The Shotgun – The Most Versatile of All Prepper Guns – Epi-3114
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Today we are going to talk about the shotgun. My goal is to give the listener a fundamental understanding of exactly how shotguns work. What all the jargon like shot size, choke, gauge, etc. means and more importantly why it matters. I also would like to dispel some myths and explain why in my view, the shotgun is the ultimate prepper gun.
Join Me Today to Discuss…
- What exactly is a shotgun and where did it come from
- What is “shot” and what do those numbers mean
- What exactly is a “gauge” and what relation does it have to caliber
- Anatomy of a shotgun shell
- Case
- Primer
- Powder
- Over powder wad
- Shot cup wad
- Shot (payload)
- Overshot wad (optional)
- Shot buffer (optional)
- Understanding load information and shot sizes
- Decrypting the load information on a box of shells
- Good Explanation of Shot Sizes – link
- High brass and magnums
- A look at shotgun actions
- Break action (double and single)
- Pump action
- Semi auto
- Bolt
- Lever
- Shotgun uses
- Small Game
- Big Game
- Sporting (clays, etc)
- Defensive/Offensive
- Chokes and uses
- Cylinder bore
- Skeet
- Improved Cylinder
- Modified
- Improved Modified
- Full
- Gauges and thoughts on them
- How Gauge is Calculated
- 10 Gauge – .775 “caliber”
- 12 Gauge – .729 “caliber”
- 16 Gauge -.662 “caliber”
- 20 Gauge – .615 “caliber”
- 28 Gauge – .550 “caliber”
- 410 Bore – .410 “caliber”
- Patterning reality
- Point and pull is a myth
- Ammunition can have a huge effect on pattern
- It is more about density than size
- Patterns on moving targets are different than still targets
- Precision shooting is the key
- Choosing a shotgun for your use
- What do you want it to do for you
- What budget do you have
- What weapons do you already own
- Consider fit as it relates to function
- Don’t discount the 20 gauge
- Getting into reloading, the shotgun is the ultimate thing to reload for
- Lee Load All in 12, 20, 16 gauge & conversion kits
- Lee slug and buck shot molds (link)
- MEC 600 Jr Mark V 12 Gauge Press
- MEC 8567N 12 Gauge Grabber Press
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Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon.
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I cast .690 round ball this fires in a 12 gauge shot cup 1 1/8 ounce. I also cast 000 buckshot it stacks two per layer without a shot cup. In a 410 shot cup 000 buck stacks single. I cast 00 buckshot they stack three to a layer without shot cup or two per layer in shot cup. #4 buck stacks 7 per layer. Slugs come in different weights Lee sells both 7/8 and 1 ounce slug molds. The .690 round ball has more potential for big game. I have two favorite gauges 12 gauge long gun and 410 handgun.
Sounds like you’d make a bad ass interview, maybe put in a guest form?
https://www.thesurvivalpodcast.com/guest-submission
My internet is awful much of what I know is from Bubba Rountree Outdoors.
Here’s a link to .690 round balls at 100 meters.
https://youtu.be/3NOkDu9ZR0k
I’ve always felt that the 410 & 20g make a better home defense than a 12 and just dont get talked about enough. 20g with 00 is what’s sitting by my chair here. But, to each their own…
20 gauge interior dimension 0.615 inches #00 buckshot is 0.33 inches. The only sizes I found for 20 gauge were #1, #2, #3, and #4 buckshot. Certainly adequate for home defense.
My 410 for personal defense has 4×000 buckshot (11/16 ounce) per shell in a 2 1/2″ shell Judge revolver. Fits but not in the loading books.
4×000 is 0.64 ounces
11/16 is 0.6875
Here’s an idea for 20 gauge
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9dPUcAnyib8&feature=youtu.be
.490 round balls are patched to 50 caliber muzzle loading
Jack apparently hasn’t shot pheasants without a dog in the Midwest -#4 is the minimum only because they are 30+ yard shots
Chris, Ringnecks are the same in PA as NE or SD. 30 yards is generally an average shot. I’ve knocked down plenty with 6-7.5 shot. 4s where required if using a 410 and I never had the guts to do it but my great uncle was murder on em with a 410, I think he did it to show off.
Longer shots on deer in the Midwest is a thing, on pheasants not so much.