How to Pick Shotgun Ammo

Picking shotgun ammo is a simple task. Deciding what animal will be hunted is the primary determinant of differing ammo caliber and power. Black powder was the common source of power for ammunition for several hundred years. The incorporation of shot and powder into one casing was a breakthrough for hunters. Today there are many suppliers and retail outlets that sell many varieties of shotgun ammo.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Determine the game that will be hunted. Birdshot is a common type of foul-hunting shotgun ammo. These shells typically hold a larger amount of pellets to produce a wider area field of dispersion over greater distances.
2. Decide what type of shotgun will be used. Shotguns come in various gauges such as 12 and 20-gauges. This number indicates the size of the ammo and barrel size for that weapon.
3. Narrow down what type of choke will be used on the shotgun. A choke is a device that constricts the shotgun barrel, allowing the fired ammo to pass through the device and form particular shot patterns. This is useful when hunting multiple types of game at varying distances.
4. Choose shotgun ammo for target practice or clay pigeon shooting. The ammo used for this sport is typically a small birdshot or rabbit shot. A number seven or eight shot is preferred for this type of skeet shooting.
5. Look into using specialty loads of ammo for the shotgun if hunting larger game, such as deer or wild boar. To take these animals with a shotgun, use slug type ammo.

Tips & Warnings

• Discover differing types of shotgun ammo for the task at hand. There are now shotgun shells loaded with flavor pellets that enter the animal and season the meat from the inside out.
• There are now non-lethal rounds of ammo for the shotgun. Police and law enforcement use less-than-lethal ammunition to provide an alternative to steel shot. But all ammo can be lethal.
• Handle ammo with extreme caution.