Shotgunning for Idiots
- Thread starter HasSpoken
- Start date
Mo_Zam_Beek
New member
Three recommendations:
1. Search feature.
2. Firearms safety course.
3. 200 rounds and a day with some clay "birds" to get started.
What exactly are you looking for?
1. Search feature.
2. Firearms safety course.
3. 200 rounds and a day with some clay "birds" to get started.
What exactly are you looking for?
Hey!!
Actually I did hit the search button, in fact, I ve gone through 9 pages of threads on the topic of shotguns. I wud like to know the very basics of shotgunning, for instance, what does "00" mean? Besides from the box of shells saying that its a light load, is there any other way to tell if the load is light? How does the number of pellets compare ot the size of pellets? What shud I carry in my SG for HD? What shud I use to practice with? Those types of ans/ques wud be appreciated. Thanks!!!
Actually I did hit the search button, in fact, I ve gone through 9 pages of threads on the topic of shotguns. I wud like to know the very basics of shotgunning, for instance, what does "00" mean? Besides from the box of shells saying that its a light load, is there any other way to tell if the load is light? How does the number of pellets compare ot the size of pellets? What shud I carry in my SG for HD? What shud I use to practice with? Those types of ans/ques wud be appreciated. Thanks!!!
Things I learned the hard way and some odds and ends:
Use low-brass 2 3/4" shells to start, not hi-brass. They kick less.
Get your elbow up, out, and hortizontal, and then put the butt of the gun in pocket formed by your shoulder and your chest.
Hold the gun firmly against your shoulder. Very tightly, with full contact if possible.
Get one foot out in front and lean forward into the gun and the shot. Don't stand flat-footed and shoot while you're all loose-jointed and relaxed. Shoot with purpose.
Don't lean back and shoot with your shoulder up against a tree or a post. You'll be sorry.
Keep the thumb on your trigger hand away from your nose. Let your shoulder deal with the recoil.
Keep both eyes open. Concentrate on the target. Can you raise your hand and point your finger without sighting down it? Look at the target and point the shotgun. If the target is moving swing ahead of it. OTOH, if it has rifle sights you have to shoot it like a rifle.
Take a lesson from someone who knows what they're talking about.
Don't load the gun until you figure out how it works.
Don't point it at me.
When stuck in duck blind with someone you don't know, stand very close to them. It makes it harder for them to point the thing at you when you're not looking.
That's all I can think of right now. Have fun.
John
Use low-brass 2 3/4" shells to start, not hi-brass. They kick less.
Get your elbow up, out, and hortizontal, and then put the butt of the gun in pocket formed by your shoulder and your chest.
Hold the gun firmly against your shoulder. Very tightly, with full contact if possible.
Get one foot out in front and lean forward into the gun and the shot. Don't stand flat-footed and shoot while you're all loose-jointed and relaxed. Shoot with purpose.
Don't lean back and shoot with your shoulder up against a tree or a post. You'll be sorry.
Keep the thumb on your trigger hand away from your nose. Let your shoulder deal with the recoil.
Keep both eyes open. Concentrate on the target. Can you raise your hand and point your finger without sighting down it? Look at the target and point the shotgun. If the target is moving swing ahead of it. OTOH, if it has rifle sights you have to shoot it like a rifle.
Take a lesson from someone who knows what they're talking about.
Don't load the gun until you figure out how it works.
Don't point it at me.
When stuck in duck blind with someone you don't know, stand very close to them. It makes it harder for them to point the thing at you when you're not looking.
That's all I can think of right now. Have fun.
John
Do a search here on TFL, type in "Shotgun guide" the poster was Rob62.
Also call Remington at 1-800-243-9700 and ask them to send you out a copy of "The Remington Guide to Shotguns and Shotshell Ammunition" there is a good sorce of info in there that helped me when I first got a shotgun.
Edit to post a link to that search...
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums...d=442184&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending
Scott
Also call Remington at 1-800-243-9700 and ask them to send you out a copy of "The Remington Guide to Shotguns and Shotshell Ammunition" there is a good sorce of info in there that helped me when I first got a shotgun.
Edit to post a link to that search...
http://www.thefiringline.com/forums...d=442184&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending
Scott
1. Read what Dave McC wrote again.
2. As far as shot sizes goes, think backwards. Bigger numbers = less kick/penetration/damage. 6 is bigger than 4 is bigger than 0...so 6 is a lighter load than 00 Buck.
Also, the names and packaging will give you clues as well. 00 Buckshot is called 'buckshot' for a reason...same way that field loads have pictures of birds on the boxes.
If you're just training, you're looking for boxes with birds on them, until you're ready to try some heavy hitters. 
3. Don't start bad habits. Ease into it with light loads, under trained supervision. No need to start out with bad form or a flinch from the beginning.
4. If your shotgun says '2 3/4" shells only', do not buy 3" shells. Also, if you were thinking about 3" shells, reread point #2 above.
Mike
2. As far as shot sizes goes, think backwards. Bigger numbers = less kick/penetration/damage. 6 is bigger than 4 is bigger than 0...so 6 is a lighter load than 00 Buck.
Also, the names and packaging will give you clues as well. 00 Buckshot is called 'buckshot' for a reason...same way that field loads have pictures of birds on the boxes.
If you're just training, you're looking for boxes with birds on them, until you're ready to try some heavy hitters. 3. Don't start bad habits. Ease into it with light loads, under trained supervision. No need to start out with bad form or a flinch from the beginning.
4. If your shotgun says '2 3/4" shells only', do not buy 3" shells. Also, if you were thinking about 3" shells, reread point #2 above.
Mike
Suggest you follow this link and view Remington's "Guide to Shotgun Basics":
http://www.remington.com/safety/shotgunbasics.htm
Even though you have a Defender and not a Rem, this course should provide lots of useful info on the basics for you.
Also make sure you read the manual that came with your Defender. If you don't have one, contact USRAC and they'll send you one for free. You can also follow this link for a PDF version of the Model 1300 manual:
http://www.winchester-guns.com/manuals/model1300_manual.pdf
http://www.remington.com/safety/shotgunbasics.htm
Even though you have a Defender and not a Rem, this course should provide lots of useful info on the basics for you.
Also make sure you read the manual that came with your Defender. If you don't have one, contact USRAC and they'll send you one for free. You can also follow this link for a PDF version of the Model 1300 manual:
http://www.winchester-guns.com/manuals/model1300_manual.pdf