September Dove Season

While the summer heat still persists it’s hard to believe that a new hunting season begins today. September 1st marks the beginning of Dove Season for many states, September 17th for most of the rest, and like many others I’ll be out chasing the little gray rockets. Doves can be devilishly hard to hit and their lightning fast aerobatics rival that of the most talented jet pilot.

It takes a sharp eye skilled at calculating the proper lead to reliably drop a dove. Gil Ash teaches the Optimum Shotgun Performance or “OSP” system of scattergun shooting, and that is the system I use. It’s a both-eyes-open instinctive system whereby you rely on your brain’s ability to naturally calculate the proper lead, never taking your eyes off of the bird. Having a properly fitted gun is critical for this system to work. When hunting dove using the OSP system, you track the bird with your head and shoulders while bringing the shotgun up into the firing position. When the gun stock meets your cheek and shoulder, you pull the trigger and (ideally) drop the bird. Don’t swing through the bird as with more traditional shooting.

Even with the proper lead and a good shot, I’ve seen a puff of feathers fall to the ground while the dove pulls a Barrel-Roll and a Split-S maneuver, zooming down into the safety of nearby trees and shrubs. One of the best ways to ensure a successful dove hunt is to buy quality shells. Nothing is more frustrating than shooting a dove and watching only feathers fall to the ground while the injured bird flies off to the safety of a nearby stand of trees. For a 12 gauge shotgun, you should buy shells with at least a 1 1/8 ounce shot load. I recommend Winchester Super-X #6 or Winchester AA #8 to reliably drop doves. For a 20 gauge shotgun, a 7/8 ounce load will do the job, though a 1 ounce load or more is preferred. Again, 2 3/4″ Winchester Super-X shells loaded with an ounce of #8 shot or 3″ Winchester Super-X shells topped off with 1 1/4 ounces of #6 shot should ensure a good pattern out to 30 or 40 yards.

For hunting them, I prefer to set up along a tree line next to a crop field. In the early morning doves move from their roosts to the fields to feed. As the morning wears on, around 9am or so, I’ll walk through the field to scare up birds that are feeding and take them on the rise. A quick break for lunch and then a move to nearby stock tanks usually nets me a few more heading over for the cool shade of a tree lined pond and a quick drink. Early afternoon hunts can be difficult, but a sharp eye and a walk through roosting areas generally nets me a few more birds as they abandon their roosts at my approach. As the sun begins to set around 5:30 in the evening, if I haven’t shot my limit yet, I’ll move back to the crop fields and take some more when they move back to feed again in the evening.

Tropical Storm Hermine has rained out much of the early season in North Texas and parts of the Midwest, but the traditional fall weather systems are returning and the doves should soon be flying over crop fields throughout the Central Flyway. Keep your eyes on the tree line and your proper lead in front of the bird and you to can catch your limit of doves this year.

Mossberg JIC “Just In Case” Shotgun Combo

Preparedness has become mainstream as more and more people are realizing that it truly does pay off to be prepared for possible emergencies. Mossberg has recently stepped up to answer the demand for survival kits and packaged their enormously popular Model 500 pump action shotgun into a variety of kits, calling it the “Just In Case” or “JIC”.

The survival oriented combo packs feature a Model 500 shotgun that has been outfitted with an 18.5″ barrel and a pistol grip packaged in a waterproof and impact resistant tube, or a heavy duty bag in the case of the JIC II. The survival accessories included with each kit vary depending on the intended role.

Each of the three JIC models, along with the newly introduced JIC II “Takedown” model, are designed for use in a particular environment. All three of the JIC models are enclosed in a resealable waterproof bag. The stainless steel Mariner model is further packaged in a floating blaze orange tube and has Mossberg’s proprietary Marinekote finish to help protect it from harsh saltwater environments. Included with the scatter gun is a multi-tool and a serrated folding knife with a 500 denier cordura case.

The Cruiser model also comes in a waterproof tube but with a green cover. This design is more suited for a wilderness survival scenario. The shotgun has matte black finished furniture, blued steel, and synthetic pistol grip stock. Mossberg includes a “Survival Kit in a Can”, manufactured by Coghlan’s of Canada with the shotgun. This rudimentary survival kit includes matches, basic first aid supplies, emergency rations, a basic fishing kit, along with various other useful items such as a razor, duct tape, and safety pins.

The least expensive Sandstorm model does not include a survival kit or a knife and tool, but does come in a waterproof tube with a desert camouflage pattern cover and carrying strap. The shotgun itself also has a desert camo finish and a synthetic pistol grip.

The newest addition to the JIC lineup, the JIC II is a new takedown version of the Model 500. Like the cruiser model, it has a matte black synthetic plastic pistol grip and forend and blued steel. It comes packaged in a heavy duty pouch and includes all the tools necessary to quickly assemble the shotgun. Broken down, the component pieces of the shotgun are securely held in place with hook and loop straps inside of a custom carrying case manufactured by 5.11 Tactical. The total package measures just over 24″ in length and is easily portable using the included shoulder strap.

The Takedown model, as well as the other JIC shotguns, has an 18.5″ barrel with a 3″ chamber. They’re outfitted with simple bead type sights and a magazine tube with a 5+1 capacity. All of the watertight storage tubes used in the JIC line are roomy enough to hold other items such as ammunition or MREs. The tubes are watertight up to 17 psi (1.17 bar), or approximately 40 foot of water, but their inherent tendency towards flotation makes it unlikely that you’ll need to worry about them sinking.

Retail prices for the packages range from $350 to $400 depending on which model you choose.

Remington VersaMax Sneak Preview

The first models won't ship out for another month, but Cheaper Than Dirt! managed to get a sneak peek at Remington's newest autoloading scattergun, the VersaMax. Waterfowlers and dove hunters have long wanted a semiautomatic shotgun that could reliably cycle a wide range of shotgun shells. In the past, it took much experimenting to find out what loads a particular shotgun would reliably cycle and feed, and you could forget about having a shotgun that was capable of reliably cycling both light 2 3/4" 7/8 ounce target loads back to back with heavy 3 1/2" 2 1/4 ounce magnum loads. Remington has found a solution however.

Any Load, Every Time, Anywhere. That's Remington's motto for the VersaMax. Remington incorporated their patented VersaPort Gas Piston System which utilizes only 2 moving parts in the entire gas system: dual gas pistons on either side of the action smoothly operate the bolt with each shot. The VersaPort system changes the number of ports that are open based on the length of the shell in the chamber. Shorter and lighter 2 3/4" shells allow all 7 ports to be wide open and allows the gas system to extract the maximum pressure from the load. Longer 3" shells block off 3 of the ports leaving only 4 open while the longest 3 1/2" shells leave only 3 gas ports open.

The ability of the VersaPort system to automatically vary the size of the gas openings depending on the size of the shotgun shell enables a shooter to load shells of various lengths and power levels back to back in the magazine tube and fire them all without the need to adjust the shotgun between loads.

Above all, Remington wanted a supremely reliable shotgun when they designed the VersaMax. To that end, they put it through hell and back in testing. Waterfowlers know how important it is to have a shotgun that works under all manner of conditions. Remington engineers put more than a quarter of a million shells through a single VersaMax firing as many as 425 shells every day for more than a year. They tested it at temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit and as high as 140 degrees Fahrenheit and experienced no failures whatsoever. They even fired more than 1,000 rounds as fast as they could reload and pull the trigger through a VersaMax, giving the barrel no time to cool, and still the gun functioned flawlessly.

Barrel Length	Finish	MSRP	Estimated Ship Date
28"	Black Synthetic	$1,399	September 2010
28"	Mossy Oak Duck Blind Camouflage	$1,599	November 2010
26"	Black Synthetic	$1,399	January 2011
26"	Realtree AP-HD Camouflage	$1,399	January 2010

There will be 4 models of the VersaMax released in 12 gauge over the next 4-5 months. The initial 28" model with the basic black synthetic stock should start arriving on retail shelves sometime in September of 2010 and will be quickly followed by the Mossy Oak Duck Blind Camouflage model in November of 2010, giving hunters plenty of time to practice with it prior to the spring turkey season.

In addition to being extremely reliable, the VersaMax is also very simple to disassemble and clean. It breaks down easily into 5 main components and can easily be assembled or disassembled in less than a minute. Remington's patent pending "self cleaning" gas system has no O-rings, no gas piston seals, and no springs to foul. You can easily run through thousands of rounds without cleaning the shotgun. In fact, quality assurance engineers at Remington's test facility did just that, firing more than 10,000 rounds in between disassembly and cleaning without a single failure. That's reliability you can count on!

Waterfowlers know how harsh weather conditions can be when you're trying to keep warm sitting in the duck blind. Freezing temperatures and howling winds make some shotguns difficult to operate while wearing heavy gloves, but the VersaMax features an enlarged trigger guard and oversized safety switch to make manipulation easy and sure.

In a departure from tradition, Remington used a new hard anodized aluminum receiver to make the VersaMax lighter and easier to carry on long hikes to and from the blind. Ergonomics are incredibly important for an accurate shotgun and this shotgun is no exception. The lighter weight of the VersaMax makes it fast and easy to mount the shotgun while the included shims make the drop and cast adjustable to fit nearly any shooter. The length of pull is also adjustable with the included kit, and super comb padded cheek piece set in the stock is fully adjustable for even more comfortable shooting.

Unlike many other bird guns, this new offering comes from the factory with interchangeable Hi-Viz fiber optic sights which allow the shooter to adjust them to suit their preference. Most other shotguns come only with a front bead.

Low recoil is very important when you're spending all day out in the field. A softer shooting shotgun reduces shooter fatigue and soreness while allowing hunters to stay on target and be smoother with faster follow up shots. You'll spend more time shooting and bring home more game with faster hits. The Super Cell recoil pad makes this new scattergun one of the softest shooters on the market today while the soft touch stock and forend with rubber overmolded grip panels give the shooter superior grip.

