Best Shotgun on the Hunt: Showdown 1896

summation

• Hunt: Showdown 1896's shotguns have improved range, durability, and headshot potential after a recent update.
• Not all shotguns are created equal. Some shotguns, such as the Terminus 1887, have long reload times, making them vulnerable at critical moments.
• The Rival 78 is highlighted by its balance, twin barrel design, fast reload speed, and high damage, making it a reliable choice.

in The Hunt: Showdown 1896The shotgun was one of the least versatile but most satisfying weapons in the game. They excel primarily in close combat and are devastating at short ranges. This is a true ambusher's delight. However, the recent 2.0 update and engine upgrades that introduced projectile trajectories and improved slug ammunition have improved its effectiveness in terms of range, spread robustness, and headshot survivability, despite the additional issues of bullet drop.

These changes increase the shotgun's versatility, making it a more powerful companion for the wider range of scenarios hunters can face in this PvPvE extraction shooter, especially in terms of PvP combat. Nonetheless, not all shotguns are created equal. With so many options and variations available, it can be difficult for a shotgun to stand out and earn a coveted spot in your loadout. Take a look at the best shotguns. The Hunt: Showdown 1896ranking.

6 end

Long reload times can turn hunters into prey.

The Terminus 1887 is a lever-action shotgun that offers high ammo capacity and deals significant damage. Although it doesn't deal as much damage as some of the other options on this list, its 7-round magazine provides sustained firepower, making it ideal for prolonged engagements with multiple enemies. However, the problem is that the reload time is unusually long, leaving players vulnerable at critical moments when they need to reload.

Fortunately, being a lever-action repeating shotgun means you can greatly benefit from the levering characteristics that are essential for effective use. Playing without levers makes them difficult to use and somewhat cumbersome. For this reason, it is generally not considered a worthwhile choice, especially for new players.

5 slate

close combat expert

The Slate is a pump-action shotgun that balances high damage with impressive rate of fire and significant bullet spread. It is the faster of the two pump action shotguns. The Hunt: Showdown 1896The firing rate is 23rpm. It is within the building that Slate's true potential is realized. Its high rate of fire makes it ideal for taking out enemy teams in close combat, and gives it a significant advantage in boss lairs unless the enemy is armed with the same weapon.

For players who enjoy solo hunting or prefer a shotgun with rapid-fire capabilities while maintaining a true pump-action feel, the Slate is a great choice. However, the limited scope requires careful engagement strategies, so it is essential to consider the game's diverse broader environment.

4 Specter 1882

A pump-action shotgun that requires good aim.

The Specter 1882 joins Slate in the pump-action shotgun category. This long-barreled shotgun boasts extremely dense bullet spread for lethal accuracy at an effective range of 14 meters, especially when used with slugs. The disadvantages of this shotgun are mainly its partial reload mechanism, ejecting bullets without completely emptying the magazine and wasting ammunition. This makes the Bulletgrubber trait a somewhat inconvenient necessity. Additionally, the extremely limited fire rate of 20rpm requires patience and precision, turning every shot into a high-stakes gamble. It's definitely not an ideal choice for newcomers to the extraction shooting genre.

Utilizing it in the bayonet variant significantly reduces its performance, reducing damage, slowing handling, and significantly increasing bullet spread. This modification is of little value. Choosing a default gun is usually better.

3 Romero 77

Long-term budget solution

Awarded at level 1, the Romero 77 is the quintessential shotgun in a game known for its devastating long-range power. Unfortunately, being a single-barrel, breech-loading weapon requires precision. Each missed shot can be very taxing, so you'll need to reload often. Despite these shortcomings, its incredible one-time power and long-range performance, enhanced by its top-level muzzle velocity of 450 m/s and low loadout cost, make it a great choice, especially for budget builds, early-game beginner loadouts, and eagle-eyed players.

The Talon variant is equipped with a basic blade that increases recoil and reduces muzzle velocity, giving it minimal benefit other than enabling melee attacks on misses. In contrast, the Alamo variant equipped with a magazine and loader is slower but allows follow-up shots, increasing its usefulness. For optimal performance, the Alamo variant is the preferred choice.

2 rival 78

Double tapping break action shotgun that packs a punch

The Rival 78 stands out as one of the most balanced shotguns in the game. Equipped with a powerful twin barrel, break-action design, it delivers high damage and is powerful in close-range combat. Buckshot provides an effective one-shot range of up to 13 meters, making it extremely lethal in mid-range engagements. What really sets this shotgun apart is its ability to fire two bullets in quick succession before having to reload. You can often secure a kill before an enemy can react, and even if the first shot fails, a second shot can still get the results you want.

Combining significant range, fast reload speed, and the cost-effectiveness of being one of the least expensive shotguns in the loadout, the Rival 78 is a reliable choice and a powerful option for beginners and seasoned hunters.

1 Auto-5

Extremely versatile rapid-fire semi-automatic

The Auto-5, also known as the Crown & King, is a popular shotgun known for its efficiency and versatility, making it a top choice even for top builds prior to the 2.0 update. This semi-automatic long-barreled shotgun features a 5-round magazine with an incredible rate of fire of 24 rounds per minute. Strategic positioning at mid-range and accurate fire placement can quickly eliminate teams with multiple targets in sight. The Auto-5, a long-barreled shotgun, is also excellent for long-distance shooting. Equipped with a slug, it transforms into a very effective makeshift rifle, surpassing the Romero's range and outperforming many traditional rifles, especially within the 30 meter drop range.

Ultimately, this shotgun forces opposing players to actively participate, justifying its high price of $600 and the significant amount of ammo required. It is recommended to carry a box of ammo when using this shotgun. It's no exaggeration to say that the Auto-5 can do things that other shotguns can't, and its versatility at both close and long ranges has earned it a top spot on this list.