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Posted by: TUI_Obi_Wan
The shotgun in Halo is an 8 Gauge Magnum. 8 Gauge is the generally the largest gauge availabe for a commercially available shotgun. Puntguns and some rare weapons use 1-1/2 - 4 gauge shells.
Shotguns aren't designed to fire one large slug but rather a coompressable mass of shot. Most shotgun bores aren't cylindrical in diameter. The chamber is slightly larger to accomodate the shotshell walls. with a forcing cone to compress the shot into the bore of the gun.
I think that Bungie got the shotgun right the first time. Slugs are too inacurate for combat. They're fine for hunting because deer don't shoot back.
I remember seeing pictures of duck hunters using punt guns. Those things would kill 5 or 6 ducks at a time. However, you did miss a few points.
"The shotgun in Halo is an 8 gauge magnum"
10, 8, 6, and under are commonly called magnums whether they are or not. I meant a 3 1/2 or 4 inch magnum. If you don't know what that is, it is just the same thing except the shell is longer to allow more powder.
"Shotguns shoot either many shot or a single lead slug" That is supposed to be the first thing you learn about a shotgun other than how to shoot it. A slug, unlike shot, doesn't need a wad so it can sit directly on the powder, and that leaves room for more powder. The extra powder increases the effective rang of the slug to 75-100 yards, depending on the gauge. A slug is much more powerful and accurate than shot.
"I think Bungie got it right the first time, slugs are much to inaccurate for combat. They are fine for deer hunting because deer don't shoot back" Slugs are already used in combat here in reality. Deer, on the other hand, move, run, jump, "hide" in brush and otherwise avoid you. In order to use a shotgun, you either have to be very close or have slugs. If you use slugs, you should be able to repeatedly hit a half dollar at 50 yards. Thats what you will be aiming at anyway.
EDIT: wow, long post
[Edited on 11/3/2006]