The Ultimate Shotguns Quiz

Estimated Completion Time
3 min
The Ultimate Shotguns Quiz
Image: Scharfsinn86/Thinkstock

About This Quiz

These famous firearms have been used for centuries all over the world. How much do you know about shotguns?
What contemporary shotgun gauge is the most popular?
8 gauge
12 gauge
20 gauge
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A 12-gauge shell contains 1/12 of a pound of lead, thus the naming convention.

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A 12-gauge load delivers roughly the same energy as how many rounds from a .45 automatic Colt pistol?
about two rounds
about three rounds
about four rounds
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

That enormous force is useful for both hunting and self-defense.

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Expressed as gauge, the .410 bore shotgun is what size?
67 gauge
43 gauge
32 gauge
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This is the smallest version of a common shotgun shell that you can buy.

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Compared with a 12-gauge shotgun, how much LESS recoil does a 20-gauge have?
20 percent less recoil
45 percent less recoil
60 percent less recoil
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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Compared to 3-inch shells, how much benefit do 3.5-inch shells offer in terms of performance benefit?
A 3.5-inch shell will give you significantly longer range.
A 3.5-inch shell lets you pack in more lead shot when you reload your own shells.
A 3.5-inch shell will give you bigger bruises.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These bigger shells don't add much value for performance … but they will increase recoil (and pain).

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What is the purpose of the wad inside a shotgun shell?
to improve accuracy
to keep the powder in place
to absorb recoil
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The wad keeps the gunpowder at the base of the shell, where the primer can ignite it.

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A tighter choke has what effect on a shotgun's pellet pattern?
gives the pattern more velocity
makes it sparser
makes it denser
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A tighter pattern is often more effective, particularly for more distant targets.

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At which range is a shotgun's pattern typically measured?
about 15 to 20 yards
about 30 to 40 yards
about 50 to 60 yards
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The best shotguns create a uniform shot pattern at this range.

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For what purpose are "bean bag" shotgun shells used?
riot control
bird hunting
children's parties
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The less-lethal loads pack a horrible sting but are less likely to kill people.

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What is the diameter of a No. 000 buckshot pellet?
7.5 mm
9.14 mm
12.2 mm
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These huge pellets are about as big as shotgun pellets get.

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A 2.5-ounce shell with No. 000 buckshot might contain about how many pellets?
15
7
4
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It is a lot of large lead to throw at any target.

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The barrels on double-barreled shotguns are perfectly parallel to each other.
TRUE
FALSE
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

They are oriented so that the shot converges at a point about 40 yards in front of the muzzle.

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Smaller shot more easily penetrates a target.
TRUE
FALSE
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Shot size is not relevant. What matters is weight and velocity.

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What is the average trigger pull weight of a modern shotgun?
3 pounds
9 pounds
12 pounds
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The higher the trigger pull weight, the harder it is to fire a shot.

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What is the purpose of brass bases on contemporary shotgun shells?
to ensure the gunpowder's force goes in the correct direction
to prevent excessive recoil
It's mostly decorative.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The base is mostly for traditional looks; all-plastic shells don't require those bases.

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What's the primary characteristic of a "dragon's breath" shotgun shell?
They have ultra-high velocity.
They set close-quarters military targets on fire.
They just shoot sparks.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are like fireworks for your shotgun and must be used in locations with low possibility of wildfire.

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When you're hunting turkeys, you're most likely to use which choke?
full choke
improved cylinder
modified
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The tighter pattern is best for knocking down a large bird like a turkey.

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What is a major drawback to sawed-off shotguns?
They are illegal.
They have low accuracy.
They sometimes explode.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The shorter barrel means much less accuracy, particularly because the choke is near the end of the barrel.

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Rifled shotguns are used to shoot which kinds of loads?
bird pellets
buckshot
slugs
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Without the rifling, the slugs would be far less accurate.

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Compared to a .44 Magnum handgun, how much power does a 20-gauge shotgun have?
twice the power
half the power
about a quarter of the power
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These shotguns, although lighter than 12-gauges, have a high level of stopping power.

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Why are slugs or buckshot required in many localities that don't allow rifles?
Slugs and buckshot have more hitting power.
Slugs and buckshot have a much shorter range.
Slugs and buckshot aren't very dangerous.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Especially in areas where there are a lot of people, the shorter range can prevent accidental shootings and save lives.

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What is a primary purpose of a sawed-off shotgun?
close-quarters fighting
bear hunting
mostly intimidation
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The shorter barrel is easier and faster to swing around in a frantic and cramped scenario.

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A 10-gauge shotgun is more powerful than a 20-gauge shotgun.
TRUE
FALSE
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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 "break-open" shotgun can generally hold a maximum of how many shells?
one
two
three
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A side-by-side or over-under can carry one shell for each barrel.

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Buckshot would be best for hunting which animal?
deer
pheasant
rabbit
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These large, heavy loads are meant for bigger targets, such as deer or coyotes.

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The velocity of magnum shells is greater than that of normal shells.
TRUE
FALSE
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Magnum shells typically throw shot at the same speed as a regular shell.

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What is the primary advantage of a magnum shell?
They use better gunpowder.
They contain more pellets.
They use heavier shot.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

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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You can shoot slugs through a regular smoothbore shotgun.
TRUE
FALSE
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Some special slugs even have their own rifling right on the slug to make them more accurate.

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If you're taking a long shot at a heavily-feathered game bird, you'll mostly likely to use shells with which shot size?
No. 4
No. 7
No. 10
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The bigger, heavier shot travels farther and goes straighter.

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Pellets from a 20-gauge shotgun decelerate more quickly than those fired from a 12-gauge.
TRUE
FALSE
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The velocity is virtually the same; it's just that the payload from a 20-gauge is lighter.

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You Got:
/30
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