What ammo for HD ?

9x19mm · May 23, 2002, 10:15 AM

What kind of ammo (12 ga) should I prefer for home defense? I am not necessarily looking for any specific brand, but for specifications.

For example some say that 2-3/4 shells are prefered over magnums because they offer more control (less recoil) in HD scenarios. Also, others believe that birdshot is better than buckshot (we don't want to penetrate the walls of neighboring apartments by accident, do we?) Are slugs and sabots out of question here?

What is your opinion folks ?
Thank you all

stinger · May 23, 2002, 11:57 AM

i stay with the 2 3/4 myself, but to each their own.

here's my HD load:

1st 4 shots are OO Buck followed by 2 slugs. i figure that if 4 OO buck won't take them down, the slugs are kinda the last resort (or sould I just put my head between my legs and kiss my a$$ goodbye)

longeyes · May 23, 2002, 12:28 PM

I download my tube by one and favor a crescendo: #4 buck, #00 buck, #000 buck, slug.

Dave McC · May 23, 2002, 08:15 PM

Most shotgun loads in house hit with the shot still in the wad. Think 73 caliber rifle or a giant Glaser safety slug. The database shows no difference in effectiveness between 9 shot and 00 buck. I used to say you could load the shells with breath mints but I now fear some dunderhead out there will actually try it.

HD 870 holds 6+1, loaded with 5. First up's a trap load, followed by 00. More 00 in Sidesaddle, and for something remotely possible but unlikely, a pair of slugs.

My deer 870 serves as backup for HD outside the deer season. It's loaded with 00.

Try different loads on a patterning board at the max distance a shot possibility will occur in your house, add a yard for GPs, and use the tightest.

HTH...

9x19mm · May 24, 2002, 04:52 AM

Very valuable info, thanks guys, I am new to shotguns

popnokick · May 24, 2002, 07:41 PM

The advice to try a patterning board at maximum in-house distance is good. I was all over the place with my Rem 870 HD until I did this. Finally settled on #4 buck (not bird) shot for tightest group at typical in-home distances. Next to last is 00, then a slug (I live in bear country).

Mannlicher · May 24, 2002, 08:44 PM

My Mossberg 590 has a full load of 00 buck, with 4 Rottweil slugs in the butt stock slots. I only use 2 3/4 for HD

For my Mossberg 500C 20 ga, I load BB shot with some slugs in the cuff on the stock.

My Stevens 16 ga double uses #1 buck

My Remington Wingmaster shoots best with #1 buck also. The 18 inch barrel throws a good pattern at indoor range, say no more than 15 yards.

dfaugh · May 24, 2002, 09:08 PM

3" magnum, 15 pellet 00 buckshot...hit what you aim for

smitty21 · May 24, 2002, 09:28 PM

I use the Federal Tactical loads for HD, followed by a pair of slugs.

C.R.Sam · May 24, 2002, 09:31 PM

Whatever you use.
Practice.
Aim
Hit what you are aiming at.

Sam

NIGHTWATCH · May 24, 2002, 10:20 PM

As much as I love slugs and 00buck, I think #4buck and 7 1/2 will do fine in a home defense situation. 00 and slugs are just too much of a liability (unless you live in a dessert). Load up with 2 #4 buck first, followed by 7's. You will be just fine. . . and your neighbors too.

May 23, 2002, 12:28 PM	#3
longeyes Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2000 Location: True West Posts: 1,350	I download my tube by one and favor a crescendo: #4 buck, #00 buck, #000 buck, slug. __________________ "You come far, Pilgrim." "Feels like far." "Were it worth the trouble?" "Ah...what trouble?" ~Jeremiah Johnson

May 24, 2002, 08:44 PM	#7
Mannlicher Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2001 Location: North Central Florida & Miami Posts: 3,209	My Mossberg 590 has a full load of 00 buck, with 4 Rottweil slugs in the butt stock slots. I only use 2 3/4 for HD For my Mossberg 500C 20 ga, I load BB shot with some slugs in the cuff on the stock. My Stevens 16 ga double uses #1 buck My Remington Wingmaster shoots best with #1 buck also. The 18 inch barrel throws a good pattern at indoor range, say no more than 15 yards. __________________ Nemo Me Impune Lacesset "The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant; it's just that they know so much that isn't so.".........Ronald Reagan

