Shotgun noob

[Kreutz]

I own a 12ga with an 18.5" barrel, which I've never fired, now I have a chance to do so.

I have a wide variety of shells and solid slugs and know how it works, but what i want to know is what can I expect in terms of stationary range target shooting? For instance what shells should I use at say, 25 yards? 50 yards? And how accurate/tight can I expect those shells to work at the respective yardages?

And finally, what are some good paper targets for shotguns?

Thanks a bunch.

[jrswanson1]

Anything under 50 yards I'd use buckshot. 00 is the standard, but 0 or 1 have more pellets. 50 yards and out I'd use slugs. However, I'd get a dedicated slug barrel for your shotgun if you're doing that, since they come with rifle sights.

[jdonovan]

I have a wide variety of shells and solid slugs and know how it works, but what i want to know is what can I expect in terms of stationary range target shooting? For instance what shells should I use at say, 25 yards? 50 yards?

Any.

And how accurate/tight can I expect those shells to work at the respective yardages?

Will depend on choke, and the individual shell. At 50 yards a few pellets of a buck shot round will likely be off the silhouette.

And finally, what are some good paper targets for shotguns?

Big ones. After 25 yards or so the groups get quite large vs a rifle, and if you are using a 12" target a lot of the pellets will be off the paper.

Here are some good reads on shotguns.
http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot44.htm
http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot46.htm

And the table of contents for the site

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/theboxotruth.htm

[bryanrheem]

remember to take several different brands of shells and pattern each one.

And don't make the mistake of thinking your wad is a pellet! Have fun... shotguns are a blast to shoot!!