– with a bullet in case of a sudden encounter with a bear. In practice, hunters who use this method are not encountered. This refers to the fact that both barrels are loaded with cartridges of different shot numbers. This is precisely the universally applied option.

The use of a single-barreled shotgun is much more limited, and it is chosen by hunters for whom weight is important, and who are satisfied with a single aimed shot at game – most often it is a sitting bird or a standing animal. This is usually the choice of experienced, not novice, professional hunters. After the design of the shotgun has been chosen – let's still stick with the double-barreled one, as it is more suitable for a beginner – the vector of choice moves to another point.

Side-by-side or over-and-under?

Still, most hunters express a preference for the over-and-under, explaining their choice by the fact that it is more convenient to manipulate one barrel in front of their eyes. But this is a matter of habit, as a beginner will not be able to appreciate such a minor advantage due to lack of experience. The choice between a side-by-side and an over-and-under is purely a matter of taste, as their differences are so small that they ultimately do not matter. For example, a side-by-side is more convenient to break for reloading even when sitting in a car due to a smaller break angle, while an over-and-under shoots more accurately at long distances. This is due to the fact that at distances over 100 meters, charges from the right barrel begin to shift to the left, and from the left – to the right, while vertical displacement is compensated by gravity. But such details can only be noticed at impressive shooting distances.

Pump-action shotguns

The main advantage of pump-action firearms is the ability to use absolutely any cartridges of the appropriate caliber. This works well with both reduced and increased loads. The use of shells and traumatic cartridges of any length for which the chamber is designed is permissible, while the reloading method remains unchanged – shot, fore-end back, forward – that's it, the shotgun is ready to fire again. Forget about failures and short-feeds. It is this reliability and unfailing operation that explains the popularity of this type of weapon in the USA, where hunters prefer to use it both for hunting feathered game and for tracking dangerous and large animals.

Special attention should be paid to rifled barrels. In Russia, short barrels without chokes, but with pronounced sighting elements, are called rifled barrels. They allow firing any full-bore or sub-caliber bullet, but since it is stillsmooth barrels, they are also suitable for shooting buckshot or shot. They often yield good results when hunting with a dog.

Semi-automatic shotguns

This type of shotgun features an impressive ammunition capacity. An example is the renowned MP-155. There is no need to perform any additional actions – breaking open, reloading, working the forend – you just need to aim and pull the trigger. If you run out of rounds, place a cartridge on the loading tray, press the bolt release button, and load the cartridges into the tubular magazine. Such firearms are preferable when rapid firing with a single type of ammunition is required, for example, when shooting waterfowl in large numbers.

However, like any other type of firearm, semi-automatics also have their drawbacks. The main one is that they are more demanding regarding cartridge quality and shot load compared to break-action and pump-action shotguns, and they consume a lot of ammunition during shooting. It is better to learn with a shotgun that allows for a brief pause and a moment to gather oneself, whereas a semi-automatic shotgun can incite excitement, resulting in uncontrolled firing without regard for ammunition and careless aiming. If rapid firing is considered the primary advantage, then with experience, a similar rate of fire can be achieved with a pump-action shotgun.

We have reviewed the main types of hunting firearms and would like to add a few more details – single- and double-barrel shotguns equally handle any loads – both factory-made and hand-loaded. Pump-action shotguns are also versatile in this regard, whereas semi-automatics are quite capricious – their demanding nature regarding cartridge quality and lubrication distinguishes this type of firearm.

Which shotgun calibre should a beginner hunter choose

When choosing a hunting shotgun for a novice, it is important to select the correct calibre. The most common calibres in Russia are as follows:

·      12 gauge. This calibre is chosen when versatility is important, as such a shotgun can fire shot, buckshot, and slugs. It is suitable for hunting both large game – wild boar, bear – and small game – ducks, geese, hares.

·      16 gauge shotguns are lighter, have less recoil, and are a suitable option for stalking hunts.

·      20 gauge shotguns are often referred to as "women's" due to their light recoil. They are intended for hunting small game – ducks, hares. Hunting larger game with such firearms –a dubious undertaking. For example, a bear is a tough animal, and even after being wounded by a larger calibre, it can fight back against the hunter.

What to remember when choosing a hunting rifle

·      A rifle with a tubular magazine or detachable magazine used to be heavier than a single- or double-barrelled gun, but now the use of light alloys and plastics in the forend and stock practically evens them out in weight, and with proper care, a semi-automatic is not inferior to a double-barrelled gun in reliability. Example:

·      MP-155 (semi-automatic) - weight for 12 gauge: 3.1-3.2 kg (710 mm barrel)

·      IZh-27 (double-barrelled) Rifle weight from 3.1 to 3.65 kg depending on barrel length and gauge, barrel length 660-750 mm.

·      A rifle is a complex mechanism that requires high precision in manufacturing, so opt for well-known brands that have proven themselves.

·      A magazine single-barrel rifle does not allow for changing the shot pattern of buckshot, but this problem can be solved with the help of chokes.

·      To extract spent cartridges in non-automatic weapons, extractors and ejectors are used. They are characteristic of break-action guns. The former simply push out the cartridges, which are convenient to pick up by hand, while the ejector throws them out sharply. A rifle with an ejector is faster to reload, but remember that when hunting at night or on water, the cartridges are likely to be lost.

Choosing a rifle in the shop

·      We have decided that a beginner is better off choosing a 12 gauge, as it can be used in a wide variety of conditions. Now, let's continue the selection considering the following parameters:

·      Inspect the future purchase for defects – dents, chips, cracks, gaps. Remember that any gap is an entry point for dirt into the heart of the mechanism, leading to breakdowns. Do not take the sellers' word for it – the fact that the rifle is new does not mean it is in perfect working order; it is better to check everything yourself.

·      An important point is the fit of the weapon. This means that even with numerous shouldering movements, the stock rests equally on the shoulder, while the line of sight should

to align with your line of sight with minimal adjustment.

·      The shotgun should suit you in weight. If you plan to go driven hunting at least occasionally, then the weight should not be significant. A heavy shotgun on your back during many hours of walking can exhaust even a professional.

Buying a Shotgun Second-Hand

·      Yes, and there is nothing shameful about it, but you need to know the nuances of such a purchase. The first thing we look at is the condition of the internal surface. To check, the cartridge case is removed, and the barrels are rotated along the axis of the bores. We wiggle them and look at the light. If there are small pits in the form of small spots or dull areas inside the barrels, these are minor defects that do not affect the durability of the shotgun and the quality of the shot. However, if there are signs of corrosion inside, then such an option should be rejected immediately.

·       You should also be wary if the shotgun looks worn externally – a scuffed stock, burn marks around the firing pins, and the bores are perfectly smooth and shiny inside. This is an almost 100% guarantee that the shotgun has been "shustovano" (honed). Honing is the removal of a layer of metal from the inner surface of the barrels to remove rust, and almost always after this procedure, the shotgun loses its shooting quality. However, this applies to expensive imported models, as the procedure is quite costly and there is no point in applying it to domestic weapons.

·       Also check the operation of the hammers, as they are responsible for the speed of the shot. When cocked, sharp, clear clicks should be heard. Checking the force of the firing pin strikes is also quite simple. Place a cartridge case on the firing pin and release the hammer. The cartridge case should jump up by at least half a metre.