I'm a novice shotgunner. I just bought a Mossberg 500 with the 18 1/2" barrel and synthetic stock, pimarily for home-defense. I've been looking into the various threads here about ammo (shot size) to use for this purpose. I've decided on a particular round, but I won't disclose that to avoid another lengthy discussion on this controversial topic...
1. Anyway, I read somewhere a while back about flechette ammo in shotguns was used experimentally in VietNam, and kills were reported out to 200+ yds. I don't really know much else about this type of ammo, except what a flechette looks like and that there are about 20 of them in one shell. Does this round have any reliable, practical purpose concerning self-defense and/or hunting? I've searched around on the 'net for more info, but haven't had much luck. Any manufacturers for this exotic round? Any related web links would be appreciated.
2. I often hear about how pumps are far more reliable than autos. I can understand this because of my familiarity with revolvers vs. semi-autos (pistols). However, I have shot a few autos in various gauges, and I've never seen anything close to a malfunction. What type of failures are encountered with autos?
1. Anyway, I read somewhere a while back about flechette ammo in shotguns was used experimentally in VietNam, and kills were reported out to 200+ yds. I don't really know much else about this type of ammo, except what a flechette looks like and that there are about 20 of them in one shell. Does this round have any reliable, practical purpose concerning self-defense and/or hunting? I've searched around on the 'net for more info, but haven't had much luck. Any manufacturers for this exotic round? Any related web links would be appreciated.
2. I often hear about how pumps are far more reliable than autos. I can understand this because of my familiarity with revolvers vs. semi-autos (pistols). However, I have shot a few autos in various gauges, and I've never seen anything close to a malfunction. What type of failures are encountered with autos?