger gauges.
20 gauge is loved for the same thing that 28 and .410 are loved for – comfortable shooting and convenient guns. Most models chambered in the calibers mentioned are sleek, flexible and lightweight.
12 gauge
Shotguns in this caliber are not as nice and cute as the ones mentioned above. They can hit you on the shoulder, deafen you, and even slightly concuss you if you are not wearing headphones. As a rule, these are “heavyweights” weighing about 3 kilograms, which you cannot carry in your hands for a long time. Lightweight 12 gauge shotguns have very strong recoil.
Its versatility and variety of cartridges have made the 12 gauge the most popular among hunters.
The boar was taken using a Benelli 12 gauge.
12 gauge wins in terms of energy and range. In terms of variety of commercially available cartridges, 12 gauge is superior to all others. Options range from sports cartridges, the recoil of which resembles that of a 20-gauge, to heavy-duty magnum bullets, which can be used to shoot animals at 150 meters (as the manufacturer claims). Because This is the most common caliber; accordingly, manufacturers offer guns and ammunition to the mass buyer at the most attractive prices.
The attractiveness of the 12th is that almost all new items in the field of cartridge equipment become commercially available primarily in this caliber.
16 and 10 gauges
Neither are popular among hunters these days, but that doesn't mean they aren't worth mentioning. The times are still alive when the 16th gauge in popularity was second only to the 12th and far ahead of the 20th.
16 gauge was developed in Germany and is associated with top-notch Merkel, Heym and Krieghoff shotguns. In Europe and America, before World War II, it was considered the caliber of aristocrats, while ordinary farmers and hunters for meat rather than sporting prizes always preferred 12 gauge. The real decline of 16 gauge, as well as gentlemanship, began after World War II and continues to this day, although in America there is even a “16 gauge society.”
The 10 gauge is still used by some goose hunters, who claim that due to the mass of such guns, they are more comfortable shooting a bird with a 10 gauge rather than a 12 gauge.
Choosing a gun comes down to understanding its purpose. But why limit yourself to one gun when you can have several?
Choice of caliber.
“What caliber gun should I choose?” - This question is asked by many hunters. If the main hunting trophy is a bird, then a 12-gauge shotgun will do; if you intend to hunt small fur-bearing animals, then it is better to purchase a 28- or 32-gauge barrel. For large animals (deer, mountain goats) it is better to go with 20 gauge. If a person plans to hunt a bear, then you can go with a 12-gauge smooth-bore gun (despite the fact that shooting is planned from a maximum of 50 meters). For shooting from a longer distance, only rifled guns are suitable.
For hunting small game (hare, beaver) and birds (grouse, capercaillie), rifled guns of the following calibers are best suited:
- 5.6x39.
- 5.6x57 (best used when shooting up to 300 meters).
- 5.6x52R.
- 22-250.
When hunting medium-sized animals (wolf, small boar), guns with the following caliber are suitable:
- 5 mm.
- 5.6x57R.
- 5.6x50R.
- 5,6×57.
Shotguns with a caliber of 7 mm have also proven themselves quite well.
For hunting large animals weighing more than 100 kg, you can use 6.5 and 7 mm calibers. But provided that the shooting is carried out from a distance of no more than 150-160 m. The most effective are rifled guns of the caliber:
- 8x57.
- 8x64.
- 8x68.
When hunting large animals over 140 kg, it is best to use 30-caliber cartridges, as well as eight-millimeter cartridges with specialized hollow-point bullets.
Shotguns with the following calibers also performed well when hunting large trophies:
- 9.3×74 R.
- 9,3×62.
- 9,3×64.
What to consider when choosing a gun?
What does caliber affect?
It seems obvious that the degree of damage to an animal or bird depends on the caliber. Large bullets can completely destroy a small bird, while a small caliber may simply not have enough stopping power for large animals.
In addition, the weight and size of the cartridge directly affect the shooting process and the ballistic trajectory of the bullet. For windy weather or when hunting from long distances, heavy and large bullets are best suited, the movement of which will be less affected by gusts of wind, while small calibers are rational to use in case of good weather conditions and short distances to the target.
