My first gun was an old Iver Johnson 410 2& 3/4chamber I still have I have taken a lot of squirrels and rabbits with it more than I can count it also have taken doves with it and raccoons and barn rats
12 gauge pump is the most versatile firearm, you can hunt doves and squirrels, all the way up to grizzly bear and moose! That can’t be done with any other firearm!
I have had the pleasure of listening to old men talking good and bad.. about every caliber in the realm.. the oldest guy was 75 yrs..I learned so much.. every one has their favorites and opinions... ain't,America great...? the education started at about 14 years old and 54 years in... I am the old guy ... the last of that association... my choice is most any .22 and a 12 gauge, pump or single shot always been able to get ammo for either...my nickels worth...
I agree with the simplicity angle. I own three guns, a 12 gauge pump shotgun, a 357 magnum revolver, and an AR-15. The only reason I went with an AR is because of my Army experience, it's the rifle I'm most familiar with as far as maintenance and servicing.
Good luck! LMFAO let me get you started. This guy has the holy trinity of self defense arms±. He has military training which goes beyond pointing and firing a gun, e.g., listening, stalking, hiding, patience, strategy, psychology, preparedness,... list goes on. So... His front door you kicked in, that was your warning to stay out. I'm not joking even a little when I say, his door was closed and locked for your protection, not his. If you're lucky he's a Marine or Navy Seal so your death will be relatively quick, painless, and you won't live long enough to even know it happened. Yippee-ki-yah, kids!@@spacecoyote6646
Upgrade the AR-15 from the standard 5.56 round to a 6mm ARC. You'll need a new barrel obviously, but also a new bolt carrier group and possibly magazines. Much more power and legal to hunt deer and larger game in all 50 states with very little extra recoil.. Probably the most accurate cartridge for the AR-15 platform and has excellent barrel life. An excellent all-around cartridge.
I grew up on a farm, and my dad had 3 guns, a winchester single shot 12 gauge similar to yours, a Revelation .22 bolt action rifle that held about 15 rounds in a tubular magazine under the barrel, and an HG 9 shot .22 revolver. These served all of our firearms needs, from hunting to pest control to slaughtering livestock. They would have served us well in self defense as well, if we had ever needed that.
Similar story here. Dad had a 12 gauge shotgun, just a basic model, don't remember the brand, and a Winchester .25-20 he got as a Christmas gift at work (that was back in the 50's). He gave the shotgun to a neighbor that hunted, but used the .25-20 for varmints until he finished the 2 boxes of ammo he'd gotten with the rifle. When he went to the sporting goods store to get more ammo the firearms fellow said if Dad promised to put that rifle away and keep it safe he'd _give_ him a Ruger .22. Dad's long gone but I've still got both those rifles.
CCI has released a new .22 round called "Uppercut" which was designed for Pistols BUT runs close to 1500fps out of a Rifle, Mushrooms extremely well,... It actually runs 950fps & mushrooms out of a pistol.
With a break open 12 g, u can obtain many different inserts from 17 HMR to 9mm to 45 long colt. The 9mm insert makes the 9mm to have an effective range at 75 yards.
For Me this is as simple as it gets. 1) Ruger 10/22. Will take a Deer all the way down to a Squirrel and 2) S&W .44 mag. Nothing on the America's it won't stop From a Coastal Grizzly and a Moose , Human beings. 100 rds of Buffalo Bore rounds and you can easily carry a couple of thousand rounds of .22lr. That alone would last you a decade to supplement your fishing and trapping.
