What Might Cause a Shotgun to Explode? (And How to Avoid It)

A shotgun may explode due to a catastrophic, high-pressure failure, most commonly caused by a barrel obstruction (mud, snow, or a stuck "squib" wad/shot), using incorrect ammunition (e.g., 12-gauge in a 20-gauge gun), or overloaded/improperly reloaded shells. These issues cause pressure to exceed the barrel's strength. Understanding the potential dangers…