“birdshot”

Some marvel at the terminal energy of the .338 Lapua. Others do the same for the .50 BMG. Personally it's the versatility and power of the 12-gauge shotgun that most intrigues me. Its close-range energy is just devastating—the equivalent of about four simultaneous rounds of .45 ACP.

Quick thinking and good instincts helped an 11-year-old boy save himself and his family from a charging brown bear on June 18, according to a report from the Juneau Empire.

A hunter was pursuing ruffed grouse with his bird dog near Park Rapids, Minn., when all heck broke loose. There was a commotion, and the dog ran back toward the hunter with a wolf hot on its heels.

Why did the grouse hunter carry a gun? In case of a bear attack, of course. Unfortunately, the unlikely scenario became a frightening reality for one Wisconsin man and his dog.

Over the years, B. Gil Horman has developed an appreciation for the little .410 Bore, single-shot ‘utility guns.' A great up-to-date example of this class is the latest iteration of the Rossi Tuffy single-shot—the SS Poly.

B. Gil Horman makes a roundup of some of his favorite function-over-form .410-bores.

Frank Miniter, author of The Ultimate Man’s Survival Guide, dug up these five bloody tales that prove anything is possible when it comes to bear attacks.

A good wingshooter mounts the gun, focuses on the target with both eyes and pulls the trigger in one smooth motion so the shot pattern strikes the target where the shooter expects the target to be. Here’s how to practice all that so you look—and shoot—like a natural.

If you’re new to shotgunning, you need to know what you’re buying to ensure you’re using the ideal load for your shotgun and intended purpose. Here’s a detailed guide to all the information provided on a box of shells.