Recomendations on low recoil buckshot

[Jeff H]

Hey all. Looking for recommendations on low recoil buckshot for S/D. My wife has expressed interest in using the shotgun rather than the pistol she owns. Either 2-3/4 or 3" going in a semi auto shotgun.

 

[Dunross]

Reduced Recoil Shotgun Loads
https://www.shootingillustrated.com/articles/2016/9/7/reduced-recoil-shotgun-loads/

 

[roo_ster]

Reduced Recoil and semi-autos can be a problem.

 

[Grumulkin]

Must it be buckshot? Bird shot wouldn't feel good and would probably discourage a home intruder and it isn't nonlethal either. If bird shot were an option you could go with target loads for lower recoil.

 

[Snowdog]

I like to purchase in bulk and stock up for rainy days. I also like to find values (high quality at agreeable prices).
I do buy from the big 3 as well, but when I stock up, it's often not from them.

As far as buckshot is concerned, I've had great luck with Nobel Sports, Spartan and Fiocchi. Of those, I'd only describe the Spartan as "low recoil" (with Nobel Sports being quite hot and Fiocchi "high velocity" somewhere in between).

Having said this, I have only fired these from pump shotguns. I recently purchased two 12 gauge semi-autos, so I plan to run these through them as well. We'll see what works and what doesn't.

 

[mdThanatos]

The reduced recoil buckshot loads from Rio, Remington, and Federal all function in my Remington V3 and Mossberg 930 semi autos.

 

[Meeks36]

Must it be buckshot? Bird shot wouldn't feel good and would probably discourage a home intruder and it isn't nonlethal either. If bird shot were an option you could go with target loads for lower recoil.

If you must use a weapon. It has to be lethal. Let's say someone hopped up on PCP breaks in. You shoot them with bird shot. It want stop them. And you might be killed. #4 buck is the lightest you should use. I mean for that matter use rubber buck instead of bird. Read up on the sticky up top on defense ammo.

 

[Grumulkin]

If you must use a weapon. It has to be lethal. Let's say someone hopped up on PCP breaks in. You shoot them with bird shot. It want stop them. And you might be killed. #4 buck is the lightest you should use. I mean for that matter use rubber buck instead of bird. Read up on the sticky up top on defense ammo.

The reality is that many women and not a few men are intolerant of recoil and will never be otherwise. The don't really like to shoot and will never put in the time that would be needed to cure their intolerance. Bird shot would be a lot better than nothing.

I'm also skeptical that a load of bird shot at close range wouldn't stop someone "hopped up on PCP." That said, most attackers aren't under the influence of PCP so being able to stop someone on PCP is mostly irrelevant.

 

[Steve C]

If you already have a semi auto shotgun you plan on using as your household self defense gun, how well it will cycle low recoil ammo will depend upon the shotgun itself, if it is a gas operated or recoil operated action and if there is a way to adjust the system to work with different levels of ammo.

Generally low recoil buckshot has a velocity and pellet weight similar to a trap and skeet or game load typically of 1 oz to 1-1/8 oz with velocity of 1,100 to 1,200 fps. If your auto shotgun will cycle this ammo then it should cycle low recoil buck.

Personally I prefer a pump for a defense shotgun. They are less expensive than an auto, reliable and the mechanical action will work with any power level ammo you want to use.bu

As for what buck shot to use depends upon your home and surroundings. In an apartment where less penetration and short distance is the rule #4 buck would be the heaviest buck shot I would use. Lead BB, 2 or 4 bird shot may be a better choice, I wouldn't go smaller than 4 shot. My Mossberg is now loaded with seven low recoil Federal 12ga Flight Control No 1 buck but my walls are slump block construction that should keep any shot inside.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

In addition to whatever low recoil load you find that works, a Limbsaver recoil pad would help. https://limbsaver.com/collections/f...-precision-fit-recoil-pad?variant=42673925395

 

[Lucky Derby]

Just to add a bit to Fine Figure's post about a limbsaver: the design of the stock can make a big difference too. I have two shotguns that are identical except for the stocks. Specifically Rem 870 Express Tactical. The one with the 6 shot mag. One has the factory synthetic stock. The other has a Magpul stock. Shooting the two guns back to back with the same ammo, it's really surprising how much less recoil the Magpul equiped gun has.

 

[douglas_knott]

Reduced Recoil and semi-autos can be a problem.

I was thinking the same thing.

 

[douglas_knott]

If you must use a weapon. It has to be lethal. Let's say someone hopped up on PCP breaks in. You shoot them with bird shot. It want stop them. And you might be killed. #4 buck is the lightest you should use. I mean for that matter use rubber buck instead of bird. Read up on the sticky up top on defense ammo.

I'm pretty sure that if someone gets shot at close range with a shotgun, they will be hurt badly or killed.

 

[entropy]

Must it be buckshot? Bird shot wouldn't feel good and would probably discourage a home intruder and it isn't nonlethal either. If bird shot were an option you could go with target loads for lower recoil.

NO, NO, NO, and NO.

Reduced Recoil and semi-autos can be a problem.

This can be true. Be more specific; what semi-auto shotgun?

I'm pretty sure that if someone gets shot at close range with a shotgun, they will be hurt badly or killed.

A guy I went to High School with decided to end it all after graduation by sticking the barrel of his 870 under his chin and pulling the trigger. He use a low-base hunting load with 7 1/2s. He lived for two weeks in horrible agony with no face before he expired. If it won't kill reliably at contact range, I sure won't trust it at any distance. I also know an ER nurse and an ME that shoot trap-the ME has never seen a stiff with birdshot, the nurse has seen many people walk in with it. All three of us trust them to smokeball clay pigeons, but clay pigeons ain't people, particularly people on meth or PCP.

