I can't Decide 12ga, 20ga, .22?

Question

I am thinking about getting a gun my intensions are to...
-range
-shooting squirell, bird, ground hogs, chip monks, possible coyote hunting.
-Home Pertection
I was at first looking at a Ruger 10/22 I know they are Really upgradeable and they can shoot birds and everything but they might not be good for home pertection. ALSO can it shoot both .22lr and .22shorts?
Then I was looking at a 12 Gauge shotgun. I was looking at the New England 12 Gauge single shot. But I don't know if it would be good for at the range and everything. There is a MASSIVe selection of different ammo to buy for a 12 gauge.(bird,buck,slug)
what about a 20 Gauge?

This will be my first Gun to own. It is deffenatly not the first gun I've shot.

I want to get different Opinions which to buy and what would be the best.Can you help me?

With the home defense situation couldn't I instead of using buckshot use Bean bags or rocksalt rounds? I don't like the Idea of cleaning up blood and everytihng in my house. A few Direct hits with bean bags would defenatly knock someone down.

Also the only time i would be after coyotes when Im at my dads in the county. He lives on a farm so I wouldn't have to worry about a game warden or anything.

Answer 1

I would go for the 12 gauge. You can't hunt birds (unless they are on the ground) with a 22 unless you get those little birdshot. The ammo is more plentiful for a 12 than a 20 gauge. If the 12 is a pump, just the sound of that would scare away potential home invaders. I like my 12 gauge pump.

Answer 2

I use a .22 to hunt squirrel and rabbit, and it saves alot of time digging pellets out of meat. A .22 will not kill a coyote, so dont even try that. It will kill the rest of the animals on your list pretty efectivly. A shotgun and a .22 pretty much have the sme effective range when the shotgun is shooting slugs. I woultny shoot over 100 yards with either. If i could put a yardage on buckshot for coyotes, it would be 50, and thats with a tight choke. With a birdshot, 30 yards with a modified choke. Just get a 12 if you are getting a shotgun, it can shoot bigger shells and there isnt much other difference other than the 20 gauge slugs are lighter and might go another 10 yards.
nowe with home protection, nothing will compare to a shotgun loaded with a #4 shot or so.

Answer 3

A 12 gauge is the most versatile gun of the 3. You can hunt everything from squirrels to bears with it simply by altering the ammo you use (Buckshot, Birdshot, Slugs). And it is a great gun for home defense loaded with buckshot cause it will spray shot everywhere and guarantee a hit on the intruder. A .22 rifle doesn't make a very good home defense gun and is inadequate for larger game. If you want 1 gun to do it all the shotgun is the way to go. I like the 12 gauge over the 20 gauge because the recoil isn't much greater and it can shoot more pellets at one time, making it deadlier.

Answer 4

I think before you buy a gun, you should think about how you're going to use it most often. If you're going to the shooting range, nothing beats a .22 rifle. If you're going to hunt coyotes, you can't go wrong with a .223 or a .22-250 rifle. If you want to take up deer hunting, you'll want a bigger rifle like a .243 or a .270 (Don't listen to people who tell you that you can only hunt deer with a .30-06). If you're going to hunt birds, a 12 gauge shotgun is you're best bet. The chances of you using a gun for home defense are pretty rare, plus if you use a gun on an intruder, chances are good that you'll be in trouble with the cops and not the person you shoot. So, just think about the legal uses for buying a gun like going to the shooting range or hunting.

Answer 5

You might want to go with an over/under. Savage Arms makes a couple of different models. I own a 22 over 20ga. I like it because I can use the 22 for squirrels and if I happen to jump a grouse I can shoot that too. You might want to check the hunting regulations in your state. You may not be able to hunt birds with a 22 (even with using 22 shot shells).
I have also seen guns advertised with different barrels, a 22, a 12 or 20ga, and a larger rifle, all you do is swap barrels depending on the shooting you are planning on doing.

Answer 6

The 20 gauge is more than enough for self defense and the Hunting you want to do with it.* Lethal yet very comfortable to shoot.* Use number 4 Buckshot for home defense.* Remington or Mossberg Pump Shotgun for the Brand to buy.* You can use rifled slugs for coyote & groundhogs.*

Answer 7

go with the 12 gauge, there is a lot more diversity and game you can hunt with its extra power, if you like the new england go with it, they make great firearms right here in the good ol USA , and you can get different barrels for it for it such as a slug barrel or rifle barrel for big game and shotgun barrels for other things...i own several of them from .410- 12 gauge none of them have ever failed me, in fact my favorite deer rifle is a .280 made by new england, I love that rifle it has a custom 26 inch barrel on it and is a nail driver.