ammo for HD?

HMP

HMP

Well-Known Member
2A Bourbon Hound OG
Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 17, 2016
Messages
39,528
Location
TRIAD
Rating - 100%
28   0   0
Picked up a shotgun from my father, post a pic later.
12ga
What sort of ammo would be best for Home Defense for it?

Ive not got a lot of experience with shotguns, so pardon my ignorance.
 
Ive got #4 buck for my first round. 41 pellets that are about 1/3 the size of 00buck. 00buck from then on. I wanna make hamburger when the first round goes off
 
To me it depends on the gun,the person, and where he'll use it. Like - is it a single shot? Semi-auto? What barrel length? Concerned about pellets hitting unintended targets? Is the shooter Recoil sensitive (and the lighter the gun, the more kick it can have)? Shooting at inside house distances only?
 
I just went through this, trying to find a home defense weapon for my older parents. A single shot is light, so anything more than winchester featherlites was too much for them. But I've killed a big snake with that load, and have seen that even tho low recoil, it's deadly at close (house) range.
I live in the country where there's not much risk of a buckshot pellet hitting someone else's house, so my pump gun has buckshot in it.
My wife is more likely to have to shoot a snake if I'm not here, and she's recoil sensitive, so the first round in her pump is a featherlite (#8 shot I think?), followed by managed (reduced) recoil buck in case she's shooting at something else
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Home defense shotgun range is going to be sub 20 yards. Any decent buckshot is going to be patterning around the size of a medium pizza out to that range give or take. So for me, I don't over think it. Shotguns are simple weapons for a simple task . So I use 00buck of a decent brand. (I've shot enough of many brands to be confidant they would all relay my message of disproval equally well at house distance).
 
I also have some slugs in a butt stock shell holder on my pump shotgun. I don't know what Id use them for, but thought I'd have them just in case. :)
 
thecarman;n3234 said:
I also have some slugs in a butt stock shell holder on my pump shotgun. I don't know what Id use them for, but thought I'd have them just in case. :)
Click to expand...


Same reason I have Dragon's Breath rounds in my buttstock cuff. Always be prepared (to destroy everything).
 
00 Buck in my Benelli/HK Tactical with an 18.5" barrel. Patterns tightly over short/household distances with the IC choke.

Have to look into #4 Buck as well. Never tried it before.
 
B00ger;n3193 said:
Home defense shotgun range is going to be sub 20 yards. Any decent buckshot is going to be patterning around the size of a medium pizza out to that range give or take. So for me, I don't over think it. Shotguns are simple weapons for a simple task . So I use 00buck of a decent brand. (I've shot enough of many brands to be confidant they would all relay my message of disproval equally well at house distance).
Click to expand...

I share these sentiments too, although I have a fondness for slugs as well. Something about an ounce of lead just warms my heart.
 
bennnn;n4248 said:
I share these sentiments too, although I have a fondness for slugs as well. Something about an ounce of lead just warms my heart.
Click to expand...

No Argument there!
 
I like #1 buckshot. I have a fixed modified barrel on an old wingmater that throws a hell of a good pattern out to 25 yds.
 
Federal FC 00B is what I use, because it patterns well in my 870, and it pulls back-up duty for deer sometimes. I think that Wal-Mart Remington buckshot or about any brand of buckshot will cause one to stop doing whatever made you shoot them.
I understand the philosophy of using slugs, I guess. Overkill is underrated.
 
I'll second the Federal Flight Control in 00. You can find it in reduced recoil if that matters to you and both that and standard pressure will do will in home defense. I'm not 100% certain but I believe it's the same thing as the Federal LEO buckshot. The specs for both are the same but I've never opened them up to see. You can usually find 5 round boxes for around $4-5.
 
Don't care or shotguns for HD use. They're cumbersome and difficult for folks to use effectively without training. That said, ammo really doesn't matter. At indoor ranges even with a cylinder choke you aren't going to pattern more than 6-8". You still have to aim. Bird shot is for birds, any buckshot will do fine. I would suggest a reduced recoil load so followup shots are easier/faster...
 
I run 00 buck shot with a slug first last and on the gun for reloads......yes bird shot will make a hell of a mess.....I'd much rather a grieving friend/relative tell the court room how great a person the now deceased was vs a mutilated now reformed person tell the court how it is my fault they are now worthless.
 
amnesia said:
toddje;n4207 said:
I prefer anything that slings lead. From the longest ranges in my house (about 30 feet) even birdshot is likely to get 'er done, because it won't spread that much.

http://www.outdoorhub.com/stories/2015/03/18/mad-gun-science-birdshot-effective-home-defense/
Click to expand...

