Today, for those wishing to hunt in the arms market, smooth-bore weapons for hunting in various versions are presented that can satisfy the needs of both inexperienced beginners and venerable hunters. But the variety of choices gives rise to a new problem: how to choose the best option so as not to regret the purchase afterwards and get real pleasure from the hunt?
The first hunting rifle will be remembered for a lifetime regardless of how long and in good quality it lasts. For starters, of course, you need to understand the names, types and classifications of guns.
Types and Types
Separate threaded and smooth-bore variations. Even in the name you can read their features:
- rifled guns (these include rifles, carbines) are intended only for firing at considerable distances. This type of weapon is not suitable for beginners, since for its acquisition, according to the legislation of the Russian Federation, it is necessary to have at least five years of experience in possession of firearms;
- smooth-bore (hunting) guns are used for firing shot, buckshot and other suitable charges at an average distance. When choosing a hunting rifle for hunting wild boar, you should first determine the type of bullets used.
Gun systems include two groups: with reclining and stable trunks.
Wild boar hunting with smoothbore weapons
Such samples are charged by manually inserting the cartridge into the barrel chamber. They do not provide a mechanism for supplying the next cartridge instead of the fired element. The advantages of these guns are simplicity and reliability in use, as well as quick replacement of cartridges.
Fractures, in turn, are divided into the following types:
- Out-of-train (hammers) are distinguished by strength and reliability in relation to the others, since their structural mechanisms have been worked out for decades. Their production cannot be called mass, only a few well-known companies produce hi-class hammers, due to which their cost reaches several thousand conventional units.
- Intra-trigger (bezurkovki) - a more popular and complex type of guns.
The removal of spent cartridges is carried out using an ejector mechanism. The extractor is designed so that it only pushes the spent element out of the chamber with the ability to hold onto it with your hands. The ejector pushes it with the force of a spring. Smoothbore weapons for hunting, the price of which in this modification is higher, faster than the analogue with the extractor. In addition, it is more prone to deformation.
Classification of smoothbore guns by the number of trunks
The following is a description of the guns that differ in design parameters:
- Single barrel modifications. They can hardly be called hunting due to the lack of a second barrel and the inability to quickly repeat the aimed shot. An inexperienced hunter is unlikely to hit the target with one volley. Nevertheless, such guns have advantages, the main of which is an affordable price. In addition, their trunk is thicker and longer in the walls, and the accuracy is better. In the hands of a skilled user, they can show an excellent result, yet the possibility of only one salvo disciplines the hunter, forcing him to aim more carefully. Hunters say that a single-barrel shotgun was not created for beginners, but it is suitable for skillful pros with small calibers (20, 28).
- The double-barreled shotgun is a classic, the queen of a hunting rifle. Up to a hundred double-barreled copies fall on one unit of any other system. They come with trunks fastened horizontally and vertically. The latest samples, which are also called "bocflints", from the experience of experienced, show the battle more accurately than horizontal ones. In addition, in the horizontal, two visible trunks significantly close the review. But not all adhere to this opinion, so the matter of taste plays a role here.
- Hunting wild boars from smoothbore weapons is not bad from three- and four-barrel variations.
What smooth-bore weapons to choose for hunting?
The working parts of the double-barrel have a difference in muzzle narrowing. The most familiar combination in a hunting shotgun is pay. Smoothbore weapons for hunting have different accuracy of battle.
Fixed-shotguns (multi-shots)
Some hunters, when choosing a smoothbore weapon, judging by the reviews, prefer an automatic or semi-automatic mechanism. The main convenience of this weapon is the presence of a clip for several charges.
The dispatch of the next cartridge into the chamber after the firing takes place due to the branching off of part of the powder gases. Their use slightly weakens the lethal rate of weapons. Semiautomatic rifles have a different mechanism - the next cartridge is sent by jerking the shutter by the hunter. Smoothbore weapon 12 caliber for hunting, the prices of which vary from two hundred dollars, preferably in automatic execution, due to the accuracy of fire.
Main advantages: power, rate of fire, convenience. But there are drawbacks that are not always easy to overcome in hunting conditions: guns are quite capricious for lubrication (a very thick mixture in the cold can freeze), the chamber mechanism is afraid of pollution and needs to be adjusted highly. When these conditions are met, the shooter will receive a powerful rapid-fire hunting rifle.
Features
From a large number of magazines with manual reloading, special attention should be paid to pump action guns. Similar in design to a rifle, they are, in fact, fishing single-barrel with additional cartridges in the store. Apparently, therefore, they are produced exclusively in commercial calibers.
The design of the pump action shotguns is arranged to recharge without changing the position of the hand on the gun. With a little training, you can achieve a rate of fire similar to firing from a machine gun. Also, the advantages include a powerful battle, unpretentiousness to cartridges and operating conditions. The above advantages and caused the spread of this American-born weapons in different countries.
Key selection criteria
Before choosing a smoothbore gun for hunting, it is worth weighing all the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed models within the existing budget, to determine who you are going to hunt with. Optimally, if the purchased gun will be universal and suitable for hunting any game. Such options include a 12-and 16-type double-barrel shotgun, a 12-gauge pump-action model, or an automatic magazine.
Conclusion
Smoothbore weapons for hunting, the price of which is cheaper than analogues with two trunks, is no less effective. It is lighter and more versatile, pump-action samples will surpass in power in battle and rate of fire, but at the same time they will be harder for hands and wallet.
In conclusion, I want to say that there is no need to rush with the purchase, you should think through to the details what kind of weapon you need. After all, a gun is an item that needs to be changed as little as possible, you need to get used to it, master it, look after it and value it.