For duck hunters, water and moisture are an ever present nemesis threatening expensive firearms with rust and corrosion. Remington's new VersaMax has a TriNyte coated barrel and gas system with nickel plated internal components that provides superior corrosion resistance under any weather condition. A custom carrying case included with every gun sold provides further protection of the firearm while transporting it.

Remington's new VersaMax is the culmination of years of research and development by one of America's oldest and largest firearm manufacturers. Their revolutionary adaptive gas system enables virtually any 12 gauge shell to be reliably cycled through the action, and the enhanced ergonomics of the stock make it adaptable to fit shooters of nearly any size.

Finding a Long Gun That Fits You

Finding a good fitting stock on a shotgun or rifle isn’t always an easy task. For shotguns, a good fitting stock allows you to quickly mount the firearm so that the bead is properly aligned while your cheek rests firmly against the stock. On a rifle with a scope, the length of pull is even more important because the optics need to be brought up properly aligned, but also within eye relief with good cheek weld.

Consider the following when looking for a long gun that will fit you:

Ergonomics:

• Perform cheek weld and natural aim test
• Can I reach and am I familiar with all the controls?

Grasp the rifle or shotgun and, with your eyes closed, quickly bring it up to your shoulder into a firing position letting your head fall naturally along the stock to ensure proper cheek weld (your cheek should be firmly placed along the top of the stock). Open your eyes and look down the barrel at your sights/scope. Are the sights/optics naturally aligned? If so, you have a good fit. If not, a different sized stock may be needed for a good natural point of aim (the position your body naturally wants to relax into with the firearm.) If you find that you are hunching your shoulders or unnaturally bending your neck, the fit may need some adjustment. The addition of a larger/adjustable butt pad or adjustable comb can help you achieve a proper fit.

Check to make sure that, when gripping the firearm in a firing position, you can easily reach all necessary controls. Controls on most firearms should be able to be manipulated without breaking your grip (some long guns such as an AK-47 or a break-action firearm will necessarily require you to break your grip to perform certain actions). You should be able to reach the safety, magazine release (if equipped) and any other controls (bolt catch release, etc.) without breaking your grip.

Grip:

• Perform the grip test

Your grip with your trigger hand on the long gun should not need to support much weight. With the long gun shouldered, you should be able to completely remove your trigger hand and have the firearm supported with just one hand on the fore end and your shoulder against the stock.

Recoil:

• Make sure the stock fits well into your shoulder pocket
• Be conscious of any recoil flinching or recoil anticipation
• If recoil becomes a problem, work on getting a surprise break or use a smaller caliber.

When firing any shotgun or rifle, the stock should be firmly placed in the pocket just to the inside of your shoulder. This allows any recoil from the rifle or shotgun to push against your body mass instead of flying back and striking you. There should never be any gap between your body and the stock. After firing the long gun a couple of times, if you find you are flinching, closing your eyes, or jerking the trigger you are probably anticipating recoil and should either practice relaxing and getting a “surprise break,” or move to a rifle or shotgun with a smaller caliber.

Not every caliber is appropriate for everybody. The following is a breakdown of appropriate calibers/gauges.

Rifle Calibers

.22 LR, .22 Magnum	.30-30, .243, .223/5.56	.270, 6.5×55	.308, .30-06	.300 Win Mag 7mm RUM	.50 BMG, .338 Lapua
Comfortable for anyone	Insignificant Recoil	Low recoil	Moderate Recoil	Significant Recoil	Extreme Recoil
Children, Youths	Youths, Small framed adults	Experienced youths and small framed adults	Medium framed or experienced small framed adults	Experienced shooters only	Experienced shooters only

Shotgun Gauges

.410 Bore	20 Gauge	12 Gauge	10 Gauge
Low Recoil	Moderate Recoil	Significant Recoil	Extreme Recoil
Experts only – very difficult to hit clay pigeons despite low recoil	Experienced youths, Small framed adults	Medium framed or experienced small framed adults	Experienced shooters only

Weight:

• Perform a timed weight test

For any long gun other than a bench rest rifle, you should be able to comfortably shoulder the rifle or shotgun and aim it down range for as much as 60 seconds or more. If it is too heavy, it may be better suited as a bench rest or bipod/shooting stick supported rifle, or you may consider transitioning to a lighter long gun.

Turkey Loads

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Spring has sprung, the warm winds have begun to blow, and with them come lovestruck turkeys. That's right, it's Spring Turkey season in much of the nation, and will be soon in the rest. Hunters across the country are gearing up to head into the woods and track down North America's wiliest creature.

The shotgun is oiled up, decoys are ready, and camouflage de-scented and ready to go. But one element still perplexes many new hunters: what shotgun load is best for bagging a long-beard? Once a turkey is in range, you only get one shot to take your tom. A missed shot means the bird (and every other turkey in a a square mile) has probably run off for the deepest cover it can find. As such, it is critical that the load you choose be capable of dropping your bird.

