3rd Shot And Beyond

B

Bella

New member
In a self defense scenario one should have as many shots available as possible. But, in a hunting situation, just how important are those extra rounds in a shotgun.

I got the idea for thread from the pump versus auto one. Reliability seems to be the main point in that debate. I use an over and under shotgun for most of my bird hunting. I see this as the most reliable and flexible option. I even can employ two different chokes, one thing that no pump or auto can do.

The drawback is that I am limited to two shots. Is loosing that extra shot that much of a handicap?
 
usually state law(depending where you live) dictates you can only have a max of 3 rounds in your shotgun. Most hunting shotguns have a plug you can put in them to make them only have 3 max. if the park ranger or game warden catch you without one in your gun, they will write you a hefty fine

as for 2 vs 3. well.... if it were that important, theyd have made a triple barrel shotgun :p
most hunters use O/U SxS for the fast rate of fire over the pump or the terribly terribly unreliable semi! :p
 
IMO, the extra shots are unnecessary, unless you manage a close covey rise.

Plugs are always required for Federal migratory birds. Check your own state regs for anything else
 
In a hunting situation / it depends .. on bigger birds like Pheasants, I don't see it as big an issue. On faster, smaller, covey birds like Quail - it might be a big deal.

I go back and forth - all of my pump guns / semi-auto with allow 3 shells in the field ( and I use them ). O/U's as you point out - can be choked differently - but if I'm shooting over good dogs that are holding birds / it isn't that big a deal. I do adjust my chokes for what I'm doing / but at most, I only spread them one increment like an IC / Mod or a Skeet / IC and it depends more on the cover, the bird, etc - but having that 3rd shell is kind of nice...

In terms of reloading in the field..... taking 2 shots - opening an O/U and dropping 2 new shells in the gun is about a 2.5 second operation / putting 2 more shells in a semi-auto takes me about the same 2.5 seconds - ( but I practice making it a smooth and seamless operation - and the gun comes up smoothly for the next bird). There are some gun clubs that will allow a 3 bird shoot / even on a Skeet field / where you can work on the process a little - and some 5 stands or sporting clays fields might allow you to practice it a little under guidance. Ask the range masters at your local clubs - and see.
 
In a half century of hunting, I cannot recall any instance where a fourth shot solved a problem the first three failed at.

Did I fire that many?

Yep.

Did it help?

Nope.

My deer 870 has been doing its job for me since the early 80s, if memory serves. It holds 7 plus 1.

I load it with 4. I've yet to empty the mag.

And an amazing amount of venison has been acquired thereby.

Same with rifles.

In fact, I hunted with a H&R single shot 30-30 and noted no drop in the freezer load.
 
Safety

Shotguns that are opened by with a hinge are a bit safer. Open a double barrel shotgun and anyone with a multi-digit IQ can see if there are rounds in the chambers. I really believe these type shotguns are the best for young and novice shooters.
 
I agree that what a person is hunting can influence the decision. A good number of upland bird hunters like the O/U or side by sides. If duck hunting is your game, that third shot from a pump or semi may prove to be important. For deer hunting, I use a H&R Ultra Slugger single shot with Winchester Partition Gold slugs....I don't think I've ever needed a second shot.

Let me throw this out there, it's a bit off the subject. When I was but a little shaver, pheasant and duck hunting with my dad, I developed my skills with a single shot 20 gauge. My dad wanted me to learn how to shoot one good shot before I worried about having two more at my disposal.
 
My dad wanted me to learn how to shoot one good shot before I worried about having two more at my disposal.
Click to expand...

and that is an excellent way to do it. I taught my kids with a single shot 22 for the same reason. IMO, not much different with shotguns.
 
I started all my boys / and now my grandkids - on clay targets - with either pump guns or O/U's primarily.

It is important to teach any new shooter good fundamentals on mount and follow-thru etc .... - especially when they're excited / but making them shoot with a single shot isn't a great idea in my opinion. I would rather see a new shooter develop good foot postion, good mounts, good follow thru - with a gun that is sized properly for them / in a gague that will give them good results ( like a 28ga ). Practice with pairs on a Skeet field - will get them comfortable - with the gun, taking a good 1st and then a good 2nd shot - to me is a better plan.
 
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