For the wilderness I’d go with 1.) Remington 870 2.) any .22 I like my marlin and ruger 3.) ar15 5.56 upper and .300 blackout upper 4.) .357, .44, or 10 mm. But the Remington 870 will do the job of all of the other 3
Single shot shotgun is great for everything except self protection against armed criminals. No second shot, no chance vs well armed criminals who might number more than a few
Shoot I can pop a shell off have the action open shell in the sky and new shell loaded and shot before the ejected shell hit the ground. Grew up with single shots and still my favorite. Not ideal in a situation like that but you can make it work
When I was a kid, we hunted gators with a Dbl barrel 12 ga. and man, you can reload them FAST especially with your buddy carrying shells and loading. We'd take turns shooting/loading and when we were in tune, a second or 2 max. was all it'd take before another shot would come off. NOT ideal by any means, but sometimes, not by choice, you have to improvise or work together to make it work out the way you want
I am 61 years old. Born & raised Outdoors here in Arkansas. I own many guns & rifles but my primary choice of weapon is a Single Barrel. I buy Henry single barrel guns for the sole purpose that they are made 💯 here in the USA 🇺🇸. I fill the freezers each season using them. I believe that the best choice for survival & homesteading is simplicity & the single barrel fits that need. As You stated, a good 22 is as important. Again Henry & Winchester gets the nod on that. I like the more vintage Winchester 22’s as they were also built here in the USA & the quality exceeds the junk being offered today. I like my 22’s being able to shoot all 3 sizes being short, long, & long rifle. Your message in this post is spot on. Thanks for recognizing & spreading the message of Single Barrels. I couldn’t agree more.
I was born and raised in the Ozark mountain, somethings he said I liked and and agree with some things I did not agree with it, but that’s just me you can take the game with a22 if you know how to shoot
I would suggest looking at the Rossi lever action .22 rifles. I have one that I take with me in my tractor when I am bushogging or when I just take a walk in the woods. It shoots shorts, longs and long rifles. It's never jammed on me.
I have a Stevens 20 gauge single shot that’s about 120 years old. It’s beat up but in perfect working order and very accurate. I am also fortunate enough to own 3 Handi Rifle actions that I bought over the years, plus this was back during the barrel exchange program. This gives me multiple calibers from 22 hornet to 45-70 Buffalo Classic and I paid less than a grand spread out over the years. Over time I even managed to find some really cool stocks, scope mounts etc. These are all fine rifles. Changing calibers takes less than a minute..an I should always be able to find ammo for one or two.
Good pick. This followed by a rimfire rifle would be pretty much all you needed for most chores. Rimfire only because the ammo is so much cheaper and quieter.
Several companies make a .22/410 combo gun and I've always considered it the gun you could survive with, if you could only have one. Yeah, I know they're only single shots but still...
My only criteria for a single shot shottie is that it has a shell ejector (not an extractor). With an ejector you save valuable time loading in a self defense situation
I at 12 yo dropped a bull moose at 20 feet with a 12 ga. Double brl. shotgun. My trading mentor let me use one of his. We reloaded and made lead ball ammo or slugs. The moose was actually attacking me as it burst from brush, seeing me it charged. And no it was not moose season but back then we hunted 13 months a year.😊
I agree the 22 mag can kill large game for survival at 100 yds with head shots! The 12 ga. is the best up close defensive weapon with buckshot and slug combo.
A good single shot will last forever. I’m slightly prefer 20 gauge to 12, since the guns are a little smaller and quicker handling, and 20 gauge uses less shot and powder. Either or is a great choice
I have a NEF 20 gauge single shot but it's a youth model with a short butt stock. My back-up woods gun would be my Ruger Wrangler 22 LR single action revolver with a 7.5" barrel.
I AGREE with you about a 12ga single shot shotgun is the MOST versatile weapon (tool) you could have when the GOING GETS TOUGH. I bought a New England Arms single shot with rifle sights so it would be even better when using SLUGS and the adapters to different calibers. 😁👍
having a full choke and using a slug is really not recomended because of high pressure and bad precision. Also the larger the shot becomes, the full choke is pressing the sot quitr brutally together. Then they actually stick on to each other. And then you get a really bad shot pattern with large holes in them with no pellets. This will only be worse with buckshot. You should really try this out on large papers wity different types of ammo . No ammo gives the same pattern, even with the same shot size. And the more weight the load has the more clumping of shots you get. You shoud shoot lighter weights with good speed, that is what kills best in a shotgun. Dont get hung up on 3" shells and heavy payloads, they usally dont shoot good and have lower velocity.
h&r my first 12 gauge single. when "hunting" was fun. 15 years old hunting pheasant, rabbit, squirrel, dove. thanks for the video. keep em coming. I subbed to your channel. as I continued to watch , I saw the adapters...... I have never heard such a thing. im gonna find some. thank you
Hard to argue that a 12 ga. Shotgun is the most versatile gun to have if you can only grab one. Those adapters are pretty cool too , never seen em before. Personally I would grab my trusty Remington 870 pump, have had it for 40 + years and it’s never malfunctioned once. If I was gonna grab an adapter and some other secondary ammo I’d probably just grab my Ruger .22 Single Six revolver and strap that on my belt. Good stuff Kirk.
