Shotguns

The NRA Competitions Division recently announced four bits of news important to shooters:

Twenty-gauge high-performance lead loads can often outperform their commonly used 12-gauge counterparts-this has been shown vividly again and again. The most relevant example at hand is a load for wild pheasants. Often, the 12-gauge load selected happens to be the cheapest load available at the time, too often a promotional load with various sketches of birdies on the box. It will fall into the category of a 1.25-ounce 1330-fps load at an attractive price. Though the consumer might be told it is "ideal" for pheasants, things dont always work as described or as promised-one of the reasons for this publication.[IMGCAP(1)]Used with quality loads, such as 1-5/16 ounce Winchester Supreme STH2035 shotshells or the Federal PFC258 3-inch shells, we recently proved once again that 20-gauge autoloaders like the guns tested below can produce patterns not just the equal of common 12-gauge loads, but verifiably superior.In this shoot-off, we looked at three familiar names associated with gas-operated shotguns: Beretta, Browning, and Remington-to see what their blued-steel-and-walnut editions have to offer todays shotgunning enthusiasts. Our specific test products were the Beretta AL 391 Urika 2 Gold No. J39TB26 3-inch 20 Gauge, $1550; Browning Silver Hunter Twenty No. 011350605, $1079; and the Remington 1100 Premier Sporting Twenty No. 82846, $1385.Our test ammunition included both 7/8 oz. Estate loads and Winchester Super-X Heavy Game Loads No. XU20H7 with 1 ounce of No. 7 1/2 shot-what we use as an everyday dove load along with Fiocchi 20HV75 shells. We also patterned with Federal Mag-Shok high-velocity lead 3-inch 1-5/16 ounce No. 5 shot (No. PFC258) and Winchester Supreme 1-5/16 ounce 3-inch shells with No. 5 shot (No. STH2035). We shot our patterns at 40 yards, the patterning all shot from bag and cradle. We also fired the guns extensively at the range and in the field to record what we liked and didnt like about the guns. Heres what we learned:

For home defense, the focus is usually on 12-gauge shotguns, but we recently tested two 20 gauges that for many—if not all—folks would be better choices because of their lighter weight and reduced recoil. One of our test products was the Mossberg 500 Persuader/Cruiser 3-Inch 20 Gauge 6-shot No. 50452, $388. In their commercial form, the Persuaders are virtual duplicates of the Mossberg military 500 and 590 models. Persuader shotguns are available in both 18.5-inch and 20-inch barrel lengths, traditional blued or non-glare matte finishes, and some come with Ghost Ring sights. Available in .410 bore, 20- and 12-gauge models, Mossberg Special Purpose shotguns feature an anti-jam elevator, dual extractors, black synthetic stocks, and drilled and tapped receivers (20 and 12 gauge only) for scope base and optics installation. The Persuader/Cruiser models come with standard stocks, but also include a Cruiser-style pistol grip kit, which we didn't use in our testing.

One of the major reasons hunters choose a 20 gauge over a 12 gauge is the former's smaller frame, weight, and recoil. Though they may already own a 12, many field sportsmen wind up reaching for their 20s because the smaller gun is just easier to handle, and there are just a few hunting situations—layback goose hunting and spring turkey hunting, to name two—in which the bigger payload might make a difference.

We recently tested a trio of autoloaders in 20 gauge that offer quite a savings in physical form over their bigger stablemates. Our 3-inch-chamber 20 gauges were the Browning Silver Mossy Oak Duck Blind No. 011366604, $1,064; Mossberg SA-20 No. 75771, $496; and the Remington 11-87 Sportsman No. 29825, $757. The Remington and Mossberg guns have black synthetic finishes, but the Silver 20 is only available in wood-and-blued and camo treatments. Since the stock underneath the Mossy Oak is composite, we opted for it rather than the wood finish.

In two cases, our test guns are the sub-gauge siblings of well-known 12s. The Remington Sportsman line has two 12s and three 20s. The 12s come in 26- and 28-inch barrels and weigh 8.1 pounds and 8.25 pounds respectively, compared to the weight of our test 28-inch-barrel gun, about a full pound lighter. The 28-inch 12-gauge Browning Silver, which is chambered for 3.5-inch shells rather than 3-inch shells like the 20, weighs in at 7.6. Our test Silver 20 was likewise a full pound lighter. The Mossberg is a new-for-2008 line for that company, so the SA-20 designation names just a single chambering, as you might expect. However, comparable guns in the 930 autoloader line, which are chambered only for 12 gauge, weigh 7.75 pounds to the SA-20's feathery 6.0 pounds.

