What kind of game is good to hunt with a 12 gauge shotgun?

12 Responses

1. *crunch*

   July 29th, 2010 at 12:27 pm

   you can use a 12gauge for something like a dove, up to a deer or boar.
   if you use the right lodes. if you dont know what lodes to use, call a gun smith and ask. dont be shy.

2. METROPOLIS1

   July 29th, 2010 at 12:27 pm

   Killed a deer with a 12 gauge shotgun?…. Of course I have…. With a Mossberg 500 24 inch smooth bore barrel 12 gauge…..

   http://www.mossberg.com/images/Mossberg_Guns/930/NEW/54244.jpg

3. Scott H

   July 29th, 2010 at 12:27 pm

   You can kill anything with the 12 gauge in America! Even bear have been taken. Only the 12 gauge in some states, is legal for deer harvesting. Rabbits, birds, turkeys, it really depends on how it’s equipped out. Sights, shot size, load, low or high brass. Probably the most versatile weapon made.

4. Ret. Sgt.

   July 29th, 2010 at 12:27 pm

   You could hunt most all game including deer. !2 ga. shotguns are also used against Grizzly and black bear but not for sport. Mostly for emergency. It all depends on the load you are using.

   I have taken deer quite a few times with 12 gauge slugs and will continue to do so.

5. Cope

   July 29th, 2010 at 12:27 pm

   Ducks, turkey, quail, pheasant, prairie chickens, dove, geese, rabbits, and squirrel are all shootable game with a 12 gauge.

   And no I’ve never used one for deer hunting but can be used with a rifled barrel and slug loads.

6. dca2003311@yahoo.com

   July 29th, 2010 at 12:27 pm

   Any Game.* Use rifled slugs or sabots for big game.*

7. Chris

   July 29th, 2010 at 12:27 pm

   Ducks and turkeys

   no I haven’t

8. steven a

   July 29th, 2010 at 12:27 pm

   Anything big or small, furred or feathered can and has been taken with the 12ga shotgun. It is about the most versitale firearm there is. I have never taken a deer with a shotgun but have eaten a bunch that has. One was taken with buckshot in South Carolina but the others were taken with slugs.

9. J Kirsch

   July 29th, 2010 at 12:27 pm

   You can hunt anything on the North American continent with a 12 gauge provided you tailor the load you’re shooting for the animal and are willing/able to get close enough to use it.

10. N N

    July 29th, 2010 at 12:27 pm

    all upland game, all water birds, rabbits, turkey, probably most common creditors (although i don’t know if you can get close enough) and yes you can take a deer by either using buck shot or a slug.

11. Andy

    July 29th, 2010 at 12:27 pm

    Anything from squirrel to deer with the right load. The shotgun with non-toxic shot is the only firearm that can legaly be used for waterfowl. Miratory birds also requires a shotgun.

    Yes, I’ve killed a deer with a 12ga shotgun using slugs.

12. Corvo

    July 29th, 2010 at 12:27 pm

    Depending on how you load (and a bit on the gun you choose), the 12 gauge is capable of taking most game animals. I use a 12 gauge to hunt rabbits through the winter, turkey in the spring and fall, and deer in the fall.

    Growing up in a state with extreme restrictions on rifles for hunting(Indiana), I grew accustomed to using a shotgun for all of my hunting (occasionally I would pull out the .22 for rabbit or squirrel). You can load it for small game with smaller shot (sizes 8 to 6) or for tougher game with a heavier load (sizes 6 to 2). When you need absolute stopping power, you can reach for 00Buck, 000Buck, or a slug to do the job (be sure to use the right barrel for a slug…do a search if you don’t know).

    If you only had one gun to own, it should probably be the 12 gauge for all of it’s versatility and reliability.

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