Good stuff, my first gun was a New England Firearms single shot 410. Literally have killed everything from birds to deer with that old gun. When I turned 15 my uncle gave me an H&R topper 58 just like that, no tellin how much I've put in the freezer with that thing. Great guns for sure and hold a very special place in my heart, I've got a handful of adapters for mine now to allow me to fire 12, 20, 410, 45 colt, 40 s&w, 38 special, 9mm, and 22lr. Not all the most accurate but could work in a pinch if it's all you had and couldnt find certain ammo for your gun.
Love those Ol' Toppers too, always thought the ones with a spare rifle or shotgun barrel were a great idea too! Where does one buy chamber adapters for a reasonable price?? Thanks, Blsgs, gg
If I could only have one, it's definitely my old 870 Remington 12ga. Never any problems and as said 12ga can shoot the littlest to larger animals and still be protection.
I have an H&R single shot 20ga with a scope, rifled barrel. It's a beast, simple & accurate. Only drawback is the weight- but when out of ammo, will still make a good club!
Same! It’s my first firearm and probably still the most versatile. Mine is a 20 gauge NEF Pardner. 18th birthday present i got in 1998. I actually got the 8 inch rifled adapter insert/plug adapter thingy for .38 special.
My favorite Shotgun is my Rossi Coach Gun. I have a 357 rifled insert for one barrel. And the whole thing brakes down to a nice compact package for storing.
My Rossi is a single shot break open 12 gauge with a 28" barrel. I also have a single action Ruger Wrangler 22LR with the 7.5" barrel. Both are simple to use, easy to maintain and clean and with few moving parts, a breakdown in the middle of nowhere is eliminated.
I'd have to agree with you on about 80% of your reasons. The single shot has no advantage over a high capacity pump for self-defense. All you could say is that it better than nothing. Ideally, a single barrel 3 1/2" mag with a polychoke and an array of chamber inserts gives you the most utility and versatility.
1, .22 rimfire , for reasons that are self explanatory 2, 12 gauge , for all the reasons you mention 3, .308 , there is a reason it's the most popular center-fire , if you want one
Just get a double barrel shotgun with a 22lr adapter, that 2 guns in one. You can get adapters also in 9mm 45, 10mm, etc. so that's even more guns in one...3rd weapon, a crossbow or air-rifle would be best for the stealthy hunting.
Great video, I own a single shot , break action NEF/H&R 12ga. But for me personally, I would have to choose the .22lr. You can still protect yourself and family with it if you have to, and it will take anything from small game to deer size game. How many .22lr cartridges does it take to equil the weight of one 12ga shotgun shell? You can carry a lot more .22lr on your person, than you can 12ga. And with todays ammunition choices like the new CCI "Uppercut" .22lr, and other high velocity rimfire ammunition, you have a wide range to choose from. It you find a box of 12ga. , you get 25 shells. If you find a box of .22lr's, you can get 50 to 100 or more shells. I've seen guys take 400 pound hogs with .22lr subsocnic ammunition o YT. On May 10, 1957 Bella Twin shot a world record grizzy bear with a single shot rimrime rifle using .22 long ammunition. ( not .22lr) The .22lr is a lot more gun than most people give it credit for, and it's very easy for most people to shoot accutately.
There’s a reason this story is repeated like a legend…..it is an incredible occurrence that probably couldn’t be duplicated in a hundred years !! I occasionally carry a 22 lr derringer. Some friends laugh at the “wimpy 22”…….but nobody will let me shoot them in their ass…..with that “wimpy 22” !!!??
