which is more relaible - shotguns or rifles?

[ltmssbb]

it depends at what you are shooting at and how far away.

[FloridaHunter1226]

If you take care of them, they both should be very dependable. But I guess without any maintenance, a rifle would be the most reliable.

[wvuskinsfan3]

Depends shot guns are normally used for small game unless you use a slug. And Rifles are used for bigger distances and bigger game.

[ltmssbb]

I would have to say rifle because they are more reliable for bigger game at bigger distances.

[DakotaMan]

Same... As far as mechanical reliability of the fire arm, both are the same if you take care of them and compare pumps to pumps, single shots to single shots, etc. Each will normally last many lifetimes. Double barrels more reliable than pumps, pumps more reliable than automatics in terms of liability for mechanical failures.

As far as their ability to get a shot off to get game or save your life, both have the same weaknesses as far as liability for jams or misfires. Automatics jam occassionally and get worse when the conditions get worse. However, if you load a double barrel shotgun or a double rifle, it is ready to go and it will rarely malfunction when needed. That is why they use them on very dangerous game. I must say that I personally have had slightly higher reliability in rifles than shotguns because of the cartriges used. Shotgun reloads are more difficult to load properly and they may not load in the chamber as well as factory loads when they age and as they are exposed to the elements while hunting. Rifle cartriges are a little more impervious to weather and age and tend to load consistently in the chamber under all conditions. Especially rifle cartriges made for dangerous game like the .375 H&H... VERY RELIABLE shape for dealing with contaminants, chamber loading and unloading.

If I were concerned about reliability, I would be thinking single shot, double barrel, pump, bolt action, automatic, etc. versus rifle or shotgun.

[buck hunter 17]

like Big O posted are you talking about how accurate or how trust worthy and reliable they are or what?

[Big O]

Your compairing "apples" -n- Oranges. Ya need to be a little more specific please.

[texasmcintyre]

What are you going to hunt?

[shawn_bland]

Also depends on what you are hunting

[shawn_bland]

Also depends on what you are hunting

[bonnier-admin_2]

What kind of performance and what are you doing with them?

[matouse3]

That can depend heavily on the round that is being fired through either.

[jasonb]

I agree with Streak. And since both shotguns and rifles have been made in: Single shot, double barrel, pump, semi-auto and bolt action, you can't really pick one over the other. I also agree with Husker guy, how you take care of them is the biggest determining factor. I have an Ithaca 16ga SxS that I still bird hunt with and it's over 100 years old. Someone obviously took good care of it.

[Reid Jones]

right and wrong. it's also the person shooting it. it's only as reliable as the person pulling the trigger.

[huskerguy]

Depends on how good you take care of em.