Versatile.

[Tartar Horde]

(15 March 2015, 11:24)Steve Wrote:

(15 March 2015, 11:10)Tartar Horde Wrote: Question; Could you replace the modern propellant with Black powder. And can you load your own Shotgun shells?

Yes and yes. Shotguns were originally black powder weapons, black powder is more suited to slow, heavy projectiles from large bore guns than it is to smaller calibres.

As you say, a shotgun is the most versatile gun, it can fire improvised ammunition made from household objects, wheel bearings, clay, snipped up lead flashing, nails - practically anything could be used in an emergency.

If you want ultimate long-term post SHTF hunting then you'll be wanting a flintlock, because primers for shotgun shells are not easily re-manufactured. Flintlock shotguns are still available new.

So the primers are the Achilles heel then? I take it you need some modern machinery to make them? and chemicals to make the "priming charge"?
is the primer charge Fulminate of Mercury?