What shotgun for a designated snowshoe hare / grouse gun

[vesasder]

I'd choose a Remington 20 gauge. You could cut off the barrel, and it's done. So, you'd have it shorter and cozier to carry through the woods. I've been hunting with my father for almost six years, and I understand your concerns. If you find it hard to choose, you could look here at ballachy.com. There are lots of helpful information about everything starting from pistols, rifles, barrels, ammo to diverse equipment to lose weight and move easier through the woods. After you purchase something, please leave us a pic here. Cheers!

[PigHunter]

I've got a single-shot 12 gauge made by NEF and use it sometimes for squirrel hunting. I paid $175 for it. My wife, PigHuntress, has one in 20 gauge and I think it was $125 when I got it 10 years ago. Both shotguns were used when I got them.

[Kezarwoodsman]

Guess i waited too long, both are sold now, will be about 8 months for another 20 gauge to come in, but between 1-3 months for the 12 gauges as they already ordered them a few months back. Bird season doesnt start for another few weeks so im good for now. Worst case they have some henry 12 gauge single shots (which i planned on getting eventually) so i might end up with that one.

[PigHunter]

I just checked out the link because I’m still considering picking up another shotgun for multipurpose use and that looks interesting. Noticed it’s only 6.5lbs, thinking recoil might be similar to my 835 using the same loads. Won’t rule it out, but…

I only shot low brass #8's so don't know how it would do with heavy three-inch loads. However, the shotgun was balanced and was quicker to get on target compared to my old 870. For field carry, the lighter weight should be an advantage.

Running a few recoil calculations on a 6.5 lb shotgun:
Shotshell Energy (omahamarian.org)

25 ft-lbs for Remington 1-1/8 oz #8 at 1200 fps for clay targets

35 ft-lbs for Remington 1-1/8 oz #5 at 1450 fps for upland birds

42 ft-lbs for Remington 1-1/4 oz #2 at 1450 fps for waterfowl

[fitch270]

Yesterday I shot clays with a friend who has a CZ 1012 semi-auto 12 gauge. I had my old 870 Express in 12 gauge. We were going to try a dove shoot but decided to shoot targets since neither of us have seen many birds lately.

It's been twenty years since I'd shot clays and of course was very rusty. My stance was all wrong and I was slow to get on target. Was also slow to rack the slide and a few times I forgot to eject an empty. Well, that's what I get for neglecting practice.

I shot the CZ too and was very impressed with the speed of swinging onto target and follow-up shots. The CZ was lighter so the recoil was a little more but of course not bad with 2-3/4 inch #8's.

So, I'm now considering purchasing a CZ 1012. It's an inertia action and thus easier to keep clean since it doesn't have a gas system. The workmanship looked good and all the controls were easy to use. My friend had the walnut stock professionally done in camo but I'm considering a synthetic version with factory camo. They come with 5 chokes and are less that $700.

Semi-Automatic | CZ-USA

I just checked out the link because I’m still considering picking up another shotgun for multipurpose use and that looks interesting. Noticed it’s only 6.5lbs, thinking recoil might be similar to my 835 using the same loads. Won’t rule it out, but…

[PigHunter]

Ordered 5 boxes of #8's today for clays or dove. Got them from Natchez Shooter Supply.

[PigHunter]

Yesterday I shot clays with a friend who has a CZ 1012 semi-auto 12 gauge. I had my old 870 Express in 12 gauge. We were going to try a dove shoot but decided to shoot targets since neither of us have seen many birds lately.

It's been twenty years since I'd shot clays and of course was very rusty. My stance was all wrong and I was slow to get on target. Was also slow to rack the slide and a few times I forgot to eject an empty. Well, that's what I get for neglecting practice.

I shot the CZ too and was very impressed with the speed of swinging onto target and follow-up shots. The CZ was lighter so the recoil was a little more but of course not bad with 2-3/4 inch #8's.

So, I'm now considering purchasing a CZ 1012. It's an inertia action and thus easier to keep clean since it doesn't have a gas system. The workmanship looked good and all the controls were easy to use. My friend had the walnut stock professionally done in camo but I'm considering a synthetic version with factory camo. They come with 5 chokes and are less that $700.

