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- Oct 29, 2008
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I hate to start this kind of thread because sometimes it is viewed as the OP being lazy or inept in trying to learn about something. So at the risk of being ostracized I ask the many knowledgeable NES members to clue me in.
I have neither held nor shot a shotgun in my life, but I want one. I have started to research shotguns and have found in many respects I was becoming more confused than learned on the subject.
My goal is to have a multi-purpose shotgun, I will only by one (I swear!), with focus on home defense, though I'd like to try shooting clays with it. I want it sort of tactical and I do not hunt at all and I want a semi-auto. As an aside, is shooting clays (@BR&PC) as easy as buying them and bringing them to the skeet range? Are there certain times to do this? Does an RO need to be there? Who operates the throwing machine thing?...
Sources of confusion:
Smooth bore vs Rifled - Can every SG have both by changing them out?
Shot vs Slugs - Can you shoot shot out of a rifled barrel or do you need to change it out to smooth?
Chokes - Just don't get it, I know they are for patterning...but that's about it.
Size of shell - 2.75", 3", 3.5" - What is the difference and what should I get? Are they interchangeable at all, meaning can a 2.75" be fired out of a 3"?
Where can you practice with it? - Slugs only @ BR&PC. Is there a big difference in shooting between the two, aside from one being pellets the other slugs, more along the lines of differing technique and recoil?
Anything else I should be aware of? At this point going on aesthetics only, I like the Bennelli M4 and Mossberg 930.
I have neither held nor shot a shotgun in my life, but I want one. I have started to research shotguns and have found in many respects I was becoming more confused than learned on the subject.
My goal is to have a multi-purpose shotgun, I will only by one (I swear!), with focus on home defense, though I'd like to try shooting clays with it. I want it sort of tactical and I do not hunt at all and I want a semi-auto. As an aside, is shooting clays (@BR&PC) as easy as buying them and bringing them to the skeet range? Are there certain times to do this? Does an RO need to be there? Who operates the throwing machine thing?...
Sources of confusion:
Smooth bore vs Rifled - Can every SG have both by changing them out?
Shot vs Slugs - Can you shoot shot out of a rifled barrel or do you need to change it out to smooth?
Chokes - Just don't get it, I know they are for patterning...but that's about it.
Size of shell - 2.75", 3", 3.5" - What is the difference and what should I get? Are they interchangeable at all, meaning can a 2.75" be fired out of a 3"?
Where can you practice with it? - Slugs only @ BR&PC. Is there a big difference in shooting between the two, aside from one being pellets the other slugs, more along the lines of differing technique and recoil?
Anything else I should be aware of? At this point going on aesthetics only, I like the Bennelli M4 and Mossberg 930.