What is the range of a 12 gauge break open shotgun?

Question

I have a break-open 12 gauge shot gun and there is this fox that i need to kill. Its eating our chickens. We cant cage our chickens because they are free roam chickens. I usually see it at around 30-35 yards. I have High and low brass shells. Can i kill it at that range? and do i use the high or low brass shells? And how many pellets will hit it at that range?

Answer 1

At 35Yd.s you to be using larger, about #4, shot.

Turkey or upland game loads.

The shot size matters more than the shell 'base'.

Use the tighter choke barrel for the first shot.

Answer 2

Range of a shotgun is dependent on the size of shot used in the shell.  For your problem large shot #4 or bigger is called for.

Hitting and pellets on target is dependent on choke.  A full choke with #4 shot you should be good.  Modified with #4 shot is pushing it, but might get the job done.  Only way to know how many pellets your likely to get on target is to  pattern your shotgun with the load you plan to hunt with.

Answer 3

Use some BB shot or turkey loads.  At that distance the fox is a goner.

Answer 4

35 yds is ok for a shotgun. u want to use high brass only. i only use low brass for target shooting. u should buy a low number like a 4. when shopping the shotshell boxes will usally say what game they are ment for.

Answer 5

You're leaving out the most important fact concerning this shotgun. How long is the barrel ? Any standard length barrel will stop your fox problem @ 30-35 yrs with either low or high brass shells. If you've got a cut down barrel, you'd be better off using it as a club at that range.

Answer 6

The range of a shotgun has less to do with whether it is a break open or fixed breech and more to do with length of  chambers, type of choke as well as type of ammo. To make a clean kill at under 40 yds., you want a gun with atleast  2 3/4" chambers. You want to shoot  BB lead shot in more than a 1 oz. load thru a modified or full choke.  Also, you want to make sure you are shooting  shells with a Miniumum muzzle velocity of 1200 fps.  

Answer 7

You will retain sufficient shot for up to 50 yards.  You may increase that range with slugs.  (accurate to.)  

I do reccomend using BB or larger shells.