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Scattergun vs. Shotgun — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on January 16, 2024
"Scattergun" is an informal term often used synonymously with "shotgun," which is a firearm designed to shoot a spread of pellets, typically used for hunting and sports.
Scattergun vs. Shotgun — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Scattergun and Shotgun

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Key Differences

Scattergun is a colloquial term that typically refers to shotguns, emphasizing the spreading shot pattern characteristic of these firearms. A shotgun is a long-barreled firearm designed to fire a broad spread of pellets, making it effective at short ranges, commonly used in hunting, sport shooting, and law enforcement.
The term scattergun is often used informally or in popular culture to describe a shotgun's ability to hit a target with a wide pattern of shot. Meanwhile, shotgun is the formal term, used in technical contexts, encompassing various types, such as pump-action, semi-automatic, and break-action shotguns.
In functionality, both scattergun and shotgun are used interchangeably, as they both refer to the same type of firearm. They are designed to fire shells filled with multiple pellets or a single slug, suitable for different purposes, including bird hunting, clay pigeon shooting, and self-defense.
Historically, the term shotgun has been used since the early 18th century, whereas scattergun is a more colloquial term that emerged later. The shotgun has evolved over time, with advancements in technology and design, catering to a wide range of activities.
In terms of cultural portrayal, scattergun is often used in a more casual or stylistic context, while shotgun is used in technical, legal, and formal descriptions of the firearm.
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Comparison Chart

Terminology

Informal, colloquial term
Formal, technical term

Usage

Emphasizes the spreading shot pattern
Used in hunting, sports, law enforcement

Functionality

Interchangeable with shotgun
Designed to fire pellets or slugs

Historical Usage

More recent, casual use
Long-standing, technical use

Context of Use

Often in popular culture and conversation
In technical, legal, and sporting contexts

Compare with Definitions

Scattergun

Used in Casual Context: Often referred to in everyday conversation.
I heard a story about an old farmer and his scattergun.

Shotgun

Variety of Types: Includes pump-action, semi-automatic, and more.
My favorite shotgun is a classic break-action model.

Scattergun

Informal Term for Shotgun: Colloquially known as a scattergun.
He brought his trusty scattergun for the hunting trip.

Shotgun

Technical and Legal Term: Officially recognized in legal contexts.
The law clearly defines the regulations for owning a shotgun.

Scattergun

Synonymous with Shotgun: Another name for a shotgun.
The scattergun has been a popular choice for home defense.

Shotgun

A shotgun (also known as a scattergun, or historically as a fowling piece) is a long-barreled firearm designed to shoot a straight-walled cartridge known as a shotshell, which usually discharges numerous small pellet-like spherical sub-projectiles called shot, or sometimes a single solid projectile called a slug. Shotguns are most commonly smoothbore firearms, meaning that their gun barrels have no rifling on the inner wall, but rifled barrels for shooting slugs (slug barrels) are also available.

Scattergun

Emphasizes Spread of Shot: Known for its spreading shot pattern.
The scattergun is ideal for hitting moving targets in the air.

Shotgun

A smooth-bore gun for firing small shot at short range.

Scattergun

Popular in Culture: Frequently appears in movies and games.
The hero in the film wielded a scattergun against the villains.

Shotgun

The front passenger seat in a vehicle
I took the shotgun seat

Scattergun

Another term for scattershot

Shotgun

Aimed at a wide range of things; having no specific target
Many companies use the shotgun approach, aiming advertising at the widest possible audience

Scattergun

A shotgun.

Shotgun

Denoting a long, narrow single-storey house whose rooms are arranged one behind another
His family lived in a shotgun shack in South Memphis

Scattergun

A shotgun.

Shotgun

Shoot at or kill with a shotgun
He had been shotgunned by drug dealers

Scattergun

Unfocused in approach or topic.
All over the place

Shotgun

Consume (a canned drink) in one go by puncturing the can, putting one’s mouth over the resulting hole, and then opening the can by means of the ring pull to produce a rapid flow
A group of us shotgunned beers

Scattergun

Firearm that is a double-barreled smoothbore shoulder weapon for firing shot at short ranges

Shotgun

A smoothbore gun that fires shot over short ranges. Also called scattergun.

Shotgun

(Football) An offensive formation, used especially for passing, in which the quarterback receives the snap several yards behind the line of scrimmage.

Shotgun

Of, relating to, or using a shotgun.

Shotgun

Obtained by or involving coercion
A shotgun compromise.

Shotgun

Covering a wide range in a haphazard or ineffective manner
Shotgun methods of testing the hypothesis that wasted time and money.

Shotgun

Having the rooms joined in a line from front to back
A shotgun house, a shotgun apartment.

Shotgun

To shoot at with a shotgun.

Shotgun

To drink (a can of beer or other beverage) quickly through a hole punched near the bottom of the can.

Shotgun

Used to claim the front passenger seat of a vehicle before a trip has started.

Shotgun

(firearms) A gun which fires loads typically consisting of small metal balls, called shot, from a cartridge.
Meat was cooked up within hours after the hunter killed the deer with his shotgun.

Shotgun

(slang) The front passenger seat in a vehicle, next to the driver; so called because the position of the shotgun-armed guard on a horse-drawn stage-coach, wagon train, or gold transport was next to the driver on a forward-mounted bench seat. Can also be used in situations of claiming other resources such as bedrooms.

Shotgun

A one-story dwelling with no hallways or corridors, with the rooms arranged in a straight line.
Elvis Presley was born in a two-bedroom shotgun in Tupelo, Mississippi.

Shotgun

(American football) An offensive formation in which the quarterback receives the snap at a distance behind the center, often with a running back set to one or both sides of him.

Shotgun

Relating to shotguns, either in a present or past sense.
Shotgun cartridges
Shotgun seat

Shotgun

Relating to the threat of force or dubious means.
Shotgun wedding
Shotgun diplomacy

Shotgun

Relating to the use of numerous, diverse or indiscriminate means to achieve a particular result.
Shotgun marketing
Shotgun approach

Shotgun

To inhale from a pipe or other smoking device, followed shortly by an exhalation into someone else’s mouth.

Shotgun

To verbally lay claim to (something)
I got a day off because I shotgunned it.

Shotgun

To hit the ball directly back at the pitcher.

Shotgun

To rapidly drink a beverage from a can by making a hole in the bottom of the can, placing the hole above one's mouth, and opening the top.

Shotgun

To send out many (requests, answers to a question, etc), especially in the hope that one obtains a positive result (i.e. reveals useful information, is correct, etc), in the manner of a shotgun firing many balls of shot such that one may hit a target.

Shotgun

To employ the technique of shotgun debugging.

Shotgun

A light, smooth-bored gun, often double-barreled, especially designed for firing small shot at short range, and killing small game.

Shotgun

Firearm that is a double-barreled smoothbore shoulder weapon for firing shot at short ranges

Shotgun

Firearm with Spread Shot: Designed to shoot a wide spread of pellets.
He used a shotgun for bird hunting.

Shotgun

Used in Hunting and Sports: Popular in various shooting sports.
Shotguns are a staple in competitive clay pigeon shooting.

Shotgun

Long-Barreled Firearm: Characterized by its long barrel.
The shotgun’s long barrel helps with accuracy at short ranges.

Common Curiosities

Can I use a scattergun for home defense?

Yes, a scattergun (shotgun) is often used for home defense.

Is it legal to own a scattergun?

Yes, but it depends on local laws regarding shotgun ownership.

What type of ammunition does a shotgun use?

Shotguns use shells filled with either multiple pellets (shot) or a single slug.

Can beginners use a shotgun for hunting?

Yes, with proper training and safety measures, beginners can use shotguns for hunting.

How effective is a shotgun for bird hunting?

Shotguns are very effective for bird hunting due to their spread shot pattern.

Is a scattergun different from a shotgun?

No, scattergun is just an informal term for a shotgun.

Are scatterguns used in competitive sports?

Yes, shotguns are used in various shooting sports like skeet and trap.

What’s the best type of shotgun for beginners?

Beginners often start with a basic pump-action or break-action shotgun.

Is a scattergun suitable for long-range shooting?

No, scatterguns (shotguns) are more effective at short ranges.

What safety measures should I take with a shotgun?

Always handle a shotgun with care, keep it unloaded when not in use, and store it securely.

How do I maintain a shotgun?

Regular cleaning and proper storage are essential for maintaining a shotgun.

Are shotguns used by law enforcement?

Yes, shotguns are commonly used by law enforcement for certain tactical situations.

Can I customize a scattergun?

Yes, shotguns can be customized with various accessories, but always ensure compliance with laws.

Do I need a license to buy a scattergun?

Shotgun ownership laws vary by location, so a license may be required.

What's the difference in cost between scatterguns and other firearms?

Shotguns can vary in price, often being more affordable than some rifles and handguns.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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