May 24, 2002, 09:08 PM	#8
dfaugh Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2002 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 1,715	Sellier & Belliot 3" magnum, 15 pellet 00 buckshot...hit what you aim for __________________ "If you Listen to Fools, the Mob Rules" "No one has the answer, but one thing is true. You'e got to turn on evil, when its coming after you. You've gotta face it down,and when it tries to hide, you've got to go in after it, and never be denied. Time is running out...Let's roll. Let's roll for freedom, let's roll for love. We're going after satan, on the wings of a dove. Let's roll for freedom, let's roll for truth. Let's not let our children grow up fearful in their youth."

May 24, 2002, 09:28 PM	#9
smitty21 Member Join Date: August 3, 2000 Location: Hampton, Va. Posts: 93	I use the Federal Tactical loads for HD, followed by a pair of slugs. __________________ "I wear my uniform for the heritage of sacrifice it represents . . . I wear the uniform of my country because others do not. America's freedom is a right given by God, but defended by man. It is our overwhelming responsibility to preserve our heritage of freedom for all Americans, and I accept that challenge willingly"

May 24, 2002, 10:20 PM	#11
NIGHTWATCH Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2002 Location: NYC Posts: 410	As much as I love slugs and 00buck, I think #4buck and 7 1/2 will do fine in a home defense situation. 00 and slugs are just too much of a liability (unless you live in a dessert). Load up with 2 #4 buck first, followed by 7's. You will be just fine. . . and your neighbors too. __________________ Buy a Gun And Keep The Militia Alive

May 23, 2002, 10:15 AM	#1
9x19mm Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2001 Location: Europe Posts: 103	What ammo for HD ? What kind of ammo (12 ga) should I prefer for home defense? I am not necessarily looking for any specific brand, but for specifications. For example some say that 2-3/4 shells are prefered over magnums because they offer more control (less recoil) in HD scenarios. Also, others believe that birdshot is better than buckshot (we don't want to penetrate the walls of neighboring apartments by accident, do we?) Are slugs and sabots out of question here? What is your opinion folks ? Thank you all

May 23, 2002, 11:57 AM	#2
stinger Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2001 Location: west texas Posts: 772	i stay with the 2 3/4 myself, but to each their own. here's my HD load: 1st 4 shots are OO Buck followed by 2 slugs. i figure that if 4 OO buck won't take them down, the slugs are kinda the last resort (or sould I just put my head between my legs and kiss my a$$ goodbye)

May 23, 2002, 08:15 PM	#4
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Most shotgun loads in house hit with the shot still in the wad. Think 73 caliber rifle or a giant Glaser safety slug. The database shows no difference in effectiveness between 9 shot and 00 buck. I used to say you could load the shells with breath mints but I now fear some dunderhead out there will actually try it. HD 870 holds 6+1, loaded with 5. First up's a trap load, followed by 00. More 00 in Sidesaddle, and for something remotely possible but unlikely, a pair of slugs. My deer 870 serves as backup for HD outside the deer season. It's loaded with 00. Try different loads on a patterning board at the max distance a shot possibility will occur in your house, add a yard for GPs, and use the tightest. HTH...

May 24, 2002, 04:52 AM	#5
9x19mm Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2001 Location: Europe Posts: 103	Very valuable info, thanks guys, I am new to shotguns

May 24, 2002, 07:41 PM	#6
popnokick Member Join Date: November 3, 2001 Location: Virginia Posts: 43	The advice to try a patterning board at maximum in-house distance is good. I was all over the place with my Rem 870 HD until I did this. Finally settled on #4 buck (not bird) shot for tightest group at typical in-home distances. Next to last is 00, then a slug (I live in bear country).

May 24, 2002, 09:31 PM	#10
C.R.Sam Senior Member Join Date: October 29, 1999 Location: Dewey, AZ Posts: 12,858	Whatever you use. Practice. Aim Hit what you are aiming at. Sam