When I saw the title of the video, I was prepared to hear yet another YT guru tell ME what HE thinks I need to do. I was therefore pleasantly surprised when the discussion started and he framed everything as what he thinks is right for him. That's totally appropriate. He can talk about what's important to him and how those priorities informed his choices. That not only explains why he likes what he likes, but hints to viewers that they should ask themselves some good questions before deciding what's right for them. That said, I don't think I'd choose a single shot shotgun. The primary reason is capacity. Especially in home defense situations, I'd hate to have to reload after every shot. After all, even our esteemed firearms expert of a president advises we need a double-barrel shotgun to "let off a couple of blasts" from the balcony to scare off all the bad guys, right? (SMH). If I was going to choose a break action, having two barrels would help. That offers the ability to use different chokes to have different shot patterns available. You can also find break actions that have a rifle barrel on top, and the shotgun barrel underneath. A .30-30 on top of a 12 or 20 gauge would be a handy firearm for life in the woods. It's still not something I'd want in a home defense scenario, but for putting meat on the table, it would be a decent option. Still, though, for most situations, I'm hoping I have more than one choice, especially for home defense. I'd hate to have to rely on standing on the balcony and yelling "Hey, bad guys! You better run! I'm using a Joe Biden-recommended shotgun!" (Of course, when they break out laughing, I'll at least know where they are...)
I whole heartedly agree with you, the do it all at the farm as well easily maintained, have a break 20 my daughter abused, turned into a rust stick, when I got it back a few years later ( after being stored in a laundry room) cleaned as best I could, oiled up the extractor, a very fun gun at skeet range with the grandkids 😊
Certainly the 12ga is the king! I looking to put together a simple bugout bag though i was looking for something that would fit well but at the sametime able to do the job, i ended up settling on a m6 scout rifle 22lr on top and 410 on bottom. Plus have adapters for 410 to 38-357 mag. Only problem m6 scout are rare!
Good video. But I only payed 200 dollars for my Maverick 88 Security pump. This is 7+1 power and reliability and it has a tactical light mounted on a steal rail. I can't think of a better shotgun for the money or one that is more versatile. Mossberg is solid.
First time seeing your channel. Having carried a firearm for forty years, started as a teenager, I’ve reached some conclusions. Where you reside is an important part of the puzzle. There is no one firearm that can do it all. I’m a big proponent of the 3 Gun Battery. Like you I favor the 12 if I could only have one but having just one is no fun. I’d suggest a pump action shotgun however for the ability to have faster follow up shots. This becomes important in defensive situations. If the world goes to crap, a likely possibility in this day and age, I also recommend a handgun. If you live where the great bears reside this becomes even more important. I suggest either a 10mm or a .41 Magnum at the minimum. If not then any .38 Special or 9mm will do. Consider if you may need to conceal it as well. Sometimes a 3” .357 Magnum might be your best option. You can load it with 38 Special rounds if the magnums are too much of a good thing. Now we come to my favorite part. While the shotgun with Brenneke Slugs is an option for bear defense I prefer a rifle of sufficient caliber and capacity. For me this is either a .375 Ruger, 45-70 Lever Action, or a .416 Taylor. The .375 is the most versatile and you can hunt light skinned game, deer and antelope, out to 400 Yards or so. The .416 Taylor is a wildcat so you won’t find factory ammo and will need to reload. Another option for a stopping rifle is the .338 Win Mag but in the current ammo situation I’ve found factory .375 Ruger ammunition easier to acquire. I’ve never had trouble finding 45-70 ammo. Thus I’d have to select the 45-70 for my one rifle if I lived in brown bear country. If not I’d probably select a 6.5 Creedmoor or a .308 Winchester and call it good. I lean towards the 6.5 Creedmoor as ammunition is plentiful and its down range capability will be far greater than the average shooter’s capability. Enjoyed the video and you have a new subscriber.
