So, you’ve got a big hunt coming up, but your deer rifle won’t do the trick here—you’re going pheasant hunting, and you need a shotgun. That shotgun you keep stuffed under your bed for home security isn’t going to cut it either. It’s time for something bigger. Sure, you might end up spending a few hundred bucks more than you did for that hallway sweeper, but these are specialty shotguns that can last a lifetime. With that in mind, here’s what you need to think about before heading to your local pawn and gun store in Olathe, KS to purchase a shotgun for pheasant hunting.
Gauge
There are a ton of shotgun gauges out there, but you really don’t need to mess with most of them. A 12-gauge will do the trick if you’re an adult with the right technique. Smaller gauges will mean less recoil and fewer pellets in the game, but they are also less versatile, harder to find ammo for and less adept at dropping pheasants on account of their smaller spread pattern. The 12-gauge offers a wide variety of pellet types and spread patterns.
Type
There are a few types of shotguns to consider when it comes to pheasant hunting:
- You could go the more traditional route and buy an over-under, which features two barrels stacked on top of one another. This means you get two shots, and ejection means breaking open the breach each time. These are typically more costly than your average pump or automatic shotgun, but they are built to last and designed for bird hunting.
- A pump gun is just as reliable, but requires you to manually chamber the next round. This can be a disadvantage when it comes to keeping the barrel on target.
- An autoloader—like the second consecutive shot you get with an over-under—allows you to stay on target. These can also cost more than a pump shotgun.
Most modern shotguns come with choke tubes that allow you to customize your pellet spread patterns. Be sure to fine a shotgun with this feature, especially if you plan to use it for hunting.
Weight
One thing hunters often overlook when they are blinded by a shiny new gun and its features is its weight. If you are carrying a gun on a longer hunt, your want to be sure it’s not going to wear you out. Many of the modern pheasant hunting guns have been designed to be as light as possible without compromising comfort when it comes to the recoil. A lighter frame and barrel typically means a heavier recoil, but new features—like internal components—can make an exceedingly light gun comfortable to shoot.
At Harrison Street Pawn, we sell quality used guns as well as brand new firearms. So, whether you are looking for a shotgun for hunting, a shotgun for home security or a handgun to take to the range, there’s a good chance that our gun store in Olathe, KS has it. Come on by and take a look around!