I think racking my shotgun would deter 99.9% of anyone in earshot. For those other .1% I have 00 buck.
Click to expand...
I have never understood having an unloaded gun for home defense/ carry. I pray to God I never have to do it but if I have to use a firearm it needs to be ready to go.
 
bigfelipe;n6334 said:
Don't care or shotguns for HD use. They're cumbersome and difficult for folks to use effectively without training. That said, ammo really doesn't matter. At indoor ranges even with a cylinder choke you aren't going to pattern more than 6-8". You still have to aim. Bird shot is for birds, any buckshot will do fine. I would suggest a reduced recoil load so followup shots are easier/faster...
Click to expand...

I have an old 870 youth model in 20 gauge that is nice and compact, easy to maneuver in tight quarters. Loaded with 7 rounds of 00B and for back up 15 rounds of 9mm in the CZ P-07 and I feel very well armed for home defense.
 
Heck, Ive got shotguns loaded with buck shot, 3.5" Turkey Loads, #2 shot, #6 shot and steel shot for goose hunting.

Inside the house distances, it all works.
 
amnesia said:
toddje;n4207 said:
I prefer anything that slings lead. From the longest ranges in my house (about 30 feet) even birdshot is likely to get 'er done, because it won't spread that much.

http://www.outdoorhub.com/stories/2015/03/18/mad-gun-science-birdshot-effective-home-defense/
Click to expand...

I think racking my shotgun would deter 99.9% of anyone in earshot. For those other .1% I have 00 buck.
Click to expand...
Only thing they might hear is the safety clicking off and I doubt they will.
I wont be able to hide the big flash though.
 
Stick;n14764 said:
I have an old 870 youth model in 20 gauge that is nice and compact, easy to maneuver in tight quarters. Loaded with 7 rounds of 00B and for back up 15 rounds of 9mm in the CZ P-07 and I feel very well armed for home defense.
Click to expand...

Where do you get 00b for a 20 GA? I have never seen anything but #3B for a 20. I roll my own buckshot, but I'm pretty sure you can't stack 00 in a 20ga hull no matter how hard you try.

Cylinder bore on the 20 is .615. 00B is .320 in diameter. Won't work. You can squeeze #1B in but it's tight.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
bigfelipe said:
Don't care or shotguns for HD use. They're cumbersome and difficult for folks to use effectively without training. That said, ammo really doesn't matter. At indoor ranges even with a cylinder choke you aren't going to pattern more than 6-8". You still have to aim. Bird shot is for birds, any buckshot will do fine. I would suggest a reduced recoil load so followup shots are easier/faster...
Click to expand...
Give this man a cigar. #4 heavy game loads are aweful powerful medicine at 30ft.

After seeing so many people miss 8" plates at a match, I just can't see a shotgun being a good choice for someone with little to no training.
 
The Green Heron said:
Stick;n14764 said:
I have an old 870 youth model in 20 gauge that is nice and compact, easy to maneuver in tight quarters. Loaded with 7 rounds of 00B and for back up 15 rounds of 9mm in the CZ P-07 and I feel very well armed for home defense.
Click to expand...

Where do you get 00b for a 20 GA? I have never seen anything but #3B for a 20. I roll my own buckshot, but I'm pretty sure you can't stack 00 in a 20ga hull no matter how hard you try.

Cylinder bore on the 20 is .615. 00B is .320 in diameter. Won't work. You can squeeze #1B in but it's tight.
Click to expand...
And, you're right. 00 for the 12, # 3 or 4 for the 20. Tired last night.
 
The Green Heron said:
Stick;n14764 said:
I have an old 870 youth model in 20 gauge that is nice and compact, easy to maneuver in tight quarters. Loaded with 7 rounds of 00B and for back up 15 rounds of 9mm in the CZ P-07 and I feel very well armed for home defense.
Click to expand...

Where do you get 00b for a 20 GA? I have never seen anything but #3B for a 20. I roll my own buckshot, but I'm pretty sure you can't stack 00 in a 20ga hull no matter how hard you try.

Cylinder bore on the 20 is .615. 00B is .320 in diameter. Won't work. You can squeeze #1B in but it's tight.
Click to expand...
I figured you just made a four par. I like #4B for loading 20ga hulls. Use a standard wad, no buffer and light load.
Folks that don't roll their own buck are missing out on some truly great low recoil HD rounds.
 
