Bravo11
Member
A friend of mine just purchased a shotgun and is considering it for home defense. What type ammo does he need to use. We first thought buckshot would be the best. But we're not sure. Any thoghts?
Shotgun home defense ammo
- Thread starter Bravo11
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Ukraine Train
Member
After reading this article I've started keeping #1 buck in mine. http://www.firearmstactical.com/briefs10.htm
Black Majik
Member
I use #4 birdshot
sm
member
Depends
00 buckshot
1oz rifled slugs.
Not unusual for me to use slugs especially for some homes I babysit when owners are away. I mean that is what the HD gun stays stoked with.
00 buckshot
1oz rifled slugs.
Not unusual for me to use slugs especially for some homes I babysit when owners are away. I mean that is what the HD gun stays stoked with.
FedGunner
Member
I keep it fed with Federal 00 tactical.
deadmeat
Member
does anyone know of any low recoil buck shot. I dont want my wife hitting the ground after firing buck shot that is for hunting purposes. a place in town has winchester ranger 00 buck, but i dont know waht the recoil is like. I just thought about buying some high brass #2 lead.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
There's about a zillion opinions on the best ammo for HD. And most have some merit. A few gigs of stuff about this are in the Archives.
Using only a shotgun for HD means ALL responsible adults have to be trained in its use, in fact have to be shotgunners.If that's not viable, have other options for the non shotgunners.
I suggest measuring the farthest possible shot opp in your domicile, adding one yard for GPs and patterning ammo at that distance. What we want is a fist sized pattern or less.
Conventional Wisdom says,when it doubt,use 00. I'm inclined to the opinion that 1 buck may be a better choice, but there's a lot of testing and data collecting ahead before that's more than an opinion.
I'm doing some research and experimentation on a reduced power buck load, results will be posted here shortly if all goes well...
Using only a shotgun for HD means ALL responsible adults have to be trained in its use, in fact have to be shotgunners.If that's not viable, have other options for the non shotgunners.
I suggest measuring the farthest possible shot opp in your domicile, adding one yard for GPs and patterning ammo at that distance. What we want is a fist sized pattern or less.
Conventional Wisdom says,when it doubt,use 00. I'm inclined to the opinion that 1 buck may be a better choice, but there's a lot of testing and data collecting ahead before that's more than an opinion.
I'm doing some research and experimentation on a reduced power buck load, results will be posted here shortly if all goes well...
labgrade
Member In Memoriam
In one shotty (a 3" chamber), I'm using a Fed Premium load of 42 pellet #4 buck - seems to pattern rather heavy to 25 yards - which is the max distance in our house -= about a "fist-sized" pattern = 42 .22 cal pellets. & here's the off-hand Breneke slug there-abouts -just fer grins.
Another shotty gets a load of straight Brenekes 1 oz slugs.
Another long gun is an HBAR with 50 gr HPs - & then there's the back-ups of a BHP with 124s Golden Sabres & The Wife's got her S&W 66 w/ 125's ....
"Any thoghts?"
Yes. Lots.
Why not have trip-wires?
Stuff to trip up those that get through your door.
Heavy-duty Kevlar, or such, lines that will trip up those who actually breach your door. Why not? & if that, why not multiples?
Persooally, I don't do any of it, but can't hurt if you're scared enough to "secure" your house to the max.
Another shotty gets a load of straight Brenekes 1 oz slugs.
Another long gun is an HBAR with 50 gr HPs - & then there's the back-ups of a BHP with 124s Golden Sabres & The Wife's got her S&W 66 w/ 125's ....
"Any thoghts?"
Yes. Lots.
Why not have trip-wires?
Stuff to trip up those that get through your door.
Heavy-duty Kevlar, or such, lines that will trip up those who actually breach your door. Why not? & if that, why not multiples?
Persooally, I don't do any of it, but can't hurt if you're scared enough to "secure" your house to the max.
ShaiVong
Member
Does anyone have some opinions about the loads advertised on
the page posted above?
Some of the rounds, like the Terminator, Flechette, Bolo, Chain and others sound pretty nasty.
the page posted above?
Some of the rounds, like the Terminator, Flechette, Bolo, Chain and others sound pretty nasty.
"Some of the rounds, like the Terminator, Flechette, Bolo, Chain and others sound pretty nasty."
For over 100 years nobody seems to have come up with a defensive shotgun round that is much better than buckshot. I'd go with what works. As for the "nasty" rounds, I would think that when the BG's opportunistic relatives sue you after the shooting, you'd be made out to look like a sadistic maniac if you used something like that.
Tim
For over 100 years nobody seems to have come up with a defensive shotgun round that is much better than buckshot. I'd go with what works. As for the "nasty" rounds, I would think that when the BG's opportunistic relatives sue you after the shooting, you'd be made out to look like a sadistic maniac if you used something like that.
Tim
CAPTAIN MIKE
Member
HOME DEFENSE LOAD
I vote for Federal 00 tactical
CAPTAIN MIKE
I vote for Federal 00 tactical
CAPTAIN MIKE
ddj8052
Member
I use Winchester Ranger 00 buck.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Some observations on novelty ammo.....
First, standard ammo is so darn deadly for close range that it's record cannot be improved on significantly. One hit, one stop. This doesn't vary with load, a 3 yard hit with breath mints has the same effect as one with 0000 pellets rubbed with garlic and with Runes of Doom inscribed by a High Black Mage.
Second, some of this stuff is bad for your shotgun.
Third, some is very bad for you. When WP burns, it releases phosgene gas, which just happens to be deadly. Not for inside use, though the makers may forget to mention that in their ads.
