Shotguns are popular around the world due to their use in various activities such as hunting, sport shooting and self defense. They fire cartridges containing metal grains that are usually loaded individually one at a time, rather than in series. While gun technology has made significant progress over the years, loading most shotguns is still a fairly straightforward task.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Load a shotgun
Step 1. Make sure you are in a safe environment, that the chamber is free of cartridges and that the barrel of the gun is pointing in a direction that is clear of people or things
This is the first step to take when loading or handling any firearm. Consult the instruction manual of your model to better understand the safety measures.
Step 2. Determine the caliber (barrel diameter) of your shotgun, this way you can choose cartridges of the corresponding size
The most commonly used calibers are 10, 12, 16, 20, 410 and 28. Buckshot of a certain caliber can also be fired from rifles that house bullets of different sizes, but doing so will require a special tube. If not, it is best that you choose cartridges of the caliber intended for your shotgun.
Step 3. Place the butt on your left thigh while sitting
It is also possible to hold the shotgun rotated sideways while holding the stock under the arm. Make sure the trigger is positioned on the side of the gun outside of your person.
Step 4. Place a single cartridge against the insertion slot located just ahead of the guard on the left side of the weapon (in front of the trigger)
The inserted cartridge must be facing from the side of the shotgun towards the end of the gun barrel. It will be from that end of the cartridge that the bullet will explode out of the barrel, while a small explosive charge is housed on the opposite end of the cartridge.
Step 5. Using thumb pressure, push the case into the inlet slot until you hear a small click
When you hear the click, it means that the cartridge is positioned in the chamber.
Step 6. Repeat this until the tank is full
You will find that you have fully loaded the shotgun when you are no longer able to insert shells.
Step 7. To load the chamber, hold down the bolt release button (usually located just ahead of the guard) and apply a little force on the sliding system first backwards and then forwards
You are now ready to shoot.
Method 2 of 2: Load a swing-action shotgun
Step 1. Make sure you are in a safe environment and aim the gun away from people and things
Always treat any firearm as if it were loaded, even if you are certain otherwise.
Step 2. Lock the lever on the right side of the receiver (lever or button)
This is usually on the right side of the gun, on the coincidence between the barrel and the chamber.
Unlike shotguns, those with swinging barrel do not have a magazine to be able to eject more cases in succession and to reload them you need to enter the cases directly into the combustion chamber. This means that your shotgun will have to be reloaded with every shot, or at most every two, if you have a shotgun
Step 3. Open the shotgun and let the barrels drop down
Step 4. Remove any empty shells
Be careful: If you have just used the shotgun, the empty cartridges inside it will surely be hot. Also try not to touch the metal of the barrel.
Step 5. Replace each old case with a new one
The rear end of the case must slide into the barrel.
Step 6. Return the stock and barrel aligned to their initial state until you hear the click
The rifle is now loaded and ready to fire.
Advice
- Semi-automatic shotguns generally load in the same way as shotguns, consult the user manual for your firearm if you feel you can reload your semi-automatic model differently.
- New rifles have surprisingly strong springs and may require a little more force to insert the cartridge case into the slot.
- Using the tip of your thumb allows you to insert the shells into the slot more easily than with another finger.
- Always remember to check that there are no bullets in the chamber unless you are about to use the firearm.
- On some models, the inside of the loading area may have sharp edges or components. A quick look inside will certainly give you an idea of which potentially sharp parts are to watch out for during use.
Warnings
- NEVER try to force a case to enter the entry slot with any object (eg screwdriver). You could accidentally cause one of the shells to burst and seriously injure you or a third party.
- Weapons are not toys! Firearms must be treated with respect and kept out of the reach of children, especially without adult supervision.
- NEVER attempt to tamper with weapons or bullets - remember that your weapon is designed to withstand some firepower. If you tamper with the bullets, even if they are perfectly adapted to the caliber of the chamber, they could be of significantly higher power and you could run the risk of your rifle exploding, injuring or killing you or third parties.
