*Editor’s Note: The following article was originally published in October, 2017 but has been updated and republished to continue to reflect the best home defense shotguns as well as serving as a guide to shotgun action types, shotgun gauges, and other important info.* Without a doubt, the shotgun is one of the most versatile firearms […]
Shotguns
Cool Historical Gun Accessories: The KAC Masterkey
Back in the 80s and 90s, it seemed like anything was possible. The G11 space gun was in full swing, the TEC 9 reportedly advertised as being resistant to fingerprints, and Knight’s Armament was making some cool stuff. The coolest of the cool was the KAC Masterkey. What’s a Masterkey? The KAC Masterkey is a […]
12 Gauge Federal Flightcontrol Review
Shotguns … I do love them and I’m always on the lookout to find new ammo. The versatility of shotgun ammo is one of the best things about this platform. You can swap between buckshot, slugs, and bird, as well as specialty ammo that’s both effective and fun. I always like to experiment with different […]
Shotgun Recoil Calculator
Shotgun recoil calculator formula– Everyone that reloads shotshells for their shotguns is always faced with the problem of wondering how much recoil will be produced in their individual shotgun from their reloaded ammunition. Here is a shotshell reloading formula that will get you close to your own pet shotshell load recoil if not exact. 1. Add […]
Shotgun Forcing Cones
The forcing cone in a shotgun barrel forces the shot charge or shot column down in diameter in transition from the shotgun chamber to enter the bore and then to enter the parallel section of the choke. The one we will concern ourselves with here is the chamber to bore forcing cone the other is […]
Shotgun Choke Tubes Interchangeability
A choke tube is a removable interior tube at the end of a shotgun barrel that controls shot dispersion. Choke tubes typically come in cylinder, improved cylinder, modified, improved modified, full, and extra full. A cylinder choke tube produces a very wide shot dispersion, whereas an extra full choke tube will provide a much tighter […]
Shotgun Pattern Improvement
After doing a thorough pattern test and analysis it’s time to focus on how to increase pattern density and consistency, as both are needed for a complete shotgun pattern tuning. There is some knowledge worth having first as to what you are dealing with. A True Shot Pattern Is, 100% Of The Shot In A […]
How to Pattern A Shotgun (And From What Distance)
Perhaps one of the most critical parts of shooting an imparticular load of shot out of your your shotgun at a patterning board is the fact you will also know its exact point of impact with your imparticular sight picture. You can have an excellent shot pattern but if it is not where your aiming then its not worth very much from a hunters or shooters perspective. Shot patterns are only part of the overall performance of a shotgun when shot patterning.
Steel Shot VS Lead Shot for Shotguns
There are two very important factors that you have to understand and consider when properly switching from lead shot to steel shot. (1) Steel shot is harder than lead shot; (Advantage). (2) Steel shot is lighter than lead shot; (Disadvantage). (1) Steel shot is 3 times harder than lead shot: Let’s first examine the steel shot advantage by firing a […]
Shotgun Drop Factor
Shot shell Drop / Trajectory: Perhaps one of the things that will cross a shotgun hunter’s mind once in awhile is how much does shot drop over a given distance and does this trajectory matter. It goes without saying that the pellets are losing energy as they travel downrange to their intended target. The controversy […]