[SauronOfMordor]

"You just point it in the general vicinity, and you're actually going to hit what you're pointing toward, because (the shot) scatters."
Only very slightly at indoor distances.

Shot generally expands about 1 inch per yard of travel, which translates into a plate-size pattern at the end of the hall

Although one time I did absent-mindedly shoot buckshot through a rifled 12-guage barrel (which is designed for rifled slugs). It produced a yard-wide doughnut pattern at 7 yards, due to the spin imparted to the buckshot.

[cinFLA]

Although one time I did absent-mindedly shoot buckshot through a rifled 12-guage barrel (which is designed for rifled slugs). It produced a yard-wide doughnut pattern at 7 yards, due to the spin imparted to the buckshot.

Interesting. I will definitely have to do some more research!