[NIGHTWATCH]

No, not WHITE CASTLE cheesburgers. ;) What is it that you love most about your shotgun, or being a shotgunner?

For me it is the look. A shotgun tends to be very intimidating. Especially if its set up for combat. :D Next, which is most imortant, its load diversity. Its the most versatile weapon available to man.


I think I would like a rifle someday, but I will always love my shotgun. :cool:

[Dave McCracken]

Looks? Nah, I could shoot with a flaming pink and lavender shotgun and be just as dangerous.

Lessee....

It could be the fact that it's the most effective close range weapon that can be operated solo.

It could be that with proper ammo, it's effective on every sort of critter from landfill rats to bison.

It could be the astounding amount of energy it dumps into a target.

It could be that,short of combat, most uses of a shotgun are fun.

It could be, to paraphrase an oldtimer from long ago...

" A man with a shotgun has no reason to be hungry and less reason to be skeered"....

[TrapperReady]

I like the fact that I can reliably hit and kill tasty things that are on the move. Being able to hit birds that are checking out at warp speed is pretty darned cool, and shotguns are the right tool for that job.

I also like the reactive nature of clay targets. They are far more interesting than punching holes in paper (although that's fun too).

The variety is also nice. Not only are there many different types of actions (pump, auto, O/U, SxS, single-shot), there are a number of gauges. In the words of cereal toy commercials "You can collect the whole bunch!".

[HSMITH]

I like the fact that there is nothing alive that will not fall to my shotgun if I do my part. I like the fact that I can hit targets the size of a baseball that will not fly straight for more than 20 feet at over 50 MPH and 40 yards away. I can do any of this with the same gun, just switch ammo. The 3/4" hole in the end of it does make one sort of glad it is pointed the other way too. Shotguns do LOTS very well, more so than any other type of handheld arm.

[NIGHTWATCH]

HSMITH: "There is nothing alive that will not fall to my shotgun."




Well said. :evil:

[Soap]

That I can hit flying animals with it...other than that, give me a rifle! Sorry guys! :uhoh:

[PJR]

What is it that you love most about your shotgun, or being a shotgunner?
Which shotgun? I love the dynamics of my main target gun, the tastefully grained oil-finished walnut stock, the deep blueing, crisp triggers. I love what is now my backup clay gun because I bought it at a time when I was counting every penny. For the longest time it was my only gun and I have shot everything with it from skeet to trap to pheasants to ducks.

My upland game gun is loved because it is my gun -- custom ordered in Spain, fitted to me and there isn't another one like it in the whole world.

I love my pump gun (an 870 Wingmaster of course). It's well worn in now after years in pursuit of deer and, with a longer barrel, geese and ducks. If something goes bump in the night it's a certain comfort to know it's nearby.

What do I love being a shotgunner? Clay target shooting is the only activity during which I forget all the troubles of the day. It's my escape. I love the independence of being a shotgunner. I don't need to hunt to eat but I know that if need be I can feed my family. I think about that every time I shoot live game.

But the question was what I love MOST. It's the people I've met, around the world, when I've had a shotgun in my hand. It's the toughly fought competition on the clays course only to laugh at ourselves over beers afterwards. It's the majesty of a fall morning chasing grouse or pheasant with good friends. That's what I love most.

Paul

[Smoke]

I'll second every thing Dave said,

Plus shooting a rifle is a science. Shooting a shotgun is an ART!

It's also my most effective weapon. I've spent more time with a shotgun than most any other type of firearm. It just speaks to me. It's the only weapon I have ever pointed at a another human and pulled the trigger on a live round. (Closely controlled demonstration with bean bag round) Quite the experience.

Smoke

http://www.powderhornedge.com/images/smoke_1s.jpg

[NIGHTWATCH]

PJR: Your words in the latter part of your post were very eloquent. I almost felt like I was with you on that fall morning with your friends. :)

Smoke: " It just speaks to me".

Well said buddy. ;)

[riverdog]

A couple weeks ago I shot a much improved round of Skeet with a shooting partner's Browning O/U -- at that point I craved one for myself, so I broke a piggy bank and bought one; it's nice,

That craving satiated, my current craving is to make my 870 fit as well as the Browning; so I ordered a new stock which is oversized and unfinished, which I will fit and finish. It'll be a good project and I should end up with a shotgun that looks good and fits perfectly, unlike some of the competition stocks with all those spacers that look like ****. Aesthetics are important, "Life's too short to shoot an ugly gun".
----------------------------------

Edit: After rereading the initial post, the question seems to be what do I love about shotguns/shotgunning, rather than what do I crave. Love is too strong an emotion for me to use regarding any firearm or shooting in general.

That said: I really like the reliability of my Rem 870 Wingmaster Magnum with any load I choose to use and the fact that I just can't seem to break it -- reliability, versatility and durability all in one aesthetically pleasing package.

I also really like the reliability, fit and natural pointability of my new Browning O/U. It's a really good feeling and also aethetically pleasing. Now all I need to do is to improve my follow-through (stop stopping my swing) and start hitting more birds.

[Still Learning]

I spend a ton of money on training with my handguns but when the dogs are giving their "There's something out here that shouldn't be" alarm, my 1911 is on my side but a loaded shotgun is in my hands when I go out the door.

Like PJR, I find my Beretta O/U enhances my upland bird hunting in a way I can't quite describe.

Dang I wish the gunsmith would hurry up with my 870!! I wanna shoot it!:cool: