Which characteristic typically differentiates shotguns from rifles?

The characteristic that typically differentiates shotguns from rifles is primarily the type of ammunition they use. Shotguns are designed to fire shells that contain multiple small pellets (shot) or a single projectile (slug), while rifles are made to fire a single bullet. This distinction in ammunition leads to fundamentally different performance and application characteristics between the two types of firearms.

Shotguns are often used for hunting birds and other small game due to the spread of the shot, which increases the chances of hitting fast-moving targets at close range. In contrast, rifles are designed for accuracy over longer distances, firing a single, more aerodynamic projectile that is capable of delivering greater kinetic energy effectively.

While muzzle velocity and barrel length can vary between different models of shotguns and rifles, these factors do not serve as the primary differentiators in the context of what each firearm is constructed to do and how they are typically utilized. Effective range is also less about the type of firearm and more about the type of ammunition being fired; shotguns generally have a shorter effective range compared to rifles. Thus, the defining characteristic is indeed the type of ammunition each firearm is designed to shoot.