{"id":6085,"date":"2020-08-25T19:01:17","date_gmt":"2020-08-25T19:01:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/?p=6085"},"modified":"2023-03-15T14:18:11","modified_gmt":"2023-03-15T14:18:11","slug":"shotgun-vs-rifle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/shotgun-vs-rifle\/","title":{"rendered":"Shotgun vs Rifle for Home Defense"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Home defense guns may be one of the most hotly debated topics in the world of firearms. The subject has probably generated more arguments than politics (and that\u2019s saying something with the way things are today). Everyone has their own opinion on the matter, and they are willing to passionately defend it. So, what&#8217;s the difference between a shotgun vs rifle and which is a better choice for you? Let&#8217;s dive in and find out.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Shotgun vs. Rifle<\/h2>\n<p>A shotgun fires a shotshell or buckshot. Sometimes called a scattergun, these firearms usually fire more than one projectile and spray a pattern into a target typically within 100 yards. A rifle is typically associated with greater distance and precision. It fires one bullet and can successfully hit a target up to several miles away.<\/p>\n<p>What&#8217;s the best way to understand? This video can teach you the shotgun vs. rifle difference in 10 seconds.<\/p>\n<p><script src=\"https:\/\/fast.wistia.com\/embed\/medias\/zcvbkh848e.jsonp\" async><\/script><script src=\"https:\/\/fast.wistia.com\/assets\/external\/E-v1.js\" async><\/script><\/p>\n<div class=\"wistia_responsive_padding\" style=\"padding:56.25% 0 0 0;position:relative;\">\n<div class=\"wistia_responsive_wrapper\" style=\"height:100%;left:0;position:absolute;top:0;width:100%;\">\n<div class=\"wistia_embed wistia_async_zcvbkh848e videoFoam=true\" style=\"height:100%;position:relative;width:100%\">\n<div class=\"wistia_swatch\" style=\"height:100%;left:0;opacity:0;overflow:hidden;position:absolute;top:0;transition:opacity 200ms;width:100%;\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/fast.wistia.com\/embed\/medias\/zcvbkh848e\/swatch\" style=\"filter:blur(5px);height:100%;object-fit:contain;width:100%;\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" onload=\"this.parentNode.style.opacity=1;\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some shooters claim a shotgun is the perfect home defense weapon. (Even Joe Biden is <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cnn.com\/2013\/02\/20\/us\/us-biden-shotguns-social-media\/index.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a fan of the double barrel variety<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.) Others swear by a rifle for home protection.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all home defense weapon. The \u201cbest\u201d weapon for home defense depends on the situation, what you shoot most confidently, and the shooting skills of other family members who may need to use it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both platforms have benefits and limitations, and choosing one over the other is a major exercise in compromise. You just have to decide which compromises you\u2019re willing to make.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Focusing on Home Defense<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plenty of shooters use their hunting, target shooting, or concealed carry gun as their primary home defense weapon. There\u2019s certainly nothing wrong with your favorite firearm pulling double duty. If that\u2019s the weapon you and your family are most comfortable using, have at it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t take the following information as criticism of your beloved sidearm or Grandpa\u2019s deer rifle. We\u2019re choosing to focus our attention here on picking a firearm whose primary function is protecting your home and family.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shotguns for Home Defense<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-6276\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/Shotguns-for-home-defense.jpg\" alt=\"A shotgun at a front door of a home used for defense\" width=\"1200\" height=\"546\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/Shotguns-for-home-defense.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/Shotguns-for-home-defense-300x137.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/Shotguns-for-home-defense-1024x466.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The good old-fashioned scattergun has been used to protect the homestead for generations. Many modern shooters still consider the shotgun the ideal home defense weapon.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s even the popular theory that the mere sound of racking a shotgun is enough to deter would-be criminals. It certainly takes an uncommonly brave idiot to stare down the barrel of a loaded 12-gauge and keep charging.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The shotgun has one major advantage over a rifle (and a handgun, for that matter): It has the ability to send a LOT of lead downrange in a hurry.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It can take multiple shots to eliminate a violent threat, especially if that threat is a person jacked up on narcotics or some other drug. That\u2019s why most self-defense instructors emphasize getting multiple rounds on target as quickly as possible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unlike rifles or handguns, shotguns fire several projectiles each time you pull the trigger.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Load your home defense 12-gauge with 2 \u00be-inch rounds of 00 buckshot (a common home defense choice &#8211; see our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/best-shotgun-ammo-for-home-defense\/\">top picks for defensive 12 gauge ammo here<\/a>), and you send nine .38 caliber balls of lead barreling toward your target with every trigger pull. If your goal is to get multiple projectiles on target fast, it\u2019s hard to beat a shotgun.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And since most shotguns have a limited magazine capacity, and can be a challenge to reload, it\u2019s a good thing each round contains so much lead.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_6105\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6105\" style=\"width: 243px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-6105 size-medium\" title=\"load a shotgun\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/load-shotgun-243x300.jpg\" alt=\"Loading a 12 gauge shotgun\" width=\"243\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/load-shotgun-243x300.jpg 243w, https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/load-shotgun-830x1024.jpg 830w, https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/load-shotgun-1245x1536.jpg 1245w, https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/load-shotgun-1660x2048.jpg 1660w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 243px) 100vw, 243px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-6105\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Shotguns can be challenging when you&#8217;re under stress.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aiming a Home Defense Shotgun<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There is a pervading myth that shotguns don\u2019t need to be aimed. In this fairytale world, you can just point the shotgun, pull the trigger, and the rounds will magically find their way to your intended target.