I would not recommend flight control wads for home defense, if you truly want the benefits of using a shotgun for HD. There will be absolutely no spread in the pattern until you are out to about 45 feet. At home defense distances, you will only get one hole, so you better take your time and AIM carefully. You will not be able to point shoot the way shotguns are intended to be used. In other words, you might as well use a slug or rifle.

Just food for thought and my opinion (except the part about not getting any spread at HD distances which is a fact).
 
I agree redhawk485
It is a large bore rifle. Low recoil loads and lots of practice are the way to go.

Unless it spills out into the yard, you are looking at no expansion. Todd mentioned 30 ft max inside his house. My max distance OE inside the house is 33 ft. I have patterned at that distance so I would KNOW. You are looking at little to no expansion at that distance, at 12 yds you can expect about 6" of spread, with 90% of the pellets inside 2-3".

I rate a carbine a much better HD choice for this reason. Personally, I can't think of a situation in which my nickle plated sissy race pistol, won't be the first thing I pick up in the house.

Not all of us have great pistols. Not everyone is extremely proficient with a pistol. In comparison, shotguns geared to HD tend to be very affordable. The caveat to the shotgun would be training. With the right loads and training, they are easier to master than a pistol, and are in fact a little more forgiving.

I would reccomend a pump over an auto. NOT because a racked slide is intimidating. If you have need to wield a shotgun inside your house, your main focus should not be intimidation. Your main focus when you fear for your life should be aim and press.
 
The Green Heron said:
Stick;n14764 said:
I have an old 870 youth model in 20 gauge that is nice and compact, easy to maneuver in tight quarters. Loaded with 7 rounds of 00B and for back up 15 rounds of 9mm in the CZ P-07 and I feel very well armed for home defense.
Click to expand...

Where do you get 00b for a 20 GA? I have never seen anything but #3B for a 20. I roll my own buckshot, but I'm pretty sure you can't stack 00 in a 20ga hull no matter how hard you try.

Cylinder bore on the 20 is .615. 00B is .320 in diameter. Won't work. You can squeeze #1B in but it's tight.
Click to expand...
One of these days I am going to have enough time on my hands to sit down and learn the art of reloading. Hopefully I don't have to wait until I'm retired.
 
While I will believe as do many experts that a shotgun is a good tool for home defense, and it was in fact the first home defense weapon I acquired, JBoyette of Trace Armory Group has said that it should be considered "an expert level weapon" to be used well. John made his point very well in the defensive shotgun course I took with him. In it, I learned the beautifully destructive things that a shotgun can do at home defense distances, but I also learned the very costly things it can do when used quickly under stress - like #8 target loads penetrating layers of sheet rock at > 20 feet and how much one needs to aim a shotgun at close distance contrary to everything you thought you knew having shot birds or clays.

I have ammo cans of 00 buckshot, but I wish I bought more #4 shot given the proximity of my neighbors. A shotgun remains part of my home defense plans, but it is no longer the weapon I grab first. I think one of the best things about the shotgun for home defense if one lives in NC is not having to deal with the idiotic pistol permit requirement - but the same could be said for an AR or pistol caliber carbine. Plus, it is relatively cheap to practice with.

I would strongly encourage anyone who wants to use a shotgun for home defense to take a defensive shotgun course. Several are offered in the Carolinas by good instructors, and they are not that expensive. One certainly opened my eyes!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I patterned this Hornady load out of my old Mossberg 500 18" and it puts out a really nice tight pattern at 25 yards right where the red dot is zeroed. Side by side with the old S&B 00 buck I used to use it's night and day different how tight and consistent this ammo is. The S&B was leftover from what I used in a shotgun class, the Hornady is what I'm keeping in it now.

 

Attachments

  • IMG_0229.jpg
    IMG_0229.jpg
    128 KB · Views: 0
I have an 870 tactical with an open choke and it isn't threaded so finding the shells that pattern the best was imo even more important than if I had the ability to swap chokes to get the results I wanted.

I found that the Olen "military grade" 00 Buck patterns the best out to 7 yards, Rio #4 Buck patterned extremely well out to about the same distance but once you got past 7 yards the spread is way too big for my liking.

I have since changed to the Flight control 00 buckshot and it patterns like a slug at 7 yards and patterns smaller at 20 yards than the Olin 00 does at 7 yards.

I also keep 6 Winchester slugs in my side saddle just in case I need to "reach out" a bit.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom