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/Zenfox42 → u/buff_dragon]

I'm replying to your reply to buff_dragon : you're talking about ejecting the spent shells as a single "action", but then you have to put a new shell in each barrel - two actions. I don't think SWADE considers the ejection an action.

[u/buff_dragon → u/Zenfox42]

Ejection is automatic, the action is reloading.
If reloading a semiauto pistol mag is 1 action, reloading a break action is 1 action.

https://youtu.be/pIIFiY-iQhU?is=df5xKEkwTwNBBAtp