What shot to use?

[rixret]

What size shot do you all use for your short barreled shotguns for home defence?

[Edward429451]

OO Buck and slugs.

[Scattergun Bob]

Below is a link to a good site for the discussion of shot shell and slug penetration, toward the bottom of the page is test samples to review. It is true that ballistic gel is not human tissue, but it is the best we have. Bare gel = bare skin with out a layer of clothing.
http://www.tacticalshotgun.ca/ballistics_shotgun.html

Part of what I am here for is to enlighten folks about fighting shotguns, I use a method of

Get Smart
Be Smart
Stay Smart

So how about you check out the sight, and come back and tell us what you think, that always makes for a better discussion!

By the way, baby is loaded with Federal LE Tactical 00 standard pressure, most times, with a couple of slugs in case the fight goes outside. It is how I was trained and I have confidence in this setup.

By the way there is a hell of a discussion in the Bird Shot for HD thread running close to yours, don't fell bad if only a few answer you.

Good Luck & Be Safe

[BillCA]

For home defense, some form of buckshot is the rule.

In 12ga, using any of #00, #1 or #4 will do the job.
In 20ga, I use #3 buckshot

With a pump shotgun, I load it with buckshot. In the shell carrier or buttstock sleeve are 2 spare buckshot and 3 slugs. If an incident ever goes so far that you need to reload, it is time to change tactics.

[Jay1958]

I use #1 or #4 buckshot in my 12 gauge pump - 18-inch barrel.

[nate45]

12 ga #1 Buck

[RNB65]

00 Buck

[jrothWA]

#4 buck -.24 caliber
#3 " - .25 Caliber
#1 " - .28 caliber
#0 " - . 30 caliber
#00 " - .33 caliber

Plus any slug from 20ga to 12ga.

[scorpion_tyr]

00 BK. If you live in an apartment complex or somewhere with other people or close neighbors I'd say go with #1 BK or maybe a little smaller.

[wnycollector]

I use federal #1 buck in my 16ga SxS and Fiocchi reduced recoil 00 buck in my 12ga Maverick 88. I really like the Fiocchi ammo. For the money it shoots nice consistent 6" patterns at 12 yards (longest straight line distance in my home) out of my maverick.

[kraigwy]

It really depends on how much damage you want to do to your house, and in the case of slugs, the neighbors house.

Take a tape measure and measure the inside of your bedroom, living room, etc, I bet you'll find its 10 - 15 yards, at that range, bird shot works fine and less chance of distroying your house.

With slugs, you really need to take into account how close your neighbors are. I could use a heavy rifle here, I dont live in town, but what I keep for Home Defence is the same as CCW, my little 642 in my pocket.

I do keep a loaded rifle by the door, but thats for coyotes and other critters that are intent on eating my chickens.

[Swampghost]

Nobody uses dimes anymore?

[rem870hunter]

if you live alone load it with a few rounds of heavy stuff first. make your last one a flower petal/tickle shot. keep a few more boxes/rounds of heavy stuff handy.

if there are others in the home. load it how you see fit,just use caution when discharging towards a wall that has a room or door on the other side.

because i'm not alone i load with winchester low recoil/low noise target loads #8 shot. i keep #1 buck on the stock,and slugs on the nightstand next to my flashlight

[T.A.Sharps]

Buckshot / Slug

[Bill DeShivs]

Who are you expecting to break in? Slugs are just a "little bit" overkill. Penetration is far too much.

[imp]

Just because I enjoy getting the goat of everyone here....

I keep my scattergun stoked with #7 bird shot, but I keep 2 rounds of #4 buck, 2 rounds 000 buck, and 2 slugs in a elastic butt cuff.

Maybe birdshot isn't the deadliest meat shreading round available, but even if the BG isn't hamburger, I still have faith that a couple of game loads COM sill take the fight out of them.

Then again, I'm also more worried about pests and 4 legged critters than I am crack smoking super villians wearing body armor.

[troy_mclure]

Swampghost
Nobody uses dimes anymore?


theres nothing like the buzzzzzz of some dimes ripping out the barrel!

[rem870hunter]

i thought it was " i got eighteen dimes in each barrel boy. you ever see what a dollar eighty can do to a twenty dollar steer,much less a little crook like yourself" ?

i actually preferred, HELLO BOB, BLAMMM, GOODBYE BOB BEST DOLLAR EIGHTY I EVER SPENT HEA HEA HEA.

[Scattergun Bob]

Heck Son, 18 silver dimes that's almost lunch, mind if I dig them out when your all done!

[rem870hunter]

i'm sorry scattergun bob, i did not mean that i was shooting or attempting to shoot you or any other person named bob for that matter. i was quoting bob ollenger (spelling?) and billy the kid in young guns 2.

[nate45]

The Box O' Truth #35 - A Load of Dimes Vs. The Box O' Truth



16 dimes from 15 ft .

As you can see, it busted the first jug pretty well, but did not penetrate through the back of the first jug.

That means less than 3 inches of penetration into ballistic gelatin or bad guy.

Not nearly enough to reach the vital organs.

[hogdogs]

...But the punk's life will be worth a buck sixty more than nuttin!!!
Next time some bum says... "Buddy... can ya spare a dime?" You can say "well how about 16 of them....
I got quite callous with them living in Daytona Beach!
Brent

[Scattergun Bob]

I was just playing along with you, I rather like the way it went in Pat Garret & Billy the Kid the movie No offense meant or taken. We all know dimes don't get the job done, but that's what movie magic is all about!

My Best, Bob

[troy_mclure]

actuly the whole dime thing started with SILVER dimes. which would provide a hell of a lot more penetration than the zink? they are made of now.

its a hell of an intimidating sound tho.

[nate45]

Our current dimes weigh 2.33 grams, the silver ones (90% silver 10% copper) weigh 2.5 grams.

I seriously doubt this would cause a big difference in their penetrative qualities.