A 12 or 20 gauge will do the trick. The 12 gauge is a 72 caliber equivalent and the 20 gauge is a 61 caliber equivalent. Both will take small game with bird shot and both will take large game like deer, hog and bear. Both will also be formidable self defense options loaded with cut shells, buck shot and slugs. As for a single shot? No thanks, I’ll take a Mossberg 500 in pump action. When I can I like to follow the “two is one and one is none” principle. In other words have a backup for parts. When I was a child on the farm in the old country and that was some time ago we loaded pump actions with five rounds and one in the tube. The first two in the magazine were slugs, the third and fourth buck shot and the fifth was number six bird shot as was the one in the pipe. The thinking was when your in the field hunting and a bird or rabbit presented itself you had two shot. If a wolf came close the bird shot would do it, but if it was further out you can quickly cycle the bird shot out and hit him with buck shot. This was also true for dear, hog and bear. And being in bear country having a couple slugs loaded up wasn’t a bad idea. Is it perfect? nope it is not, but I got to see some old timers take multiple game from the same gun on the same hunt and so for me a pump action shotgun is ideal. So depending on the jurisdiction you hunt in this way of loading might not be legal and not advised. But in a SHTF situation I don’t think that will matter much. Thanks for the nice vid and keep up the good work.
I have a Winchester 37A and I have barrel inserts for it in .22, .38/.357, and 30-30. I also have a 20ga tube for it. I had a buddy install a front and rear sight which really helps with the rifled inserts. I wouldn’t guess as to the number of squirrels, rabbits, grouse, turkeys and four deer taken with this over 50 years. You’re very right in saying a single shot shotgun is the one to have. It has put food on my table and would absolutely be my choice as a survival weapon.
For me, the most useful firearm is the one I have on me. The ones I have stored away at the bottom of the lake in my sunken boat are useless until I can get to them. Keep on rockin'! 🤘
Oh , BTW that H&R with the multiple caliber tunes is a nice choice. I'm not a fan of single shots BUT they do have a way of making you a better shooter as you don't have any room for Era
The newer single shot break action shotguns have a fatal engineering flaw. The transfer bar system is the weak link and subject to breakage because the connection arm between the bottom of the bar and the top is rather thin and breaks easily. I suggest if this is THE gun you are relying on, order some spare transfer bars and learn how to replace them. I kept the shop well stocked with transfer bars and replaced many. These single shots in 20 ga. are often a youngster’s first gun. Kids & adults should be instructed never to dry fire the gun.
My favorite all purpose gun is my 20 gauge modified h&r with a sling and a shell holder on the butt stock. It’s short light and able to take out anything in front of it. I leave a slug in it for home defense and keep 3 6 shot shells and one extra slug on the holder for my trips out.
That adapter also fits in the stock by removing the recoil pad .I put a price of cork in the bottom of it to keep from scratching it and raddleing around so much
I still have my first shotgun given to me by my grandpa 49 years ago. Harrington and Richardson 410 shotgun. Shot my first rabbit with it . Great memories!
Well, when I first saw the title of your video, my first thoughts were a .22 rifle or a .357 magnum revolver. But it's mighty hard to argue against the versatilty of a scattergun. Nice choice.
Here in the UK 99% of the shotguns sold are double barrelled. Single barrelled are quite a rare find. We also have pump action guns but they are restricted to three shots.
For those wanting a new version of that gun, Savage makes a model 301. Even though it's made in China, its obvious it is the H&R design. Also, Henry Firearms makes a very nice break action single shot, but its about twice the price of the Savage shotgun. Both guns are offered in 12 ga.
I had a 410 years ago in this configuration. I have since learned more about it's versatility. Now I know these things, I agree with you 100% that If I could only have one gun, that shotgun in 12 G would be my pick !
Actually by my surprise marlin baught out HnR. For a long time i couldnt find one till i walked in a pawn shop and finally found one. I use to see them everywhere for around $100 to $175. This one that looks like a HnR but it said marlin on the but stock Anyway they are the most usefull tool for wilderness survival. I baught 3 adapters for mine. 1 in 45 acp and 1 in 357 mag and the other in 9mm. Which i have plenty of ammo for all 3.
12 gauge is definitely the ONE. But in grizz country I’m going pump with at least 6rd capacity. My shorty benelli 12g will do 8#1 of 2-3/4 or 7+1 of 3in 6+1 of 3.5 magnum loads and it’s exactly 40inches long so quite compact. Full synthetic and will cycle absolutely anything 12g on any shelf in the world.
