There are three different categories of firearms - rifles , shotguns and handguns . Each of these categories has many different types within them, but for our purposes, we needn't be real specific. Shotguns - Shotguns are very versatile tools. They shoot many pellets known as shot every time you pull the trigger. Shotguns can also shoot a single lead projectile known as a slug.
Slugs extend the range and can take larger deer-sized game.
Rifles - Rifles shoot a single projectile through a rifled barrel. They come in many different sizes known as calibers. The different calibers are designed for different sized game from squirrels to elephants. They'll shoot at ranges from 0 to 1000 yards and beyond, depending on the caliber and skill of the rifleman. Handguns - Handguns, like rifles, shoot a single projectile through a rifled barrel.