I spent five days at Gunsite taking their 3-day Shotgun 260 and their 2-day Advanced Tactical classes. (Days 1, 2, and some of 3)
Before last week I thought I knew how to shoot a shotgun. It turns out that I didn't.
Instructor Dave Hartman from Gunsite's Shotgun 260 and Advanced Tactical classes summarized it well:
“Anyone can shoot a shotgun dry, it's keeping it fed and running that makes all the difference.”
(one of the many scenario ranges at Gunsite)
Over the past couple of years I've had the opportunity to participate in some formal firearms training focused on common rifle platforms from around the world. As a traveler I wanted to be familiar with them. As a recreational and trying-to-be-competitive shooter, training helps with proficiency. Taking that idea a bit further, it's reasonable to consider that you are just as likely to come across a shotgun. They are one of the most prevalent firearms, common for hunting, home and backcountry defense. They're the classic truck gun and farmer's tool. They hang over fireplaces, and stand behind doors or in the back of closets. Among all of the political and social concerns that have been developed around guns in general, the shotgun seems to remain immune and accepted. They are readily available to buy at hardware stores, big box and sporting goods shops.
(80 yard slug shot through the trees)
If you own a shotgun, understanding everything about it and practicing proficiency is essential. This is where proper training comes in, the Gunsite 260 and Advanced Tactical classes.
Situated on nearly 3,000 acres of the high desert in Pauldin Arizona, Gunsite has been making people safer through firearms education for the past 40 years. All but two of their instructors have spent a significant amount of time in the military and/or law enforcement. The other two, who teach hunting classes, have impressive backgrounds in hunting and guiding. Gunsite has pistol ranges, rifle ranges, shoot houses, elevated long range precision platforms, and wash ranges that follow the natural contours of berms and gulches with hidden targets. The facility is fully equipped with indoor classrooms, a campground, heated bathrooms, hot showers, catered lunches, a picnic table area with wifi, a gunsmith, some friendly dogs, a delightful staff, and a proshop that for your own good I recommend staying out of!
The first day started with introductions, some impressive hold-harmless paperwork and an overview of the curriculum and class schedule. After a brief 45 minutes in the classroom we were headed out to the range. Class sizes for Shotgun 260 usually run about 12 students. I consider myself fortunate that there were only three other students beside myself, and we had two instructors. It was like having a private lesson. Adding to the enjoyment, everyone in class was cool, level headed, nice to be around, and had enough prior experience with firearms that we were able to get right into the training without any fumbling. Without saying much we all established a like-minded and conscious approach to range safety, muzzle control, awareness and comfort around firearms. In short, we didn't have any yahoos in the class. Although, Gunsite does not seem like the kind of school that attracts yahoos.
We started our range time with an overview of everyone's shotgun. Among the class we either had the Mossberg 500 or the Remington 870. Everyone was shooing 12 gauge. The Rangemaster, Chris Weare and Instructor, Dave Hartman, took us through the differences between each of the guns, using the variety of equipment as an opportunity to talk about different shotguns available to the consumer, how they can be setup for each individual shooter, and accessories available. In regards to accessories, Chris and Dave were able to talk about what works, what doesn't work and what should never even been considered. I found it interesting to hear about how quickly and easily some popular accessories and modifications fail. They have seen several students off to the proshop to rent a gun after the gun they brought, built to look like the cool picture on the Internet, self-destructed before lunch on the first day of class!
Before firing the first shot we went over proper stance and footing. Sling styles and carry positions: American, slung on strong side shoulder with muzzle up, African, slung on support side shoulder with muzzle down, and front carry using a 3-point, single point, or two point sling across the front. We all tried each style of carry and by the end of the week we had all adopted African carry. None of us liked how close American carry brought the muzzle to our heads although it may be different with longer bird hunting guns. Front carry proved to be difficult because the sling had to be made very long. African carry also gets the gun out of the way of your strong hand for pistol use.
(Transition to pistol - photo credit Gunsite)
(African carry - photo credit Gunsite)
We then went over ready to fire positions: Indoor Ready, with the muzzle down and forend held close to the support side leg. We later learned to use this when maneuvering close to walls and doors through the shoot house. Low Ready, with the muzzle straight out in front of you at a 45 degree angle from the ground, and Outdoor Ready, with the muzzle up in your line of sight and the butt down near your waist, like a bird hunter.
With five straight days of shooting ahead of us, one of the most critical initial lessons was shouldering and recoil management. I learned that I've been holding the gun too low on my shoulder and bringing my head down too far to meet the stock and sights. The bottom point of the butt pad should rest at the top of the bicep just below the clavicle. When the gun is raised to shoot not all of the butt pad needs to be in contact with your body but it should be pressed firmly and the stock should ride along your cheek during recoil. Let the gun flow. Picking up your head or moving your cheek away in anticipation of the recoil will just get you a good punch in the face.
(Full view of the primary shotgun range complete with active steel targets)
We did a patterning drill to determine the characteristics of each shotgun. Each gun will distribute shot in a different pattern dependent on its barrel and choke. The typical off-the-shelf smooth bore barrel with no choke attachments will deliver a pattern of buckshot that spans one inch in diameter for every yard it travels to the target. At seven yards you'll see a seven-inch pattern, at fifteen yards, a fifteen-inch pattern. It is critical to know how your gun patterns so that you can anticipate where every pellet will go. With a pistol or rifle the shooter is responsible for one projectile, with a shotgun you could be responsible for 1, 9, 27 or more depending on what type of load you are shooting. Knowing the gun's pattern came in very handy later in the class when we used hostage/bad-guy targets. By knowing the approximate size of your shot pattern, you can aim off of the target and hit the bad guy with the outside area of the pattern, leaving the hostage untouched.
We tested to see how much of an impact bird shot had by trying to knock down 10” paddle targets. It was effective out to about 10 yards but then lacked the power for a knock down so we switched to buck shot, which was effective to about 25 yards. One of the guns with a $400 modified Vang Comp barrel had a tight enough pattern to be effective with buck shot out to 35 yards.
We then transitioned to slugs, going out to 50 yards to zero our sights. We learned to find our natural point of aim by putting our sights on target, closing our eyes and taking a deep breath and exhale, then opening our eyes to see where the sites were pointing. If not on target we would make adjustments to our body position until we matched our natural point of aim close to the gun's sights. We then made adjustments to the sights themselves if necessary. I started the day with a Bushnell First Fire reflex red dot. It was great for a while but only lasted about 200 rounds before it began to flicker between shots. It became so unreliable that I just took it off the gun. Hopefully it just needs a new battery, but it was better to learn with iron sights anyway!
(100 yard slug shots on steel, prone position)
Learning to cycle the action properly, to load a new round, was a bit of a revelation. I had originally learned the push pull method of holding a shotgun, pulling the stock to my shoulder and pushing the forend away from me. After firing I would pause and give considerable thought to cycle the action, schunk schunk, and then fire, schunk schunk, fire. This method is slow. To speed things up, put backpressure on the forend, pulling it towards the shoulder. As soon as the shot breaks the forend unlocks and naturally wants to come back. With backpressure on the forend you are already a step ahead in the cycle, carrying its momentum back when it unlocks and then push it forward, or keep the action open if needed. Schunk schunk becomes Ch-Schunk and just about keeps up with a semi-auto loader.
(Back pressure on the forend for a faster cycling of the action, during one of the speed/race drills - photo credit Gunsite)
We learned how to unload a shotgun without racking the action, depressing the cartridge stop with a finger allows the live rounds to eject from the magazine. Then we learned, and practiced throughout the week, the idea of loading the magazine with one less round than capacity. Leaving an open space in the magazine allows for a fast transition to other types of ammunition. If you are loaded with bird or buck shot for close to medium distance targets but then need to switch to a slug for long distance, penetration or precision you can load a slug into the empty space of the magazine, eject what is in the chamber and your slug will load. We did this drill a lot.
Running the gun became the underlying foundation of both classes. Keeping it up and running by keeping it well fed. The Speed Load, dropping a shell directly into the open action and closing the action to chamber that round, and the Tac Load, loading a round into the magazine with your support hand, became essential skills. The instructors had us practice this ad nauseam. For hours we would hear the range commands:
“Fire, Load, Fire, Load….”
“Load what you shoot!”
“Load two. Shoot two”
“Load two. Shoot two. Load two” - I fell asleep one night with that one repeating in my head!
“Speed load. Tac load”
“Speed load. Tac load. Shoot two. Speed load. Tac load…..”
“Speed load one. Tac load four”
“Speed load. Fire. Speed load. Fire. Speed Load….”
(Speed loading, feeding a new shell directly into the open ejection port on an open action - photo credit Gunsite)
Speed load, tac load, shoot two, repeat, with buck shot, became our warm up drill each morning. Tired and a bit sore from the day before, bundled for the 30 degree temperatures and maybe one cup of coffee in if lucky, and…. HELLOOO Shoulder! Glad to know you're still there, I'm awake now!
Things really started to get fun when these drills became races. With four of us in the class we could run two against two and then run winners. Later the instructors pulled out a shot timer and we could race the clock. Shots must hit the target to count. My favorite drill was the four of us on the line with five steel targets at 10 yards. The first guy would speed load one and shoot one. As soon as he shot the rest of us would load as fast as possible.
The sequence was:
- load one shoot one at the first target
- load two shoot to at the second target
- load three shoot three at the third
- load four shoot four at the fourth
- load five shoot five at the fifth
- Last shooter on the line yells “clear” after his last shot so the first shooter knows to start the sequence on the next target. If done right it is a constant volley of fire.
(All lined up for drills!)
Before last week I thought I knew how to shoot a shotgun. It turns out that I didn't.
Instructor Dave Hartman from Gunsite's Shotgun 260 and Advanced Tactical classes summarized it well:
“Anyone can shoot a shotgun dry, it's keeping it fed and running that makes all the difference.”
(one of the many scenario ranges at Gunsite)
Over the past couple of years I've had the opportunity to participate in some formal firearms training focused on common rifle platforms from around the world. As a traveler I wanted to be familiar with them. As a recreational and trying-to-be-competitive shooter, training helps with proficiency. Taking that idea a bit further, it's reasonable to consider that you are just as likely to come across a shotgun. They are one of the most prevalent firearms, common for hunting, home and backcountry defense. They're the classic truck gun and farmer's tool. They hang over fireplaces, and stand behind doors or in the back of closets. Among all of the political and social concerns that have been developed around guns in general, the shotgun seems to remain immune and accepted. They are readily available to buy at hardware stores, big box and sporting goods shops.
(80 yard slug shot through the trees)
If you own a shotgun, understanding everything about it and practicing proficiency is essential. This is where proper training comes in, the Gunsite 260 and Advanced Tactical classes.
Situated on nearly 3,000 acres of the high desert in Pauldin Arizona, Gunsite has been making people safer through firearms education for the past 40 years. All but two of their instructors have spent a significant amount of time in the military and/or law enforcement. The other two, who teach hunting classes, have impressive backgrounds in hunting and guiding. Gunsite has pistol ranges, rifle ranges, shoot houses, elevated long range precision platforms, and wash ranges that follow the natural contours of berms and gulches with hidden targets. The facility is fully equipped with indoor classrooms, a campground, heated bathrooms, hot showers, catered lunches, a picnic table area with wifi, a gunsmith, some friendly dogs, a delightful staff, and a proshop that for your own good I recommend staying out of!
The first day started with introductions, some impressive hold-harmless paperwork and an overview of the curriculum and class schedule. After a brief 45 minutes in the classroom we were headed out to the range. Class sizes for Shotgun 260 usually run about 12 students. I consider myself fortunate that there were only three other students beside myself, and we had two instructors. It was like having a private lesson. Adding to the enjoyment, everyone in class was cool, level headed, nice to be around, and had enough prior experience with firearms that we were able to get right into the training without any fumbling. Without saying much we all established a like-minded and conscious approach to range safety, muzzle control, awareness and comfort around firearms. In short, we didn't have any yahoos in the class. Although, Gunsite does not seem like the kind of school that attracts yahoos.
We started our range time with an overview of everyone's shotgun. Among the class we either had the Mossberg 500 or the Remington 870. Everyone was shooing 12 gauge. The Rangemaster, Chris Weare and Instructor, Dave Hartman, took us through the differences between each of the guns, using the variety of equipment as an opportunity to talk about different shotguns available to the consumer, how they can be setup for each individual shooter, and accessories available. In regards to accessories, Chris and Dave were able to talk about what works, what doesn't work and what should never even been considered. I found it interesting to hear about how quickly and easily some popular accessories and modifications fail. They have seen several students off to the proshop to rent a gun after the gun they brought, built to look like the cool picture on the Internet, self-destructed before lunch on the first day of class!
Before firing the first shot we went over proper stance and footing. Sling styles and carry positions: American, slung on strong side shoulder with muzzle up, African, slung on support side shoulder with muzzle down, and front carry using a 3-point, single point, or two point sling across the front. We all tried each style of carry and by the end of the week we had all adopted African carry. None of us liked how close American carry brought the muzzle to our heads although it may be different with longer bird hunting guns. Front carry proved to be difficult because the sling had to be made very long. African carry also gets the gun out of the way of your strong hand for pistol use.
(Transition to pistol - photo credit Gunsite)
(African carry - photo credit Gunsite)
We then went over ready to fire positions: Indoor Ready, with the muzzle down and forend held close to the support side leg. We later learned to use this when maneuvering close to walls and doors through the shoot house. Low Ready, with the muzzle straight out in front of you at a 45 degree angle from the ground, and Outdoor Ready, with the muzzle up in your line of sight and the butt down near your waist, like a bird hunter.
With five straight days of shooting ahead of us, one of the most critical initial lessons was shouldering and recoil management. I learned that I've been holding the gun too low on my shoulder and bringing my head down too far to meet the stock and sights. The bottom point of the butt pad should rest at the top of the bicep just below the clavicle. When the gun is raised to shoot not all of the butt pad needs to be in contact with your body but it should be pressed firmly and the stock should ride along your cheek during recoil. Let the gun flow. Picking up your head or moving your cheek away in anticipation of the recoil will just get you a good punch in the face.
(Full view of the primary shotgun range complete with active steel targets)
We did a patterning drill to determine the characteristics of each shotgun. Each gun will distribute shot in a different pattern dependent on its barrel and choke. The typical off-the-shelf smooth bore barrel with no choke attachments will deliver a pattern of buckshot that spans one inch in diameter for every yard it travels to the target. At seven yards you'll see a seven-inch pattern, at fifteen yards, a fifteen-inch pattern. It is critical to know how your gun patterns so that you can anticipate where every pellet will go. With a pistol or rifle the shooter is responsible for one projectile, with a shotgun you could be responsible for 1, 9, 27 or more depending on what type of load you are shooting. Knowing the gun's pattern came in very handy later in the class when we used hostage/bad-guy targets. By knowing the approximate size of your shot pattern, you can aim off of the target and hit the bad guy with the outside area of the pattern, leaving the hostage untouched.
We tested to see how much of an impact bird shot had by trying to knock down 10” paddle targets. It was effective out to about 10 yards but then lacked the power for a knock down so we switched to buck shot, which was effective to about 25 yards. One of the guns with a $400 modified Vang Comp barrel had a tight enough pattern to be effective with buck shot out to 35 yards.
We then transitioned to slugs, going out to 50 yards to zero our sights. We learned to find our natural point of aim by putting our sights on target, closing our eyes and taking a deep breath and exhale, then opening our eyes to see where the sites were pointing. If not on target we would make adjustments to our body position until we matched our natural point of aim close to the gun's sights. We then made adjustments to the sights themselves if necessary. I started the day with a Bushnell First Fire reflex red dot. It was great for a while but only lasted about 200 rounds before it began to flicker between shots. It became so unreliable that I just took it off the gun. Hopefully it just needs a new battery, but it was better to learn with iron sights anyway!
(100 yard slug shots on steel, prone position)
Learning to cycle the action properly, to load a new round, was a bit of a revelation. I had originally learned the push pull method of holding a shotgun, pulling the stock to my shoulder and pushing the forend away from me. After firing I would pause and give considerable thought to cycle the action, schunk schunk, and then fire, schunk schunk, fire. This method is slow. To speed things up, put backpressure on the forend, pulling it towards the shoulder. As soon as the shot breaks the forend unlocks and naturally wants to come back. With backpressure on the forend you are already a step ahead in the cycle, carrying its momentum back when it unlocks and then push it forward, or keep the action open if needed. Schunk schunk becomes Ch-Schunk and just about keeps up with a semi-auto loader.
(Back pressure on the forend for a faster cycling of the action, during one of the speed/race drills - photo credit Gunsite)
We learned how to unload a shotgun without racking the action, depressing the cartridge stop with a finger allows the live rounds to eject from the magazine. Then we learned, and practiced throughout the week, the idea of loading the magazine with one less round than capacity. Leaving an open space in the magazine allows for a fast transition to other types of ammunition. If you are loaded with bird or buck shot for close to medium distance targets but then need to switch to a slug for long distance, penetration or precision you can load a slug into the empty space of the magazine, eject what is in the chamber and your slug will load. We did this drill a lot.
Running the gun became the underlying foundation of both classes. Keeping it up and running by keeping it well fed. The Speed Load, dropping a shell directly into the open action and closing the action to chamber that round, and the Tac Load, loading a round into the magazine with your support hand, became essential skills. The instructors had us practice this ad nauseam. For hours we would hear the range commands:
“Fire, Load, Fire, Load….”
“Load what you shoot!”
“Load two. Shoot two”
“Load two. Shoot two. Load two” - I fell asleep one night with that one repeating in my head!
“Speed load. Tac load”
“Speed load. Tac load. Shoot two. Speed load. Tac load…..”
“Speed load one. Tac load four”
“Speed load. Fire. Speed load. Fire. Speed Load….”
(Speed loading, feeding a new shell directly into the open ejection port on an open action - photo credit Gunsite)
Speed load, tac load, shoot two, repeat, with buck shot, became our warm up drill each morning. Tired and a bit sore from the day before, bundled for the 30 degree temperatures and maybe one cup of coffee in if lucky, and…. HELLOOO Shoulder! Glad to know you're still there, I'm awake now!
Things really started to get fun when these drills became races. With four of us in the class we could run two against two and then run winners. Later the instructors pulled out a shot timer and we could race the clock. Shots must hit the target to count. My favorite drill was the four of us on the line with five steel targets at 10 yards. The first guy would speed load one and shoot one. As soon as he shot the rest of us would load as fast as possible.
The sequence was:
- load one shoot one at the first target
- load two shoot to at the second target
- load three shoot three at the third
- load four shoot four at the fourth
- load five shoot five at the fifth
- Last shooter on the line yells “clear” after his last shot so the first shooter knows to start the sequence on the next target. If done right it is a constant volley of fire.
(All lined up for drills!)
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