In the previous article we talked about how to choose rifled carbines, and now let's talk about calibers for rifled weapons. What are they and their features. The choice of caliber depends on what goals you are pursuing - that is, the object of hunting, the method of hunting and the distance to the target. The types of weapons permitted on the territory of the Russian Federation are regulated by the Federal Law “On Hunting and the Conservation of Hunting Resources and on Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation” dated July 24, 2009 N 209-FZ. Be sure to study it so you know for sure which weapon you can use to hunt which animal. Also, pay attention to the demand for cartridges of the selected caliber. If you settle on not very popular ammunition, you may have problems with the purchase and you will have to constantly monitor your supplies.
Calibers are measured in mm or inches, depending on the country in which they are produced.
Tactical shotgun for home defense. Part 1: Weapon characteristics and ammunition options
I have a whole safe at home filled with high-quality and expensive shotguns, pistols and rifles. But there is another shotgun... a tactical shotgun that I keep next to my bed.
Unexpected cache
The content of the article
Why do I need a shotgun?
Of course, for protection! Each pull of the trigger gives the maximum shot power that is generally possible for a weapon of this type.
When it comes to home defense, we all want the most effective weapon possible. Our family, our lives and our property deserve this protection.
Mossberg 590A1
However, this is not the only reason why a shotgun is used for home defense. In this article we will tell you what a tactical shotgun is, what its strengths and weaknesses are, and how to deal with the latter. And, of course, our favorite - we will look at the best shotguns in different price categories.
What is a tactical shotgun?
How does a tactical shotgun differ from a hunting shotgun?
Hunting double-barreled shotgun
There are several features that a tactical shotgun has:
Barrel length from 18-20 inches
The barrel length of 18-20 inches makes the weapon short and maneuverable for use inside buildings or even in vehicles. If you carry an 18-inch gun, it won't require a tax stamp or even federal registration.
Pump or semi-automatic
Shotguns come in many varieties: pump-action, semi-automatic, lever-action, single-shot, with one, two or even three barrels. Of all this variety, only pump-action and semi-automatic shotguns are ideal for home defense. They are the fastest types of shotguns.
3. Sight
Typically, a shotgun only has a small front sight at the end of the barrel, which acts as a sight. This is fine for most shotgun applications, but if you want to get the most out of your weapon, invest in a good scope (maybe even a red dot sight from Aimpoint, Trijicon, or others).
Sling swivels
A gun belt will make working with a shotgun easier. It will keep the weapon on your body while your hands are occupied with something important. The belt will also prevent an attacker from taking the shotgun from you.
12 or 20 gauge
12 gauge is the most common combat shotgun gauge, especially when it comes to semi-automatics. This caliber is also one of the most powerful options. It makes the weapon look larger and heavier, and has increased recoil. The 20th caliber is more shooter-friendly, and its power is also great.
12 gauge cartridge holder
Store capacity is no less than 4+1
Many shotguns are limited in magazine capacity. 4+1 (4 in the magazine, 1 in the chamber) is used very often, but options with a 7+1 capacity will give you a better chance in combat and are therefore preferable.
7. Butt
It is impossible to imagine a combat shotgun without a stock. Pistol grip options look cool and are even useful in many situations. However, a stock that rests on your shoulder will make the shotgun easier to handle and will help you shoot it more accurately and comfortably.
What can a tactical shotgun do?
Why is a shotgun so effective?
Well, first of all, it is multifaceted. There are many types of ammo that I can use when shooting a shotgun. With a variety of cartridges, I can take on anything from the smallest pests, like possums, to two-legged “pests,” and even things the size of bears.
Types of Shotgun Ammo
There are three main types:
Fraction
Shot cartridges are filled with small pellets, the number of which varies from tens to hundreds, depending on the cartridge itself. This type of cartridge is used for hunting game and small animals, and shooting at clay pigeons. This is not the most effective way to protect your home.
12 gauge shot
Buckshot
Cartridges with larger pellet diameters. Typically, buckshot ranges in size from 0.24 (#4 buckshot) to 0.36 inches (000 buckshot). The number of pellets varies from cartridge to cartridge, and depends on the caliber. The buckshot cartridge is ideal for medium-range and tactical use. The most commonly used buckshot is 00 gauge.
And here is the most popular 00 buckshot from Paracles Tech
Bullet
Solid bullets, often quite large, heavy and powerful. They allow you to increase your effective firing range.
12 gauge bullet cartridge
Things to remember
The main purpose of a tactical shotgun is to end a threat. Therefore, you need to charge it while thinking about it.
When we start talking about using a shotgun defensively, we will focus primarily on buckshot and slugs. Inside the house, buckshot is the best choice. If you keep a shotgun in your car, you can take a few pellets for use in long-range encounters.
Shotgun ammo is incredibly common. You have a wide selection of buckshot and bullets to protect your home. Typically every major ammo company has a line of defensive ammo.
Shotgun ammo seems quite expensive. I can buy a 9mm cartridge for as little as 16 cents per bullet if I look hard enough. Shotgun cartridges, good ones of course, are very expensive when compared with cartridges for other weapons. But they are also more effective.
Ranking of ammunition by price
My favorite Federal FliteControl 00 Buckshot costs about $1 (even a little more) per cartridge. This is my choice of self-defense ammo. I can buy cheap buckshot like Nobel for practice. Such ammunition will cost about 60 cents per round.
I practice a lot with fractions. I use these cartridges especially for reloading training and weapon handling. Practice shot can cost me 25 cents a round.
If we talk about heavy bullets for self-defense, then my choice is the Winchester PDX Defender segmenting bullets. Each cartridge like this costs me about $1.50. Some simpler hunting bullets cost about 86 cents each.
In a home defense situation, you will be involved in close combat where the enemy is moving very quickly and in a highly chaotic manner. In such a situation, you would like to end the fight as quickly as possible. Let's face it, the last thing you want is a lengthy shootout in your home.
The shotgun allows you to quickly end an armed conflict, and it is excellent in close combat.
Expensive shotgun options
A high quality shotgun can cost about the same as a good rifle. A quick search reveals that the Daniel Defense AR-15, for example, is priced at $1,700.
DDM4A1
Meanwhile, the Benelli M4 also costs $1,700. Both of these guns represent the best of the best when it comes to design and build quality.
On the other hand, the cheapest carbine I can currently find is the DPMS Oracle. It can be purchased for just $599.99. However, you can find the Maverick 88 from Mossberg for $220.
Universal Maverick 88
In the next part of the article, we will look at the six best offers on the market in the field of tactical shotguns, and compare two “top” shotguns - the legendary Mossberg 500 and Remington 870 .
Original article: 6 Best Home-Defense Tactical Shotguns [2019]
