Mixing loads for home defense & chokes

Pecos Bill · December 30, 1999, 09:42 PM

Hi All,

I would greatly appreciate your advice and opinions. I read in some posts on this board that some folks like to mix loads in their shotguns for home defense, starting with a couple of rounds of #8 or #6, then a couple of #4 or buck shot, and sometimes even slugs.

What choke do you recommend for home defense if you mix loads? Is a wide spread better than a narrow one at 15 feet? I.e. more chance to hit the target verses less shot hitting the target or does it even matter at 15 feet whether you use a cylinder or full choke. Say you like the nice tight pattern you get with a full choke at 15 feet but what happens if the BG is outside, 50 yards away taking pop shots at you? Is it OK to pump out the #8 and fire a slug through a full choke from a smooth bore gun?

What do you guys think?

Thanks in advance.

Bill

Ned Roundtree · December 30, 1999, 10:24 PM

Wow, you've asked questions that entire books have been written on. I am a novice myself , so I'll answer what I can. Others can expound. Most tactical shotguns would be cylinder or modified cylinder. The shotgun is the best tactical home defense gun you can have.(period)I consider myself a pistol shooter. The different shells give you the tactical advantage to change to the right shell you might need. Sounds like you know that 00 Buck is widely used and respected. But it also has a 15 yard range of effectiveness. Patterning, shot size and penetration all become factors. I have an old police Remington 870 with side saddle. I keep #00, #4, and rifled slugs. A fifty yard shot with rifled slug can be made. Others I'm sure have their favorite loads they keep. Some may keep 00 Buck, #2, and slugs (12 gauge).I'm not sure of results of rifled slug through full choke. Mine is cylinder bore.

[This message has been edited by Ned Roundtree (edited December 30, 1999).]

Dave McC · December 31, 1999, 04:29 AM

At 15 feet,shot spread is minimal regardless of choke.So's shot size. Choke and shot size become more crucial as distances lengthen, tho there's going to be much greater chances of a 15 foot confrontation than a 50 yd one, unless we get into urban disturbances, not HD.

For those 50 yd shots, I'm more likely to reach for a rifle,tho my 870s will do the job.

The thing about mixing ammo is less chance of overpenetration at close range w/ small shot. Slugs are very penetrative,so their use may/may not be a good idea, depending on location and geography.

Joey · January 1, 2000, 10:38 PM

In our Mosberg 500 with cylinder bore I've got 4 00 buck low recoil rounds first followed up by 3 low recoil slugs. If the 00 buck is not enough then the slug will hopefully come to the rescue.

pete80 · January 2, 2000, 12:07 AM

My 870 stays loaded with Federal Tactical 9 pellet buckshot with buttcuff holding four more shells plus two 1oz rifled slugs.

Ned Roundtree · January 2, 2000, 02:29 AM

At 1600 fps, that rifled slug will stop a bad guy or scare him away. Is he okay to shoot rifled slugs through his full choke then??

brass shower · January 2, 2000, 03:36 AM

Those ribs on the rifled slug will collapse a bit when forced through a full choke. Yes, you can shoot slugs thru a full choke.

labgrade · January 2, 2000, 10:33 AM

Careful with the Remington Solid Coppers. Says on the box not to shoot thru screw-in or fixed choke model shotgun (any choke) as they were designed for use in rifled bbls or rifled screw-ins. May damage shotgun or, etc ... usual disclaimer.

Haven't contacted Rem about it but says so on the box. Can't think of why it would make any difference, but ...

Pecos Bill · January 4, 2000, 09:45 PM

Thanks Everybody!

The advice is greatly appreciated!

Happy New Year to all!

