Are you trying to figure out what kind of shotgun you need for an upcoming hunt? With all of the various kinds of shotguns that are available it can get overwhelming. Here is a simple breakdown of the different kinds of shotguns and their uses.

First, let’s start with a list of the most common shotguns used for hunting, there are sub-categories and different variations of the guns listed below but this will give you a base to start from.

1. The 12 Gauge Shotgun, this is easily the most common and probably the most versatile shotgun on this list and if a new hunter asked me what kind of shotgun they should get first I would probably recommend a 12 Gauge. A 12 Gauge Shotgun can be used for small game animals such as rabbits and doves while also being effective for large animals such as Turkeys, Ducks, Geese and is some instances even deer (more on this later). If you are looking for a shotgun for any upland birds, waterfowl or small game hunting the 12 Gauge is a great place to start. Click here to read more about different kinds of 12 Gauge Shotguns
2. The 20 Gauge, this is a slightly smaller, lighter shotgun than the 12 gauge and is very effective for small game and up-close hunting for upland birds such as doves and pheasants. Since the 20 Gauge is smaller it is typically easier for you to control than the 12 Gauge, however, because of the reduced size and power the 20 Gauge has a more limited range than a 12 Gauge and will not be able to effectively take down larger game such as Turkeys and Geese.
3. The 10 Gauge and 410 Shotgun, these two shotguns are far less common than the 12 and 20 gauge and their applications are more limited. The 10 Gauge shotgun is larger than the 10 Gauge with more power and range than a 12 Gauge, but because of this additional power it is overkill for small game and upland birds. You would not want to use this large of a shotgun on smaller game because it will damage more of the meat than necessary. The 410 shotgun is smaller than a 20 Gauge and it is only effective on small game at close range, limiting it’s effective uses for hunting. Another large drawback to both the 10 Gauge and 410 is that since they are less common the shells they fire are much more expensive than 12 or 20 Gauge shotgun shells.

Hopefully this guide can help you figure out which size shotgun is best for your needs, now it’s time to figure out what kind of shotgun shells to buy. Click here to read about the different kinds of shotgun shells.