About This Quiz
These famous firearms have been used for centuries all over the world. How much do you know about shotguns?A 12-gauge shell contains 1/12 of a pound of lead, thus the naming convention.
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That enormous force is useful for both hunting and self-defense.
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This is the smallest version of a common shotgun shell that you can buy.
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Yet they deliver about 75 percent of the lead load of a 12-gauge shell, making 20-gauges powerful but easier on your body.
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These bigger shells don't add much value for performance … but they will increase recoil (and pain).
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The wad keeps the gunpowder at the base of the shell, where the primer can ignite it.
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A tighter pattern is often more effective, particularly for more distant targets.
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The best shotguns create a uniform shot pattern at this range.
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The less-lethal loads pack a horrible sting but are less likely to kill people.
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These huge pellets are about as big as shotgun pellets get.
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It is a lot of large lead to throw at any target.
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They are oriented so that the shot converges at a point about 40 yards in front of the muzzle.
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Shot size is not relevant. What matters is weight and velocity.
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The higher the trigger pull weight, the harder it is to fire a shot.
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The base is mostly for traditional looks; all-plastic shells don't require those bases.
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These are like fireworks for your shotgun and must be used in locations with low possibility of wildfire.
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The tighter pattern is best for knocking down a large bird like a turkey.
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The shorter barrel means much less accuracy, particularly because the choke is near the end of the barrel.
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Without the rifling, the slugs would be far less accurate.
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These shotguns, although lighter than 12-gauges, have a high level of stopping power.
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Especially in areas where there are a lot of people, the shorter range can prevent accidental shootings and save lives.
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The shorter barrel is easier and faster to swing around in a frantic and cramped scenario.
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10-gauge versions are less common because they are heavier and more unwieldly, but they also pack a huge punch.
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A side-by-side or over-under can carry one shell for each barrel.
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These large, heavy loads are meant for bigger targets, such as deer or coyotes.
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Magnum shells typically throw shot at the same speed as a regular shell.
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They don't hit a target with more energy but they do have more shot, and as a result, they have better pattern density.
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Some special slugs even have their own rifling right on the slug to make them more accurate.
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The bigger, heavier shot travels farther and goes straighter.
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The velocity is virtually the same; it's just that the payload from a 20-gauge is lighter.
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