15 00 Buckshot pellets or 10 000 Buckshot pellets?

ATN082268 · October 7, 2016, 10:08 AM

For a home defense shotgun load would you prefer: 15 00 Buckshot pellets or 10 000 Buckshot pellets?

Scout · October 7, 2016, 10:35 AM

Given only those choices I'd take the 00. I'd prefer 41 pellets of #4 buck.

Model12Win · October 7, 2016, 10:37 AM

15 pellet 00 buck but personally I prefer 18 pellet 3.5" magnum buckshot for home defense in my Benellli Nova tactical.

MarkCO · October 7, 2016, 10:39 AM

Slug.

jmr40 · October 7, 2016, 11:51 AM

For HD, inside a home, in order of preference.

*Handgun: Realistically this is going to be the better option inside a home.
*Carbine: Caliber doesn't matter much, 30 Carbine, 223, any pistol caliber etc.
*Shotgun: 9 pellets of 00 buck.

This load already has 300 WM recoil levels, the larger magnum loads are approaching, or exceed 458 WM recoil levels from a typical weight shotgun and the negatives outweigh the positives.

If 00 buck isn't available, then any standard 2 3/4" load with the biggest shot size available.

T. O'Heir · October 7, 2016, 11:56 AM

41 pellets of #4 buck is in a 3" mag only. Still 27 in a 2.75" shell. It makes no difference if you can't put 'em on target in the dark anyway. That goes for '00' and '000' buck too.

amd6547 · October 7, 2016, 12:35 PM

Too bad there is no "neither" option in the poll.
My HD shotgun is loaded with Federal #1 buck flitecontrol. If I were to use something else, it would be standard 9 pellet 00 or #4 buck.

MarkCO · October 7, 2016, 01:09 PM

^I prefer #1 Buckshot to 00 as well.

Idaho 45 Vaquero · October 7, 2016, 01:15 PM

I prefer about 50+ pellets of BB shot. Goes through a fuller choke and stays together better in pattern. I've seen it used on a very large dog, and it died instantly at about 30 yards.

2damnold4this · October 7, 2016, 01:39 PM

I'd shoot the buckshot that patterns the best in my particular shotgun. For me, that is either eight pellet Hornady 00 Critical Defense or 12 pellet S&B 00 buck.

Nine pellet Federal throws too wide a pattern from my gun, so I don't use it.

Model12Win · October 7, 2016, 02:27 PM

The Federal FLITECONTROL wads make no sense for HD work. They keep all the shot together and then what do you get? You get a slug my friends.

FITASC · October 7, 2016, 02:29 PM

Not really because the mass of each pellet, even added together, isn't as great as the slug as a solid projectile

2damnold4this · October 7, 2016, 02:46 PM

Quote:

The Federal FLITECONTROL wads make no sense for HD work. They keep all the shot together and then what do you get? You get a slug my friends.

The pellets do stay together in the wad at close range. Until they hit something and spread out in the target.

Quote:

Not really because the mass of each pellet, even added together, isn't as great as the slug as a solid projectile.

Nine pellets of 00 weigh more than one ounce.

Model12Win · October 7, 2016, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Not really because the mass of each pellet, even added together, isn't as great as the slug as a solid projectile

One pellet of 00 buckshot weighs in at approx. 54 grains. That times 9= 486 grains. That times 8 (for the reduced recoil loads) is still 432 grains.

A 1 oz rifled slug weighs what else, 1 oz which is 437.5 grains.

You should probably check your math next time.

MarkCO · October 7, 2016, 03:34 PM

Quote:

The Federal FLITECONTROL wads make no sense for HD work. They keep all the shot together and then what do you get? You get a slug my friends.

At close range, the performance of a slug, without the attributes of a slug many folks try to get with buckshot...lack of over-penetration. Ballistically, some may actually prefer it. Okay if you don't, but lets not toss out the baby with the bathwater.

FITASC · October 7, 2016, 03:49 PM

Take an equal amount of lead - this isn't hard to understand

One projectile versus pellets of the same weight - one projectile will hit harder.

Take an equal amount of sand and a brick and get hit with both - which will cause more damage?

2damnold4this · October 7, 2016, 04:22 PM

I'd say an eight or nine pellet load of 00 buck hits harder than a one ounce slug at the same velocity since it has a lot more surface area.

The slug might be better for defense against large bears as it penetrates more. It would be better for shooting at a deer 75 yards away but for stopping an unarmored human, I'd go buckshot every time.

dahermit · October 7, 2016, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Take an equal amount of lead - this isn't hard to understand
One projectile versus pellets of the same weight - one projectile will hit harder.

Take an equal amount of sand and a brick and get hit with both - which will cause more damage?

Or, which will kill better...a slug that misses someone's chest, or three or four buckshot that hit the chest with the rest missing the chest? Ask'en for a friend.

K_Mac · October 7, 2016, 07:08 PM

I have 15, 9, and 8 projectile 00 buckshot. I prefer the 8 in a reduced recoil load. It claims 1200 fps and patterns well for me. At self-defense distances I am confident 8 pellets will do the job, and it is much more controllable for me.

darkgael · October 7, 2016, 07:17 PM

How many of you have patterned a buckshot load from your HD gun at the distances that you can expect in your home?
Modern buckshot loads pattern pretty tightly... especially from a tight choke.
If you are expecting spread to help you in the dark..... you should rethink that.
Pete

About the pellets as a unit vs slug thing (and the sand and brick analogy). It might be helpful to remember that "door breacher" loads are powdered lead.

Pete

K_Mac · October 7, 2016, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Modern buckshot loads pattern pretty tightly...

Even from an 18" open choke barrel this is true! At self-defense distances most people have no idea how tight the pattern is, and think just pointing in the general direction is good enough. It isn't.

FITASC · October 7, 2016, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Or, which will kill better...a slug that misses someone's chest, or three or four buckshot that hit the chest with the rest missing the chest? Ask'en for a friend.

Then use 1-1/8 oz of #9 skeet loads.................

bamaranger · October 7, 2016, 09:14 PM

Nine pellet OO buck for me.... less recoil and more control for second shots, etc

amd6547 · October 7, 2016, 09:50 PM

I agree that the FliteControl wad is not needed for HD. I use the #1 Federal load because it is a lower recoil load and I like #1.
My HD shotgun is a Mossberg 500 with an 18" cylinder bore and a 12" lop stock. I wanted it as short as possible for easy handling in the house. The lower recoil makes the light, short 500 easier to shoot fast and accurately.
I shoot plenty of full power buck, and have patterned loads.
The spread of a cheap soft lead buckshot load with just a flat wad is pretty good at 20", enough to possibly make hit out of a miss on a fast moving target.
While I like how standard buckshot loads shoot, the FliteControl loads I've shot, both 00 and #1, seems well made, consistent and reliable.

Model12Win · October 7, 2016, 11:49 PM

The people that have such a hard on for FLITECONTROL® just love anything labeled TACTICAL or with a cop or soldier on the box of ammo.

It's not needed or wanted for REALISTIC home defense. For LE or .mil use were ranges might extend outside the home, it's useful.

View Poll Results: 15 00 Buckshot pellets or 10 000 Buckshot pellets?
15 00 Buckshot	6	60.00%
10 000 Buckshot	4	40.00%
Voters: 10. You may not vote on this poll

October 7, 2016, 10:35 AM	#2
Scout Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 2009 Location: Central Florida Posts: 510	Given only those choices I'd take the 00. I'd prefer 41 pellets of #4 buck. __________________ God bless the U.S. Cavalry

October 7, 2016, 11:56 AM	#6
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	41 pellets of #4 buck is in a 3" mag only. Still 27 in a 2.75" shell. It makes no difference if you can't put 'em on target in the dark anyway. That goes for '00' and '000' buck too. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

October 7, 2016, 12:35 PM	#7
amd6547 Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2006 Posts: 2,313	Too bad there is no "neither" option in the poll. My HD shotgun is loaded with Federal #1 buck flitecontrol. If I were to use something else, it would be standard 9 pellet 00 or #4 buck. __________________ The past is gone...the future may never happen. Be Here Now.

October 7, 2016, 01:09 PM	#8
MarkCO Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 1998 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 4,308	^I prefer #1 Buckshot to 00 as well. __________________ Good Shooting, MarkCO www.CarbonArms.us

October 7, 2016, 10:08 AM	#1
ATN082268 Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2013 Posts: 975	15 00 Buckshot pellets or 10 000 Buckshot pellets? For a home defense shotgun load would you prefer: 15 00 Buckshot pellets or 10 000 Buckshot pellets?

October 7, 2016, 10:37 AM	#3
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	15 pellet 00 buck but personally I prefer 18 pellet 3.5" magnum buckshot for home defense in my Benellli Nova tactical.

