F.I.E. 12 gauge single shot

[Boattale]

This hangs by the back door of my rural Ozarks home. No kids around and it's purpose is defense of the yard against armadillos and just in case a coyote is near when dogs are out in the night. Round in the chamber is Remington 2 3/4 # 4 bird shot duplexed with # 2 bird shot . Two more of those are in the cuff along with 2 handloaded hot # 4 bird shot. Fifth one in the cuff is 2 3/4" 9 pellet Federal 00 buck. I added the recoil pad and refinished the stock. Looks much better than new if you ask me.

Choke is modified. The pad helps.

Love this shotgun, it takes me back to when I was a kid and my uncle had a similar one - though 16 gauge - hanging in the kitchen.

I would not be afraid to fire any factory shotgun shell in the OP's shotgun. Be it birdshot, buckshot or slug. So long as the shell is not longer than what the gun is chambered for.

.

 

[Boattale]

Ouch, yes it does have a heck of a kick, so I guess that I shouldn't use that ammo on this gun, I was just hoping in an emergency situation It would be more effective in that shot, then a bird shot, Great story thank you for sharing

12 gauge 2 3/4" 9 pellet 00 buck is the load of choice for thousands of law enforcement agencies. You won't find ONE with birdshot in their shotguns. You might consider that in choosing a defensive load. Sure if birdshot is all you have it is better than nothing. But not first choice for defense.

 

[ThomasT]

Boattale my 12ga single shot looks almost like yours except I don't have a sling on mine. Mine is an I.G.A. Gaucho from south america IIRC. It just has a 2 3/4" chamber but thats OK because I have never owned a 3" shell except in 410. Mine opens by sliding the trigger guard back about 1/4". I did add one of the thick Pachmayr recoil pads after the first few shots. That thing kills on both ends if you don't have a pad. I paid $75 OTD for it new and paid another $25 for the pad. Well worth the cost in my opinion.

 

[94045]

I've seen what even a .410 with #6 Bird does to an abdomen at 3'. It's not pretty. That said you can't guarantee shot placement or distance.

Police use of 00 Buck is somewhat based on longer distances they may have to engage. Wile they may be engaging at 100' I'm reasonably certain that's unlikely within a dwelling. I personally use #1 Buck in my 12 ga and my Mother has #3 Buck in her 20 ga (It's what's commonly available locally for a 20 ga). I'm not worried enough about lack of effectiveness with either to resort to my old Sigma 9mm (House Pistol) with Federal LE9T5 or suggest Mom would be better off with her SP101 with Federal P38HST1S.

 

[Boattale]

I've seen what even a .410 with #6 Bird does to an abdomen at 3'. It's not pretty. That said you can't guarantee shot placement or distance.

Police use of 00 Buck is somewhat based on longer distances they may have to engage. Wile they may be engaging at 100' I'm reasonably certain that's unlikely within a dwelling. I personally use #1 Buck in my 12 ga and my Mother has #3 Buck in her 20 ga (It's what's commonly available locally for a 20 ga). I'm not worried enough about lack of effectiveness with either to resort to my old Sigma 9mm (House Pistol) with Federal LE9T5 or suggest Mom would be better off with her SP101 with Federal P38HST1S.

2 3/4" 20 pellet # 3 buckshot is what's loaded in the 20 gauge 1100 that was recently modified for my wife. My 12 gauge 870 is loaded with 2 3/4" 9 pellet 00 buckshot. I'm quite comfortable with either in HD mode. I'm sure #1 buckshot is fine in that role too.