Semi or Double Barrel?
 

Since I can't create a poll (probably because I don't have enough posts), I'll just do it like this.
Would you rather have a semi-automatic or a double barrel shotgun, for quail, duck, etc.?

RE: Semi or Double Barrel?
 

Over& under.

RE: Semi or Double Barrel?
 

twin tubes every time.

RE: Semi or Double Barrel?
 

Over & under is very nice for upland game birds but I like my semi for waterfowl.

RE: Semi or Double Barrel?
 

I have a few of these guns and they are awesome for quail/pheasant.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...?Item=35774499

They only hold 2 shells, one in the chamber, one in the mag right below the bolt.

Cool gun, way ahead of it's time. Browning built these in the 50's with an aluminum receiver so that they are light (~6 lbs unloaded) and easy to carry all day.

RE: Semi or Double Barrel?
 

Why, a SXS double, of course- a 20-Ga. with 3" chambers andlong forcing cones for densepatterns at extended distances! For pheasant too!

RE: Semi or Double Barrel?
 

While we're on the topic, how many shells do most semi's hold? My thinking is that with a semi you run the risk of jamming, but with a breakover double there's not hardly any way, unless your ejectors get stuck.

RE: Semi or Double Barrel?
 

I can load up to four 3” shells in my Beretta if I take the plug out. Yes you can have the risk of having the gun jam but this has never been a problem with mine.

RE: Semi or Double Barrel?
 

My 12 guage charles daily can hold 6 shells, only 3 with the plug in tho, i think theres actually a law on how many shells u can have IN your gun while hunting certain game. Im not 100% sure on that tho..



-BFA

RE: Semi or Double Barrel?
 

Yes there is a law, and that would be when hunting you can have 3 shells. 2 in the mag and one in the chamber.

RE: Semi or Double Barrel?
 

I have both an find myself useing the semi most of the time .

RE: Semi or Double Barrel?
 

anyreason you left out pumps?

RE: Semi or Double Barrel?
 

Personally i would have a SXS or O/U of your choices. I have seen and noticed those whom shoot an semi-auto seem to rely on there speed and amount of shells over a SXS or O/U. They seem to miss shots and rely on what i stated to hit there game. Wasting shells in the process. I don,t think a lot of them learned to shoot as well as they could have to begin with. vangunsmith

RE: Semi or Double Barrel?
 

Kansas,
The reason I left out pumps is because, I wanted to see everyones opinions on having "instant" extra round(s). I own a pump (870), and I just wanted to see about doubles and semis. I do like the idea of being able to have two different chokes in a double though.

RE: Semi or Double Barrel?
 

vangunsmith, I would agree that if you give a semi-auto in the hands of an inexperience shooter, there will definitely be a waste of shells, but for my self, I’ve worked my way up the ladder. I started with a single shot when I was very young and worked my way up to a pump. After many years of using my Remington Wingmaster I purchased my semi-auto and have never looked back.

RE: Semi or Double Barrel?
 

My first shotgun was a pump. I own two pumps and two semi, but the gun that gets used 99.9% of the time is an O/U. No other shotgun handles as well as a goodfitting /balanced O/U.
Put in the effort to becoming a good wing shot along with finding the proper loads for your particular gun and you'll also find that heavy warp speed loads aren't neccasary to fill out you bag. Remember if most of your birds aren't hit in the head and neck (with the exception of going away angled shots)you haven't done your part.

RE: Semi or Double Barrel?
 

I too own both O/U's and auto's. I've also got a few S/S's and pumps and they all have a specific purpose for me. You didn't mention if funds were going to be an issue or not, but what I will say is that if you shoot your 870 well, a natural next step would be the auto IMHO. I say that because if you pick up an 1100 or 1187, the gun will fit you the same. Same fit means you'll continue to hit game. Proper fitting of the shotgun will do more than having doublechokes. Again, just MHO.

RE: Semi or Double Barrel?
 

fair enough drummerdude, just curious, thanks for clarifying.

I've personally never owned a semi-auto, but I've seen way too many people take advantage of them when hunting upland game. Ever seen a couple semi-autos unload on a single pheasant? Doesn't leave much to eat. Granted these guys were idiots, but for upland game I have a hard time seeing the need for a semi-auto. Maybe if you don't like pumps and you want more than 2 shots readily available..then that's your only other choice...but again...this is just my .02. Like I said I've never owned one so I'm sure there's someone on here that can make a compelling case for them...

RE: Semi or Double Barrel?
 

Yes there is a law that UThunter stated,its a federal law,but check with your state,as some states will have some different laws on certain type game hunted as to the restrictions of your shotgun. Federal laws only apply when hunting certain places or certain game. vangunsmith

RE: Semi or Double Barrel?
 

What advantage does a double offer that an auto doesn't?
I've never been able to justify giving more money (usually) to have 1 less shell in my gun.
My wife had a ruger red label OU and I never could make myself like it no matter how hard I tried. I finally talked her into trading it for a Beretta teknys 391 and she hasn't regretted it yet.

RE: Semi or Double Barrel?
 

This is simply a personal preference thing.....

I have a franchi veloce in 28 Ga and it weighs only 5 1/2 pounds. It's a full sized shotgun with screw in chokes and 26" barrels and carries like a dream. After a day of quail hunting my arms are ready to do something else.....it's a dream to carry and short and handles quickly. The number of times I wanted more than two shots is almost never. When I carried a semiauto I never ever shot a triple and always wondered why I had the longer and heavier gun.

Today all my shotguns have two barrels.