Selecting a shotgun

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1. Selecting a Shotgun For Self Defense

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2. Selecting a Shotgun

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Gauge
While there are good arguments for, and proponents of every available shotgun gauge, the most popular and versatile choice is 12 gauge, which has a .729" bore. The range of ammunition selection in 12 gauge is greater than for any other gauge, and 12-gauge shotshells can be purchased almost anywhere. Besides gun shops, many hardware stores, sporting goods stores and discount stores such as WalMart carry 12-gauge shells, even in areas that aren't very gun-friendly.

Action type
Of the two action types, semi-automatic and manual, the simplest, most reliable choice is a manual pump-operated shotgun. While the semi-automatic action does have some advantages, notably speed of repetitive fire and operation while injured (or operation by anyone who might have difficulty racking the pump), the greater cost, complexity and maintenance requirements make a semi-auto shotgun a better choice for a second or third weapon.

Choke and barrel selection
There is a lot of confusion on the topic of choke selection. The more constrictive the choke setup on the gun, the tighter the resulting shot pattern projected, and the greater the effective range of the gun/load combination. But part of the benefit of a shotgun is that it throws a circular pattern of shot, and most shotguns will be employed at relatively short ranges. Selecting a choke pattern that is too constrictive (or tight), will negate some of these advantages at shorter ranges.

If you are looking for an "all-in-one" solution - a shotgun that can do it all - I recommend a non-rifled barrel with an open (also called "cylinder bore") or improved choke. Better yet, an interchangeable choke tube system like Remington's RemChoke will give you the ability to install whatever choke is best for a given application - even a rifled choke for use with certain types of slugs.

If you are considering using your shotgun for hunting deer or wild boar, a rifled choke or interchangeable rifled barrel is recommended, to allow use of the most accurate slug rounds. For greatest versatility, avoid a fixed full-choke gun, as commonly offered for turkey hunting. As for barrel length, 18-22" barrels are ideal.

Shorter barrels are easier to handle, especially in close-quarters or indoor situations. Longer barrels provide a longer sight radius and greater accuracy at a distance. Unrifled shotgun barrels are easy to shorten, and any competent professional or amateur gunsmith can perform this service.

Makes and models
While Winchester, Mossberg and other manufacturers offer quality weapons, the most popular 12-gauge pump shotgun currently in the marketplace is the Remington 870. The 870 is durable and field-proven, and there are literally millions in circulation, with minimal changes over the years. This results in easy availability of spare parts and gunsmith services, and a broad selection of aftermarket parts and accessories.

The good news is that shotguns that fit the above description are usually the lowest-priced models in any lineup, and the Remington 870 line is no exception. Here is a look at several current Remington models that fit the bill - the same or similar shotguns are readily available on the used market in very good condition, in the $200 - $275 range.

Selecting ammunition

As previously noted, the selection of shotgun ammo, particularly in 12 gauge, is incredibly broad. In an effort to simplify this issue for the shotgun neophyte, here are my recommendations for each role the survival shotgun is likely to play. This isn't to suggest that you won't want or need other types of ammunition, or that other selections aren't valid. But it's very hard to go wrong with these selections.

Defense and security
The value of the shotgun in defense and security applications has been recognized in various forms, from the "coach guns" of the old west, to elite special forces operators of today. Security and defense applications can be divided into two broad categories - indoors/close-quarters (0-25 yds.) and long-range/perimeter (25-100 yds.).

These recommendations contemplate bipedal threats, as well as potentially dangerous North American animals - bears, mountain lions, wolves, coyotes, etc.

Indoors or close-quarters applications require an ammunition selection that combines fast stopping power and low risk of overpenetration. While you want to be able to quickly neutralize one or more assailants, you also want to limit penetration of wallboard and other building materials, so as not to injure other occupants of the structure.

Rather than the #00 buckshot load commonly employed by police agencies, #1 buck offers the best combination of stopping power, controlled penetration, and manageable recoil. The key to shotgun load performance in a defense application is combined cross-sectional area, or the total area displaced by all of the pellets contained in the load.

Because the slightly smaller #1 pellets more completely fill the available space in the shotshell, #1 is a more efficient load that produces a larger CCA than #00 buck.

Consider the following comparison of typical 2-3/4" shells:

My favorite choice in #1 buckshot is the Federal Power Shok F127 load, which also used to be called the Federal Classic F127. This load is specifically recommended by the International Wound Ballistics Association. Remington and Winchester also offer quality #1 buckshot loads as well.

My personal choice is the Federal F127 RS, with a 438 gr. hollow point slug, moving at 1610 FPS. When selecting a slug load for your shotgun, make sure to select the slug type that is appropriate for your barrel. Smooth-bore barrels require a rifled slug. For rifled barrels (aka deer barrels) or rifled chokes, a sabot-type slug is used, and they are generally considered to be more accurate than rifled slugs.

Refer to the labeling on the packaging to confirm the slug load is for your type of gun, or ask a knowledgeable person for assistance. When using slug rounds, it is important to familiarize yourself with the ballistic characteristics of the specific load you choose.

For example, according to Federal's data, the F127 RS round drops about 4" at 100 yds, assuming a 50-yard zero. Just like taking a long-range rifle shot, using slugs at or near their effective maximum range requires the shooter to "hold over" the target to compensate for projectile drop.