12ga Ammunition - Explain please?

boxjeff · August 9, 2011, 05:30 PM

I'm looking to stock up a bit on 12ga ammunition for my smooth-bore Mossberg 500. Unfortunately, I'm not all that failure with shotgun ammunition.

What is the differences between types of amo, such as 00 buck in comparison to the other buck shot available? What is the best type of home protection load and what are slugs for?

laytonj1 · August 9, 2011, 05:47 PM

Try these two links:
http://www.ammobank.com/shotsize.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotgun_shell

Jim

PT-92 · August 9, 2011, 07:26 PM

Those are few good links that should provide a complete overview of SG ammo.

Generally speaking, #00 buck is used for personal defense ammo by all LE Agencies as well as many civilians at home including myself.

That being said, educate yourself on the potential ramifications of over penetration (depending on your dwelling arrangements). Of course, this applies to all guns.

Slugs are used mostly for hunting purposes or by LE when the need calls for a 50-100 yard perp shot.

I suggest reading the aforementioned links and then practicing with a diversity of ammo.

-Cheers

jrothWA · August 10, 2011, 07:34 AM

for game hunting, shot size will range from #2 to #8.

#2 is for turkey, goose and large long distance birds, over 30 yds. large shot means there will be open areas in the pattern
#8 is for small game & birds, it has best density for short ranges less than 30 yds.

Buck shot ranges from "OO" [ 0.33" dia] to #4 [0.24" dia]

Find a shotshell reloading manual for more info.

As indicated before, what is the home situation: in-city, suburbs, or rural???
That will indicate what shot to consider.

I tend to like both the "OO" and the #4, lead off with the #4 and follow-up with "OO" . I also use the same for deer hunting is some HEAVY cover.

Hope this helps.

Lee Lapin · August 10, 2011, 07:42 AM

Investing in a copy of Clint Smith's Defensive Shotgun video will get you an overview of types of shotgun ammunition and its performance/uses. It'll also show you a bunch of other stuff you need to be learning/practicing. See the preview at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhgwHQCJwWw ...

lpl

August 9, 2011, 05:30 PM	#1
boxjeff Senior Member Join Date: July 23, 2008 Location: New Hope, PA Posts: 290	12ga Ammunition - Explain please? I'm looking to stock up a bit on 12ga ammunition for my smooth-bore Mossberg 500. Unfortunately, I'm not all that failure with shotgun ammunition. What is the differences between types of amo, such as 00 buck in comparison to the other buck shot available? What is the best type of home protection load and what are slugs for? Last edited by boxjeff; August 9, 2011 at 05:42 PM.

August 10, 2011, 07:42 AM	#5
Lee Lapin Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2004 Location: SE NC Posts: 1,239	Investing in a copy of Clint Smith's Defensive Shotgun video will get you an overview of types of shotgun ammunition and its performance/uses. It'll also show you a bunch of other stuff you need to be learning/practicing. See the preview at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhgwHQCJwWw ... lpl __________________ Mindset - Skillset - Toolset. In that order! Attitude and skill will get you through times of no gear, better than gear will get you through times of no attitude and no skill.

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August 9, 2011, 05:47 PM	#2
laytonj1 Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2005 Posts: 4,443	Try these two links: http://www.ammobank.com/shotsize.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotgun_shell Jim

August 9, 2011, 07:26 PM	#3
PT-92 Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2007 Location: "Undisclosed Bunker" Posts: 1,464	Those are few good links that should provide a complete overview of SG ammo. Generally speaking, #00 buck is used for personal defense ammo by all LE Agencies as well as many civilians at home including myself. That being said, educate yourself on the potential ramifications of over penetration (depending on your dwelling arrangements). Of course, this applies to all guns. Slugs are used mostly for hunting purposes or by LE when the need calls for a 50-100 yard perp shot. I suggest reading the aforementioned links and then practicing with a diversity of ammo. -Cheers

August 10, 2011, 07:34 AM	#4
jrothWA Senior Member Join Date: November 11, 2006 Posts: 2,519	In a nutshell.. for game hunting, shot size will range from #2 to #8. #2 is for turkey, goose and large long distance birds, over 30 yds. large shot means there will be open areas in the pattern #8 is for small game & birds, it has best density for short ranges less than 30 yds. Buck shot ranges from "OO" [ 0.33" dia] to #4 [0.24" dia] Find a shotshell reloading manual for more info. As indicated before, what is the home situation: in-city, suburbs, or rural??? That will indicate what shot to consider. I tend to like both the "OO" and the #4, lead off with the #4 and follow-up with "OO" . I also use the same for deer hunting is some HEAVY cover. Hope this helps.