Over and Under shotgun versus a semi auto for hunting?

6 Responses

1. geobert24

   December 16th, 2009 at 10:19 pm

   The only advantage to an auto-loader is more shots which isn’t that big of a deal when rabbit hunting since most shots will be in cover and you usually don’t have a lot of time to shoot. An advantage to the O/U is you can have 2 different chokes in the barrels. One open choke for the first shot and a tighter choke for the second shot, which will usually be farther. The O/U is also a simpler design and it’s easier to clear the barrels in case snow or mud gets in them. With the semi you have many moving parts and gas ports which can become dirty and plugged (unless you have a recoil operated semi). The O/U will be shorter with the same barrel length too, since the shells go right in the chamber. With the semi, the action for feeding and extraction will increase the overall length. It just comes down to personal preference. Good luck with the rabbit hunting.

2. gunplumber_462

   December 16th, 2009 at 10:19 pm

   Three shots are better than two and in an autoloader you’re using the same barrel for all shots – greater inherent accuracy.

3. pathfinder

   December 16th, 2009 at 10:19 pm

   The obvious pro is that with the semi auto, you can fire as fast as your manual dexterity allows, whereas with the over and under, all you have is 2 shots.If you are just rabbit hunting, this would not be a factor, and either will do.

4. sweetwaterfish

   December 16th, 2009 at 10:19 pm

   Auto Pros
   1) More shots
   2) Better accurancy (possibly debatable)
   3) Fast rate of fire for all three/or five shots depending on the model you buy and plug scenarios

   The autoloader is a great gun, I’ve got a Browning b-80 which is my favorite all around shotgun, but It will only shoot 2.75" shells.

   Auto Cons:
   1)More complex mechanical opperation, a jam or misfire is a fairly complex issue, as well as cleaning
   2) can be a pain to reload in a hurry

   My fancy gun for plantation quail & dove shooting ia a mossberg Silver Reserve Over/Under

   O/U Pros
   1) Wider range of shot shells can be used
   2) Faster fire than auto loader for two shells (mine is set up as a single tigger, and by taping that trigger twice I can shoot it faster than my auto loader)
   3) Simple mechanics
   4) Tougher to damage than autoloader
   5) faster reload

   O/U Cons
   1.) only two shells

   I think really its going to be a personal choice. The O/U has a very "classic days gone by" feel to it and makes me feel more sportsman like when using it.

   But I do love my Autoloader too! But if both my guns were lots and I I had to go our today and replace just one, I would still probably go with the AutoLoader even though the pros/cons say differently

5. dca2003311@yahoo.com

   December 16th, 2009 at 10:19 pm

   Over & Under because it very rarely requires you to shoot Three (3)* times & because you know you only have two (2)* shots, you will be more accurate & successful.*

6. W W D

   December 16th, 2009 at 10:19 pm

   Geobert24 has a pretty nice answer. Doubles also tend to swing a little better because of the weight distribution. And if you’re trying to decide on a new gun, don’t forget about side-by-sides, with advantages of their own.

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