HD shotgun ammo preferences

[GunnyGene]

This has been discussed innumerable times but not lately. So, given the usual concerns about messiness, over penetration, etc., what's your pleasure?

Since I have no worries about blowing away the neighbors (ain't none in range), I prefer 12 gauge as shown:

 

[DGW1949]

You must be tougher than me. The "standard" 9-pellet load is about all my shoulder can tolerate these days.....But yeah, I'm a big believer in the 12 Ga shotgun, and in 00-Buck.

DGW

 

[Strawdog]

It's been a while since I've owned a shotgun. I liked my .410 stoked with Critical Defense. I had to use it once on a rabid raccoon. When the Conservation Officer came and picked up the corpse he was impressed on how much damage that it had done. I really should explore the option of getting another one.

 

[peachhead]

I got one, 12ga, to stick behind the door and it is loaded with buckshot. But now it's not behind the door so it ain't doing me much good.
I keep handguns close by, generally.

 

[GunnyGene]

You must be tougher than me. The "standard" 9-pellet load is about all my shoulder can tolerate these days.....But yeah, I'm a big believer in the 12 Ga shotgun, and in 00-Buck.

DGW

Recoil of either of those loads isn't that bad out of my TS12. Weight and a brake tames it pretty well. I actually enjoy shooting it. A little more stout from the old 590, but nothing I can't handle.

 

[s4s4u]

Mini-shells, more bangs, less recoil

 

[rotor]

12 g #4 buck indoors.

 

[recumbent]

+1 for #4 buck

 

[Don Lovel]

2 3/4" #4 Buckshot

 

[Hvymax]

3" slugs. Nothing gonna save you from 4,000ft lbs at close range!!!

 

[Mobuck]

HV or heavy loads are not needed for 'inside the house' (unless you live in a ginormous mansion with 100' hallways). At typical 'inside' range, any shotload is going to be a baseball to grapefruit size 'wad' of lead. The lightest loads of buckshot or even #2/BB shot are plenty. About the only advantage buckshot may have is better penetration of heavy clothing but even w/o sufficient penetration, the effect of 1- 1.25 ounces of pellets striking @ 1000+ FPS is going to be noticed.

 

[Goldstar225]

Reduced recoil 00 buck backed by 6 reduced recoil slugs in the sidesaddle. If that don't work, how do I call in an air strike?

 

[Specs]

12 g #4 buck indoors.

12 ga 2 3/4 #1 buck low recoil for in house defense

 

[Chachi52]

Hornady makes a critical defense that mixed 00 with a slug. Interesting loads, not sure about pattern with them

 

[GunnyGene]

Reduced recoil 00 buck backed by 6 reduced recoil slugs in the sidesaddle. If that don't work, how do I call in an air strike?

I think Elon Musk could help you with that via StarLink.

 

[buckeyeshooter]

Federal 10 gauge #4 Buckshot.

 

[Jack Ryan]

12 gauge, 00 Buck. All of it, all the way full.

If it is worth shooting a little bit, you won't hurt the situation any by shooting it a lot.

 

[GasGuzzler]

Mine is alternately loaded with 00 buck and slugs. Is that correct? I don't know but it sounds pretty nasty.

 

[Mobuck]

I'm not discounting the need for buckshot BUT: Most folks don't give enough credit to the penetration potential of common shot sizes.
I've seen individual #4 lead pellets fully penetrate the ribcage of a yearling deer(stopped under far side hide) @ 25-30 yards and fully penetrate a coyote's body at least that far. This is 8-12" of penetration in living flesh by individual pellets and not just a couple but many.
Don't ask how/where/why I know this but it is factual.

 

[Hvymax]

I must say a face full of #4 would stop or at least incapacitate most threats.

 

[GunnyGene]

I'm not discounting the need for buckshot BUT: Most folks don't give enough credit to the penetration potential of common shot sizes.
I've seen individual #4 lead pellets fully penetrate the ribcage of a yearling deer(stopped under far side hide) @ 25-30 yards and fully penetrate a coyote's body at least that far. This is 8-12" of penetration in living flesh by individual pellets and not just a couple but many.
Don't ask how/where/why I know this but it is factual.

You do realize that body armor is a thing these days, right? We all need to understand that more and more home invasions are being conducted by well funded and organized illegal immigrant gangs and not by skinny kids in t-shirts. Especially in well to do municipalities and neighborhoods, such as Martha's vineyard, Hollywood, etc.

 

[MaxMan]

You do realize that body armor is a thing these days, right? We all need to understand that more and more home invasions are being conducted by well funded and organized illegal immigrant gangs and not by skinny kids in t-shirts. Especially in well to do municipalities and neighborhoods, such as Martha's vineyard, Hollywood, etc.

Would the impact of the 12 gauge shot knock them down or at least stun for enough time for a follow up.

 

[MaxMan]

My son loads our pump with 3 in buck and ball. Not sure who it will hurt more.

 

[GunnyGene]

Would the impact of the 12 gauge shot knock them down or at least stun for enough time for a follow up.

Not necessarily, even with a standard Foster slug if your visitor is wearing armor. And there may well be 3 or more to contend with. Don't know about anyone else, but I plan for the worst case as well as I can.

 

[DBnoise]

My shotgun loaded with two bird shot, 2 - #3 buckshot and 2 slugs, 870 smooth bore slug barrel 20 guage.

 

[davevabch]

Love shotguns, own many. Years of shooting them to determine best for Home defense and Hunting deer. A lot of money spent. For Home defense, I am seeing more and more the merits of the 410 ga.

 

[MaxMan]

Not necessarily, even with a standard Foster slug if your visitor is wearing armor. And there may well be 3 or more to contend with. Don't know about anyone else, but I plan for the worst case as well as I can.

I gues you mean good body armor. Class III (I think that's how its classified).

 

[GunnyGene]

I gues you mean good body armor. Class III (I think that's how its classified).

Soft armor(IIIA). Class III has ballistic plates. Generally, IIIA will stop 00buck and Foster slugs, the later because a Foster pancakes. A Brenneke is more likely to penetrate since it does not pancake or expand due to it's hard lead and pointed nose, but that's not guaranteed. Any of the above slugs (or the various shot loads mentioned) may, or may not, cause your visitor(s) to depart in a hurry, but there's no guarantee of that either. If I could count on a home invader being a 140lb skinny kid ( not armored up or armed) I'd be comfortable with #4buck or even bird shot. But I can't count on that; so I go big, since I'm not quite ready to go home yet.

Here's the NIJ classes:

https://defenshield.com/ballistic-levels-explained/

 

[Hvymax]

Soft armor(IIIA). Class III has ballistic plates. Generally, IIIA will stop 00buck and Foster slugs, the later because a Foster pancakes. A Brenneke is more likely to penetrate since it does not pancake or expand due to it's hard lead and pointed nose, but that's not guaranteed. Any of the above slugs (or the various shot loads mentioned) may, or may not, cause your visitor(s) to depart in a hurry, but there's no guarantee of that either. If I could count on a home invader being a 140lb skinny kid ( not armored up or armed) I'd be comfortable with #4buck or even bird shot. But I can't count on that; so I go big, since I'm not quite ready to go home yet.

Here's the NIJ classes:

https://defenshield.com/ballistic-levels-explained/

Slugs don't have to penetrate. When your Sternum bounces off your spine you're toast!!!

 

[GunnyGene]

Slugs don't have to penetrate. When your Sternum bounces off your spine you're toast!!!

As I implied, I prefer to minimize the risk to me. Y'all do whatever you want.