Modern shotgun loads specifically designed for turkeys abound on the market today. It wasn't so long ago that specialized turkey loads, extra full or turkey chokes, and custom turkey shotguns were non-existent. It wasn't until the early 1990's that ammunition manufacturers began to produce shot-shell loads designed to perform well on turkeys at ranges out to 40 yards. At first, duplex loads utilizing two differing sizes of shot were popular, but advances in ammunition and powder technology soon surpassed the need for duplex loads. Now you can find effective high-velocity turkey loads for almost any shotgun 20 gauge or larger with shell sizes ranging from 2 3/4" to 3 1/2" in length.

Probably the biggest breakthrough in shot-shell technology is the heavier-than-lead non-toxic Hevi-Shot loads manufactured by Remington. Spurred on by the need to create non-toxic loads that perform as well or better than lead, Hevi-Shot set the standard for non-toxic loads. Previously, hunters in areas where lead-free shot was required had to use steel. The problem is, steel shot cannot be used on most chokes, and it carries significantly less weight than lead. The introduction of tungsten and other dense metal shot meant that these new shells could perform as well, or in some cases better, than their lead shot counterparts. Lead-free shot is also available from other manufacturers, including Bismuth brand lead-free shot.

Turkeys are tough birds, so it is important to get a large enough shot size to ensure adequate penetration, while still maintaining a decent pattern at 40 yards. When choosing a load, look for a high-velocity load that is capable of launching at least 1 ounce of shot to a minimum of 1,100 feet per second. When patterning a load for your particular shotgun/choke combination, look for a pattern that gives you 95% of the pellets within a 36" circle and a minimum of 6 pellets in the kill area of your target (ideally you'll want 12 or more impacting the vital area). The maximum range at which you can achieve this is the maximum range for that load/choke combination in your scattergun. Play around with various loads to determine which gives you the best pattern at the longest range.

The tight patterns made by dense turkey loads do have a drawback. Nothing is worse than working hard to call a turkey into range only to fire a shot and have the gobbler scurry off into the dense underbrush. The dense pattern of turkey shells mean that it is far easier to miss a turkey than it is to miss waterfowl. At 40 yards, shooting a turkey is more akin to firing a rifle. Unlike wing-shooting, turkey hunters need to get their head down onto the stock to obtain proper cheek weld. Many dedicated turkey guns are equipped with a scope, which helps not only with aim, but also requires that the head be down along the stock in order to get proper eye relief. Most missed turkey shots result from the shooter not having proper cheek weld or other shooter induced problem and not from poor ammunition.

Compared to most other shotgun loads, turkey shells are expensive. This might seem to be an issue but, apart from patterning a shotgun, it takes a while to work through a box of turkey shells. Ideally, you will only have to pattern your particular shotgun/choke combination once to find the ammunition that performs best. Once you've determined what loads are ideal, it's not a bad idea to stock up, as brands and loads do change over time. Unlike water-fowling, a skilled turkey hunter might go through two or three shells a day when out stalking gobblers, so a stash of 10 boxes is generally more than enough to last many seasons of turkey hunting.

To help you find the best loads for your turkey gun, we've broken down our most popular turkey loads in a chart below to help you with your selection.

12 gauge
3.5"
34667 Winchester Supreme Elite Xtended Range HD Turkey Load Shotshell, 3-1/2", 2 oz., #4, 1225 fps
47318 Hevi-Shot, 3-1/2", #4 Turkey, 2-1/4 oz., 1090 fps
65468 Supreme Double-X Magnum Turkey Load Shotshell, 3-1/2" Shell, #4 Shot, (lead)
34867 Remington Nitro Turkey Load Shotshell, 3-1/2" Shot, 2 oz., #6 (lead)

3"
21029 12 Gauge Bismuth Turkey Magnum Load Shotshell, 3" Shell, 1-5/8 oz., #4
34717 Winchester Supreme Elite Xtended Range HD Turkey Load Shotshell, 3",
34341 Fiocchi Turkey Load, 3", #4 Nickel Plated Lead Shot, 1-3/4 oz.,
36954 Hevi-Shot Turkey Load Shotshell, 3" Shell, 1-5/8 oz., #4 Turkey Shot
15707 Federal Premium Mag-Shok Heavyweight Turkey Load #6 Shotshell, 3", (lead)
34862 Remington Nitro Turkey, 3", #4 Lead Shot, 1-7/8 oz., 1210 fps, 10 (lead)

2.75"
47325 Hevi-Shot Turkey Load Shotshell, 2-3/4" Shell, #5 Shot, 1-1/2 oz., 5
50269 Estate Cartridge High Velocity Steel, 2-3/4", #4 Steel Shot
34340 Fiocchi Turkey Load, 2-3/4", 1-1/2 oz., #6 Lead Shot, 1310 fps, (lead)
66455 Remington Premier Duplex Magnum Turkey Load, 2-3/4", 4x6 Copper-Plated (lead)
14393 Winchester Xtended Range Turkey Load, 2-3/4", #6 High Density Shot (lead)

20 gauge
3"
14341 Winchester Supreme Double-X Magnum Turkey Load Shotshell, 3" Shell, #4
61999 Hevi-Shot Hevi 13 Turkey Load Shotshell, 3" Shell, #7 Shot, 1-1/4 oz.
41073 Remington Nitro Turkey Load, 3", #5 Lead, 1-1/4 oz., 1185 fps

