How to Shoot and Load a Semi Auto Shotgun

When handling a semi automatic shotgun, or any firearm for that matter, safety needs to be your absolute highest priority. If you're new to shotguns and firearms in general, staying safe makes the entire process more enjoyable. With that being said, here are the four firearms safety rules that you should follow:

1. Treat every firearm as if it were loaded
2. Never point a firearm at anything you are not willing to destroy
3. Keep your finger off the trigger until you are on target and ready to fire
4. Be sure of your target and what is beyond it

With these safety guidelines in mind, it’s time to discuss how semi-auto shotguns work so that you can train and practice like a pro.

How to Load a Semi Auto Shotgun

Not every semi-auto shotgun is the same, and each model may differ in how the action cycles a round into the chamber. Regardless, to load any type of semi automatic shotgun, you must do the following:

• Before you do anything, make sure the safety is engaged and the muzzle is facing in a safe direction.
• Depress the carrier lift gate on the bottom of the receiver (usually done by using the business end of a shotgun shell).
• In a deliberate motion, push the bottom of the shell (the side with the brass on it) into the magazine tube. You'll know it's in all of the way if you get an audible "CLICK". It's kind of a no-brainer, but you can tell immediately if you loaded a shell correctly by whether or not the shell comes flying back at you from the spring pressure.
• Continue this process until you are unable to successfully get a shell to click into the magazine tube. Something to note is that as you load more cartridges into the gun, each proceeding round will become harder and harder to load due to the increasing spring tension. This is perfectly normal so don't worry.

You should also know that the magazine tube spring of a shotgun is one of the major points of failure as the gun becomes older, especially after hard use activities like 3-gun competitions. This is because you are putting tension on the spring every time you load the shotgun, so it is one of the most used parts in the entire system.

How to Chamber a Semi Auto Shotgun Round

Using the Cartridge Drop Lever

This is the simplest way to chamber a round in a non-defensive situation. Pushing in on the cartridge drop lever (as shown in the picture above) will send one round from the magazine tube onto the carrier. Once it has dropped, you can grab the charging handle with either hand and in a "slingshot" like motion, pull back on it rapidly and let go. This will rack the cartridge into the chamber, and you are ready to fire.

Make sure you do not "ride" or slowly let the charging handle move forward. Doing so will cause the firearm to not lock up properly into battery.

From the Bolt

This would be the desired method in a tactical or self-defense setting where fine motor skills are lacking. With the stock of the shotgun squeezed in between your elbow and hip/side, pull back on the charging handle, holding the bolt open. With your other hand, drop a loose shotgun shell in the ejection port, making sure it is facing the correct orientation. With your finger out of the way, let go of the charging handle in a "slingshot" like motion. The gun is now ready to fire.

What Are the Best Shooting Positions for Semi Auto Shotguns?

Depending on the specific load of shotgun ammo you're shooting, a 12 gauge semi-auto shotgun has a considerable amount of recoil. Due to this, it is important to have a sturdy shooting position and weapon grip to maximize your efficiency with the firearm. The best way to counteract the kick is by making sure your feet are shoulder-width apart in a semi-bladed stance. If you are supporting the weapon with your right hand, lead with your right foot and vice versa.

Then, place the stock of the gun tightly into your shoulder area and get a nice cheek weld on the shotgun stock. This eliminates any space where your body is contacting the shotgun. If done correctly, this will play a considerable role in lessening felt recoil.

With the gun shouldered and your feet positioned accordingly, lean slightly forward. This position will allow shooters of any stature to safely and properly tame the energy of the 12-gauge cartridge upon firing.

How to Aim with a Semi Automatic Shotgun

Believe it or not, you actually have to aim a shotgun. Although you have a greater margin for inaccuracy, the Hollywood action scene where a shotgun blasts out a huge hole from a few feet away couldn't be further from the truth. If you want to hit your static target, aim as you would with a rifle.

What Ammo Should You Use with Semi Automatic Shotguns?

It's no secret that semi automatic shotguns are inherently less reliable than pump-action or over-under shotguns. A larger percentage of semi autos will only function reliably with a specific range of shotgun cartridges with various weights and velocities. This is because there are a lot more moving parts inside the firearm, so there are more failure points. While this may seem like a dealbreaker, the trade off is that you can shoot much faster with a semi-automatic shotgun. The correct ammo types for your specific shotgun should be clearly labeled in the firearm’s user manual. If not, it's never a bad idea to try out a wide assortment of shotgun ammo to see what runs in your gun efficiently. If you want to learn more, check out our Types of Shotgun Shells How-To Guide.

There's no easy formula to show how buckshot or birdshot will spread X inches at X yards. As a rule of thumb, cartridges with higher FPS will spread more than an identically loaded, lower power shotgun shell. The best advice would be to see how different cartridges spread at the same distance, known as patterning, with your shotgun. Then, you can also install a choke tube if you want to alter the spread further.

How to Fire a Semi Auto Shotgun

The operation of firing a semi-auto shotgun is very straightforward. Keep in mind, not every shotgun will have the exact same positioning of the controls. If you are unable to figure out where your controls are located, consult your owner’s manual.

• Get into the shooting position we discussed earlier
• Aim at your target
• Be sure what's beyond it
• Disengage the safety
• Pull the trigger

The shotgun’s action will cycle the next round from the magazine tube into the chamber. How fast or slow you should shoot a semi-auto shotgun depends on your skill level, safety concerns, and comfort with the weapon.

You'll know the gun is empty when the bolt locks to the rear and the inside of the chamber is visible. At this point, you can either re-engage the safety and safely stow the shotgun or reload and continue shooting. To reload from this position, grab a shell, drop it into the chamber in the correct orientation, and depress the bolt release. This will send the shotgun into battery. You can then load additional rounds into the magazine tube or load another shell into the chamber from an open bolt after the chambered round is fired. 

The Full Scoop on Semi Autos

With these tips in mind, you’re ready to properly shoot your first semi-automatic shotgun. Just remember to practice the four rules of firearm safety and read your owner’s manual to gain a better understanding of how to load and chamber shotgun ammunition and locate the essential controls. When shooting, make sure your stance is solid and aim the shotgun with the same precision as you would any other firearm. 

Hopefully, this article helped you learn how to properly handle a semi-auto shotgun. If you're looking to stock up before you start shooting, we have tons of 20 gauge ammo, .410 gauge ammo, and more across all gauges.