Pump Action or Semi Auto to hunt the world

[Scrumbag]

If you were buying one shotgun to hunt the world, what would you buy?

Let's think this is mainly for bird hunting so waterfowl and walked up shooting to high volume doves in Latin America. So, some parameters:

1) Chamber
Let's limit this to a 3" chamber as 3.5" seems relatively rarely used and if you want slug for pigs in the brush or camp gun, there is little a 3" Brenneke Magnum won't deal with. ALso 3.5" in a semi can cut out some of the lighter birdshot loads
2) Barrel length
24"- 26" multichoke and maybe a shorter iron sighted barrel

Semi-auto or pump?

Semi-auto: Faster follow-ups, legally a bit easier (In France for example, pumps are a pain to own), possibly more fragile / tougher to fix "in the bush"

Pump-action: Not so ammo sensitive, Some places legally tougher, easy to maintain and simple to fix

So, which would you go for and what model?

Scrummy

 

[Ridgewalker]

If I only had one it would be a Remy 870 with a couple of different barrels. JMO

 

[IvW]

Neither.

A good double O/U in standard 2 3/4 inch 12ga. Side by side would also work. 28" tubes.

Semi autos are not permitted in many countries.

2 3/4 ammo readily available even in Africa.

 

[Scrumbag]

Neither.

A good double O/U in standard 2 3/4 inch 12ga. Side by side would also work. 28" tubes.

Semi autos are not permitted in many countries.

2 3/4 ammo readily available even in Africa.

That's very true but I've found for slug, O/U's often shoot to rather different POIs

 

[meigsbucks]

Pump due to semi autos not being legal everywhere.

 

[mdwest]

Pump due to semi autos not being legal everywhere.

exactly what I was thinking.. .

 

[Nyati]

Even pumps are not legal everywhere.

 

[Hogpatrol]

Mossberg 500 pump gun 3". Legalities dismiss the auto-loader.

 

[MarkCZ]

Remington 1100 semi auto. Just because I love it.
by the way my go to shotgun for the last 20 years has been my Barreta 687 in 20 bore over under. When I have done my bit it has killed some of the highest pheasants in the UK.
Markcz

 

[tomahawker]

Remington model 11 for semi auto. The old humpback is a forever classic. Winchester model 12 in corn shucker, again timeless. Off topic, but a couple doubles booming is grand sport. Lefever Nitro expresses in sweet 16. Come on!

 

[Divernhunter]

I have a model 11 rem that was a mil training shotgun with a very open choke. I really liked it when I hunted close flushing birds.
The trouble is the semi is hard or impossible to take to some countries. Now I am told a pump also is which would have been my #2 choice. So we are left with a double barrel and not shooting slugs which if you need that a rifle would be a better choice.

 

[IvW]

That's very true but I've found for slug, O/U's often shoot to rather different POIs

Just use standard Brenneke slugs instead of some hyper velocity designs and you will have no issues. I use them in 2 different o/u combinations a swell as a sxs and they do what they have to with more than enough accuracy.

 

[Fred Gunner]

I can't find an African country that issues permits for Semi-Auto Firearms...most specifically ban semi-autos.

 

[Hogpatrol]

I can't find an African country that issues permits for Semi-Auto Firearms...most specifically ban semi-autos.

Semi-auto shotguns ok in South Africa with proper permits and justification, e.g. bird shooting.

 

[WAB]

Neither.

A good double O/U in standard 2 3/4 inch 12ga. Side by side would also work. 28" tubes.

Semi autos are not permitted in many countries.

2 3/4 ammo readily available even in Africa.

Agreed, the global requirement rules out the semi and the pump right from the get go.

 

[WAB]

Funny, my first African hunt was in Zambia. I took a Beretta 391. I had no issues with the permits. Beginners luck! I take an O/U when I take a shotgun these days.

 

[Scrumbag]

Interesting stuff folks. I have the feeling my B525 might be better than I thought...

 

[WAB]

Yeah, I don't recommend my first foray into Africa with a shotgun, beginners luck!

 

[Scrumbag]

Yeah, I don't recommend my first foray into Africa with a shotgun, beginners luck!

Luck is great when you don't have to rely on it

 

[Scrumbag]

Given the above, thought I'd ask the question about modern side by sides. I'd appreciate your input: https://www.africahunting.com/threads/modern-sxs.44556/