[GameChaser]

I am thinking of getting a new shotgun and was wondering what gauge has the best priced shells. And also what would be the best gauge for hunting grouse,rabbit...

 

[ARSENO]

12 gauge hands down

 

[Murray]

Exactly...12ga. Although 12 guage is the second largest shot shell available for hunting, it is by far the most common guage in existence. This means that the shells are mass produced and therefore cheaper than the rest.

I always think it's strange that I can look at a box of 12s beside a box of 20s, and the 12s are almost always cheaper.

However...if I were you, I wouldn't buy a new shotgun based on the cost of shells. Buy a gun based on the game you are pursuing. For example, waterfowling is very effective with large shotshells like you would find in a 12 ga. However, you're not carrying these heavy guns while your waterfowling, and they way heavy on my arm when I'm in the woods looking for upland birds. Lighter guns are great for upland. The birds are smaller and go down just as well with a smaller guage shotgun, but the big bonus is that they are lighter. I use a 28 guage for woodcock, and a 20 ga for grouse.

If you're just going to shoot clays, then most go with a 12 ga.

 

[Chuck]

I am thinking of getting a new shotgun and was wondering what gauge has the best priced shells. And also what would be the best gauge for hunting grouse,rabbit...

I'm going to assume if price per shell is an important factor for you that you will be putting a lot of rounds through your gun per year? A case of target loads for example works out to be approximately 24 cents per shell at regular price,and black cloud 3.5" works out to be around $1.40 per shell, you can probably work out a deal if you buy multiple cases of shells. As for the best gun for grouse and rabbit, I would have to say the 12 would be the best as well just because it can do pretty much anything if using the right load. And weight of the gun is no longer really an issue when talking about some of the newer guns. For instance my maxus is 6 pounds and 16 ounces, and as a comparison the remington 870 20 Gauge is over 7 pounds.

And you can probably get a great deal on a used 12 gauge pump or even if buying a new one they aren't outrageous.

 

[ARSENO]

the remington 870 express is a dang good bang for your buck, that's what I'm using and I love it. Remington worked out the bugs they used to have.

 

[pond jumper]

12 ga all the way, you can hunt everything from snipe to deer just change shells, and most shells other than waterfowl loads are pretty cheap, and the newer guns are light enough there isnt much difference in the weight of a newer 12ga vs an older or even new for that matter 20ga that is worth the extra $$ for ammo

 

[jabers34]

My vote is 12 ga. Can use it for hunting anthing

 

[Bowtech]

I think for youth, women and upland 20ga is the perfect guage but if you want something that does it all then you can't go wrong with a 12ga. Shells are of equal price either way as you can buy cheap or expensive shells for both guages.

 

[Maritime Storm]

I think for youth, women and upland 20ga is the perfect guage but if you want something that does it all then you can't go wrong with a 12ga. Shells are of equal price either way as you can buy cheap or expensive shells for both guages.

Bowtech is right on this one, you can get cheap promo loads for the 12ga, but when you step up to standard field loads the price is identical between 12 & 20ga.