Friends and family in Auckland were relieved at the sentence and said Auckram was a "nice guy" who had been through a lot. It is understood he planned to write a book about the case.
Emergency services were called to Auckram's Perth home in July last year after he shot Burton four times in the hallway following an argument over living arrangements.
Burton had threatened to slaughter the family, leading Auckram to fear for their safety.
He grabbed a hunting rifle to protect himself and shot Burton, thinking he also had a gun.
The court heard Burton, who was on anti-psychotic medication and pain-killers, had only a cup of coffee in his hand when he was killed.
Auckram was born and raised in Auckland and lived in Papakura until his 20s. Auckram's wife, Jacqueline Auckram, 61, said her son resented his stepfather.
"I thought if anything it would be the other way around," she said of the shooting.