What to consider when choosing a gun?
Which gun should you choose for hunting? First of all, the gun must be ideal for its owner. This means that when thrown up repeatedly, it should fit comfortably on the shoulder. And also the sight line should be aligned with the hunter’s line of sight. These two characteristics depend on how well the gun is centered and how well it fits the body of the person who plans to buy it.
Also, when choosing a hunting rifle, you need to pay attention to its weight. After all, when hunting you will have to wear it on yourself for many hours in a row. A device that is too heavy will quickly exhaust its owner, even if he has sufficient physical strength. Shotguns that are too light are, of course, good, but you need to take into account that reinforced bullets, for example, 12 gauge, cannot be used at full power. Since there will be a very strong recoil to the shoulder and rapid wear of the gun itself.
Experienced hunters advise giving preference to models that weigh 1/22 the weight of a person. Example: a man weighs 90 kg, the ideal weight of a gun for him would be approximately 4 kg.
You also need to carefully check the product for defects. There should be no cracks, swelling, or gouges on the body. The wall thickness of the trunks should be the same. There are concentric rings in the barrel barrel. For a good and high-quality gun, they should be at the same distance from each other and be even. If this is not the case, then we can conclude that the trunk is bent.
A gun for a beginner.
Which gun should a novice hunter choose? This question plagues many newbies. When choosing your first gun, you need to remember that ideally it should be universal (it could shoot both bullets and shot). This will give you the opportunity to hunt any game. But unfortunately, this is not easy to find. But you can try.
For a beginner who is about to go around gun shops in search of a gun, it is best to take with him a specialist who knows all the intricacies of this matter. We can say right away that it will not be possible to purchase rifled weapons, according to the legislation of our country. Therefore, it is worth choosing from smooth-bore models, among which there are a huge number of convenient and high-quality models.
For a beginner in hunting, it is best to purchase a “breaker” as a first gun. This is a reliable device that has stood the test of time. Yes, he may be unprepossessing, but he is reliable. And in hunting this is the most important thing. When choosing a gun, you need to remember that the sophistication and modernity of the model should not be the deciding factors.
Experienced hunters advise beginners to give preference to a double-barreled shotgun with two trigger mechanisms. Why? The thing is that such a skill as accuracy develops only over the years. Not everyone can accurately hit, for example, a duck the first time. A second shot, correcting the first miss, is simply necessary in this case. A double-barreled shotgun gives its owner such a chance. Also, if one trigger mechanism breaks down at the most inopportune moment, the second one can be very helpful.
To summarize, we can say that it is best to opt for a horizontal double-barreled “fracture” shotgun with two triggers. The tool is quite simple and unpretentious to use and maintain. In terms of caliber, it is better to choose 12. It is the most versatile. Due to the fact that a bullet of this caliber contains a large mass of shot, inaccuracies when aiming will not be so noticeable.
Used gun
Which caliber is better
12 gauge is universal and is used widely by all possible groups of shooters.
Tundra dwellers, who walk tens of kilometers a day through hard-to-reach, remote and impassable areas, carefully go through the list of equipment at the stage of preparing for their expeditions. Not least in their preparations are considerations about equipment in relation to their weight, and of course they will prefer a lighter analogue of a hunting weapon. Provided that the weapon is necessary for obtaining food and it is not possible to use rifled small-caliber weapons. Although in the case of a bird, a smooth-bore weapon is even more suitable, because It's much easier to hit with shot than with a bullet. And in this case, 16 gauge will come in handy.
By analogy with tundra explorers, ordinary tourists or fishermen traveling long distances can also strive for a lighter weapon, for whom it is also important to maintain a certain mass of cargo, when every extra kilogram is important.
For competitive shooters shooting at targets on a shooting range or at a skeet stand, the weight of the weapon may also be more important than its other shooting qualities and, accordingly, they can also opt for 16 gauge.
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