Shell Recommendation Shockwave 590

[USMCGRUNT_0341]

Does anyone have a home defense shell recommendation for the shockwave 590? I have read several articles where people were using the Aguilla mini shells as long as you had the http://www.opsolmini-clip.com. This also gives 8+1 capacity. However, something just bothers me when you have to put an aftermarket piece on to hope that your shotgun fires the 1 3/4" shell.

I also read happy customers using these (2 1/4" mini buckshot): http://www.cabelas.com/product/Herters-reg-Defense-Shotshells/1555113.uts

And these: http://www.luckygunner.com/12-ga-00-buck-fiocchi-reduced-recoil-le-plano-can-80-rounds#rid=ppt

The reason for the smaller shells is obvious that recoil is a factor with this piece. Just wanted to see what recommendations were out there. Thanks!!

 

[Xeon256]

Just bought 100rds of the fiocci 00, which will be backed up by the Winchester defenders, and 3in 00. Also can't go wrong with the Federal 00 2 3/4. As for the mini shells. They're cute, but I'm not thrilled either with having to use the adaptor. I thought the shockwave was made to chamber them directly, I might've misread the article. The fiocci low rec 00 tho doesn't have hardly any recoil.

 

[USMCGRUNT_0341]

Thank you for your input. I am heading over to the shop and thinking about picking up several boxes and trying them out.

The aftermarket part gets really good reviews, but something just bothers me about it when it's a home defense weapon. If that point ever shows its face, I need no additional worries about whether it will cycle or not.

 

[C0untZer0]

Here are a couple of threads about the Shockwave with input from people here on The High Road who actually have the shotgun and the adapter:

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/mossberg-shockwave.818756/

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/clint-smith-on-the-mossberg-shockwave.820075/

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/mossberg-shockwave-your-thoughts.822758/


Some of the threads cross over with each other... Generally speaking, there are folks here at The High Road who shoot the mini-shells and should be able to share their experience.

 

[paulsj]

Form what I tried NSI 2&1/4" worked best in my 870. More expensive than Herter's from Cabela's but shorter when loaded due to star crimping used to close them.

 

[USMCGRUNT_0341]

Thank you for the links. It looks like there are all positive reviews for the 1 3/4" with the adapter. Only well to feel confident is to try it myself....

 

[Kevinq6]

It's a tough question. Generally the recommended buckshot size (for meeting the minimum penetration in gel) is #1 buckshot. Some would argue in case of riots the increased pellet count of #4 buckshot would be better... lots of interesting options.

One thing to consider is where you would use it. I will be purchasing a shockwave to carry next to me in my vehicle, easy to grab quick in a pinch. If you need to shoot through a windshield or car door, you probably want plated 00 buck or bigger.

Next, you need to pattern it. Each gun is different. Buy a box of each and shoot the shells at 5, 7.5, 10, 15 and 20 yards (or whatever you want).

I'd look at 16 pellet #1 buckshot. That's more pellets than 00 and they will penetrate well. If I'm using a short-barreled shotgun to defend myself at work, it's going to be a pretty bad day. I want a properly-aimed shot to reach the spine and vitals.

Oh, the minishells seem cute but I'd want full power. I'd like to shoot them at the range, sure. They aren't horrible, I just want the full 12ga per trigger pull. A tube is easy to feed. 6 + 1 plus 5 on the side saddle in a dynamic easy to aim package. Just my preference...

It would be nice if you took pics and posted the patterning results here when you pattern it OP

 

[Panzerschwein]

I have fired the mini Aguila buckshot shells in my Shockwave with good results using the OpSol mini clip adapter.

Still, I would recommend a low recoil round such as the Remington 8 pellet 00 buck round (not necessarily from this site):

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1...12-gauge-2-3-4-00-buckshot-8-pellets-box-of-5

My reasoning for this is while the Aguila mini shells are interesting, they require that adapter which is just a chunk of rubber that you wedge into the loading port of the shotgun. I could see this adapter coming loose at the worst time, it is held in only by friction. Hasn't happened to me yet but I just do not think it as reliable as firing 2 3/4" shells as the gun was designed to use.

That Remington load should be nicely controllable in a Shockwave, and will have much more terminal effect than any mini shell and hey, if you don't want terminal effect then why use a shotgun to begin with?

As far as capacity goes, it's 5+1, plenty enough for sure. I have you to read or hear of ANY home defense shooting where more than 5-6 rounds of 12 gauge ammunition proved inadequate.

As for the #1B, #4B, and ESPECIALLY the 3" magnum loads mentioned above, I would steer clear of all of them. Reason being is recoil and follow up shots. Just too much to EFFECTIVELY handle in these small and lightweight guns that don't have a buttstock to counter recoil. Your arms will have to do that, and let me tell you, those heavy loads are beyond the point of diminishing returns. Trust me.

The Shockwave is a formidable close quarters weapon. Practice with it though, it certainly has a learning curve and is a poor substitute for a full size shotgun in a large dwelling or especially outdoors. But for small houses or vehicle use, it is extremely handy and very powerful.

 

[C0untZer0]

I know the Firearms Tactical Institute recomends #1 Buck:

For personal defense and law enforcement applications, the International Wound Ballistics Association advocates number 1 buckshot as being superior to all other buckshot sizes.

Number 1 buck is the smallest diameter shot that reliably and consistently penetrates more than 12 inches of standard ordnance gelatin when fired at typical shotgun engagement distances.

A standard 2 ¾-inch 12 gauge shotshell contains 16 pellets of #1 buck. The total combined cross sectional area of the 16 pellets is 1.13 square inches. Compared to the total combined cross sectional area of the nine pellets in a standard #00 (double-aught) buck shotshell (0.77 square inches), the # 1 buck shotshell has the capacity to produce over 30 percent more potentially effective wound trauma. In all shotshell loads, number 1 buckshot produces more potentially effective wound trauma than either #00 or #000 buck. In addition, number 1 buck is less likely to over-penetrate and exit an attacker's body.

But the tests I've seen of #4 Buck through 4 layers of denim changed my mind about it and has me convinced that #4 Buck is effective.

In the IWBA denim protocol, The majority of the #4 Buckshot pellets seem to penetrate 13" to 14" with some of the pellets traveling as far as 15" a few stopping at 11"



They seem to do OK in bare gel tests too:



The #1 Buck seems to penetrate to 18" in the IWBA protocol

 

[C0untZer0]

You can get those 1.75" mini shells in some pretty interesting configurations now... 8 Pellets of #1 Buck Shot or 7 Pellets of #4 Buck Shot and 4 Pellets of #1 Buck Shot. Mixed Birdshot and Buck, you can get #3 Buckshot.

I haven't seen gel tests of #3 Buck, but logic says it will penetrate a little farther than #4 and not as far as #1 so I think #3 Buck is probably an effective shot size.

I can't see a mix of #4 and #1 Buck not being effective.

 

[paulsj]

The answer is simple. You simply have to find 16ga load (#1 buck with avg. Vo of 1225fps) in 12ga casing. Manufacturers give 16ga folk what works not bunch of odd Guccimo that may work.