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A Quick Guide to Hunting Guns

hunter, hunting, rifle.

If you are interested in the popular sport of hunting, then you’ll want to learn all you can to find the hunting firearm that’s best suited to your needs. If you’ve spent any time at all vetting hunting guns for sale, you’ve likely discovered that there are many different types available.

All these options can be overwhelming. But ultimately, the hunting firearm that is best suited to your needs will depend on a handful of factors. First, you’ll want to consider the type or types of prey you’ll be hunting. From there, you can narrow your search based on the size of the gun, the speed and energy of the shot, and the level of accuracy required to be successful in your hunting quests.

Evaluating Different Types of Hunting Firearms

Hunters love the thrill of their pastime. They also love the firearms they use while on a hunt. There are plenty of different firearms that can be optimized while hunting. Though, some are better for certain situations than others.

From rifles to shotguns to handguns, there is a place for each depending on where and what you are hunting. A closer look at these three firearms will help determine which gun is right for you in your hunting environment. Below are a few pointers about the main types of hunting guns people regularly use.

Hunting Rifles

Perhaps the staple of all hunting firearms, rifles are powerful and easy to reload. They are all built based off of the same design, and are versatile by nature, with barrels that can accommodate different calibers of ammunition. There are also different types of rifles, including semi-automatic rifles and lever action rifles.

That makes rifles very accessible to hunters of a variety of different game animals. They can be used for faster prey like deer, feral hogs, and boars. Hunters of exotic game (such as rhinos, tigers, and leopards) as well as those hunting larger North American game (elk and bears) are also avid rifle users. But rifles are also well-suited to hunting smaller prey like rabbits, foxes, and coyotes. The rifle is an adaptable firearm that can be used in many hunting situations. GrabAGun has a many different brands of rifles for sale including Ruger, Remington, Mossberg, and Winchester.

Hunting Shotguns 

Shotguns are also a versatile hunting firearm due to the variety of shells they can use. They can be loaded with ammo that is better for fowl or other birds, or they can be loaded with rounds that are better suited for larger animals. Shotguns are generally pump action firearms, but are also available as more tactical lever-action shotguns or semi-automatic shotguns.

Hunting Handguns 

While handguns aren’t always a hunter’s firearm of choice, there are some handguns for sale that come in a variety of sizes and calibers, making them versatile enough for hunting. One thing to keep in mind if you’re looking for a handgun is that most have a limited range accuracy, and are not ideal for ranged shooting. The amount of recoil and kick you are able to handle will also dictate which handgun you will be able to accurately shoot.

Which Firearms Work Best for Different Sizes of Game?

Now that you have a better understanding of the most common firearms used in hunting, we can cover which firearms you should take with you based on what type of animal you are trying to hunt. This will be a basic overview, as the range of firearms available for your needs could fill books.

Smaller Animals

For hunting smaller prey such as rabbits, squirrels, and other tiny creatures; you’ll need a firearm that will not completely destroy them when it makes contact. Smaller caliber rifles are the most common gun used for this game. A .22 caliber cartridge is the ideal shell you want to use. Be careful when you choose your bullet, though. Some are designed for quick expansion and are only intended for use on varmints (animals you do not intend to eat and that are a nuisance). For animals slightly larger than these, you will want to use a more powerful caliber.

Medium-sized Animals

Hunting medium-sized animals — those that range from 51 to 300 pounds — requires more energy from the firearm and bullet. At impact, the bullet should be at least 800 ft. lbs. Bullet sizes range from .24 to .40 caliber, depending on the size of the animal.

Larger Animals (Big Game)

Big game animals range from 301-1,000 pounds in weight. If you are a big game hunter, you are after animals like elk, musk ox, wildebeest, zebra, kudu, and moose. Because of their size, you will need premium bullets in order to achieve the right amount of impact for a successful and ethical shot. The range you should target if you’re hunting big game is .27 to .375 caliber.

Shop at GrabAGun

While the information provided here is a great place to start, there is a lot more to being a skilled, knowledgeable, and responsible hunter. Picking out the right gear is an absolute must and GrabAGun is the right place to find everything you need.

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