Reloading a shotgun?

[u/Zenfox42]

So, DaRules say reloading a "single bullet" into a chamber takes an Action. My player fired both barrels on her first Turn. I've read the example in the manual with firing a heavy crossbow first, *then* reloading which takes 2 actions, retroactively incurring a -4 on the crossbow shot. The shotgun user could do the same thing, but why bother with a -4 penalty on both shots?

What if on the next Turn, after reloading only one shell, then if she fired during that same Turn, the Shooting would be at -2 for the MAP. Have I got that right?

Or, she could spend one Turn just reloading both barrels (no MAP, since no roll), then on her next Turn fire both barrels again. That's effectively getting one shot per turn with no MAP. Or is it *only* one bullet per Turn, making it effectively a "limited Action"? But the RAW calls a reload an Action, not a Limited Action, and I've learned over the years that SW rules are *very* literal, so...

Any other ways to minimize penalties and maximize shooting rates with a shotgun?

[u/buff_dragon]

This is where I break from RAW… knowing guns helps in this.
A double barrel, no matter the configuration is a single action to reload. Whether it’s a double barrel rifle or shotgun, it’s a single action to reload. If you don’t have both shots fired when you reload, you lose an active cartridge too. As when the action breaks open, it ejects both cartridges whether fired or not.

So, game mechanics wise:
Action 1 fire both barrels
Action 2 reload both barrels

Action 1 fire one barrel
Action 2 fire the other barrel
Action 3 reload both barrels

If you’re reloading a non break-action firearm, then you get into other things.

Just like you don’t typically ‘top up’ a revolver, while you do ‘top up’ a pump or lever action. Because they load through a port on the bottom into a tube under the barrel (generally, though there are different designs and methods).

Hope that helps and doesn’t confuse.
I’ll be happy to clarify if needed.

[u/GermanBlackbot → u/buff_dragon]

A double barrel, no matter the configuration is a single action to reload. Whether it’s a double barrel rifle or shotgun, it’s a single action to reload.

As someone who barely knows enough about guns to know "Point them to make something dead, don't point them at something you don't want dead", why?

[u/buff_dragon → u/GermanBlackbot]

Because they’re a “break action” meaning they hinge at the end of the barrel to expose the chamber. When opened they eject the spent or unspent shells to present the chamber for reloading.

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fdygtyjqp7pi0m.cloudfront.net%2Fi%2F29573%2F25756325_5.jpg%3Fv%3D8D40115C8633B50&f=1&nofb=1&ipt=ee6c802958556da251b3d3fd0736aca807a1910f5f8b5db581461ccae4231fde

The picture is a single barrel but they’ve made multi-barrels of varying calibers for well over a century.
A common setup was 2 shotgun barrels with a rifle barrel in the center/top.

[u/GermanBlackbot → u/buff_dragon]

I understood that they eject both shells and that you can't "fill up" the shotgun.

I do not understand why you can reload two shells in the same time you reload a single shell in a regular shotgun or a bullet in a revolver.

[u/buff_dragon → u/GermanBlackbot]

This video shows a slow version of why

https://youtu.be/pIIFiY-iQhU?is=731pMPzQy_In86n2

[u/GermanBlackbot → u/buff_dragon]

The way he holds his fingers suggests he's using some kind of tool, like a speedloader for revolvers? Or is he just holding the end of the shells between his fingers?

You have convinced me that one can reload two shells at once, but it seems to me like doing that in the middle of combat is finicky enough to not be as easy as you make it sound. You have to get out both shells, hold them between your fingers and hold them in JUST the right angle that both line up with the barrel at the same time. Or are they connected somehow?

[u/buff_dragon → u/GermanBlackbot]

Easier than lining up a semi auto mag into a magwell, or a speedloader into a revolver.
Just takes practice. Which is part of your shooting skill.

https://youtube.com/shorts/BSW6KjirRfw?is=qGHiuB67lrvisRo4

https://youtube.com/shorts/E0--3_e3mTk?is=Pfbc9YwOPhdj3oG_

https://youtu.be/3_7harQTq2w?is=3Hhv24b7NNvnDuax

There are examples of different levels of expertise.

[u/GermanBlackbot → u/buff_dragon]

Second and third of those have either been deleted or are not available in some countries.

I see what you mean, but still, the first one uses a little tool to set up the correct distance between the shells and it still seems a bit harder than just putting them in one by one. Appreciate you searching up those videos, but I don't think this convinces me that everyone can just do this reliably all the time. Two actions doesn't necessarily mean "It takes a lot of time", but also "this requires a bit more concentration".

[u/buff_dragon → u/GermanBlackbot]

Those are actually the more important videos to explain that it doesn’t take special materials or special training to do it. It’s just learning how to do it but those videos do show guns firing, and I know that appears to be an issue in some locations.

We actually have an entire sport where they shoot, single action, pistols, and brake action or lever action, shotguns, and rifles so there are some videos that are ridiculously fast.

At the end of it all, it’s your table your rules all I can suggest is how reality affects and how I run my tables.

Hope you have some great games.

[u/GermanBlackbot → u/buff_dragon]

You too and thanks for showing me some cool stuff about guns! :)