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The Big Boomer is a unique weapon in Fallout: New Vegas.

Background[]

This section is transcluded from shotgun. To change it, please edit the transcluded page.

A shotgun, also called a "scattergun," is a firearm designed to shoot a multitude of lead or steel balls of varying sizes, greatly increasing the weapon's hit potential. This makes it very effective at hunting game.[Non-game 1] However, the accuracy and power found at close range starts to diminish as the target gets farther away. Shotguns designed for the military's use are often called "combat shotguns."

Characteristics[]

Big Boomer blown up

Big Boomer expanded

As compared to the standard sawed-off shotgun, the Big Boomer has a much darker color scheme with heavier rusting, and the words "Big Boomer" stenciled onto the grip in faded white paint. It deals significantly higher damage, delivering 20 more points of total possible damage. In addition, Big Boomer also has a slightly tighter spread, lower AP cost, and fires slightly faster. The only major drawback is that the common sawed-off shotgun is classified as a holdout weapon, whereas the Big Boomer is not.

Durability[]

Big Boomer can fire a total of about 395 times, or 790 standard rounds, the equivalent of 395 reloads, from full condition before breaking. This is exactly the same amount as its common variant.

Ammunition typeDurability
ShotsReloads
Standard, 4/0 buck, slug, coinshot, bean bag, flechette, Dragon's Breath & pulse slug395395
Magnum & 4/0 buck Magnum343343

Variants[]

Comparison[]

Legend 
Weapon name (current weapon is highlighted)- Weapon name (melee or unarmed)Attacks in V.A.T.S.- Attacks in V.A.T.S.
Weapon name (current weapon is highlighted)- Weapon name (gun, energy or explosive)Action point cost- Action point cost
Damage per attack (damage per projectile)- Damage per attack (damage per projectile)Damage per action point- Damage per action point
Damage per second- Damage per secondWeapon spread- Weapon spread
Area of effect damage- Area of effect damageMagazine capacity (shots per reload)- Magazine capacity (shots per reload)
Effect damage & duration- Effect damage & durationDurability (number of attacks before breaking)- Durability (number of attacks before breaking)
Bonus effects- Bonus effectsWeight- Weight
Attacks per second- Attacks per secondValue in caps- Value in caps
Critical chance % multiplier- Critical chance % multiplierValue to weight ratio- Value to weight ratio
Critical damage- Critical damageSkill required- Skill required
Critical effect damage & duration- Critical effect damage & durationStrength required- Strength required
With all mods attached- With all mods attached
Weapon name (current weapon is highlighted)Damage per attack (damage per projectile)Damage per secondAttacks per secondCritical Chance % multiplierCritical damageAction Point costDamage per action pointWeapon spreadMagazine capacity (shots per reload)Durability (number of attacks before breaking)WeightValue in capsValue to weight ratioSkill requiredStrength required
Sawed-off shotgun 100
(7.1x14)
234.42.34x17372.74.02(1)39541950487.5504
Big Boomer 120
(8.6x14)
309.42.58x19353.43.52(1)39542500625504

Location[]

The weapon is carried by Old Lady Gibson, who resides in the Gibson scrap yard near Novac. It can either be pickpocketed or taken from her body if she is killed.

Behind the scenes[]

Within the game's files exists an unused texture for the Big Boomer.[1] It uses the Fallout 3 model and only differs from that in the color of the wood and the words Big Boomer written down the side of the handgrip.

Bugs[]

  • PCPC Playstation 3Playstation 3Playstation 3 Xbox 360Xbox 360 When in first person view, the weapon looks fine, but when in third person view, the grip of the gun can be detached from the two barrels. [verified]
  • Xbox 360Xbox 360 In unpatched versions, it can be bought from Mick at Mick & Ralph's. [verified]
  • Playstation 3Playstation 3Playstation 3 Big Boomer does not contribute to the "I've Got Shotgun" damage challenge. [verified]
  • PCPC Xbox 360Xbox 360 Occasionally after you kill Old Lady Gibson she will not have the Big Boomer in her inventory. [verified]

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. Unused texture for the Big Boomer \textures\weapons\1handpistol\bigboomernv.dds

Non-game'

  1. Fallout: The Roleplaying Game Rulebook p. 98: "Before the Great War, double-barrel shotguns were mainly used for hunting and home defense, and this has changed little. They are break-action and come in an either a side-by-side or over-and-under barrel configuration. Simple to make and maintain, these shotguns are seen frequently in the Commonwealth and the rest of the wasteland."
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