Gun Care and Cleaning Tips
General gun care and cleaning are fundamental responsibilities of gun ownership, and beg regular re-visiting.
Remember that in order to ensure proper function, shotguns need to be cleaned on a regular basis.
How to Properly Clean a Gun in 10 Steps
A fine shotgun should last many generations, and with proper care, it can.
Even after a long day afield, it is the responsibility of the gun owner to clean and maintain his or her shotgun to ensure long life and proper function. Jordan Smith, Orvis resident Gunsmith, recommends the following procedure be followed each time a gun returns from the field or clays course.
Shotgun Stock & Measurements
The stock of a shotgun is composed of two parts: the butt-stock and the fore-end or forearm.
The butt-stock is the piece of the shotgun that marries to your shoulder and cheek, and allows the trigger-hand a grip. The fore-end serves differing functions depending on action type, but in loose terms it provides a home for the forward hand that supports and guides the barrels.
The Basics of Birdshot and Shells
Greater volume does not often equate to greater ballistic efficiency.
A modern shotgun shell, also called a shot-shell, or cartridge, is measured in gauge, length, shot size, and powder charge. It is constructed of a brass base and a plastic cylinder in which the contents, namely the powder, shot, and wad, are contained. The plastic cylinder is crimped on the top to retain all of the contents and to open freely when discharged, propelling the shot.
What is Shotgun Gauge?
Shotgun gauge refers to the diameter of the bore, or, more simply, the inside diameter of the barrel.
The common gauges for upland hunting and clays include, in descending order of size, 12, 16, 20, 28, and .410. The 12 gauge gun is likely the most common shotgun in existence. It is versatile, practical, and appropriate for hunting virtually any species of North American upland game, as well as participation in sporting clays, trap, and skeet. But what does the ‘12’ in 12 gauge refer to?