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unfortunately, this belief is fairly common, even though it isn\u2019t at all true.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That 2 \u00be-inch round of 00 buckshot will produce a fist-size shot spread at 10 yards. Even at 20 yards, you won\u2019t see a shot pattern much larger than a pie plate. While precision may not be as important with a shotgun as when you\u2019re using a rifle, aiming is still essential, especially at the hallway-length engagement distance of the typical home defense situation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While a cluster of 00 buckshot might not pass clean through a human intruder, miss that human intruder and that buckshot can punch through drywall and into the next room. Once it passes into the next room, it may still be carrying enough energy to do serious damage. Properly aiming a shotgun might not seem all that important until you consider the kids sleeping in that next room.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sorry to burst your bubble, but you shouldn\u2019t spray lead from a shotgun while holding it at the hip like they do in the movies. Even if Hollywood does make it look seriously cool and totally plausible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You are responsible for every shot fired from your weapon. So <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/correct-way-to-shoulder-a-shotgun\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">raise that weapon to your shoulder<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and take careful aim before you pull the trigger.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maneuverability<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The standard sporting shotgun is long and heavy. While your duck hunting gun can definitely be used to thwart home intruders, the extra-long barrel and hefty weight can be a huge hindrance in close quarters conditions (like your hallway or living room).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want a dedicated home defense shotgun, a tactical shotgun with a shorter barrel (typically between 18.5 to 20 inches) will be far easier to maneuver indoors.\u00a0 Some tactical models also come with extended magazine capacity and enhanced sights.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Issue of Recoil<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That cluster of 00 buckshot does some serious damage to soft tissue, especially at close range. Each pull of the trigger delivers some major stopping power. However, that power comes with a price. The average 12-gauge can produce some pretty serious recoil.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not only can recoil put a hurting on your shoulder, it can make it harder to recover from that first shot, and recovery is key to getting the bead back on target for accurate follow-up shots.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While you might think the recoil is no big deal, it can be a major issue for small-frame shooters or anyone with limited upper body strength. What happens if your wife, teenage daughter, or elderly mother is confronted by a home intruder? Will she be able to fend off an attacker with your home defense shotgun?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re still dead-set on using a shotgun, choose<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/best-shotgun-ammo-for-home-defense\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> loads specifically designed for home defense<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Most are designed to produce less felt recoil.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shotgun Pros and Cons<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s sum it up in a quick review.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>The Pros<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fires multiple projectiles with each shot.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Serious stopping power.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Staring down the barrel of a 12-gauge is pretty threatening (not to mention that ominous pump action sound).\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><strong>The Cons<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heavy and long.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Harsh recoil.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Limited magazine capacity.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Difficult to reload.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">00 buckshot can penetrate walls.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rifles for Home Defense<\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_6278\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-6278\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-6278 size-full\" title=\"Target shot by rifle and shotgun\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/target-shot-with-rifle-and-shotgun.jpg\" alt=\"A cardboard target shot with both rifle and shotgun ammo\" width=\"1200\" height=\"722\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/target-shot-with-rifle-and-shotgun.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/target-shot-with-rifle-and-shotgun-300x181.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/target-shot-with-rifle-and-shotgun-1024x616.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-6278\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Our .223 shots into a cardboard target (left) vs. the buckshot that hit the target (right).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have to investigate something that goes bump in the night, it\u2019s probably best to leave that bolt action rifle you use to hunt mule deer in the gun safe. Not only will it be slow to load, the high-power cartridges it shoots produce excessive flash, noise, and recoil. That\u2019s a disorienting (and dangerous) combination for the shooter, especially inside a dark house.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your hunting rifle also fires projectiles that travel at high velocities and carry a ton of kinetic energy. While those are a bonus when shooting big game in open woods, they create major penetration issues inside your home.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The soft points you use for mulies are likely to over penetrate your target at close home defense ranges. And once they penetrate your target, they\u2019ll keep going through the wall behind the target, and probably the wall of your neighbor\u2019s house down the street. Remember, you are responsible for every shot fired from your weapon.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The AR-15 for Home Defense<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That doesn\u2019t mean no rifle is a viable option for home defense. While your bolt action .308 may not be practical, that doesn\u2019t mean your modern sporting rifle isn\u2019t. In fact, when it comes to home defense, we\u2019re big fans of America\u2019s sweetheart rifle, the AR-15.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While the sharp corners and tight confines of the average family home make maneuvering a long gun problematic, the carbine length AR-15 was built for these conditions. It\u2019s also lightweight, easy to shoot, and has only mild recoil (especially in the most common chambering of .223\/5.56).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It also has a magazine capacity that puts the typical shotgun to shame. The standard AR magazine holds thirty rounds. If you live in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, or the District of Columbia, the law limits your magazine to 10 rounds. That\u2019s still five more rounds than the average sporting shotgun.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Considering Other Family Members<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-6104 size-large\" title=\"AR-15 rifle for home defense\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/dont-mess-1024x587.jpg\" alt=\"A young girl with an AR-15 rifle behind a bed\" width=\"1024\" height=\"587\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The AR-15 is surprisingly easy to shoot, especially for inexperienced shooters. Although there have been plenty of pundits and politicians who have attempted to paint the AR-15 as a frightening weapon of mass destruction, it actually makes a great entry-level weapon for new shooters.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The combination of the weapon\u2019s ergonomics and soft-shooting caliber make the AR-15 easy to shoot accurately and confidently, even if you\u2019re an infrequent shooter.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Its short barrel-length and light weight also make it easy for younger or elderly shooters to handle. While I may be fine with a hefty 12 gauge, I\u2019d prefer my 16 year-old daughter or my 70 year-old mother have an AR in their hands if a violent criminal threatens them when they\u2019re home alone. It\u2019s just going to be easier for them to put multiple rounds on target with that weapon compared to the heavy and hard-hitting 12 gauge.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Upgrading Your AR-15 for Home Defense<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I have often said AR-15s are like Barbie dolls for grown-ups. (Sorry, guys.) Just like with Barbies, the real fun is in accessorizing them. With user-friendly rail systems and tons of aftermarket support, you can add pretty much anything you want to your rifle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want to use your AR-15 for home defense, you can choose lights, lasers, and optics that make these easy-shooting weapons even easier to shoot.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Worried about seeing in the dark? Add a flashlight.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Need an intuitive optic for an inexperienced shooter? Pop a holo sight or a red dot on your rail.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Worried about disorienting muzzle flash inside a dark house? Use a flash hider.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The possibilities for customizing your AR-15 are endless.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Home Defense Ammo for Your AR-15\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-6100 size-medium\" title=\"AR-15 light\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/20200430_154327_Film1-1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"An AR-15 rifle equipped with a light for home defense\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/20200430_154327_Film1-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/lodge\/wp-content\/uploads\/20200430_154327_Film1-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another advantage of using an AR-15 is that there is a ton of ammo on the market. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ammunitiontogo.com\/index.php\/cName\/rifle-ammo-223-556\">.223\/5.56 ammo<\/a> is relatively inexpensive and usually readily available.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because the AR-15 is easily the most popular civilian rifle in the world, you can find a load optimized to meet pretty much all your shooting desires. If you want cheap practice ammo, it&#8217;s easy to find. Want match grade competition ammo? There\u2019s plenty of that, too.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s even ammo designed specifically for home defense. Some of these specialized loads feature reduced flash propellants, nickel-plated cases for easy chamber checks, and expanding bullets intended to stay in the target.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expanding projectiles dump a ton of energy into the target, preventing dangerous over-penetration. Expansion also slows the projectiles when they strike a wall, minimizing the risk of them punching through to the room where your family is hiding.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AR-15 Pros and Cons<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here\u2019s a quick summary of the pros and cons.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><strong>The Pros<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Higher magazine capacity.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Easier to shoot, especially for weaker or inexperienced shooters.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mild recoil.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Light weight and carbine length barrel makes it easier to maneuver indoors.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Easy to customize with accessories.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Less chance of over penetration, especially with the proper ammo.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><strong>The Cons<\/strong><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Less tissue damage per round.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Importance of a Plan<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whatever you pick in the rifle vs shotgun debate, don\u2019t neglect training and good old-fashioned practice. Both will help improve your confidence and accuracy with the weapon.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should also have a plan in place for what to do in the event of a home intrusion. It should include paths of retreat as well as plans for engagement. The plan doesn\u2019t need to be elaborate, and it certainly won\u2019t be perfect. However, having even a basic strategy will put you leagues ahead of most American households.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be sure to share both weapon training and your home defense plan with all the members of your family.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Final Thoughts<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u2019ve chosen to focus our attention on shotguns vs modern sporting rifles in this article on home defense. We know there are other options, but space here is limited. Feel free to share your experiences and\/or opinions in the comments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A look at using shotguns and rifles for defending your home and family. Both options are popular, but which is best for your specific living situation? We can help.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":6291,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[81],"tags":[32,22],"class_list":["post-6085","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-self-defense","tag-ar-15","tag-shotguns"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Shotgun vs Rifle for Home Defense - Your Best Bet<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"What&#039;s a better bet - shotgun vs rifle - for defense and hunting? 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