by: Ardie Claveria
The hunting shotgun is one of the most preferred firearms used by hunters, especially for hunting birds, as shotguns are more effective. If you are in an area where hunting is allowed, I’m sure that you will enjoy hunting once you have tried it. Hunting is exciting and it can be rewarding in many ways.
If you choose to hunt for upland birds, there are various hunting shotguns you can use. However, the models will largely depend on the birds and the location of your hunting grounds, and on your personal comfort with the shotguns you are carrying. Good hunting shotguns feature different characteristics, including:
- Look for hunting shotguns that are light, handy and easy to carry. When we talk of hunting shotguns, portability must come first. This is because, when hunting for birds, you are walking a lot and need to be able to draw and shoot very quickly. The most ideal upland hunting shotgun weight is about 7 lbs. Remember to choose a gun that is just right for your size and overall strength. If you prefer to use heavier guns, then you must still be able to point and swing it accurately. The less a gun weighs the more kick or recoil it will produce.
- Select the right length. Some shotguns are longer, while some are more compact. Ideally, for upland hunting, a shotgun with a length of up to 4-feet it is a good choice. On the other hand, if you feel like using a longer shotgun, you can as long as you are strong enough to carry and handle it. But be aware that there are some shotguns that are simply too long for upland hunting and are really not advisable.
- Choose a suitable gauge. What is gauge? The gauge or bore of a shotgun is simply a unit of measurement that tells the diameter of the barrel. Gauge size is equal to the number of lead pellets, when compacted into a shell, measure the same as the barrel’s diameter. Many upland hunters have a collection of gauges they choose from. It greatly depends on you what to use. The most famous gauge is probably the .16 gauge. The .16-gauge shotgun will give you an adequate shot pattern, ideal for shooting quick birds on the fly at medium ranges. However, there are some who prefer shooting with gauges from .28 to .12.