In response to Mr. Springers' remark about lack of firepower, a break action w/ auto. ejector is pretty fast to reload! A buttstock ammo cuff keeps extra ammo handy! Another option is one of the bolt-action repeater shotguns! An older Savage 24, .22 LR or Mag./over 20 gauge 3" is also a great choice, IF you can find one! God Bless, Merry Christmas Everyone! gg
I broke mine, I shot one too many 3.5 magnums. I thought it was fun to shoot clays like that for some reason so the barrel was hot. The front stock screw sleeve broke off the barrel and it pretty much just fell apart after the round went off. But we can mark that down as abuse instead of failure.
Somebody needs to purchase the tooling and restart that company. I have a Handi Rifle in 45-70 and a "long Tom" 12 gauge just like yours there. But they made a lot of great chamberings in the rifles - you could match up with your revolver like .357 Mag and .44 Mag, etc. but many other calibers too. They really should have just upped the price a little if they needed more revenue to stay in business... I think they are sorely missed.
H&R used to have single shot long guns that you could buy 12 ga firearm and order a different barrel. Don't know if going from center fire shells to rimfire could be done. I would rather have either 12ga pump or semiauto for rapid follow up for self defense, which is number 1 priority, and single shot 22lr. Great video
I would go with a Savage model 24 with a 30-30 (or .308) over a 12 gauge and two caliber inserts: .22LR and .357! These calibers cover anything you might need to shot! Twelve gauge shotguns are great but you can carry 500 rounds of .22LR in your pocket but only around 20-30 12 gauge shells in that pocket. The .357 would be the same caliber as my handgun and right beside my Savage! Too bad no one makes (that I know of) a revolver that fires .357 and .22LR, perfect sidearm IMHO! The combination of 12 gauge and 30-30 will quickly give you that (potentially life-saving) second shot if you piss off the wrong bear or person!
For a few dollars more you can get a Mossburg 12ga pump with a set of screw in chokes that range from open cylinder to full. This gives you five or six shots versus one and the multiple chokes makes the gun much more versatile. A shotgun chambered for three inch shells can also use 2 3/4 inch shells without any adapters. One can even mix the shells in the magazine.
I like my 870 Express Combo. A spare barrel that's rifled with sights on it. 12 gauge shells from low base 2 3/4" dove & quail loads, up to 3" highbase loades, chokes for everything from close-in to way out goose or turkey hunting. The slugs will put any animal on the continent down at modest range. The Swiss Army Knife of the gun world.
Dad got me my first shotgun when I was 14. It is a Stevens 16ga single-shot and it looks just like your 12. As you said, easy, simple, reliable. Wouldn’t care for it in a battle, but I have others to handle that. Enjoyed the vid… :)
Love the single shot shotgun for wilderness survival. I have 3 adapters for mine. 357. 45. And 9mm. The 22lr is next on my list. And if that isn't enough to own a single shot shotgun I can also reload the plastic shotgun shells with black powder and BBs. Truly best shtf gun you can own. Yeah I owned ar15 ak47 but when it comes to survival you just wil not find a better tool for your survival
@@ernest9606 no I mean simpler is better more often then not Lots of comments say ARs and the like but I think they missed the point It would be harder to maintain that type of rifle over the long term
Agree. Nothing like a 12 gauge. Several uncles, cousins, etc. had those on their farms. I remember a few double barrels, one other had a .22 upper barrel and lower barrel was 12 gauge. Grandpa had a double 12, he like that he could put bird shot in one barrel and buckshot in other. Supposedly his father killed a black bear with it using slugs. It took a sheep and made the mistake of coming back for more. That thing had a long barrel. It was taller than me as a kid. After I "grew up" he let me shoot it. It was heavy, had to get strong to hold it up. The kick was not too bad because it was so heavy. With a 12 gauge you have the option of short shell or magnum, bird shot or even slugs which make it into a big bore rifle. I wasn't there but heard the story, four of the family were hunting pheasants. One popped up and three of them missed. It was flying straight away from them, Grandpa aimed his long barreled 12 and, wow just remembered he called it "Bertha", he swatted it way out there after three missed up close. LOL. It is awesome that there are now inserts that will allow a break action 12 to shoot smaller bore ammo. A friend bought some in .45 Colt. He taped a piece of paper over the barrel and fired. The hole in the paper was dead center.
