Escort AimGuard Shotgun Review: Part 5

Escort AimGuard Shotgun Review

Part 5 - Range Tests

February 13, 2016

In this part of my review, I show my range test results for the Escort AimGuard Pump Shotgun. My plan for range testing was to put about 100 rounds of birdshot through the shotgun and then shoot it with a variety of shotgun shells including slugs and various buckshot. This number of rounds in no way tests the potential longevity of the shotgun, but instead it gives me a good idea on how the shotgun handles and performs with various loads.

I started out shooting the birdshot to get a feel for the shotgun. We took turns tossing clay pigeons and made it through the 100 rounds quickly. I did make an effort to try and cycle the shotgun as fast a possible a few times and it chambered each shell as quick as I could pump the action. I wouldn't say a 18.5" cylinder bore barrel is ideal for shooting clay pigeons, but overall we did fairly good and busted a decent percentage of the disks.

Next I switched over to an assortment of different loads as shown below and wanted to get some very basic pattern data. This selection of shells gave me a look at 3", 2.75" and 2.25" 00 buckshot, 2.75" #4 buckshot and 2.75" rifled slugs.

Figure 1

For getting the pattern data shown further below, I shot with the shotgun supported in the my Bulls Bag shown and this next photo shows my basic range setup.

Figure 2

I started shooting the 2.75" rifled slugs first to get an idea on the point of aim (POA) versus point of impact (POI) on target at 25 yards. The slugs were impacting about 4" low and slightly to the left based on this 5 shot group below. Personally, this POA versus POI difference didn't bother me too much because I don't typically shoot slugs except during reviews. If I did plan to shoot slugs, I would compensate for the drop and overall the lateral difference is not too bad.

Figure 3 - 2.75" Rifled Slugs at 25 yards

Next I switched to shooting the 00 buckshot. I shot the Herter's 2.25" Mini-Buckshot, Hornady Critical Defense 2.75" and Winchester Super-X 3" shells. The groups are shown below for a distance of 7 yards . I feel 7 yards represents a long shot for an in-the-home defense situation and gives you a good idea of what to expect from these different length shells. For reference, the outside circle on the target is 10" in diameter. At 7 yards, the Hornady Critical Defense had a very tight group which is consistent with what I have seen on other reviews. If you are looking for maximum shot density with 00 Buckshot, the Hornady Critical Defense ammunition is definitely the way to go. On the other hand, if you are having to make a quick close range shot, the 3" Winchester Super-X 00 buckshot appears to be more forgiving with shot placement, but at the price of increased recoil. Honestly, I don't ever remember feeling any recoil when hunting with 3" shell and most likely I wouldn't if I truly had to use the shotgun in a self defense situation, but then again I'm 6' 2" with a beefy build. Keep in mind that any large holes in the paper represent the wad passing through the target and not the shot. Also keep in mind that these are just examples of what to expect with this cylinder bore choke on the 18.5" barrel. Also, these shot groups are to give you an indication on what you can expect from shooting these shells to help you choose what type of shells you may want to shoot in your AimGuard or any other shotgun.

Figure 4                                       Figure 5                                        Figure 6
7 yards                                        7 yards                                         7 yards
Herter's Mini-Buckshot 2.25"         Hornady Critical Defense 2.75"             Winchester Super-X 3"
00 Buckshot 6 Pellets                    00 Buckshot 8 Pellets                  00 Buckshot15 Pellets

Since I'm a fan of #4 buckshot, I also got some groups with it and some #8 birdshot for comparison. The #4 buckshot gives a good group density at 7 yards. The #8 birdshot pattern is also fairly consistent with what I have seen on other reviews. Looking at the 7 yard spread, I don't think the #8 would ever be my top choice for home defense, although at closer distances, birdshot can be very effective when you consider there is 1.125 ounces of lead being concentrated into a small area.

Figure 7                                                                  Figure 8
7 yards                                                                   7 yards
Hornady Varmint Express #4 Buckshot                            Winchester 2.75" #8 Birdshot
24 pellets

Next I moved the targets back to 14 yards and repeated the exercise of getting some group data. In general the results were similar to that at 7 yards, but now with larger group sized because the distance has doubled. At 14 yards, I feel the mini-buckshot would not be that effective and would choose the Hornady Critical Defense 00 buckshot or Winchester Super-X 3" buckshot any day over the mini-buckshot.

Figure 9                                       Figure 10                                        Figure 11
14 yards                                        14 yards                                         14 yards
Herter's Mini-Buckshot 2.25"         Hornady Critical Defense 2.75"             Winchester Super-X 3"
00 Buckshot 6 Pellets                    00 Buckshot 8 Pellets                  00 Buckshot15 Pellets

The #4 buckshot is still very effective (my opinion), but the #8 shot has spread out too much to be effective for any home defense situation other than squirrels and such.

Figure 12                                                                Figure 13
14 yards                                                                 14 yards
Hornady Varmint Express #4 Buckshot                            Winchester 2.75" #8 Birdshot
24 pellets

Last, I moved the targets back to 21 yards and repeated the exercise again. This time I placed a 24" x 24" sheet of paper behind the target to help me show how the shot continues to spread out at this distance. Again, the Hornady Critical Defense was a clear winner for the 00 Buckshot with its overall tight group.

Figure 14                                       Figure 15                                        Figure 16
21 yards                                        21 yards                                         21 yards
Herter's Mini-Buckshot 2.25"         Hornady Critical Defense 2.75"             Winchester Super-X 3"
00 Buckshot 6 Pellets                    00 Buckshot 8 Pellets                  00 Buckshot15 Pellets

If you are planning on shooting some clay disks with this shotgun, you need to be quick on the shot because at 21 yards the pattern spreads and there were clearly holes that in the pattern that would allow a disk to be untouched. Realistically, this style of target shooting is not the intent of this shotgun, but it is still a lot of fun.

Figure 17                                                            Figure 18
21 yards                                                             21 yards
Hornady Varmint Express #4 Buckshot                         Winchester 2.75" #8 Birdshot
24 pellets

Thoughts

Everything I have seen so far indicates that the Escort AimGuard Shotgun should be a good reliable shotgun for a value price. There aren't too many things that can go wrong with a pump action shotgun which is why this style of shotgun is considered to have the highest reliability when compared to semi-autos. The AimGuard can take a variety of length shells and will cycle the shells as fast as you (or at least I) can pump them. Shot pattern data was consistent with other cylinder bore shotguns and if I were to select a home defense load it would probably be the Hornady Critical Defense because of how well the shot stayed together. Overall point of impact versus point of aim seemed to be consistently low when using my standard sight picture, but this would have no impact on your ability to deliver a lethal load of lead in a home defense situation. Don't be fooled by myths that shoguns don't need to be aimed. The data above shows that aiming the shotgun is critical to you delivering a load of buckshot to the right location.

You can see the video version at this review below.

For more detailed photos and commentary, make sure you check out the other parts of this review and feel free to leave comments below. The following links are provided to help you see other parts of this review.

If you would like to be notified about future Gunsumer Reports reviews via Facebook, make sure "You Like This" by clicking the Facebook "Like" button at the bottom or top of this page. If it already says "You Like This" beside the button, clicking it again will uncheck the "Like" status and you will not be notified.


Share on Facebook