Nice read. Thanks for the link.
My thoughts...worth approx 1 Ruble...
When I loaded up the 12 ga. pump w/00 buck, I never had a thought of a shot over 20 yds. In fact, I never had a thought of a shot, for defense, of 20 yds...considering that the distance from my bedroom door to the front door of the house is less than that. Of course, I also hope that the sound of a pump racking would give me a split second advantage over any intruder. (Maybe, maybe not...)
Anyway, I grew up hunting deer with a shotgun. My first shotgun ( a .410) wouldn't pattern for squat with slugs. My second ( a single shot 12 ga.) would do okay at 50 yds, but I never considered taking a shot longer than that. My third (borrowed 12 ga. bolt w/rifled bbl.) would do at 100 yds...it would also pattern #4 birdshot so tightly that it was easier to shoot clays with a .22LR. After seeing a buck hit in the face/chest at 20 yds. with 00 buck, and running off little worse for the experience, I learned this: even with a shotty, AIM like you were using a rifle; don't take long shots; know the pattern of your wep/ammo system; don't depend on it for penetration.
Frankly, I like the shotgun at self-defense ranges for COM shots, psychological effect (thank you, Sun Tzu), and, in extremely close quarters, it makes a really good staff. Hmmm...maybe I should get one of those WWI Winchesters w/bayo?:buttkick: The only reason that the shot-gun won out over the rifle is that I live in a populated area. It's not any easier to get good hits with the scattergun. Heck, if it weren't for neighbors I'd have gone for an AK or a .45-70 lever gun.
Okay...maybe my thoughts are worth 1/2 of a Ruble.
Michael