2.75"
65520 Federal Premium Wing-Shok Magnum Load Shotshell, 2-3/4" Shell, #4 Shot (lead)
68242 Federal Premium Wing-Shok High Velocity Turkey Load Shotshell, 2-3/4" Shell, #5 Shot (lead)

Snake Guns

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Throughout all of recorded human history, man has feared snakes. And for the most part, rightfully so. Silent, deadly, and occasionally prone to aggressive unprovoked attacks, vipers and various other venomous snakes have a more or less permanent place on many people's list of varmints to be killed on sight. Traditionally, a short break action shotgun chambered in .20 gauge or .410 bore was the standard for dispatching serpents. Prior to that, a well-placed blow from a garden hoe or a shovel might be used to quickly end a viper. Now however there are many options for quickly and safely dealing with snakes, with choices ranging from a traditional short-barreled shotgun to various derringers along with the new modern shotshell-firing revolvers available.

Image Courtesy of SoulSurvivor08, Creative Commons Licensed

With the invention of the Derringer, people had the option of a small easily portable handgun platform capable of inflicting devastating damage at close range. Normally found tucked away in a ladies garter, or hidden in a gamblers boot, these small hold-out guns were not known for their use as a snake gun. Early models were mostly rimfire affairs, with larger calibers coming initially in blackpowder .38 special and .45 Colt loads. Soon, smokeless powder was developed and allowed an even larger variety of Derringer offerings. As designers introduced more and more calibers to various Derringer designs, specifically with the advent of pistol caliber shot shells (namely the .410, developed around 1900), it was discovered that these little shooters made excellent snake guns.

While the origin of the .410 shot shell is not very well known, a good indication of its heritage is the fact that it shares the same chamber size as the .45 Colt. This interchangeability drove the popularity of the .410 shell and soon every major revolver and Derringer manufacturer offered pistols advertised as firing .45 Colt along with the .410. This persists to the modern day and has in fact seen a resurgence in popularity with the new Judge line of revolvers made by Taurus.

The Taurus Judge has pretty much set the standard over the past couple of years as the snake gun of choice. It is chambered in either .45 Colt and .410, or as with the Raging Judge, .454 Casull, .45 Colt, or .410. Advertised as the perfect trail gun, the Taurus Judge is indeed versatile enough to take small game, snakes and varmints when firing a .410 load, or to take medium game with a .45 Colt or .454 Casull in the case of the Raging Judge. Available with a 3" barrel, it's small enough to tuck into a backpack or fanny pack, or carry comfortably in a holster.

While hunting early-season white tailed deer, summer feral hog, or late spring turkey here in the woods and fields of North Texas, nothing causes me to freeze in my tracks faster than the tell-tale rattle of a western diamondback rattlesnake. Most snakes hibernate in the winter time, making them less of a threat to most deer hunters, but early archery and muzzleloader season hunters can still run afoul of not only the rattlesnake, but also cottonmouths, copperheads, and a number of other North American pit vipers. Cottonmouth snakes, also referred to as water moccasins, are particularly aggressive vipers and have been said to actually chase after individuals unlucky enough to cross paths with them.

I remember one time I had a too-close-for-comfort encounter with a cottonmouth. I was a young boy out hunting frogs and turtles along the bayous of South East Texas, forging my way through the tall summer grass along the bank and, true to form, was not really paying attention to where I was going. I stepped on what I though was a rock, except this rock was a little squishy and squirmed out from under my foot. As you might have guessed, this rock turned out to be a 6 foot long cottonmouth sunning itself along the banks of its favorite bayou. Luckily, this particular water moccasin was more concerned with escape than biting me and quickly slithered off with a mean hiss. But that large snake put the fear of god into me, and ever since I have been particularly careful about watching for snakes when out and about in the woods and fields.

Bond Arms Snake Slayer IV

Nowadays, I carry a small Bond Arms Snake Slayer IV chambered in .45 Colt and .410 tucked in my hip pocket whenever I head out in the warmer months. It's smaller than the Taurus Judge, carrying only two rounds, but for snake defense that is usually enough. Snakes are ambush predators adept at camouflage and hiding, and when you encounter one it will generally be at a very close range: what I call "Oh my, that's a SNAKE!" distance. This generally puts you anywhere from 3 to 10 feet away from the serpent, close enough to do serious damage with a .410 blast, but generally far enough away to keep you safe from a sudden strike. Past about 12 feet, the pattern from a .410 shotgun load in most handguns opens up too much to make it effective for eliminating venomous snakes.

Loads for snake run the spectrum from .22 LR CCI shot shells, to full shotgun rounds such as 3" .410 shells filled with #4 shot. What load you choose to carry depends on your firearm and what types of serpents you anticipate that you might encounter. .22 LR shot shells are generally going to be inadequate for all but the smallest snakes. Stepping up to the larger, but still mild recoiling, .38 special shot shells we find a much more effective cartridge for dealing with unwanted critters. Firing #9 shot at over 1,000 FPS, the CCI .38 Special shotshell is perfectly capable of dispatching most snakes with a single well-placed shot. It patterns well, and while the #9 shot size is a bit on the small size, it still does the job well.

