ok, don't mean to sound like I'm trolling, my question is 100% sincere....Why is a shotgun a good close range weapon?
I've used a full choke shotgun with a number 7 target load on 45 gallon drums. At 25 feet, they punch a 2 inch hole into the drum. If you start shooting something like that from the hip, you are going to miss everything, and eventually someone is going to shoot you dead.
I agree that a defender style shotgun with an open choke would have a much wider pattern at 25 feet, but isn't this important to add to a generalized claim that promotes the shotgun for close range?
In my opinion, the typical remington 870 pump is not a good close quarters weapon, and a poor close range weapon unless you chop the barrel down which makes the mere possession of the shotgun ( in Canada) an indictable offense.
Additionally, if I have to hold a firearm to my shoulder OR if I have the time and room to hold a firearm to my shoulder, I really appreciate the advantage of a large clip and many rounds. Large clip and many rounds aren't that practical with a shotgun that will push or kick like an SOB every time you pull the trigger.
When the world went from lead shot to steel shot, I helped my dad fire off about 300 rounds of magnum loaded duck and geese loads( into clay pigeons). That kind of shooting will leave a bruise after the first half hour. It is not for the timid. the more I shot the more I pulled the shotgun into me, and I was the only one that didn't walk away with bruises that day. My point is you have to be kidding me if you think 00 shot or slugs are a serious load, and some of the target shots won't have penetration. I'd rather have a .22lr or a .223 with high capacity magazines.
Now some of you guys have a ton of experience on this matter, and I don't have any.....so I rest my case, and brace myself for a bruising
