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  1. #1

    Default The shotgun in home and hearth defence:

    What is the role of the shotgun in home and hearth defence.
    In which scenarios would a shotgun be the superior weapon?
    At what ranges is it used?
    Which action type is best?
    What size target would be a test for proficiency?
    Which shot sizes?
    What drills could be used to hone skills, and test readiness?
    Could those with more training and experience please help.

    Willie barnard

  2. #2
    Moderator SSP's Avatar
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    Default Re: The shotgun in home and hearth defence:

    Quote Originally Posted by Willie Barnard View Post
    In which scenarios would a shotgun be the superior weapon?
    20 yards and in on moving targets at night.

    Quote Originally Posted by Willie Barnard View Post
    Which action type is best?
    Pump for reliability.

    Quote Originally Posted by Willie Barnard View Post
    What size target would be a test for proficiency?
    6-8 inch plate depending on distance.

    Quote Originally Posted by Willie Barnard View Post
    Which shot sizes?
    Depends on what your gun patterns best with. AAA to 00 Buck for SD.

    Quote Originally Posted by Willie Barnard View Post
    What drills could be used to hone skills, and test readiness?
    Most important is keeping the shotgun fed. Load one-shoot one drills.
    Cattle die, kindred die, every man is mortal:
    But I know one thing that never dies,
    the glory of the great dead.
    Havamal

  3. #3
    Moderator KK20's Avatar
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    Default Re: The shotgun in home and hearth defence:

    nice and tidy
    live out your imagination , not your history.

  4. #4

    Default Re: The shotgun in home and hearth defence:

    nice thread! For me, the shotty is a great weapon for reppeling boarders from hearth and home, with pistol as secondary. Especially on a farm! For SD purposes AAA, SSG, SG, LG and slugs will do the job, but slugs loose the benefit of a spread. I doubt pattern has much to do with anything at short ranges. As I recall in a choked gun, you are looking at 20 inch spread roughly at 20 m, double that for no choke or cylinder bore. Out to 3 meters, there is barely any spread at all, leaving a ragged hole. At these ranges they are much like a rifle in that a miss is a miss. at longer ranges you have a better chance of at least getting some pellets on target if you are perhaps not 100% on the mark. As a fight stopper, not many BG's will keep on coming after having taken a load of lg at 3 m, unless he is armoured.

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    Moderator SSP's Avatar
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    Default Re: The shotgun in home and hearth defence:

    Quote Originally Posted by Bushboy View Post
    As a fight stopper, not many BG's will keep on coming after having taken a load of lg at 3 m, unless he is armoured.
    Its still handheld and thus there is no guarrantee.

    There are recorded cases of guys soaking up loads of 00 buck and slugs and staying in the fight.

    Rules of thumb with shotguns are tricky. You MUST pattern your gun with the ammo you intend to use in it.
    Cattle die, kindred die, every man is mortal:
    But I know one thing that never dies,
    the glory of the great dead.
    Havamal

  6. #6
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    Default Re: The shotgun in home and hearth defence:

    Two things that I have learned and live by when talking shotguns:

    - "Not having to aim” a shotgun is absolutely false. If you're not aiming you are missing, as with any firearm.
    - "If you are not shooting it, you are feeding it." (With reference to Magpull on how to do this correctly ....) With the inherent limited ammo capacity of a shotgun, this becomes a important issue.

    My personal opinion on the questions asked by OP :

    What is the role of the shotgun in home and hearth defence?
    Invaluable role ...IF you know how to use it correctly. If not, go for the simpler to use handgun.

    In which scenarios would a shotgun be the superior weapon?
    Once again IMHO : any scenario where you can use the shotgun proficiently. There is not a lot, if any weapon that we can legally own that comes with the firepower of a 12g shotgun. If I can choose between using a 12g or handgun for SD, the 12g will always win. Unfortunately this is not always a practical choice.

    At what ranges is it used?
    Depends on the ammo and how it performs in you’re gun. Heavy shot (SG/SSG/LG) will travel far and still hit hard. Its important to test various ammo types in your gun at various distances and then make a decision from there as to what you will use and when you will use it.

    Which action type is best?
    Pump. More reliable and just as quick as semi-auto.

    What size target would be a test for proficiency?
    Man sized ! Try for consistent COM hits at various distances to check the practical range of whatever ammo you are deciding on.

    Which shot sizes?
    Check what patterns best with your gun, but nothing too small , i.e. no birdshot for SD. I personally think AAA is also too small, but please read as my opinion only.

    What drills could be used to hone skills, and test readiness?
    Try getting consistent hits from various positions including on the move, practice speed and combat reloads, basically get to know what your gun does at what distance with various loads.

  7. #7
    Moderator Thorkind's Avatar
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    Default Re: The shotgun in home and hearth defence:

    OP: While not a substitute for actual training, buy yourself Magpul's Art of the Dynamic Shotgun. Lots of useful info on the importance of patterning, etc.
    Because a thing seems difficult to you, do not think it impossible for anyone to accomplish - Marcus Aurelius

  8. #8

    Default Re: The shotgun in home and hearth defence:

    Nice thread, and a coupled of valued opinions as well!

    Would a RDS on a shotgun for Home Defense be recommended? I assume a light will also be a must have for a shotgun in this role.

  9. #9
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    Default Re: The shotgun in home and hearth defence:

    Quote Originally Posted by 47 View Post
    Nice thread, and a coupled of valued opinions as well!

    Would a RDS on a shotgun for Home Defense be recommended? I assume a light will also be a must have for a shotgun in this role.
    For home defence you could use the shotty with just about any sighting system. When you start taking longer shots (slugs), something that is adjustable will be nice, but are we still talking home defence then? So, to answer you: it would be nice to have but not need to have.

    A good light is a must for any home defence weapon IMHO.

  10. #10
    Moderator SSP's Avatar
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    Default Re: The shotgun in home and hearth defence:

    Quote Originally Posted by 47 View Post
    I assume a light will also be a must have for a shotgun in this role.
    I am of the view that lights on defensive guns are a must. As are slings. Proper slings, not R50 carrying straps.
    Cattle die, kindred die, every man is mortal:
    But I know one thing that never dies,
    the glory of the great dead.
    Havamal

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