Bill

December 30, 1999, 09:42 PM	#1
Pecos Bill Junior Member Join Date: December 30, 1999 Location: New york, NY Posts: 2	Hi All, I would greatly appreciate your advice and opinions. I read in some posts on this board that some folks like to mix loads in their shotguns for home defense, starting with a couple of rounds of #8 or #6, then a couple of #4 or buck shot, and sometimes even slugs. What choke do you recommend for home defense if you mix loads? Is a wide spread better than a narrow one at 15 feet? I.e. more chance to hit the target verses less shot hitting the target or does it even matter at 15 feet whether you use a cylinder or full choke. Say you like the nice tight pattern you get with a full choke at 15 feet but what happens if the BG is outside, 50 yards away taking pop shots at you? Is it OK to pump out the #8 and fire a slug through a full choke from a smooth bore gun? What do you guys think? Thanks in advance. Bill

December 30, 1999, 10:24 PM	#2
Ned Roundtree Senior Member Join Date: December 8, 1999 Location: Lexington, KY,USA Posts: 738	Wow, you've asked questions that entire books have been written on. I am a novice myself , so I'll answer what I can. Others can expound. Most tactical shotguns would be cylinder or modified cylinder. The shotgun is the best tactical home defense gun you can have.(period)I consider myself a pistol shooter. The different shells give you the tactical advantage to change to the right shell you might need. Sounds like you know that 00 Buck is widely used and respected. But it also has a 15 yard range of effectiveness. Patterning, shot size and penetration all become factors. I have an old police Remington 870 with side saddle. I keep #00, #4, and rifled slugs. A fifty yard shot with rifled slug can be made. Others I'm sure have their favorite loads they keep. Some may keep 00 Buck, #2, and slugs (12 gauge).I'm not sure of results of rifled slug through full choke. Mine is cylinder bore. [This message has been edited by Ned Roundtree (edited December 30, 1999).]

December 31, 1999, 04:29 AM	#3
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	At 15 feet,shot spread is minimal regardless of choke.So's shot size. Choke and shot size become more crucial as distances lengthen, tho there's going to be much greater chances of a 15 foot confrontation than a 50 yd one, unless we get into urban disturbances, not HD. For those 50 yd shots, I'm more likely to reach for a rifle,tho my 870s will do the job. The thing about mixing ammo is less chance of overpenetration at close range w/ small shot. Slugs are very penetrative,so their use may/may not be a good idea, depending on location and geography.

January 1, 2000, 10:38 PM	#4
Joey Senior Member Join Date: June 28, 1999 Posts: 437	In our Mosberg 500 with cylinder bore I've got 4 00 buck low recoil rounds first followed up by 3 low recoil slugs. If the 00 buck is not enough then the slug will hopefully come to the rescue.

January 2, 2000, 12:07 AM	#5
pete80 Senior Member Join Date: July 4, 1999 Posts: 454	My 870 stays loaded with Federal Tactical 9 pellet buckshot with buttcuff holding four more shells plus two 1oz rifled slugs.

January 2, 2000, 02:29 AM	#6
Ned Roundtree Senior Member Join Date: December 8, 1999 Location: Lexington, KY,USA Posts: 738	At 1600 fps, that rifled slug will stop a bad guy or scare him away. Is he okay to shoot rifled slugs through his full choke then??

January 2, 2000, 03:36 AM	#7
brass shower Member Join Date: February 25, 1999 Location: Aurora, CO Posts: 64	Those ribs on the rifled slug will collapse a bit when forced through a full choke. Yes, you can shoot slugs thru a full choke.

January 2, 2000, 10:33 AM	#8
labgrade Member In Memoriam Join Date: November 29, 1999 Location: west of a small town, CO Posts: 4,346	Careful with the Remington Solid Coppers. Says on the box not to shoot thru screw-in or fixed choke model shotgun (any choke) as they were designed for use in rifled bbls or rifled screw-ins. May damage shotgun or, etc ... usual disclaimer. Haven't contacted Rem about it but says so on the box. Can't think of why it would make any difference, but ...

January 4, 2000, 09:45 PM	#9
Pecos Bill Junior Member Join Date: December 30, 1999 Location: New york, NY Posts: 2	Thanks Everybody! The advice is greatly appreciated! Happy New Year to all! Bill