Download Article Download Article

Shotguns are popular around the world for hunting, shooting sports and home defense. They fire shells of metal shot that are usually loaded one at a time, instead of in a clip. While shotgun technology has advanced over the years, loading most shotguns is still a simple task.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Loading a Pump-Action Shotgun

Download Article
  1. This is always the first step when loading or handling any gun. Consult your weapon's instruction manual to locate the safety feature. [1]
  2. Common shotgun sizes are 10, 12, 16, 20, .410 bore, and 28. Shotshell of one gauge may be fired in a shotgun of another gauge, but doing so requires a special tube. Otherwise it is best to just select the proper sized ammo for your weapon. [2]
    Advertisement
  3. You can also secure the stock under your arm with the gun turned sideways. Make sure that the trigger and trigger guard are positioned on the side of the shotgun facing away from you. [3]
  4. The "business end" of the shell should be pointing toward the end of the gun barrel. The business end is the end of the shell that the shot comes out of and is opposite the metal capped end of the shell where the explosive charge is housed. [4]
  5. When it clicks, the rim of the shell should have passed the magazine catch. [5]
  6. You can tell the tube is full when you attempt to load a shell but it won't go in. [6]
  7. Hold in the action release button and pump the slide backwards and then forwards with a reasonable amount of force to load the chamber. This will strip a shell from the magazine and load it into firing position. The shotgun is now ready to fire. [7]
  8. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Loading a Break-Action Shotgun

Download Article
  1. Always treat a gun as though it were loaded, even if you know it isn't. [8]
  2. This will usually be on the right side of the gun, where the barrel meets the stock. [9]
    • Unlike a pump-action shotgun, a break action has no magazine tube to load several shells at a time into. Instead, the gun breaks open to allow you to load a shell directly into the chamber of your barrel (or barrels). This means your gun needs to be reloaded after every shot, or every two shots if you have a double-barreled shotgun.
  3. [10]
  4. Be careful: these may be hot if the gun was recently fired. Try not to let your hand touch the metal of the barrel. [11]
  5. The business-end of the shell should slide into the barrel. [12]
  6. Your gun is now loaded and ready to fire. [13]
  7. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I properly hold a shotgun?
    Dr. Jeffrey S. Harmon
    Firearms Instructor
    Dr. Jeffrey S. Harmon is a Firearms Instructor based in Southern New Jersey. He is the Owner and Chief Operating Officer of Ironsights Academy, a firearms education & training organization that he launched to continue his love of teaching and learning. Dr. Harmon is a higher education educator with over 20 years of experience who blended his passion for teaching with shooting sports as he launched Ironsights Academy: Firearms Education & Training. Dr. Harmon is an NRA Certified Instructor in Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, Personal Protection Inside & Outside the Home, Concealed Carry Weapons, Defensive Pistol, and a certified Chief Range Safety Officer. Dr. Harmon is also certified by the American College of Surgeons to teach Stop the Bleed courses.
    Firearms Instructor
    Expert Answer
    To properly hold a shotgun, establish four points of contact. If you're right-handed, your support hand (left hand) should be positioned at the fore-end of the shotgun, using a low C-grip to avoid touching the barrel that may get hot. Simultaneously, your right hand grasps the neck or wrist near the trigger. Ensure the buttstock is tucked into your shoulder pocket, providing a stable third point of contact. The fourth and final point involves placing your cheek on the comb or the top of the buttstock. This grip ensures control, stability, and safety while handling the shotgun.
  • Question
    Does a shotgun have to be loaded to put the safety on?
    Community Answer
    You can put the safety on regardless of whether or not the gun is loaded.
  • Question
    How do I remove shells?
    Community Answer
    Depending on the make, put the gun on safe and act as if you were putting another round in with the slide, it should pop free.
See more answers
Ask a Question
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • Semi-automatic shotguns load in basically the same manner as pump shotguns, consult your owners manual if you think your semi-auto may load differently.
      • Newer shotguns may have a surprisingly strong magazine spring, and may demand a little more force to get the shell in past the magazine catch.
      • Using the pad of the thumb allows more leverage to push the shells into the magazine tube than a finger.
      Show More Tips
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Never attempt to force a shotshell into the magazine with any object such as a screwdriver. You could accidentally set off the shell, seriously injuring yourself or others.
      • Guns are not toys! Firearms should be treated with respect and never handled by children without adult supervision.
      • Never attempt to 'mismatch' firearms and ammunition, the round may fit in the chamber, but it could be of a considerably higher power than your gun is designed to handle. Your gun could explode and harm or kill you or other bystanders.
      Advertisement

      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about using firearms, check out our in-depth interview with Dr. Jeffrey S. Harmon .

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To load a pump-action shotgun, first make sure its safety is on, the chamber is empty, and the barrel is pointed away from you to maintain proper gun safety. Then, place your first shell against the loading flap and push it forward until you hear a click. Once your first shell is loaded, repeat the process for however many rounds your shotgun takes. When a shell won’t go into the loading flap, you’ll know the gun is full. When your shotgun is fully loaded, hold its action release button and pump the slide backwards and forwards to load the first round into the chamber. For more tips, including how to load a break-action shotgun, read on!

      Did this summary help you?
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 401,811 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Sonia

        Apr 5, 2022

        "Writing a book, my protagonist is attempting to scare an intruder, she's used the shotgun but not for awhile. ..." more
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement