[Nil]

My sole shotgun is a 28" Remington 1100 so it only gets used for clay sports but I'm also looking to pick up a short pump gun sometime soon. I read about some of you putting thousands of rounds through yours but I don't have a clear idea of what I can do with it. It seems like putting round after round of buckshot into a paper target would get a bit, well, boring.

So basically, how do you practice with your self defense shotgun?

[Creature]

I practice by movement through my home using cover and concealment...in the dark. That way I know where the "tight" areas are with my 20" Mossy 590A1.

[Todd A]

Firing from differant positions at milk jugs,paper plates,paper targets etc.. set at random distances.

But my range is my own so I can set it up as I wish.

[MAKster]

Nil, I agree with you that shooting at paper targets with a shotgun is boring. If you are at a commercial range they usually won't let you shoot at other types of objects. The way to get more use out of your shotgun would be to buy a 28" barrel and shoot trap with it. Put the 18" barrel back on when you are using it for home defense.

[sacp81170a]

It seems like putting round after round of buckshot into a paper target would get a bit, well, boring.

All too true. The other things you should be practicing are:

1. Pattern your shotgun with the buckshot load you'll be using. See where it shoots and find out at what distance the pattern becomes so spread out that you're not hitting your target with all the pellets.

2. Practice tactical reloads, i.e., putting more shells in the shotgun when it's empty or topping it off or switching to a slug without looking at the gun and losing observation of the target area. This can be done with dummy rounds without having to go to the range. Most catalogs and many gun stores have 12 ga. snap caps for sale.

3. Practice operating the gun one-handed. In a HD situation, you may need one hand to open a door or you may have one hand disabled due to something you or the BG did.

4. Practice transitioning from your shotgun to a handgun in case you run dry or it malfunctions in a danger zone. It can be quicker and safer to transition to your handgun until you get under cover and resolve the issue.

5. Practice engaging multiple targets, hostage/BG targets, etc. Your experience shooting clays will be a big advantage in this department.

6. Practice "slicing the pie" around corners without exposing yourself or your weapon unnecessarily.

7. Have fun, but train like you fight.

Forgot to mention:

A light on a HD weapon is vital for target ID. There are various descriptions on this forum on low-light tactics, but definitely get a light and practice live fire with it switched on. This will let you know that the light is up to the recoil from a 12 ga. Don't scrimp on the light. Tactical lights from Streamlight, Surefire and others are more expensive, but that's because they're designed to stand up to recoil. Don't put a $9.95 light on from the local box store and expect it to work past the first couple of rounds. I know, I tried it. ;)

[The Deer Hunter]

Shooting clays with it can be just as good as using 00 on the steel plate range, in the fact that the more you use it, the more you get used to it-how it works, how it works for you and it becomes more of "just that gun in the corner". I haven't shot much 00 through my 870, but I know the thing inside out. I do practice reloading it every once in a while though.

[Jeff F]

I second going out and shooting skeet or sporting clays with that short barrel.
I have had a lot of fun with an 870 with an 18 and a 1/2 inch bead site barrel.
one of my other 870s has a 20 inch rifle sited rem choke barrel that I've put a full or extra full choke in and shot round of trap. Some of the looks and comments from some of the hard core clay shooters are classic. One guy said I would never hit 5 clays from the 27 yd line. I broke 19 and had never shot from the 27 before.

[zinj]

As said, clay sports are the best way to get proficient with a shotgun, and the acid test of skill.

Another option if you have a rifle style range is to set up some metallic silhouette targets at varying distances (or more reactive targets, though public ranges and clubs that allow you to shoot stuff like water filled jugs are becoming scarce) and try shooting them with birdshot, buckshot, and slugs.

[GigaBuist]

I asked a similar question a while ago. Dave had some good ideas. I'll see if I can find it.

Got it: http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=293915

[MCgunner]

The only time I shoot my shotguns on paper is to pattern 'em. I kill things with 'em, usually flying things. I know the guns, shoot them fine, don't see that I need to tear up target boards to "learn" how to shoot a shotgun. I figure I KNOW how to shoot a shotgun after nearly 50 years of wing shooting. I practice defense with my handguns and if I have to search my home rather than just barricade in the bedroom and call 911, I'll do it with a handgun. My house is small, too small for a short barrel shotgun to be very handy and, if I have to answer the door, I don't wanna have a shotgun in my hand if the law is there. I've had the law wake me up in the middle of the night to tell me they were pursuing mojados (his words) around my house and to make sure I'm locked up. That would have been embarrassing if I'd opened the door with a shotgun. I had the .38 snub in my pocket. Soon as I saw it was a cop, I had my hands away from my pocket. :D

[ArchAngelCD]

I have also walked through my home at night in the dark with my shotgun (unloaded of course) to see where I can find cover, get a good position to see the access points and not jam the gun. I bought a Mossberg 500 HD/Field Combo so I can play all day shooting clays and put the 18.5" barrel back on for HD. Unfortunately the only real practice would be shooting B-27 targets set up in your home but that would get expensive and I'm sure the neighbors and LEO's would have something to say about it. (unless you live out of town, then it will only be expensive!! LOL)

[CountGlockula]

What about taking a local self-defense shotgun course? Best thing about it is getting professional training.

[another okie]

Also look for 3 gun matches or tactical shotgun matches in your area.

[MCgunner]

Personally, I'd rather take trap and skeet or sporting clays instruction, but that's just me, I guess. Clays are MUCH more fun to shoot with a shotgun and more challenging.