Selecting A Firearm
***For those of you interested exclusively in bowhunting - the information in this lesson, as well as "Ammunition" and "Gun Cleaning, Care & Storage" may not be compelling for you. Hunters interested only in using stick and string may want to skip forward to the "Selecting a Bow" lesson.
Hunting is permitted using various types and sizes of firearm, but these laws do vary across states.
Before embarking on a shopping trip, do your research up front. Consult your DNR website or a DNR official directly before making a purchase to avoid wasting money on something you can't legally use.
Take these steps up front and you're sure to save valuable time, money and headache. In fact, if you get a DNR official on the phone, you may just ask him/her which firearms or calibers they see being used most commonly for deer hunting in your area.
Remember, we're not looking to reinvent the wheel here. If a lot of experienced hunters are gravitating towards one or two types of gun/caliber, there's probably a reason for it.
Having said that, it's definitely worth exploring the different types of firearms commonly used in hunting applications and how to tell them apart. This 101 course is designed to get you into the woods safely and confidently, but our aim is to develop a good foundation to build upon should you choose to explore hunting other species in coming years.
So take some notes as you follow along, and remember you don't need to be an expert on all types of gun and ammunition before going out to hunt deer this year.
We'll make sure you're pointed in the right direction to select an effective combination to that end. And if you can establish some basics around the dizzying number of other options you didn't select in the meantime, you'll be that much farther ahead of the curve when the time comes to go after ducks, moose, or anything in between.
The Basics
When it comes to hunting just about anything, there are three types of firearms that are far and away the most common. Each has an originally intended use which we'll discuss in a moment:
- Rifles
- Shotguns
- Muzzleloaders
All three are known as "long guns" which is self-explanatory. While many states indeed have pistol ("short gun" or "sidearm") seasons, we're purposely overlooking that option because this is a 101 level course and success rates with sidearms are dismal compared with any of the long guns above.
Why? Because rifles, shotguns and muzzleloaders are easier to use and have a longer accurate range than pistols.
Rifles
Above is a common example of a modern hunting rifle. Easily the favorite gun choice of deer hunters across North America, a rifle is designed to fire a single projectile (bullet) and comes in a variety of sizes and calibers depending on the size of game you're hunting and how far away you anticipate your target to be when taking your shot. The name "rifle" actually describes the inside of the barrel, as it will have grooves designed to impart spin on the bullet as it leaves.
Ever thrown a football or baseball without flicking your wrist at the end? Pitchers might call this a knuckleball. Without spin, the ball is far less stable and thus less predictable. By stabilizing your throw with spin, you ensure more reliable placement. The same applies in shooting applications.
Caliber - This number denotes the diameter or width of the cartridge (a.k.a. "round" = bullet + casing + propellant) to be used in the gun.
These numbers can be confusing as there are two systems (metric vs. standard) of measurement. Some may be denoted in Millimeters (mm), and others in 100th's of an inch. If you don't see the "mm" behind the number, assume it's the latter. Simply put, the larger the number, the greater the diameter of the barrel and intended cartridge.
Here are a few common medium and big game hunting calibers, in ascending order:
- .243
- .257
- .270
- .300
- .308
Our recommendation for whitetails is going to be to find something you're comfortable shooting often in the .240 to .300 caliber range. This should provide most adult hunters of average size and build with sufficient power take down even a mature buck at 150 yards or more, without punishing the shooter every time they pull the trigger.
Unless you anticipate having to make longer shots consistently (which is not the approach we'll be primarily focusing on in this course), anything .30cal or over is probably more than you need.
To add to the confusion, there are also some suffixes you'll want to be familiar with. Just remember, the first number will always denote caliber. Accordingly, the following are all 30-caliber rounds:
- .30-30
- .308
- .30-06
The second number is referring to the total length of the cartridge. If you've got more bullet and/or propellant, naturally you'll be sending more overall energy down range.
The lesson of the day is to remember that bigger is not necessarily always better. If you're able to place an accurate shot with what we'll call a "sufficient" amount of energy, you'll be doing yourself a favor by saving your shoulder and a substantial amount of meat from your harvest. And that's assuming you're able to place an accurate shot. Experience has taught us that holding a cannon up to your shoulder and cheek is a lot less fun the second time than it was the first.
You'll need to take your physical size and build into consideration when selecting any gun. Our simple rule for guns and ammunition:
When in doubt, favor the middle rather than than the extremes.
Shotguns
Shotguns have a smooth barrel on the inside and were originally designed for shooting moving targets such as birds or smaller upland game. In their standard configuration, they'll fire a series a pellets or "shot" designed to cover an area to achieve this end. Naturally, the shot will continually spread to cover a greater area as it travels, but this also means a lower density of pellets per square inch.
While you wouldn't attempt to take a deer using these pellets, you can use a shotgun for deer hunting. In fact, here in Illinois it's the only legal option aside from a muzzleloader. How is this possible?
By use of a shotgun slug.
Slug - A single projectile designed to be fired from a shotgun barrel.
We'll get into the details of slugs in the video below, but for now just know that they exist and can make purchasing a shotgun a very practical option for new hunters who intend to pursue smaller species in addition to deer, but may not like the idea of purchasing multiple guns.
Think of a shotgun like a good multi-tool or monkey wrench. It's usually better to have a full set of standard and metric crescent wrenches, but an adjustable wrench or pair of channel locks can often get the job done. A shotgun will not provide as much accuracy down range as most medium and large caliber rifles offer, but a good 12-gauge can be every bit as deadly inside of 75 or even 100 yards depending on the shooter, ammo and conditions.
Speaking of gauges...
Unlike calibers in rifles, shotgun gauge numbers become wider in diameter as the number gets smaller. The four (really two) most common gauges you'll come across, listed from smallest to largest:
- .410
- 20 gauge
- 12 gauge
- 10 gauge
.410
The .410 is essentially a youth gun, and only effective on very small game such as squirrels and doves.
20 gauge
This can be an awesome starter gun for new hunters and shooters of all ages, but especially for those of smaller than average build. Any shooter will appreciate the lighter weight and limited recoil. Looking for a gun to take trap or skeet shooting? Look no further. Interested in pheasants and quail? The 20 is a great option for that, too.
Plenty of folks even use a 20 gauge shotgun for hunting deer, but it does have its limitations. The obvious is the overall diameter of the projectile. Yes, it's smaller than the 20 gauge. But the bigger drawback may be the inability to switch out barrels.
Shotgun slugs come in two varieties: Rifled and sabot (smooth). Remember all that talk about spin and stabilization? Well you can apply spin using the projectile or the barrel, but research has shown that a rifled barrel is the more effective option. Unfortunately, we have yet to come across a 20 gauge shotgun with an interchangeable barrel.
12 gauge
Hunt for long enough and it's inevitable. You will own a 12 gauge shotgun. This is a certifiable monkey wrench as we put it earlier. Big enough to handle larger shells for reaching out and getting bigger, higher-flying ducks and geese; this gun sits right at the happy crossroads of power and shootability.
Add the benefit of interchangeable barrels on many models (check with the sales rep before buying) and you've got a gun that can be used for just about everything short of Western Big Game such as elk and caribou. Swap that smooth bird barrel for a rifled one for $100-$300, find a brand of slug that shoots well through your gun, and you're hunting deer.
10 gauge
Remember what we said about leaning toward the middle when in doubt? Apply that rule to the 10 gauge shotgun until you've put a few seasons under your belt.
Muzzleloaders
A muzzleloaders discussed in these lesson are actually rifles. The difference is exactly as the name suggests. Rather than inserting pre-constructed rounds/cartridges, the shooter loads the components of the shot manually into the barrel of the gun. The primer (the little button that ignites the propellant when struck by the firing pin) will usually be loaded by breaking open the gun. We'll show you an example of this in the video below.
Because these muzzleloaders are rifles, their sizes are also denoted in calibers. We own a couple of .50 caliber muzzleloaders, for instance.
While .50 cal may sound like a lot (and it is), the type of powder or propellant used in muzzleloaders typically isn't going to generate as much velocity as a modern rifle cartridge. So this wider, heavier projectile traveling slightly slower may generate a similar force as a lighter, faster one.
For the confident shooter, a muzzleloading rifle can be a great choice. The obvious disadvantage is that if you miss your first shot, you're probably not getting a second opportunity before you've reloaded.
However, many areas may offer an additional "Muzzleloader Only" season which limits the number of hunters afield. You may even be permitted to use a muzzleloader during the general firearm season, provided you have the appropriate tag.
Check local regulations to determine whether hunting deer using a muzzleloader makes sense for you.
We know this is a lot of information to digest all at once.
Watch the video below for better context and hands-on demonstration.
Disclaimer: We cover a lot of gun styles and calibers in this video. We think all the information here is valuable and will eventually become relevant for most hunters as they progress into hunting different species and engaging in different styles of hunting. But if none of that interests you, we understand.
For those wanting to become more well-rounded and informed on firearms and ammunition, it's worth your time to watch the full video. Anyone not interested in learning about shotguns - watch until minute 4:00 and skip forward to 15:30.
Next Steps
Before shopping for a firearm, jump ahead to the next lesson to identify the type(s) of ammunition that may suit your needs. This way you'll be prepared to have a more informed discussion with your sales rep as you weigh your gun/ammo options.
External Resources In This Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hxE37KPCNM
https://lawcenter.giffords.org/licensing-of-gun-owners-or-purchasers-in-illinois/
https://ogo.org/resources/oregon-gun-laws/
https://www.mass.gov/service-details/gun-ownership-in-massachusetts
https://www.nraila.org/gun-laws/state-gun-laws
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