Good defense load for the 20 gauge.

Larry75 · August 31, 2002, 01:09 AM

I own a Winchester 1300 20 gauge pump, I love this gun. I read about defense loads for the 12 gauge everywhere, but it seems like they've forgot about us 20 gauge owners. Presently its loaded with slugs, but I would like to know about any good buckshot loads for defense that anyone out there might know about for the 20 gauge. Any help would be appreciated.

Dave McC · August 31, 2002, 02:23 AM

Larry, nothing at all wrong with either that 1300 or 20 gauge.

At typical HD ranges, most anything will do the job. SHotguns have so much energy to dump into a target that neither load nor gauge changes the stop ratio. According to an old Fed database, about 99% one shot stops.

All that aside, try the various buck loads. I've only seen #3 buck for the 20, but there's nothing wrong for that.

A lot of us regard slugs as overpenetrative in inhouse crises.

Edward429451 · August 31, 2002, 11:04 AM

We got a 870 Express Youth and its loaded with #3 buck and slugs. Haven't patterned the #3 yet but I expect it to give MOF at SG ranges...

rugerfreak · August 31, 2002, 11:23 AM

My 870 Youth Express is loaded with just plain old bird shot---#4's or #6's---doesn't really matter. The distances encountered in my small little abode---whatever I hit will still be hit with a solid mass---even using an IC choke.

All I have to do is hit the target.

August 31, 2002, 01:09 AM	#1
Larry75 Member Join Date: April 18, 2002 Location: Racine, Wisconsin Posts: 16	Good defense load for the 20 gauge. I own a Winchester 1300 20 gauge pump, I love this gun. I read about defense loads for the 12 gauge everywhere, but it seems like they've forgot about us 20 gauge owners. Presently its loaded with slugs, but I would like to know about any good buckshot loads for defense that anyone out there might know about for the 20 gauge. Any help would be appreciated. __________________ My current collection: CZ75B 9MM Smith Model 66 4-inch Browning Buckmark Plus .22 Winchester Mod. 1300 20 gauge pump, w/18 inch barrel

August 31, 2002, 02:23 AM	#2
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	Larry, nothing at all wrong with either that 1300 or 20 gauge. At typical HD ranges, most anything will do the job. SHotguns have so much energy to dump into a target that neither load nor gauge changes the stop ratio. According to an old Fed database, about 99% one shot stops. All that aside, try the various buck loads. I've only seen #3 buck for the 20, but there's nothing wrong for that. A lot of us regard slugs as overpenetrative in inhouse crises.

August 31, 2002, 11:04 AM	#3
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	We got a 870 Express Youth and its loaded with #3 buck and slugs. Haven't patterned the #3 yet but I expect it to give MOF at SG ranges...

August 31, 2002, 11:23 AM	#4
rugerfreak Senior Member Join Date: March 26, 2001 Posts: 819	My 870 Youth Express is loaded with just plain old bird shot---#4's or #6's---doesn't really matter. The distances encountered in my small little abode---whatever I hit will still be hit with a solid mass---even using an IC choke. All I have to do is hit the target.