The shotgun was developed to shoot game on the wing/ run. Birdshot from size #9, the smallest, to BBB and T size, the largest, are used to shoot birds on the wing or small game while running. Many think that shooting birds on the ground or small game such as rabbits while standing still with a shotgun is not sporting.

Shotguns are also used to shoot deer with buckshot for two reasons. On deer drives with dogs because the deer are running and because the shot does not travel far and will not hit other hunters. Buckshot is also used in very populated areas for the same reason. Buckshot will kill a deer out to about 35 - 50 yards depending on size of buckshot and choke used. Buckshot is offered in #4 buck the smallest to 000 buck the largest. #4, #3, #2, #1, 0, 00, and 000 buck is offered by the big three Remington, Winchester, and Federal.

Buckshot is also used by the police, armed forces and regular folks for home defense. The pump is the most popular followed by the semi auto. The police use short barrels 12-18 inches to fit in tight places. Their guns are choked clyinder bore or inproved cylinder. They use them for close combat under thirty yards with buckshot or out to 50 yards with rifled slugs.The armed forces also use shotguns for close combat but as of late they are used as entry tools to shoot off locks and such.
 
For home defense many prefer #1 buckshot as a compromise between shot size, number of pellets and penatration. Your results with you gun may vary.

Shotguns with slugs are also used to shoot deer in populated areas. There are two types of slugs, foster stlye better known as "rifled slugs" although they are not realy rifled, are used in smooth bore barrels. The second is "sabot" slugs. These made to shoot in fully rifled barrels or with rifled choke tubes.

Remington, Mossberg, Winchester, Federal, Benelli, Beretta, Browning all have great web sites that explain a lot. Start with the Remington site and go to the reading room. Lot's of downloads and FAQ's. MIKE.

The story is that the great Ad Topperwein, exihibition shooter and PR guy (along with his equally talented shooting wife, "Plinky") for Winchester many years ago was once at a skeet club doing a demonstration. He called for a high-house bird and out it came...bang...nothing...the bird flew on. Again...same story...once more, and the third clay bird flew off unbroken. Topperwein said "excuse me a moment"...called his assistant over and whispered something to him and the man left, returning with two boxes of shells. Topperwein changed out his ammo and again called for a bird...bang...the bird flew away with a hole through the center!

The WW guys had played a joke on him and were using aluminum clays that the company had made for a promotional give-away. Topperwein had figured it out and called his bag boy to get him some slugs...he hit three more in a row before they let the crowd in on the joke! For Topperwein, it was a relatively easy shot!

He also allegedly once won a $50 bet with John Browning himself when they did the demonstration for the military of the BAR at West Point. Browning stated that no one could shoot thrown targets with a BAR... Topperwein said he could...and the stage was set. The bluffs over the Hudson river there apparently create a strong updraft, even in a light breeze. Topperwein used some 3in. metal washers thrown up and into that updraft and hit every one in front of the Generals!

He died at the age of 93 in 1962...one of the greatest shooters who ever lived.

www.traphof.org/topperwein-bio.htm