How do they score shotgun at FrontSight?

[Sheepdog1968]

I've taken the rifle and pistol at FrontSight so I'm familiar with how they score the targets during the test phase for head and chest shots. How do they do it for shotgun for 00 buck?

I've trained other places with the home defense shotgun so for this class, I want to take one of the non-dedicated home defense shotguns (that often are what I take when traveling to go hunting/social shooting) and I have some options. Getting an idea on how they score will help me decide which to bring.

Many thanks.

[esskay]

Don't have an answer to your question re: Frontsight, but IMHO you would be well served by bringing whichever shotgun you most often bring on your hunting/social trips so you can train with it. If you also have interchangeable chokes for it that could help you adjust for specific shooting scenarios/needs while there.

[royrapoport]

If I recall correctly -- it's been about 7 years since I've done the tactical shotgun class -- the determining factor is if you get at least one pellet breaking the line for the target.

But I have to question why one would pick a shotgun based on the scoring at the class. I assume your goal when taking the class is to improve your skills, not maximize your chances of getting the DG certificate.

[ronson]

Most of the shotgun skills test is done one-on-one with an instructor, on steel. It's very different than the rifle and pistol tests. At 35 and 50 yards, you shoot on paper with slugs. Then hostage rescue shots on paper from close range.

It pays to have tight-patterning buckshot (i.e. Federal Flite Control), other than that I don't think there will be much difference in scores between guns, other than your ability to run them and fix malfunctions under time pressure.

My goals were to improve skills, and get the DG. DG is a prerequisite for advanced classes, where you can improve your skills yet further. Got DG on my second go-round, and just did the advanced class last week. Well worth doing.

[Bert Gamble]

I will add that when you are tested on the steel, you will be marked down for peripherial hits if the majority of the pellets do not hit. If I remember correctly, it is a 3 point deduction. 5 points for a miss. You will have to hit up to 4 steel targets in rapid succession and "ride the recoil" to the next target.

If you are deciding between a semi auto and a pump, my advice is to go with the semi auto. In my class there were only 3 DG's. Two of them were using Benelli M4's, and the other was so awsome he could have used a single shot and done well. (He was using a rental pump)

I know that if not for the M4, I could not have graduated, little alone got one of the DG's.

[edrex]

Do they test on the 2 day course, or just the 4 day one? I'm planning to take it in June.

[new2mud]

Only 4-day classes offer the skills tests.

[new2mud]

I should add: 2-day "Skill Builders" are offered for those who have already taken a 4-day. The Skill Builder classes are essentially days 3 and 4 of the 4-day classes, and do offer skills tests.

[AAShooter]

Skill builder mainly focus on range drills. Although they focus on combining the skills learned in a 4-day class, they are not really days 3 and 4 of the four-day class.

[new2mud]

Skill builder mainly focus on range drills. Although they focus on combining the skills learned in a 4-day class, they are not really days 3 and 4 of the four-day class.

Interesting on the shotgun skill builder--for rifle and handgun they are essentially days 3 and 4.

[ronson]

I had no trouble getting DG with a $200 pump gun. It's the easiest of the three basic level skills tests. Making time on the 4-target drill isn't a problem with a pump. Getting shots off quickly with a bead sight is a problem - ghost rings or red dot is the way to go. Aimpoint Micro is probably the perfect sight.

The skill builder is supposed to be all the 4-day range drills, minus the lectures. Sometimes depending on the students, it might turn into just day 3 and 4, or something else.