Semi-Automatic | CZ-USA

[fitch270]

Agree with Dewman, pushing thickets the 20 will carry and maneuver easier in thickets. Recoil would depend on individual loads as much as anything. Since you’re not stocked up on shells you have a point about having options with two chamberings as well. Choke and load combinations also can cover range concerns, which are probably more important for waterfowl and turkeys that could be handled with your 870.

Sounds like you’re getting it figured out.

[dewman]

If you are only going after grouse and snowshoes I wouldn't think extra range would matter much. A long day of trudging would be in favor of the lighter 20 as fatigued arms will swing it faster to catch up to flushing grouse. Recoil is also a nonissue, you aren't shooting 3" shells. Biggest factor in favor of the 12 is shell availability, especially regarding choices (selection). Cz is a quality firearm, I think your choice is very sound. One other thought to ponder. If there are several of each I would look them all over and go with the prettiest, that's just how I roll. Hope you continue to share your hunts with us, stay safe.👍😉

[Kezarwoodsman]

I have decided im going to go with the CZ for quality, and the fact it comes with 5 choke tubes so i wouldnt need to buy those as well. So at 20-30/pop for choke tubes thats 60-90 of the price difference (stoeger only comes with two).

finally, the store also has a 20 gauge CZ bobwhite as well now, and as ive mostly only shot 12s i was wondering how the recoil would compare as the 20s i have shot have more recoil to it due to their lower weight compared to the power of the cartridge.

The weights according to the manufacturer are 7.2 lbs for the 12 and 6.5 for the 20. Handling both the weight of the 12 wouldnt be an issue in the field, so now it all comes down to the recoil. Basically do you think a .7 lb difference would be enough to make 20 gauge have more (or end up comparable) to the 12? I figure if they end up being comparable i might go with the 12 for the little bit extra range it affords.

thank you guys for all being so helpful

[fitch270]

Best of luck, let us know how things work out.

[Kezarwoodsman]

First question is how’s your ammo supply right now? If you have 12ga shells on hand you’re already ahead of the game at present. Buying a 20ga might end up being a problem if you can’t feed it.

Best value in your price range will probably be used, if you’re tempted by the CZ Bobwhite I’d start by offering the dealer $650 cash out the door.

my ammo supply at the moment for 12 gauge is about 20 shells in total, but ammo supplys up here while limited, are present at a slightly higher cost than usual. My main reason for actually thinking about a 20 gauge is just that actually because if i have a 12 and a 20 it will make it easier for me to find ammo for atleast one of them, even though 12 gauge would give me a bit more room regarding distance and accuracy on top of letting me just get one type of shell for both.

Regarding negotiating with the dealer i might go that route. That guns been sitting on that shelf for almost 2 months now, so i would guess either they, or the people they are selling it for (this store both buys to resell, and acts as a middle man for sales), might be willing to take a bit less.

[CD2]

My fave bunny gun (cottontails) was an 870 Special Field 20 ga w 21" mod choke.
They are silly priced these days.
Might have to just be realistic and get an 870 Express youth model and put an adult buttstock on it.

[fitch270]

First question is how’s your ammo supply right now? If you have 12ga shells on hand you’re already ahead of the game at present. Buying a 20ga might end up being a problem if you can’t feed it.

Best value in your price range will probably be used, if you’re tempted by the CZ Bobwhite I’d start by offering the dealer $650 cash out the door.

[Kezarwoodsman]

Thank you everyone for the replys thus far, and my remington is an 870, somehow forgot to add that in to it.

Regarding the shorter barrel, i thought about that route, but as i do have the money saved up for another gun, id rather my savings for their intended purpose and get another shotgun as ive been saving for the past 2 years.

As well, i am looking for preferably a SxS, although i am open to a O/U as well (i know that makes my price range difficult, but im not looking for a work of art). My thought is if im going to spend money on another pump for $ savings then i can deal with the 870 for my last hunting season, as it worked good enough for me the past 3 years.