What's an easy way to practice with a shotgun?

[Steelrat]

I've seen some mention of alternating slugs and buck in the magazine, but what kind of choke would work with that?

I'm not sure I would alternate slugs and buck. For a home defense situation, I'd think that buck would be perfectly adequate. It's not like you can't engage a target past 15 yards with the buck, you just have to know that rounds are probably going to go off-target, so you have to know what is behind your target. Avoid it at all costs, but if the choice is shoot outside 15 yards or get killed, you gotta do what you gotta do. Maybe run a side saddle on your stock with some slug in case you need them.

Modified choke works for slug and buck, at least the ones I've seen on the 870s. Not sure how the rifling would affect the buck.

[Spider-TW]

Maybe run a side saddle on your stock with some slug in case you need them.

Modified choke works for slug and buck, at least the ones I've seen on the 870s. Not sure how the rifling would affect the buck.

I've seen the side saddle solution for different ammo also, but it does get back to the choke selection anyway. This is one of my original reasons for looking for practice outside of hunting. I like converting my hunting shotgun to home defense, but I'm not as comfortable with the results of the different barrel and chokes.

Most shot discussion centers around size. I expect steel shot is a poor choice for defense, due to ricochets (and lower density), don't you think?

[Steelrat]

I've seen the side saddle solution for different ammo also, but it does get back to the choke selection anyway. This is one of my original reasons for looking for practice outside of hunting. I like converting my hunting shotgun to home defense, but I'm not as comfortable with the results of the different barrel and chokes.

Most shot discussion centers around size. I expect steel shot is a poor choice for defense, due to ricochets (and lower density), don't you think?

Well, in a perfect world, you'll have a specific home-defense shotgun, something with a shorter barrel, modified choke, and an extended magazine. Maybe a sling and side saddle also.

And I'd rather lead than steel.

[Spider-TW]

Well, in a perfect world, you'll have a specific home-defense shotgun, something with a shorter barrel, modified choke, and an extended magazine. Maybe a sling and side saddle also.

And I'd rather lead than steel.

I make those changes, except for the sling and side saddle, so that I can keep the feel of the gun that I know how to shoot well. But I think for the sake of progression you are correct, which will still require practice. I don't have a dedicated one yet because I prefer my glock and I keep fiddling around with the home defense shotgun idea. I've read the 'Tactical Shotgun' book, but never felt like it would work better.

I'll look into the three gun shoots.

[Steelrat]

Why not just stick with the glock? As long as you are proficient with it, it'll do just as well as a shotgun, except for the psychological intimidation aspect of the shotgun.

[Spider-TW]

Why not just stick with the glock? As long as you are proficient with it, it'll do just as well as a shotgun, except for the psychological intimidation aspect of the shotgun.

I probably will. Shotguns are an interesting proficiency and fun to shoot, but in the end, I like my glocks. I never cared for the slide-rack "announcement". It's pretty easy to tell someone is home at my house, so I don't expect to scare anyone that knowingly breaks in when we are home.