Keep in mind who the recommendations are for. Even low-recoil 12 ga has a pretty serious kick to it. When it comes to home defense 500 yard shots sound a little unlikely to me also. How do you explain to an LEO that you felt your life was in danger when you’ve dropped an illegal alien almost two football fields away from your house?
Out there in the sticks you never know. And dont forget most big city and sheriffs offices in the desert are going for patrol carbines such as ARs and Mini 14s and similar rifles. six shot shotguns are no match for coyotes with AK-47s and G-3 rifles.
Well, in town or the 'burbs , but if your property is hundreds or thousands of acres, maybe not so much. Certainly a 100 or 200 would not be excessive. Might be that far to the barn or the well. How do you explain to an LEO that you felt your life was in danger when you’ve dropped an illegal alien almost two football fields away from your house?
"He was stealing my chickens/horses/cattle', etc. Or "there were 20 of 'em, coming towards the house, and they would not turn back when I yelled at them so go away." (Not all states require you to be in fear for your life, and Arizona is one that does not, although apparently the "stealing the livestock justification" might not be allowed there, but it would be in Texas. )