Fourth, the stuff is more expensive.
Fifth,even if you use this stuff and win the firefight, you'll have to convince "12 good men and true" on a jury that you were not some Rambo wannabe. Using Dragon's Breath ammo in an "Intimidator" may be harder to defend than a skeet load in a Wingmaster,at least to a jury screened to eliminate firearms knowledge and intelligence...
First, standard ammo is so darn deadly for close range that it's record cannot be improved on significantly. One hit, one stop. This doesn't vary with load, a 3 yard hit with breath mints has the same effect as one with 0000 pellets rubbed with garlic and with Runes of Doom inscribed by a High Black Mage.
Second, some of this stuff is bad for your shotgun.
Third, some is very bad for you. When WP burns, it releases phosgene gas, which just happens to be deadly. Not for inside use, though the makers may forget to mention that in their ads.
Fourth, the stuff is more expensive.
Fifth,even if you use this stuff and win the firefight, you'll have to convince "12 good men and true" on a jury that you were not some Rambo wannabe. Using Dragon's Breath ammo in an "Intimidator" may be harder to defend than a skeet load in a Wingmaster,at least to a jury screened to eliminate firearms knowledge and intelligence...
If you live in a smaller place I would suggest #4 buck.
I have some space from my bedroom to the front door,so I use .00 My walls are brick so I don't have to worry about taking out one of the neighbors.
Another thought is that if it's a real small place. The aqua minni shells would be good.
It all depends on how much room you have to defend yourself, on which load you use.
Dev...
I have some space from my bedroom to the front door,so I use .00 My walls are brick so I don't have to worry about taking out one of the neighbors.
Another thought is that if it's a real small place. The aqua minni shells would be good.
It all depends on how much room you have to defend yourself, on which load you use.
Dev...
ShaiVong
Member
Do you know where I can get some of that!?
I think I might know a High Black Mage... 
Shai: But officer, I swear that the High Mage told me the runes would turn them into a chicken, not inside out!
Moparmike
Member
I will have to experiment on that! Now to find me some targets, a High Black Mage, Runes of Doom, Garlic, and some 0000 pellets.
Will Tic-Tacs do in place of generic breath mints?
sm
member
Dave , If I may...
Rule #1 have a gun.
Rule #2 ammo must be reliable in said gun. This is why we reiterate the minimum testing of a given load in any platform before we choose to carry/use it for defence.
Rule #2 ... IME/IME Mini-shells are not reliable in anything but single shot, O/U or SxS's. Not all repeaters ( semis and pumps) may hold more rds...it is shot placement ... one hitch before one can place a shot is to FEED the gun.
IME /IMO mini's have very poor patterns and penetration.
I know what Winchester's 00 buck and 1oz slugs will do. I know what #1 buck and 4 buck will do.
And I know for sure what Mom's 20 ga will do with # 3 buck and slugs . Another choice we use - Winchester X20 , the 2 3/4 " Super X game load in #4 out of her modified tube at 5yds..."misty" 15yds is ...down right ugly.
I have set up other elderly persons with the same set up as mom...same loads.
Got one "elderly lady" set up with a .410...now she prefers slugs [ Federal ]
...she accepted the fact in her duplex the Federal B413, the 11/16 oz , 3" load of #4 will work. Darn right I call before I go visit...this gal is a character. She can shoot too. Eighty yrs old, shooting 12 ga slugs from my gun...after a dozen she still wanted to shoot more. Just can't shuck like she used to...she used to win side bets at Trap in the younger years. Fussing at the younger bunch because the recoil hurt...I had tears of laughter while SHE told the young whippersnappers how to shoot...I wish I had video taped that day...darn right I listened...hey she had experience and a loaded gun...I learned as well.
ShaiVong
Member
I just gotta get me some 'Executioner' shells that the Adeptas Arbites use in WH40k. Heat seaking mass reactive HE slugs that can sail around corners
Mini's do not have real good penatration. I stated that minni's would be good in a smaller place.
I used to live in a s[ilt house or apartment. I had people living on the other side of the wall. .00 is over penatrating when other live that close.Thats why I suggested the mini's. We are now buying our first house. It's just outside of town. The neighbors no longer live on the other side of the wall.
I can use .00 now without have to worry about hurting the family on the other side of the wall.
If you live in an apartment building you may not want to use .00
Protect yourself. Yes.
But you could penatrate in to the next apartment an kill some guy watching 60minutes with his wife. Protecting yourself.
You have to think about what kind of place you live in.
The walls at the old place are like paper. mini's or #4buck even bird shot would be good for a place like that.
Just my .02
Dev...
I used to live in a s[ilt house or apartment. I had people living on the other side of the wall. .00 is over penatrating when other live that close.Thats why I suggested the mini's. We are now buying our first house. It's just outside of town. The neighbors no longer live on the other side of the wall.
I can use .00 now without have to worry about hurting the family on the other side of the wall.
If you live in an apartment building you may not want to use .00
Protect yourself. Yes.
But you could penatrate in to the next apartment an kill some guy watching 60minutes with his wife. Protecting yourself.
You have to think about what kind of place you live in.
The walls at the old place are like paper. mini's or #4buck even bird shot would be good for a place like that.
Just my .02
Dev...
ARShooter
Member
After reading the article in www.firearmstactical.com I am going with No. 1 buckshot for homedefense. Check out this site guys because the information is great. I to was one of the guys that had my shotgun filled with 00 buck. But now I have no. 1 buck because it has better penetration than the 00 buck.
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