Ammunition
A Closer Look at Federal’s New Short Shells
The most formidable of home defense weapons is the 12-gauge shotgun. Powerful and fast handling, the shotgun gives a trained…Read More >
Tag: buckshot
Most Recent Posts
Firearms
Sweet 16: The Unappreciated 16-Gauge Shotgun
The .662 inch 16-gauge shotgun is among the most underappreciated gauges. As a young shooter, I was impressed that my…Read More >
General
Patterning a Shotgun: Defense Edition
The shotgun is often touted as the “end-all, beat-all” for home defense. I am not going to tell you that…Read More >
Firearms
Home Defense Checklist: What’s Important (and What Isn’t)
As an NRA- and state-certified instructor, I realize that personal defense is a deadly business. As a professional, I check…Read More >
Firearms
Review: Mossberg 500 Persuader
If you are serious about defending the home, the first choice is a shotgun, mainly because a 12-gauge shotgun will repel boarders like no other firearm. A number of years ago, Mossberg offered a short-barrel pump-action shotgun known as the Persuader. Today, the piece is back as a highly finished retrograde shotgun worthy of consideration.
Safety and Training
Shotgun Drills: Semi-Automatics
The automatic shotgun demands different drills for speed loading than a pump-action shotgun. Proper practice with automatic shotgun and you may just find that the shotgun is more efficient than you thought. If there is any real problem beginning students have, it is a lack of familiarity with the firearm. These drills will build familiarity with the shotgun and may be a lifesaver.
Firearms
The Shotgun for Home Defense
Not long ago, the conversation turned to shotguns at the gun shop. While even the folks that are not the ones we call “gunny” know the merits of a shotgun for home defense, there are many opinions on the proper load and the best shotgun. However, the shotgun is only the launcher, it is the load that does the damage.
Safety and Training
Review: XS DXT Shotgun Sights
By adapting modern tritium technology to the classic Express sight, XS sights has been able to offer a truly unique system for making fast hits on a dangerous threat. XS DTX sight is not a set up for target shooting or long range. This is a set of sights that will give you every advantage, night or day, in a dangerous situation where your shotgun is the solution.
Ammunition
Four Hornady Shotgun Loads, No Bad Choices
You may choose a rifle, shotgun, or handgun, but the shotgun offers the greatest wound potential and the greatest versatility, but the gun alone is not enough. For maximum effectiveness, you’ll want to match the right ammunition for the situation, but here are four choices from Hornady that you cannot go wrong with.
Ammunition
Throwback Thursday: Buckshot or Birdshot for Home Defense? Let’s Ask Science.
The conclusion of the testing I observed was simple. Birdshot will do the job at shorter ranges, but it has major drawbacks for home defense. Read the entire story to understand the the limitations of birdshot and advantages of buckshot including a comparison of 00-buck versus .380 ACP, 9mm, .45 ACP and .223/5.56.