Question about Eric and Dylan's original plan

So they originally planned to pick off fleeing students from a distance after the propane bombs went off and collapsed the library in on the cafeteria. So why did they bring shotguns? Sure they weren't gun experts but everyone knows shotguns are a terrible option for lethality at long range. The most obvious answer is that they expected things to go wrong, or were not confident in their bomb making skills. But does anyone have any other insight to this?

Shotgun slugs.

SavageGlocker wrote:

Shotgun slugs.

I wonder if the guns they used were designed to fire slugs specifically with rifled barrels or if they were smooth bore?

I think so, in Rampart Range they were firing the guns they were going to use and Dylan goes "It's a F--king slug" and Eric goes "Imagine that in someones brain"

Looking at the schedule that they wrote and the fact they were going to be on the hill, they seems like a trek. Those who have been to the memorial which is right at the base of the hill can kind of visualize that I am sure.

I often wonder if they picked guns solely on looks. Esp the tec 9. It looks cool but sucks.

Oh and of course based on DOOM

Apparently, for deer hunting, effective range of Buckshot is 35 yards for certain killing shots. From what I understand they were waiting by their vehicles in a similar distance from the exits.

Lizpuff wrote:

I often wonder if they picked guns solely on looks.  

You bet. If they were choosing firearms based on how well they'd be able to inflict harm then they'd never have sawed off the shotguns.