When it comes to snakes however my favorite load, as you might have guessed, is the .410 shotshell. 3" Remington .410 shells loaded with #6 or #7.5 shot seem to have the best performance from my observations. They are big enough to have adequate penetration, but small enough to give a good pattern at 3 - 12 feet. CCI shotshells loaded with #9 shot are also available in .45 Colt. They provide better patterns than #6 or #7.5 shot, but at the expense of slightly less penetration.

So, what gun for snakes? I've seen fellows use a .22 LR to great effect on snakes while my late great-grandmother insisted on a 12 gauge loaded with #6 lead. Both did the job equally well in the right hands, but in my opinion neither are ideal. A .410/.45 Colt revolver or derringer is small and portable while still packing a wallop. In addition, they are cheap, abundant, and easy to find. Ammunition is fairly inexpensive for these little snake killers, making them affordable to feed and practice with. The Taurus and Snake Slayer IV are not the only choices for a snake gun, but they are some of the least expensive and most commonly available and it would be hard to go wrong by them.

Guest Post from Carteach0: Remington 870 built for home defense

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Today’s Guest Blogger is Carteach0. He’s a teacher and, not surprisingly, his well written posts are incredibly informative. He claims that “He’s just this guy,” but we see a well spoken educator with a wealth of knowledge on firearms and reloading. One of his latest posts covers the use of a 12 gauge pump action shotgun as a home defense firearm.

On the list of firearms held as suitable for home defense, the nearly undisputed king is the 12 gauge pump action shotgun. Whether it’s the unmistakable noise of a round being chambered or the (rightly or wrongly) perceived massive stopping power, the big bore shotgun has a respected place in self defense.

In use since the very beginning of firearms, the shotgun rapidly gained a reputation for bringing down it’s target, whether two legged, four legged, or on wing. When ‘rifles’ did not exist and a single ball hitting it’s target was iffy, a handful of pellets fired from a .75” smoothbore usually got the job done. During the 18^th century a coach was often guarded by a man armed with a ‘blunderbuss’, which was nothing more than a short barreled shotgun with the muzzle belled to make loading easier on a bouncing coach seat. From the classic western lawman to today’s patrol car, the shotgun has been a comforting resource to police officers for generations.

The same things that make it suitable for police use make it desirable as a home protection weapon. Heavy firepower over a short range, coupled with an intimidating visual image and ease of operation.

Shotguns can be found in many configurations, but the defensive role is dominated by pump action and semi-automatic 12 gauge guns. Mechanically identical to their hunting brethren, defensive shotguns differ in barrel length, magazine capacity, and sighting hardware.

While a typical hunting shotgun might have twenty eight or thirty inch barrels, this would be too long for easy maneuverability anyplace other than the field. The long barrel that makes easier swinging on a pheasant in flight would prevent effective gun handling in a hallway or small room.For this reason defensive shotguns usually have barrels that are eighteen to twenty inches long.

Hunting shotguns are often limited to three rounds capacity, or maybe five with the ‘plug’ out of the magazine. Defensive shotguns sometimes have a longer magazine tube bringing capacity up to eight or nine rounds. There are even special ‘shorter’ shotgun shells designed to boost the capacity of a shotgun, made just for defensive use. Many shotguns built for home defense also have spare ammunition stored right on the weapon, in special carriers.

While a bird gun might have a ventilated rib with a gold bead at the end, the shorter defensive shotgun more often has a plain barrel with a rifle sight on the end. There is a common misconception that shotguns throw so wide a pattern that aiming is not necessary. Nothing could be farther from the truth, and only a few ‘pointed’ shots at the range will prove this. It’s embarrassing to miss at short range with a shotgun when bowling pins are the target, but it can be disastrous in a home defense situation. Rifle type sights on the shotgun are a helpful aid to aiming accurately.

In this article, a typical 12 gauge pump action shotgun will get a simple conversion to a home defense weapon. In this case, a Remington 870 Express, but any decent quality hunting shotgun can be drafted to house duty with a few changes. While the 870 is worth investing some funds into for a project such as this, it’s possible a decent working 12 gauge can be bought used for well under $200. As long as the basic quality is there, outward finish means nothing. Worn bluing and a scratched stock don’t really matter much in a defensive shotgun. Dependability and usefulness do.

When I was shotgun shopping, the choice was narrowed to the two major suppliers; Remington and Mossberg. I liked the reliability and pricing on both, and a wealth of accessories are available for both. So, what clinched the deal on the Remington? I handled both at the store, and while I was looking over the Mossberg (a turkey gun) the rear sight fell off in my hands. To me, this is not a good sign. If one part I can see is made that cheaply, then what is there I can’t see?

This Remington came to the author as a used hunting shotgun. It’s been carried in the field, and also spent many an evening shooting trap under the lights. The original barrel is twenty eight inches long and is threaded for interchangeable chokes. It has a ventilated rib with a gold bead at the muzzle, and can hold four 2 ¾” shells in its magazine.

As a hunting shotgun it’s dependable and sturdy. Since it’s the cheaper Express model it came with a matte finish and plain wood. That doesn’t affect its usefulness or sturdiness, and it’s still a Remington 870, a shotgun with a long history of service.

As a home defense shotgun, it needed some changes. First and foremost, it must have a shorter barrel. The original was just too long to navigate the hallways and doorways of a house. It’s possible to cut down a shotgun barrel without too much fuss, but there are some factors that must be taken into account. The barrel length cannot legally be made shorter than eighteen inches without an expensive tax stamp issued by the BATFE. Eighteen and a half is usually the shortest a factory barrel comes, and most police shotguns are that length. Citizens have been killed for cutting off that last half inch… don’t risk it.
Once the gun is fitted with a suitably short barrel, what more is required? Many people seem to think any number of gadgets must be bolted, screwed, or Velcroed onto a shotgun before it can be a real defensive weapon. The reality is… simple is better. One need not feel under gunned because their shotgun does not have a vibrating green laser aiming device capable of highlighting the space shuttle in orbit, nor a twenty seven position tactical recoil absorbing stock with optional cup holder. The gun needs to work every time, and with a minimum of fuss.It needs to be maneuverable inside a building. Once that’s achieved, everything else is fluff and something to break or distract. It’s far better to spend the extra cash on ammunition and training time, which is a better investment in self defense.

If the shotgun is one that’s common, then a shorter barrel can usually be found that’s easy to install. Remington sells police length barrels for most of their shotguns, and Mossberg makes defensive barrels for both their guns and the Remington 870. Winchester has ‘Defender’ barrels for the 1300 and 1200 series of shotguns too. For roughly $110 to $150, a new police type barrel can be bought, and installation is a snap.This is usually a better idea than cutting down a premium hunting barrel, unless the shotgun is a cheap used gun with a value little more than the cost of the barrel.

For this build a new Remington police barrel was purchased. It’s a smoothbore with no choke, 18 ½ inches long, and fitted with a bead front sight. The finish is matte to match the Express shotgun it’s going to be mounted on. At $119 out the door, the price was not exorbitant.

Installing the barrel could not be easier. Simply unscrewing the magazine cap is all that’s required, with the action open, and the barrel will pull forward off the shotgun (beware the magazine spring, as it will probably come un-caged with the cap removed). The new barrel is fitted into place and the cap reinstalled. Nothing else needs be done. The original hunting barrel can be cleaned, oiled, and put away for next year’s pheasant season.

While the barrel is being replaced, the magazine spring will likely be removed to get it out of the way. It’s an excellent time to set aside the ‘plug’ that limits the magazine capacity to meet some states hunting regulations. Also, it’s a fine time to install an extended magazine tube if one is desired. For about $45, a machined metal magazine extension can be bought that will give another two, three, or four rounds capacity.

In this build, the added expense was declined, and the original magazine cap reinstalled.

To carry reloads on the shotgun, many companies make ‘side saddle’ shell holders that bolt to the receiver, or even on the butt stock itself.These can hold an additional four to eight rounds in a convenient place for reloading on the move.

In our case, a simple shell holder sleeve was installed on the butt stock. Made by Uncle Mikes, it holds five shotgun shells securely in elastic loops. Since it’s of neoprene construction it tends to stick to the stock, and won’t slide around during movement. That’s important, and worth a few extra dollars. At $12, it’s an inexpensive answer to the issue of carrying extra ammunition.

Whether it’s a side saddle or an elastic shell holder such as this, strong consideration should be given to carrying reloads on the weapon. Even with the longest magazine tube the shotgun will hold only eight or nine rounds at the most. In the event the long gun is used in home defense the user is almost surely going to be under pressure and rushed. Grabbing extra ammo can’t be counted on. The fight will be fought with what’s on the gun. A ready reload mounted on the shotgun is the way to go.

The Remington 870 Express usually comes with swivels already installed for a sling. This is something to be considered. Combat slings in a dozen formats can be had, and our troops use them every day. That said… do we need a sling on a home defense shotgun?

A sling is for carrying a weapon. In a home situation the shotgun will be carried in the hands, not on the shoulder. Unless there is property to be patrolled, or a guard post to be maintained, a sling just isn’t needed. On the other hand, a sling can be a problem when moving through a building. It catches on things, and is a loose grab point for an opponent to use in taking the weapon for themselves.

Sling mounting points are not a bad idea; just for the thin chance a sling would be helpful. In a situation such as hurricane Katrina when long watches might be held over house and home to deter looting, the ability to sling the shotgun could save fatigue.

There are slings which double as bandoleers, holding an extra twenty or thirty shells in elastic loops. While they might appear pretty menacing, accurately firing a weapon with five pounds swinging loosely from it can be difficult. If there is a need to carry that much extra ammunition there are excellent cross shoulder bandoleers available, and they won’t get in the way of using the weapon.

A home defense shotgun does not need to be fancy, just dependable and suited to the job. Once the ‘riot gun’ is put together or bought, one more thing needs to happen and that is practice. Like any other tool, a shotgun won’t use itself. Practice is demanded, just as with any other weapon for self defense. Range time getting used to the recoil, noise, reloading, and aiming of the shotgun is central to its effective use. Even if it’s just a box of shells a month, the practice needs to happen.

Converting this shotgun from faithful hunter to reliable defender cost less than $140. Considering the return on investment, it might be the best way possible to spend money on home security. Its value won’t go down, and in the event it must be used every penny will be well spent.

In upcoming pieces we'll gut some shotgun shells and look closely at what is found, and discover how they perform on various targets. We'll also look at some simple drills for using a shotgun defensively.

Mossberg Maverick 88 Shotgun

The Mossberg 500 series is one of the most popular pump-action shotguns of all time. The popularity of this shotgun has bled over into the Maverick shotguns because of their value in this huge market segment. The Maverick 88 is made in Eagle Pass, Maverick County in the great state of Texas. It was developed and manufactured to compete with imported, low-priced slide action shotguns in the late 80’s.

This particular sample, an 88 Security Model, was purchased to be used as a new gun owner’s home defense weapon back in the mid 90’s. It has fired many rounds over its 15 year lifespan and has served as the owner’s bird gun, as a primary defense gun, and even as a competition shotgun a few times. A simple buttstock cuff and a light with clamp are the only current modifications.

There is nothing fancy about a 12 gauge slide-action shotgun set up for defensive purposes. The Maverick 88 is no different. With a 6 shot capacity and barrel availability the only practical difference in this model from its big brother the Mossberg 500A is the Maverick’s crossbolt safety. The sight is a gold bead and the stock and forearm are black synthetic. Users find the crossbolt safety and the action lock lever intuitive and easy to manipulate. Loading the magazine or through the ejection port is equally easy and instinctive. The 18.5 inch barrel patterns as can be expected form a cylinder bore.


Pros:

• Inexpensive
  
• Durable
  
• Versatile
  
• Crossbolt safety

Cons:

• Forend not easily replaceable
  
• Crossbolt Safety
  
• Fixed capacity

The Maverick forearm incorporates twin action bars. You can clearly see the Maverick 88s captive barrel bolt shared with the Mossberg 500. This bolt makes interchangeable barrels a snap, but limits the magazine capacity to factory levels. The bolt features dual extractors and the trigger guard assembly is polymer.

The Maverick 88 Security represents a terrific value to anyone looking for a first shotgun or an inexpensive defensive arm. The Maverick 88 Field is an equally exceptional value for those looking for a bird gun or a slug gun.

Choke Tubes Explained

The inside bore constriction at the muzzle end of a shotgun's barrel is known as the "choke." When a shotshell is fired, shot travels down the bore, exits the muzzle and begins to "spread out." Just as a nozzle on the end of a garden hose controls the spray of water, the choke controls the spread of shot, making it narrower or wider.

The three basic chokes for a shotgun are known as full (tight constriction and delivers a narrow, dense spread), modified (less constriction and delivers a medium-width spread) and improved cylinder (even less constriction and delivers a wide, open spread). A gun with no choke is called a cylinder bore and delivers the widest spread. There are also a number of specialty chokes that provide narrower or wider spreads - some of the most popular are for skeet shooting and turkey hunting.

A shotgun's choke also determines its effective range. The tighter the constriction, the farther the effective range. For instance, a full choke is most effective at 40 to 50 yards. An improved cylinder is most effective from 20 to 35 yards. Shotgun barrels come with either fixed (non-removable) chokes or today's more popular interchangeable screw-in choke tubes that let hunters quickly and easily change chokes to match changing shooting conditions.

Most commonly used chokes
Super-Full and Extra-Full Chokes - Known as gobbler getters, these are ideally suited for the head shots necessary in turkey hunting. They have extra-tight constrictions and the most dense patterns.

Full Choke - This has tight constriction and a dense pattern, delivering approximately 70 percent of a shell's total pellets in a 30" circle at 40 yards. Best for trap shooting, waterfowl pass shooting, turkey hunting and buckshot loads.

Modified Choke - The modified is characterized by less constriction than full choke, delivering approximately 60 percent of a shell's total pellets in a 30" circle at 40 yards. Excellent for all-around hunting of waterfowl, long-range flushing of upland birds (such as late-season pheasant and sharptail grouse) as well as other small game. Also used for trap shooting.

Improved Cylinder Choke - Even less constricted than modified, the improved cylinder distributes approximately 50 percent of a shell's total pellets in a 30" circle at 40 yards. Ideal for close-in small game shooting, upland bird hunting (such as quail, grouse and pheasant) as well as hunting waterfowl close over decoys. Rifled slugs also perform very well with this choke.

Cylinder Bore - No constriction and distributes approximately 40 percent of a shell's total pellets in a 30" circle at 40 yards. Most often used by law enforcement for service shotguns.

Skeet Choke - A specialty choke that sends approximately 50 percent of a shell's total pellets in a 30" circle at 25 yards. This type is designed to deliver optimum patterns for close-range skeet shooting.