October 7, 2016, 10:39 AM	#4
MarkCO Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 1998 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 4,308	Slug. __________________ Good Shooting, MarkCO www.CarbonArms.us

October 7, 2016, 11:51 AM	#5
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,809	For HD, inside a home, in order of preference. Handgun: Realistically this is going to be the better option inside a home. Carbine: Caliber doesn't matter much, 30 Carbine, 223, any pistol caliber etc. *Shotgun: 9 pellets of 00 buck. This load already has 300 WM recoil levels, the larger magnum loads are approaching, or exceed 458 WM recoil levels from a typical weight shotgun and the negatives outweigh the positives. If 00 buck isn't available, then any standard 2 3/4" load with the biggest shot size available.

October 7, 2016, 01:15 PM	#9
Idaho 45 Vaquero Member Join Date: March 15, 2015 Location: Idaho, nothing but sagebrush Posts: 96	I prefer about 50+ pellets of BB shot. Goes through a fuller choke and stays together better in pattern. I've seen it used on a very large dog, and it died instantly at about 30 yards.

October 7, 2016, 01:39 PM	#10
2damnold4this Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2009 Location: Athens, Georgia Posts: 2,526	I'd shoot the buckshot that patterns the best in my particular shotgun. For me, that is either eight pellet Hornady 00 Critical Defense or 12 pellet S&B 00 buck. Nine pellet Federal throws too wide a pattern from my gun, so I don't use it. Last edited by 2damnold4this; October 7, 2016 at 01:46 PM.

October 7, 2016, 02:27 PM	#11
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	The Federal FLITECONTROL wads make no sense for HD work. They keep all the shot together and then what do you get? You get a slug my friends.

October 7, 2016, 02:29 PM	#12
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,446	Not really because the mass of each pellet, even added together, isn't as great as the slug as a solid projectile __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

October 7, 2016, 03:49 PM	#16
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,446	Take an equal amount of lead - this isn't hard to understand One projectile versus pellets of the same weight - one projectile will hit harder. Take an equal amount of sand and a brick and get hit with both - which will cause more damage? __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

October 7, 2016, 04:22 PM	#17
2damnold4this Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2009 Location: Athens, Georgia Posts: 2,526	I'd say an eight or nine pellet load of 00 buck hits harder than a one ounce slug at the same velocity since it has a lot more surface area. The slug might be better for defense against large bears as it penetrates more. It would be better for shooting at a deer 75 yards away but for stopping an unarmored human, I'd go buckshot every time.

October 7, 2016, 07:08 PM	#19
K_Mac Senior Member Join Date: September 15, 2010 Posts: 1,850	I have 15, 9, and 8 projectile 00 buckshot. I prefer the 8 in a reduced recoil load. It claims 1200 fps and patterns well for me. At self-defense distances I am confident 8 pellets will do the job, and it is much more controllable for me. __________________ "Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do." Benjamin Franklin

October 7, 2016, 07:17 PM	#20
darkgael Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2006 Location: Homes in Brooklyn, NY and in Pennsylvania. Posts: 5,473	patterns How many of you have patterned a buckshot load from your HD gun at the distances that you can expect in your home? Modern buckshot loads pattern pretty tightly... especially from a tight choke. If you are expecting spread to help you in the dark..... you should rethink that. Pete About the pellets as a unit vs slug thing (and the sand and brick analogy). It might be helpful to remember that "door breacher" loads are powdered lead. Pete __________________ “Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports ... all others are games.” Ernest Hemingway ... NRA Life Member

October 7, 2016, 09:14 PM	#23
bamaranger Senior Member Join Date: October 9, 2009 Location: North Alabama Posts: 8,312	neither Nine pellet OO buck for me.... less recoil and more control for second shots, etc

October 7, 2016, 09:50 PM	#24
amd6547 Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2006 Posts: 2,313	I agree that the FliteControl wad is not needed for HD. I use the #1 Federal load because it is a lower recoil load and I like #1. My HD shotgun is a Mossberg 500 with an 18" cylinder bore and a 12" lop stock. I wanted it as short as possible for easy handling in the house. The lower recoil makes the light, short 500 easier to shoot fast and accurately. I shoot plenty of full power buck, and have patterned loads. The spread of a cheap soft lead buckshot load with just a flat wad is pretty good at 20", enough to possibly make hit out of a miss on a fast moving target. While I like how standard buckshot loads shoot, the FliteControl loads I've shot, both 00 and #1, seems well made, consistent and reliable. __________________ The past is gone...the future may never happen. Be Here Now.

October 7, 2016, 11:49 PM	#25
Model12Win Junior member Join Date: October 20, 2012 Posts: 5,854	The people that have such a hard on for FLITECONTROL® just love anything labeled TACTICAL or with a cop or soldier on the box of ammo. It's not needed or wanted for REALISTIC home defense. For LE or .mil use were ranges might extend outside the home, it's useful.