Why does this inane suggestion come up in every 'what load in a shotgun for HD?" thread.

The low recoil buck are decent. I use the WIn. "Buck and Ball" (3 OOB and a 1 oz. slug) and Rem. O Buck (got a lot of it in a deal years ago) in my Ithaca 37, alternating, Win. in the pipe. I expect one shot per customer.

When lemaymiami sees this thread he will chime in with "00 Buck does the job." And he's right.

 

[Meeks36]

The reality is that many women and not a few men are intolerant of recoil and will never be otherwise. The don't really like to shoot and will never put in the time that would be needed to cure their intolerance. Bird shot would be a lot better than nothing.

I'm also skeptical that a load of bird shot at close range wouldn't stop someone "hopped up on PCP." That said, most attackers aren't under the influence of PCP so being able to stop someone on PCP is mostly irrelevant.

This is why there is reduced recoil loads. Substitute PCP for oxycodone, meth, drunk, crack I have seen tasers fail to take folks down hopped up on any number of things. And yes both prongs connected. Just didn't work. To intoxicated to feel much of anything. Use what you like. For me and mine #4 in 12ga and 00 buck in 20 ga for my wife. And it's called birds for a reason. We humans are bigger and tougher then birds. Save the bird shot for birds. If you must use bird shot then use a steel goose shell.

 

[George P]

If you must use a weapon. It has to be lethal. Let's say someone hopped up on PCP breaks in. You shoot them with bird shot. It want stop them. And you might be killed. #4 buck is the lightest you should use. I mean for that matter use rubber buck instead of bird. Read up on the sticky up top on defense ammo.

Might depend on the size of that birdshot. #2s will hurt. Smaller buck like #1 will also do the job.

If you want low recoil, you need to shoot the heaviest gun with the slowest and lightest load available - that is simple physics. If you want the least felt recoil, aka kick, you also need to take into account gun fit. If you and your wife are not the same size, then the gun might fit one but not the other.

 

[roo_ster]

What I meant is that some reduced recoil fodder will not cycle some semi-autos. I have found that normal-recoil buckshot in a Rem 1100 has as much subjective recoil as reduced recoil buck out of a similarly-configured Rem 870. Gas operation and a smidge more mass do the trick.

The lowest 12ga HD/SD shotgun rig I have put together uses:
Rem 870 Police 12ga
18" bbl plain with bead. IC
Rem Express forestock with skateboard tape towards the rear (longer toward back to help smaller shooter)
Hydraulic buffer & AR15 stock adapter
AR-15 6 pos stock with Limbsaver and AR15 pistol grip
Federal Flitecontrol low recoil 00 buckshot.
Streamlight TLR100 & mount

With that ^^^, my 5'-nuthin, sub-100lb wife can put 4 loads of low recoil buck into COM of a silhoutte target at 15 yards as fast as she can pump it, no pain. Less muzzle blast than an AR15. She uses her wingshootng technique and can hit moving targets, too. Cruiser ready next to the bed.

I stuck with the Rem870 because I know them and they have more heft than a Mossberg. If you or yours can manage a bit more recoil, a Mossberg can be similarly rigged.

 

[Riomouse911]

The low recoil loads do have a habit of playing havoc with recoil operated Benellis, I recall a local agency that issued them sending a couple of guys to POST rangemaster school having tons of jams with low recoil buck. Full power slugs were no issue for their shotguns.

The newer gas operated guns that can regulate between target and magnum loads will probably be more reliable with low recoil HD loads, but I will recommend you shoot a lot of them to be sure.

The above picture with the Fed #1 low recoil buck is a fantastic choice in a pump. I load full-house Federal #1 in my 12 ga 870 (With a side-saddle of 3 more buck and 3 segmenting slugs for spare ammo) and also in a SxS 16 ga coach gun for HD.

I’ve seen people survive being shot at close range in the chest, the legs and even close range to the face with birdshot, so I’ll personally pass on it for HD. On the flip side I have also seen one tweaker who took a 12 ga slug about 3” above the belly button and survive... he lived for about two years and testified in the case against the shooter. He was in miserable pain until he finally died from septic infections caused by the damage to his guts.

There is no such thing as a sure thing, so always plan on the possibility of needing more than one shot to stop a threat to the safety of you or yours when utilizing a rifle, shotgun or a handgun.

I’m glad to see you’re planning for it, here’s to hoping you will never need it. Stay safe.

 

[herrwalther]

I keep 3 rounds of #8 birdshot on my HD shotgun in the butt cuff. Out here in the sticks I am way more likely to use birdshot to deal with a problem animal than a problem person. The tube is full of 00buck for them. Please do not use birdshot, of any size for defense against people.

For a pump I would recommend a #4 buck shot in a low recoil load. Tons of makers have their own, sometimes advertised as law enforcement ammo. In a semi, feeding can be an issue. Buy a few different kinds to see what works best.

 

[GE-Mini-Gun]

Go with #4 buck…goes through less drywall (something to think about) and has the potential of less recoil. Also add some weight to the gun…depending upon what gun you have you might be able to add mercury recoil reducer in the stock and to the end of the magazine cap. I know they can be purchased for Remington 1100 and 870’s, not sure of the others.

 

[Meeks36]

Go with #4 buck…goes through less drywall (something to think about) and has the potential of less recoil. Also add some weight to the gun…depending upon what gun you have you might be able to add mercury recoil reducer in the stock and to the end of the magazine cap. I know they can be purchased for Remington 1100 and 870’s, not sure of the others.

Many years ago I cut open some slugs and put them in a stock of a single shot 12. It helped alot. Still kicked like a mule but not as bad before adding weight.

 

[RMc]

Federal LE132 1B, low recoil 12 GA cartridges, were discontinued in 2018.