How to Shoot a Shotgun: The Only Guide You Will Need

Did you know that 30% of U.S. adults admit to personally owning a gun and a further 43% report that they live with a gun in their household?

Many Americans choose to have a gun to help protect them and their property, whilst other Americans need to have a gun to carry out their hobbies or work duties.

Keep reading to learn how to shoot a shotgun and to find out more about how to handle your gun. 

How to Shoot a Shotgun

There are many different makes and models of shotguns, so whichever one you choose to shoot with will depend on how to best shoot and aim it. However, we’ve put together a useful guide on shotguns to help get you started.

First and foremost, you need to make sure that you have all the necessary safety equipment. Make sure that you have eye and ear protection, as shooting a gun can be dangerous to these two senses. You also need to make sure that you keep the safety on your gun until you are about to use it. 

Another safety precaution you need to follow is to keep the barrel of your gun at the floor when you aren’t using it. Never point the gun in the direction of yourself or anyone else. 

What Types of Shotguns Are There?

There are 5 main types of shotguns available. These are all used for different purposes and can provide the shooter with a different experience.

Single-shot shotguns only fire a single shot as the name suggests. However many people like them because they are accurate, cheap and reliable. A single-shot shotgun provides a break-action similar to an over/under or side-by-side, which makes them popular for target shooting or hunting. 

A pump shotgun can hold multiple shells and also provide a reliable and affordable gun type. Pump guns are popular amongst those who go hunting, however, some states in the US restrict a total capacity of three shells. 

Semi-automatic shotguns also have multiple shells in the magazine. These shells are ejected and fed using gas or inertia from the previous shot. These guns need to be mounted whilst firing and can provide quick-fire, making them ideal for target practice. 

Over/under shotguns have a double-barrel, which is ideal if you want a different choke pattern. Often over/under shotguns will choke the first shot you fire in a closer range and then the second can be choked for further distances. 

And there is also a side-by-side shotgun. Side-by-side shotguns also have a double-barrel with a break action. These types of shotguns are a little more old-fashioned and are preferred by some hunters to that of the over/under shotguns. That’s because they think that side-by-side shotguns provide a more accurate aim for hunting. 

The Basics: Holding a Shotgun

The second thing you need to know about your gun is how to hold a shotgun. To do this, you need to work out which is your dominant eye and hold the shotgun on that side of your body. Always keep your non-firing hand on hand stock. 

Bring the shotgun up towards your shoulder and place your cheek against the stock. Create a V with your thumb and forefinger and cradle the shotgun, so it feels comfortable. Make sure you have a firm grip on it though. 

With your firing-hand ensure you’re holding the grip, which is behind the trigger. Ensure that both hands are holding the shotgun securely. 

Make sure you are stood with your front foot aiming at your target. And aim to have about 70% of your weight on your front leg as you lean into the shotgun. If you’re shooting a moving target, then follow the target and twist your waist. 

How to Aim a Shotgun

An important aspect of how to use a shotgun is aiming a shotgun. To aim a shotgun correctly, you need to align your eyesight so you are looking down the ramp. Make sure the barrel is parallel with your line of vision and that the sight pin in just above the barrel. 

If you’re hitting a stationary target then you don’t need to worry too much about getting your aim right. If you have aligned your sight down the ramp then you should be able to hit your target. If this is your first time, then make sure you spend some time practicing and seeing how the shotgun works and feels when you shoot it.

However, if you are aiming at a moving target such as clay pigeon shooting or an animal, then you need to think about where to aim so you get your target. 

Part of aiming is predicting where your target will be when your shot reaches the target. To ensure you hit your target swing your shotgun in the same line that the target is traveling, by twisting your waist. Then allow your gun to move ahead of the target and pull the trigger. When you pull the trigger, you need to do so quickly. Continue tracking the target if you need to fire more than one shot.

Check out this article about whether you can use a shotgun with a gun optic to help improve your aim.

Follow Our Guide on How to Use a Shotgun

If you’ve never shot a gun before, or you are looking for a little refresher advice, put our ‘how to shoot a shotgun’ tips and advice into practice next time you use a firearm.

Remember to treat your shotgun with respect and always ensure you use your weapons safely.

Discover some of our other latest articles and videos, to learn more about shotguns and weapons.