Shotguns & Shotgunning (Firearms) [Hardcover]

Layne Simpson (Author)

Book Description

Series: Firearms | Publication Date: December 15, 2003

The sportsman's complete guide to choosing and using shotguns

The shotgun in unsurpassed as a sporting tool and it has enjoyed a long and storied history in the hands of hunters and marksmen around the world. Yet, the novice shooter is often overwhelmed by the choices he faces when selecting the right gun for his favorite activities: Which gauge is best? Should they shoot an over-under, side-by-side, autoloader or pump? What about chokes? And is lead or nontoxic shot better - and in what sizes?

Fortunately, Layne Simpson has a lifetime of shotgunning experience to share with you and his sage advice will help answer all these questions and many more. Part technical guide, part loving tribute, this book will make you look at shotguns in a totally different light.

• 
  
  
  
  Explore every common gauge of shotgun - 10, 12, 16, 20, 28, and .410 bore and discover the best for you
• 
  
  
  
  Compare and contrast double-barrel guns, autoloaders, pumps and bolt-actions
• 
  
  
  
  Reviews the shotgunner's favorite game species - quail, pheasant, grouse, ducks and many more - and learn which gun and loads are right for the job
• 
  
  
  
  Learn how to fit, pattern and maintain your guns

Above all, the shotgun is the centerpiece of all stories about wonderful days spent in the field?of North Woods' logging trails and ruffed grouse exploding into golden-tinged woodlands?of foggy mornings in a duck blind shared with good friends, a trusty 10 gauge and your favorite retriever?of corn fields, cold wind and the cook pheasant's crackly as you insticvively shoulder your favorite autoloader?this is the shotgunner's world.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Layne Simpson has been field editor for Shooting Times Magazine for the past 20 years and has developed a large and devoted following. In addition, he has written articles for several major outdoor publications, including Gun Digest, Guns Illustrated, Field & Stream, Gun World, American Hunter, Outdoor Life, and American Rifleman. He is presently on the writing staff of Peterson’s Hunting, Wing & Shot, Wild Fowl, and Gun Dog magazines and is author of a number of books. He resides in Simpsonville, South Carolina.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Krause Publications; 1St Edition edition (December 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873495675
• ISBN-13: 978-0873495677
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,052,809 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly Comprehensive, September 8, 2006

By 

J. D. Maher (Joliet, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shotguns & Shotgunning (Firearms) (Hardcover)

After almost 40 years, I am just returning to the world of shotgun bird hunting. As a kid, my uncle taught me everything he wanted me to know - and nothing else. This is exactly the comprehensive guide I needed to find!

This book is about shotguns and how to use them for hunting (primarily, birds). Mr. Simpson provides a complete survey course on shotgun types and their makers, including which is good for what and how to choose. He provides the same range of information for ammunition and chokes, correlated to the shotgun type and use. He describes shotgun activities, covering all types of hunting (wild and preserve) and the various target sports. He provides not only safe practices, but how to conduct yourself politely in the field and at the range. He even dicusses clothing and accessories (e.g., glasses and ear protection).

Mr. Simpson's writing style is very enjoyable and easy to understand. Even better, he freely shares wonderful stories of a long life with shotgunning. Oh, and by the way, its a beautiful book just chockful of stunning photographs.

This is a great book, and the best of the dozen or so shotgunning books I've recently read!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Layne Does It Again!, December 23, 2009

By 

Sean "Browning Boy" (Buffalo, Wyoming) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shotguns & Shotgunning (Firearms) (Hardcover)

Layne Simpson is one of my favorite gun writers. I've been reading his stuff in Shooting Times, Rifle Shooter and other publications for a long time. I have read his books: Rifles and Cartridges for Large Game, The Custom Government Model Pistol, Shooter's Handbook: 600 Questions Answered, and this book (several times).

Some gun writers are egotistical and think whatever they say is the way it is or should be. Layne is not like that. He tells you of his experiences, discusses the virtues and merits of guns, handloads and factory ammo, and gives you the information you need to be a better shooter and hunter. Aside from the pleasure of reading, I use Layne's books for reference guides because the information, especially the handloading information, is so helpful.

In Shotguns & Shotgunning, I really like the way Layne organized his book. He discusses the different kinds of shotguns and discusses the merits of each (which is great because I shoot all kinds, including side by sides, but prefer O/Us). He also tells you the brands of shotguns that he uses and prefers, which I also find very helpful (I mean, face it, if we can't afford to have a gun custom fit, we buy and shoot the gun that fits us. Some shotguns, regardless of brand or quality, just don't point for me). Then he discusses all of the different gauges (10, 12, 16, 20, 28 and 410) and talks about their virtues and applicability to hunting different birds. At the end of each chapter he gives you his recommended and favorite loads for the differents birds hunted, both factory and handloads! The photographs in the books are color and top quality. Also, we've all read the books by the "purists" out there that will only hunt birds (including ducks and geese) with a side by side, and usually only if it is made in England. Layne's not like that either. His book gives an in-depth discussion about side by sides, over-unders, autos and pumps. They each have their use, and Layne uses them all and explains them all.

Aside from the good writing, and interesting hunting stories, this is the most useful and practical book on shotguns, guages and loads out there. On par with Michael McIntosh!

Buffalo, Wyoming - Dec 2009

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly Wonderful, January 12, 2011

By 

GRK "Work to Live, Live for Hobbies!" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shotguns & Shotgunning (Firearms) (Hardcover)

A great book and easy read. It covers a bit of history, a bit of hunting yarn, stats, facts, and fun. I pull it out every year as hunting season approaches to prepare myself for the joys to come and perk my spirits for the remainder of the year. I've enjoyed from cover to cover many times.