If I could only have 1 gun it would be a shotgun. Granted they dont have the long range capabilities of a good in line modern rifle. But for my region (northeast) rarely will there be a shot much over 50 yards. In close range a charge of shot will destroy almost anything. A slug will do incredible damage to about 50 yards. And for home-defense, nothing beats a shotgun. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Although I understand your point, there are a few tradeoffs... shotguns are generally large and the ammunition for them is even larger. This limits the amount of ammo you can carry. Also, rifled slugs out of a shotgun aren't exactly the most accurate projectile out there... I've always preferred accuracy to "knock-down" power.

Part of my prejudice comes from encountering too many "good ol' boys" with shotguns following a "blood trail" because they didn't take the deer cleanly in the first place. That's no way to hunt as far as I'm concerned. I don't have a problem with actively tracking game instead of sitting in a stand all day. But once it comes down to taking the shot, that should be the end of the game.

If I could only have one weapon, I think it would be a .223 carbine (I'm fond of the Bushmaster brand, but just about any would do). These are lighter, highly accurate out to 100 yards or more, and high capacity in terms of ammo. Plus the ammo is fairly cheap and abundant (so that you can hunt small game with it), yet powerful enough to take larger game. I'm also fond of .22 caliber for many of the same reasons, but in a defensive capacity I wouldn't wanna bet my life on a rimfire cartridge.

Food for thought, JMHO... <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Ben

What part does alcohol play in the "chasing the blood trail"!!?? <img src="images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

LOL!

Probably much more than anyone would care to admit. I think you've just reminded me why I stopped hunting on public land.

Benny F. Davis, Ph.D.

Yes your right about the rifled slugs, but have you tried the sbots yet? Those alot more accurate, and devestating. (To your your shoulder to, ouch!) Also, can a .223 take out a bird in flight? If you can your a good marksman, but you may be launching bullets for miles in every direction. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I did occasionally shoot birds on the wing with my scoped Marlin .22 when I was young and stupid and waaaaaayy out in the country. Its hard to find anywhere so remote now that I would even try it. But no, flying birds is where the shotgun reigns supreme.

I haven't tried the new sbots, although I did read about them in the American Rifleman (I think) a few months back. I'll have to give 'em a try the next time I go bird hunting. Are they resonable in terms of price?

Ben

The sabots require a rifled shotgun barrel which is unsuited for birdshot. Perhaps a rifled choke tube would work in place of carrying two barrels, one rifled and one smoothbore. I never had much problem shooting 5 inch groups or less at one hundred yards using the old fashioned slugs and a smoothbore - certainly adequate for deer size game ( scope or rifle sights used ).

I'll agree that the shotgun is a very versitile tool. As to the slug accuracy debate, the combination of a rifled slug barrel and a "regular" barrel with chokes would solve a lot of problems. The rifled barrel and modern slugs can make for a very accurate hunting arm out to 100 yards. The "regular" barrel is wonderful for all the short range stuff.

Looks like I'm out-voted... I'm still partial to my carbine, but I guess its good I have a shotgun too! <img src="images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Not really out voted. I'm like a bar door...I can swing either way on this one. It really depends on where I am and what the situation is before I would make a final decision. I think an argument for a good carbine in a fairly lightweight caliber could be made. If defense against man was not an issue, to me the shotgun with extra barrel would be a little more versitile (of course there's always the ammo weight argument if in a move around situation!) <img src="images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />