What You Learned (cont.)
Shotguns
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Built-in or attached to the muzzle end of the barrel, the choke is a constriction that controls the shot string. The most common chokes are Full, Modified, Improved Cylinder, and Cylinder (unchoked). A choke allows you to fine-tune your shotgun for the type of game you’re hunting.
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No two shotguns will shoot identical pellet patterns. To select the ammunition that provides the best performance, you must “pattern” your shotgun. The goal is to produce a pattern of pellets with even density and a sufficient percentage of the load within a 30-inch circle.
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Using proper shotgun-shooting techniques will help improve your accuracy. The four fundamentals you should master are standing in a relaxed, balanced shooting stance; shouldering the shotgun by bringing the stock to your cheek and then back to your shoulder; pointing the gun with your eye sighting along the top of the barrel; and pulling the trigger quickly as you continue to swing the gun.
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The two most common methods of leading targets at long distances are swing-through (best for beginners) and sustained lead. A third method is snap-shooting.