Shotguns

Assorted handgun bullets and cartridges.

Bullet Weight Pros and Cons

By North American Outdoors / March 30, 2025 / Comments Off on Bullet Weight Pros and Cons

Even bullets experience trends. Learn more about heavy vs. light loads to help you decide which is best for your situation. by Heidi Lyn Rao As a firearms instructor for more than 25 years, I have seen a definite shift in attitude about bullet weight and muzzle velocity, especially in self-defense cartridges. There was a time…

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Person wearing a gun in a holster.

Concealed Carry vs. Open Carry: Pros and Cons

By North American Outdoors / March 12, 2025 / Comments Off on Concealed Carry vs. Open Carry: Pros and Cons

If you live where you can carry either concealed or open, you must choose which way is right for your situation. Here are some factors to help with your decision. by Heidi Lyn Rao In 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen that the Second Amendment protects the…

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Federal Power-Shok 00 buckshot shells.

4 Things You “Ought” to Know About Buckshot

By North American Outdoors / February 28, 2025 / Comments Off on 4 Things You “Ought” to Know About Buckshot

If you are using buckshot for personal defense, it’s important to understand the differences between all your options. by Heidi Lyn Rao  When it comes to buckshot, Double “Ought” (00) is still the king! Though 00 is the most common buckshot used for self-defense, there are several additional options. Knowing these options are important to choose…

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Ornate 20 gauge shotgun, 28 inches.

3 Things to Check Before Shooting an Older Shotgun

By North American Outdoors / February 27, 2025 / Comments Off on 3 Things to Check Before Shooting an Older Shotgun

It is exciting to shoot any older shotgun, especially if it is 100 or more years old. Just be safe and do your homework. by Heidi Lyn Rao Shooting old shotguns can be very exciting. They are all unique. Often, the actions and other aspects of the firearm are unique to a certain period. For example,…

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Woman shooting shotgun outdoors.

Understanding the Complex World of Chokes

By North American Outdoors / February 9, 2025 / Comments Off on Understanding the Complex World of Chokes

By Heidi Lyn Rao UNDERSTANDING THE COMPLEX Understanding chokes can be very perplexing unless you get rid of the mindset that “all improved cylinder chokes pattern like all improved cylinder chokes”, “all modified chokes pattern like all modified chokes,” and “all full chokes pattern like all full chokes.” Just because a choke is stamped or…

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Seven metallic cylinders in a row.

4 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT STEEL SHOT

By North American Outdoors / December 27, 2024 / Comments Off on 4 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT STEEL SHOT

By Heidi Lyn Rao 4 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT STEEL SHOT Individuals who enjoy shotgun shooting or those individuals who are just getting into the sport, are immediately faced with the dilemma of which ammo to shoot: lead shot or steel shot. These two types of ammunition are not the same regarding their properties or…

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Know Your Shot—So You Are Not Taking a Shot In the Dark 

By North American Outdoors / November 21, 2024 / Comments Off on Know Your Shot—So You Are Not Taking a Shot In the Dark 

There is a lot to know about using the correct type of size and shot for your intended shotgun activity. Take the time to learn this lesson ahead of time! Know Your Shot—So You Are Not Taking a Shot In the Dark  – NRA Women.com To a beginner shotgun shooter, understanding the different sizes and…

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Woman shooting clays with shotgun.

The Shotgun Games We Play

By North American Outdoors / November 4, 2023 / Comments Off on The Shotgun Games We Play

An Introduction to the 3 Most Popular Clay Games By Heidi Lyn Rao The Shotgun Games We Play There seems to be as many different shotgun disciplines and games out there as there are shotgunners to shoot them! It is sometimes difficult to keep current with the new clay target games and variations of established…

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A person holding a gun and aiming at something

Understanding Shotgun Shell Terminology

By North American Outdoors / May 3, 2023 / Comments Off on Understanding Shotgun Shell Terminology

Shotgun shooting can be the most confusing of all the shooting sports. The following is a list of common words or phrases that you might see on a box of shotshells, along with their definitions. by HEIDI LYN RAO posted on May 3, 2023 NEWS, TERMINOLOGY, FIREARMS, GEAR Support NRA Women DONATE Shotgun shooting can be the most confusing of all…

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A group of people standing in the snow holding guns.

Bird Season Means Shotgun Season 

By North American Outdoors / August 31, 2022 / Comments Off on Bird Season Means Shotgun Season 

Bird Season Means Shotgun Season- NRA Women.com Choosing the right shotgun is more than just personal preference, as each type of hunting calls for an optimal type of shotgun. Choosing the right shotgun is more than personal preference. Different types of hunting call for different types of shotguns. When bird hunting, you need to know…

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