ROCHESTER, NY – American Tactical Imports Inc. has introduced the first-ever 410 caliber semiautomatic shotgun. The T14 is a smooth bore, open choke 410 shotgun based on the AR15 rifle.

WASHINGTON, D.C.–The Brady Campaign has released its annual state scorecards, which the group claims 'rate each state on the strength of its gun laws.'

Turkey hunting in most areas of the country is a sport that is heavy on stalking, concealment and calling to bring the big toms into effective scattergun range. All of that work can be for nothing if the shooting tool brought into play does not produce a killing pattern with the first shot or cannot provide a rapid, effective follow-up shot.Testing a semiautomatic against a pump-action provided us with an interesting opportunity to see if there was a difference in ability to take a quick follow-up shot on a wounded turkey. In our timed tests with two targets attempted with two quick shots, we found there was virtually no difference in the follow-up shooting sequence. However, as noted in the individual reviews of each shotgun, we did find a difference in patterning performance.As preliminary requirements for our turkey gun test, both shotguns had to be decked out in camouflage; both had to handle 3-inch shells; and both barrels had to accept screw-in chokes-a handy accessory for helping produce the best killing shot at normal turkey-hunting ranges.We found a good match on the used gun rack at Durys Gun Shop in San Antonio, www.durysguns.com, with an older model Remington 11-87 semiautomatic and a fairly new version of the Browning BPS pump-action. Both shotguns also featured 26-inch barrels, which seem to be favored by turkey hunters who, in some situations, have to deal with close-quarter shooting conditions.Another appreciated feature on both shotguns was sling attachments that permitted the installation of a carrying strap. Being able to carry the shotguns-heavier than typical scatterguns used for field work-with a sling over a shoulder would be a welcome benefit for a turkey hunter taking a long hike to an ambush site for big toms.For the patterning tests, our ammunition included Remington Nitro Turkey 3-inch loads with 1 7/8 ounces of No. 4 lead shot and an average muzzle velocity of 1,210 fps; and Federal Premium Mag-Shok 3-inch loads with 2 ounces of No. 4 copper-plated shot and an average muzzle velocity of 1,300 fps. We also spent some familiarization time with the two shotguns at a five-stand course shooting Remington Premier STS Light Target 2.75-inch loads with 1 1/8 ounces of No. 8 shot and an average muzzle velocity of 1,145 fps. The patterning and handling performance are covered in the individual reviews of each shotgun.Heres our test report:

Turkey hunting in most areas of the country is a sport that is heavy on stalking, concealment and calling to bring the big toms into effective scattergun range. All of that work can be for nothing if the shooting tool brought into play does not produce a killing pattern with the first shot or cannot provide a rapid, effective follow-up shot.Testing a semiautomatic against a pump-action provided us with an interesting opportunity to see if there was a difference in ability to take a quick follow-up shot on a wounded turkey. In our timed tests with two targets attempted with two quick shots, we found there was virtually no difference in the follow-up shooting sequence. However, as noted in the individual reviews of each shotgun, we did find a difference in patterning performance.As preliminary requirements for our turkey gun test, both shotguns had to be decked out in camouflage; both had to handle 3-inch shells; and both barrels had to accept screw-in chokes-a handy accessory for helping produce the best killing shot at normal turkey-hunting ranges.We found a good match on the used gun rack at Durys Gun Shop in San Antonio, www.durysguns.com, with an older model Remington 11-87 semiautomatic and a fairly new version of the Browning BPS pump-action. Both shotguns also featured 26-inch barrels, which seem to be favored by turkey hunters who, in some situations, have to deal with close-quarter shooting conditions.Another appreciated feature on both shotguns was sling attachments that permitted the installation of a carrying strap. Being able to carry the shotguns-heavier than typical scatterguns used for field work-with a sling over a shoulder would be a welcome benefit for a turkey hunter taking a long hike to an ambush site for big toms.For the patterning tests, our ammunition included Remington Nitro Turkey 3-inch loads with 1 7/8 ounces of No. 4 lead shot and an average muzzle velocity of 1,210 fps; and Federal Premium Mag-Shok 3-inch loads with 2 ounces of No. 4 copper-plated shot and an average muzzle velocity of 1,300 fps. We also spent some familiarization time with the two shotguns at a five-stand course shooting Remington Premier STS Light Target 2.75-inch loads with 1 1/8 ounces of No. 8 shot and an average muzzle velocity of 1,145 fps. The patterning and handling performance are covered in the individual reviews of each shotgun.Heres our test report:

North Haven, CT, Dec. 22, 2008—Mossberg is the manufacturer of the only 12 gauge pump action shotgun ever to pass the stringent U.S. Military Mil-Spec 3443 standard. For 2009 Mossberg will make available select 590A1 models to the general public. All models will come standard with heavy-walled barrels, metal trigger guards and safety buttons in a Parkerized finish. A full range of sighting options will be available in front bead, ghost ring rear or 3-dot configurations.…

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (November 20, 2008) — USA Shooting has officially announced the induction of Ruby Fox and Daniel Carlisle into the U.S. International Shooting Hall of Fame for 2008.

Seasoned bird hunters are often more interested in savoring quality time in the field than in trying to crush targets with big guns and big shells. Many are turning to sub-gauge offerings such as the tiny .410 to help them relive the memory of what might have been their first shotgun experience.Unfortunately for some shooters, that first experience may not have been as encouraging as it could have been. While a .410 has less recoil and is easier for a young, slightly-built shooter to handle, they are not the best choice for a new and inexperienced shooter.The main problem is with the pellets. A standard .410-bore 2.5-inch shell with one-half ounce of No. 8 shot will contain about 164 pellets, compared with about 410 pellets in a standard 12 gauge 2.75-inch shell with 1 ounce of No. 8 shot. Increase the shot size to No. 6 shot - an effective dove load in a .410 - and the shot differential is about 155 pellets in a .410 3-inch shell with 11/16 ounces of shot, compared to about 281 pellets in a 12 gauge 2.75-inch shell with 1.25 ounces of shot.Less shot means more potential target-missing holes in a pattern and requires a shooter to be really centered on a clay or bird to produce consistent hits. Veteran shooters with years of shotgun experience are just more suited for making sure they put a .410 on target than a novice taking his or her first shots with a scattergun.The other factor favoring the tiny poppers is that veteran shooters are often interested in upgrading their "toys" and are looking for high-quality, easy-shooting fine firearms for their seasoned shooting experiences.Both of the shotguns in this match fall within the parameters of quality shooting tools where the owner is not opposed to spending a few more dollars to satisfy "big boy toy" needs. The two test shotguns we put to field and target use were the Padrone Snipe Model that retails for about $6,795 and the Browning Superposed Lightning Model available in the used shotgun racks for about $4,500. These two firearms probably would not be the choice for a bargain shotgun shopper, but both have good followings of owners who have a taste for a little finer wing-shooting experience.We liked the looks and feel of both the test guns - not too fancy and yet far from plain - and enjoyed our shooting experiences both on the range and in the field. Our ratio of shots to hits was nearly identical to fellow field shooters using massive 12 gauge shotguns in their attempts to knock down darting doves, so we have no complaints about the effectiveness of the two sub gauges.For our target range time, we selected Winchester AA Super Sport Sporting Clays 2.5-inch loads with one-half ounce of No. 8 shot that produced an average muzzle velocity of 1,300 fps. Field loads for our test were Federal Hi-Power 3-inch loads with 11/16 ounces of No. 6 shot that produced an average muzzle velocity of 1,135 fps.Recoil with both loads was negligible, as expected, and there were no malfunctions with either shotgun with any of the test ammunition. Patterning performance with both loads and both barrels of each shotgun was a surprise, as noted in the individual assessments of the shotguns.Heres our test report:

MOLINE, Ill. — The Rock Island Auction Company has announced the firearms and estate of Wilbur Henry Hoffeld will be auctioned on December 6, 7, and 8, 2008 here. Proceeds from a portion of this auction will benefit the NRA Foundation. The auction will include more than 1,000 Colts, 8 Patersons, 2 Walkers, more than 350 Colt Percussions, more than 80 Colt Brevetes, more than 100 Colt First Generation Single Actions, dozens of 1877s and 78s, more than 300 Winchesters, 5 Henry Rifles, Civil War items, and more.