I have more shotguns than i do anything else. I have semiautomatic rifles, bolt action rifles, lever action rifles but my 12 gauge shotguns and my .22 rifles are the guns i use and rely on the most. I would tell anyone that is looking for just one long gun to do anything with i would suggest a pump action 12 gauge. They're so versatile. I have a single shot .410 also and i have used that little gun many times to take squirrel, deer, coyotes, opossum getting in my chicken coop, crows, hawks and so on. Shotguns are just all around great tools.
I agree with everything you say. My only question is, why not a double barrel 12ga? You can get them with external hammers (is this what they call a coach gun?), so the intuitive, safe handling, the simple construction and the easy maintenance are about the same. And even the standard versions with internal hammers wouldn't be bad. With one .22 adapter fitted, you could have both cartridges loaded while out and about and would be prepared for every kind of game you might meet, or achieve the same by loading one slug and one shot cartridge. If you think of defense, having two shots instead of one is a definite advantage. Admittedly, price and weight will go up. As a German who had two hunting uncles, my first thought for a one-does-all was a Drilling with two 12ga and one deer-sized rifle barrel. Its versatility is unrivalled; with one adaptor fitted you could load three different cartridges at the same time. Rumor has it that there are still some elderly German hunters around that own a Drilling as their only hunting gun. But admittedly, this is an expensive, heavy, and complicated gun. Also, some of the rifle cartridges used in these weapons are pretty obscure, such as 8x57 IRS (RIMMED 8mm Mauser). I've also seen them in catalogues with .308 Winchester, but limiting yourself to 12ga and .22 seems to be a wise decision.
I have hunted with a shotgun and the only thing i can find wrong with the famous 12 gage is if you shoot small game and its a from the hip shot you wont have much left yo eat it the game is too close. I can say this from experience as my brother in law was using a 20 gage and when we retrieved the squirrel there was not much left of it. So if you must use a 12 for small game for food be sure your shots are good at distance.
I agree: The simpler the better, but since those H&Rs are almost gone now, and no one will sell them, I'll stick with my 1953 Rem 870 in 20g. The H&Rs have almost reached fetish status, and the prices are reflecting that. It's ridiculous, really.
I keep a single shot shotgun and my folding stock AR in my SUV. They both serve a roll and don't take up any room at all. If you get hard up for ammo with the shotgun, you can use the single shot shotgun as a muzzle loader with an adapter and some black powder gear. Dave Canterburry at the Pathfinders vlog covers doing this very well.
Ive got a 12 gauge benelli M1 super 90. Its been an amazing hunting weapon for a number of years. I added a pistol grib and a +6 round tube extension to make it a very formidable self defense weapon too.
I dunno man. I see your point, but why not a repeater? A pump that can change barrels. 1 open, shortish barrel for home defense, a barrel that will take chokes for birds and maybe close range pests, and a slug barrel with a scope. Can do ANYTHING with that gun.
Or cut shells which a lot of people are ignorant of but before slugs they used to cut the shell behind your birdshot which a lot of times is one ounce equivalent to your slug in all actuality the cut shell is going to do more damage than a slug would
Good choice. Since the H&R is no longer manufactured, I found that Savage made one, the Savage Stevens Model 301. It has an ejector rather than an extractor and it's very simple. I also have some Short Lane Adapters for several different calibers and gauges. It is a very versatile weapon.
Great idea on the adapters. Knew they were out there for AR's but never thought about shotguns. Guess I'm gonna buy my own Christmas present ! Thanks for the info.
Yeah got myself a straight pull Stoeger 3000 ,7 in the tube and 1 in the chamber 8 all up ,I decided it’s the best do everything gun,comes with 5 chokes from straight to number1 ,good out to 100 meters with a solid slug , and surprisingly accurate ,does everything
Well- hard to argue with this opinion. For someone who already has a repeater, e.g., a Remington 870, it just has more than one shot, so there’s no need to run out and buy a single-shot.
