Vintage Video: Shotguns Video Lecture | Hunter Education: Becoming an Expert Hunter - Hobbies

shotgun sizes are given and gauges gauge
measurement actually came from an old
formula gauge was determined by the
number of lead balls of just four
diameter that can be cast from a pound
of lead today however shotgun sizes are
measured in bore diameter the common
gauge sizes are 10 12 16 20 28 and 410
the 410 is not actually a gauge but a
caliber measurement like rifles and
handguns shotguns of the same bore can
be chambered for different shells the
chamberings refer to the length of shell
the chamber is designed for and includes
two and a half two and three-quarter
three and three and a half inch lengths
gauge and chambering are usually
engraved on the side of shotgun barrels
although some shot shells are color
coded for a gauge always be sure to
match the proper shot shell size and
length with the shotgun gauge and
chamber size inscribed on the barrel
each gauge of shotgun shoots only the
shells of the same gauge 12-gauge shells
are only used in 12-gauge shotguns never
mix ammunition of different gauges
shells from a smaller gauge can become
lodged in the chamber if miss loaded
into a larger shotgun this can cause a
very serious situation if the shotgun is
loaded and fired
the action of shotguns are similar to
rifles the classic shotgun is the break
action also referred to as the breach or
hinge action
most are double-barreled but some come
with a single barrel double-barreled
shotguns come in two styles over and
under or side-by-side
their safeties are usually on top near
the breech release with an easy access
of the thumb there is also usually a
selector switch that allows you to
choose which barrel fires first the
actions of semi-automatic shotguns is
similar to those in rifles the load
first make sure the safety is on place
the safety from fire to safe place a
shell in the receiver and press the
action release the action release is
located either on the side or under the
side of the action usually near the
trigger guard additional shells can now
be loaded into the magazine
the main difference between the pump and
the semi-automatic is the action of the
pump must be manually operated pumps are
similar to semi automatics in design
they have tubular magazines and safeties
usually near the trigger guard the
action or bolt release on many pumps is
typically located near the trigger guard
remember to hunt migratory birds
shotguns with magazines must have a
three shot plug inserted in the magazine
this restricts the shotguns total
capacity to three shells most shotguns
has some sort of choke which determines
the spread or pattern of the column of
shot after it leaves the barrel there
are varying degrees of choke cylinder
choke is really no choke at all and
produces a very wide pattern and
improves cylinder for example constricts
the pattern a little more and the
modified choke tightens it even more
choke such as full choke and super full
choke keep the pattern the tightest some
shotguns have interchangeable barrels in
different chokes
and some others have interchangeable
choke inserts that screw into the end of
the barrel shooters can then tailor
their choke to the type of shooting they
engage in owning firearms is a rite that
Americans cherish however is more than a
right it is a privilege responsible
firearm owners are the best insurance
that this legacy will continue
the first step and responsible gun
handling is the fundamental knowledge of
the operation and features of your
firearms for more information on hunter
education call toll free and texas one
eight hundred seven nine two one one one
two or dial direct at five one two three
eight nine four nine nine nine this has
been a presentation of the Texas Parks &
Wildlife Department