Shotgun Uses

[crackerman]

You b*stards! I'm on my way to Big5 now for their Mossy combo (before it creeps up any higher in price!)

See what you've done?

Only our job

[Lead Waster]

Oops, didn't pick one up today, I accidentally bought a used Ruger 22/45 while I was DROSing a RIA 1911 TAC.

Maybe Big5 tomorrow then ... I swear, no guns for a while. The BATF will enjoy seeing my 3 gun purchases this week.

[renardsubtil]

Hah! San Ramon...besides car theft and the occasional meth lab busted in the million dollar homes in the hills, nothing goes on there for sure....

Here's a SF bay area range that I know some folks have visited. No melon shooting allowed but it looks like cans and jugs are a go.

http://www.losaltosrodandgunclub.com/rangerul.html

Some rules I pulled from the home page:

18. Only the following may be used as targets on the Tin Can Range: tin cans, aluminum cans and plastic bottles not to exceed 1 gallon jug, empty or filled with water only. No beverages,no rocks or dirt. No pressure vessels or aerosol cans.

20. Shotguns, loaded with bird shot are allowed only on the 40 yard Tin Can Range, Trap Ranges (no larger than number 4 shot) and firing at the patterning board (no larger than number 4 shot). Shotguns, loaded with slugs are permitted on the Tin Can Ranges, 50 yd and 100 yd Ranges. Buckshot is only allowed on the 40 yard Tin Can Range.

My general assessment of what to do with a shotgun was confirmed for the most part in the responses. Trap, skeet, bird and deer hunting, blowing holes in paper targets (how long does that last, one shot?), water bottles, melons, and other stuff to blow up.

I am not a hunter and do not have much attraction to shooting clays, which leaves bottles and melons. I can not find any range in the San Francisco bay area that permits any of that. That WOULD be fun, and if anyone knows of a range in the San Francisco east bay area, would like to know. Without that, I don't see a shotgun getting any use at all.

Saw some decent ones show for sale here, but really can't buy if no place to use it as I would like.

- Phil

[cali_armz]

I know next to nothing about a shotgun, but had considered getting one for home defense, despite having little crime around here. I know shotguns are used for hunting and trap shooting, but since I do neither of those, I have a hard time buying a weapon that will sit unused (until I need it for defense). What else do others use shotguns for? A naive question perhaps, but I really don't know. Maybe I should just stick with a pistol for home defense, unless a shotgun really is so superior it is worth it to have it, even if it is possible it will never be used in my lifetime. ???

- Phil

its really fun to take a shotgun up into the hills to destroy cans with it. theres something awe inspiring about a blast from a 12 gauge.

just be sure that wherever you go shooting is legal to do so.

[cali_armz]

You b*stards! I'm on my way to Big5 now for their Mossy combo (before it creeps up any higher in price!)

See what you've done?

great decision!! that was actually my first firearm

[Donk310]

12ga shotgun is the most versatile gun there is!

A shotgun is also better than any rifle or pistol for MOVING targets

That depends on the shooter champ

[Lead Waster]

OK, done. I'm doing my Big5 11 day wait

The combo will be mine... Oh yes... $269. And yes, I know half of you bought it back in the day when it cost $180, but my time machine is broken.

I was hemming and hawwing because everyone says Rem 870 or Moss 500, etc, etc. So I decided. What the heck, it's on (slight) sale this week, I'll just get the 500 and stop stressing about it because ... shotgun is better than no shotgun!

[Phil3]

Los Altos is a ways out, but would be worth it for this kind of fun I think. FYI, car theft rate in San Ramon is far below national average, and at $28,000 for the year in meth value busts, not sure that is much action either, but I know nothing about that stuff!

Thanks for the tip on Los Altos. Did not even know about the place and could be reason to get the shotgun!

- Phil

Hah! San Ramon...besides car theft and the occasional meth lab busted in the million dollar homes in the hills, nothing goes on there for sure....

Here's a SF bay area range that I know some folks have visited. No melon shooting allowed but it looks like cans and jugs are a go.

http://www.losaltosrodandgunclub.com/rangerul.html

Some rules I pulled from the home page:

18. Only the following may be used as targets on the Tin Can Range: tin cans, aluminum cans and plastic bottles not to exceed 1 gallon jug, empty or filled with water only. No beverages,no rocks or dirt. No pressure vessels or aerosol cans.

20. Shotguns, loaded with bird shot are allowed only on the 40 yard Tin Can Range, Trap Ranges (no larger than number 4 shot) and firing at the patterning board (no larger than number 4 shot). Shotguns, loaded with slugs are permitted on the Tin Can Ranges, 50 yd and 100 yd Ranges. Buckshot is only allowed on the 40 yard Tin Can Range.