Content

• Shotgun information
• Types of shotguns
• Shotgun barrels
• Ammunition
• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: To choose a shotgun:
• Method 2 of 2: To choose ammunition:
• Tips
• Warnings

A huge number of shotguns and ammunition are available in stores, which can make it difficult to choose weapons.

Shotgun information

Types of shotguns

• Single-shot shotguns are mostly the cheapest; their disadvantage is that they can only fire one shot without reloading. To fire them again, you need to reload them, which takes a lot of time. Regardless, these shotguns do a lot of things well.
• Pump shotguns are the most common type. They are known for their low cost (although some models can be very expensive, there are many cheap and common options) and reliability. After each shot, you need to pull the bolt (the place to which you hold on with your left hand) to throw out the used sleeve and load the next one from the clip.
• Self-loading Shotguns (also known as "semi-automatic") use a different type of charging system, so you only need to pull the trigger. This, as well as the use of a variety of cartridges, degrades reliability.
• Double-charged shotguns are vertical and horizontal - according to the location of the barrels relative to each other. There is no difference, including the price.

For novice shooters, pump action shotguns are best suited as they are cheap, reliable, and suitable for a variety of tasks.

Shotgun barrels

• Barrel length mainly affects the usability of the shotgun. It also affects accuracy.
  • Longer barrels move softer and are used to fire at predictable targets. Shorter barrels are easier to aim and are suitable for shooting unpredictable birds.
  • Long barrels create a large distance between the end of the barrel and your eye, making aiming easier and your shots more accurate.
  • The long barrel slightly increases muzzle velocity, but don't worry about that. More importantly, short barrels increase the noise and flash from the shot.

• Chock - This is the muzzle constriction needed to increase the range of a shotgun while maintaining enough force to kill / destroy your target. There are many choke sizes and several types that can be in the barrel.
  • The size of the choke affects the spread of the fraction. Accordingly, the smaller the choke, the smaller the spread and vice versa.
  • There are two types of chokes: attachments and fixed chokes. The fixed choke is part of the barrel, it cannot be replaced just like that. Choke attachments, in turn, are separately attached to the barrel and can be replaced.
  • Bullets and buckshot should not be fired with guns with any attachments or thin (modified, full or extra full) fixed choke. This could damage the shotgun.

• Some guns are rifled barrels. These barrels are less versatile than most shotguns, as they do not allow you to shoot small shot, buckshot and regular bullets. At the same time, they shoot bullets for rifled barrels very accurately.

Ammunition

Basically, shotguns use 2 types of cartridges: large bullets, which is similar to shooting with a rifle, and shot filled with small buckshot, which is useful for shooting at small / moving targets.

• The numbering on the cartridges indicates their size. Cartridge number 9 is much smaller than number 4. This applies to all types of ammunition.
  • One of the categories of cartridges is small shot. This shot is good for hunting small animals, such as birds, as well as target shooting. The most popular size is # 7 1/2, with a diameter of 2.5 millimeters.
  • Buckshot. This is a large shot that is used for hunting big game. Such a cartridge contains buckshot, the diameter of which can be up to 9 millimeters.
• Shotgun cartridges come in two types of charge: high and low powder. The more gunpowder, the stronger the cartridge. Use them if you need to get the most out of your shotgun.
• Cartridges come in different lengths. In 12 gauge, for example, the lengths can be 50, 75, 88 millimeters.
  • A shotgun can fire less ammo than its camera, but not more.
  • Longer rounds have more gunpowder and buckshot, and generate more recoil. Only use them when you have no choice.
• Select caliber. This is a rather important question. Shooting with heavy, large-caliber weapons can be a very unpleasant and painful experience for a physically fragile and weak person. 16, 20, 28 gauge or 1.04 cm rounds will be much more convenient for these shooters.
• Bullets are useful when hunting large animals at medium ranges.
  • Do not shoot bullets with narrow choke shotguns.
  • Do not shoot bullets with wide-barreled shotguns.
  • Rifled bullets do not work well in smoothbore shotguns. Use them on rifled weapons.
  • Smoothbore bullets should be used in smoothbore shotguns.
• The target is the best way to figure out which rounds to choose for your shotgun and which choke to work with: shoot a paper target a couple of times and see the result.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: To choose a shotgun:

1. 1 Choose the eye to aim for. This will determine whether you should buy a right-handed or left-handed weapon. Some shotguns are suitable for both.
2. 2 Based on the budget, you will be able to eliminate entire types of shotguns. In general, you should expect the following costs:
   • $ 100 for a single-shot shotgun
   • $ 200-500 for a pump action shotgun
   • $ 500-1000 for a semi-automatic shotgun
   • $ 1000+ for a worthwhile double-shot shotgun
3. 3Visit a gun shop with a wide selection of weapons
4. 4 Find the shotgun that suits you:
   1. Pick a point on the wall
   2. close your eyes
   3. Aim your shotgun at this point
   4. Open your eyes
   • The shotgun should have leaned lightly against your shoulder.
   • The butt should not be too short. Contact your dealer for advice.
   • You don't have to tilt your head too much to aim. This should happen naturally and effortlessly.
   • The shotgun should be aimed at your chosen point on the wall when you open your eyes.
5. 5 Check for damage and rust on the shotgun.
6. 6 If you like a weapon, fit within your budget, lean against your shoulder without issue, and have no malfunctions, buy it!

Method 2 of 2: To choose ammunition:

1. 1 Find out the caliber of the shotgun. Frequently used calibers: 10, 12, 20, 28 and .410. 28 caliber is less than 20, which is less than 16. The larger the caliber, the smaller the diameter of the cartridge. The .410 is an exception to the rule, just remember this is the smallest.
2. 2 Find out if the barrel of your shotgun is rifled. If rifled, then you can only shoot rifled bullets. If the barrel is not rifled, you can shoot any kind of ammunition, including rifled bullets, although they will be less accurate.
3. 3 Decide what you will use the ammunition for:
   • For small animals or clay targets, buy small ammo (shot # 9 to # 4). These cartridges are not only the cheapest, but also create less recoil and wear less weapons.
   • For larger game such as ducks or geese, you should buy larger cartridges, from # 5 to # 2.
   • For big game (coyotes, deer) use buckshot. This is the largest type of shotgun cartridge.
     • An alternative is to buy big game bullets. But remember to use rifled bullets if you have a rifled barrel.

Tips

• If the stock does not suit you, you can replace it with a separately purchased and convenient one.
• Get a friend to help you choose a stock.
• The stock can also be modified with your own hands, but this is more difficult than choosing the right one in the store.

Warnings

• Respect the property of the shopkeeper: ask permission to test the weapon.
• Use the weapons in the store, following the safety rules, to avoid problems for yourself or other people!
• Do not shoot buckshot through a narrow choke.