12ga. #4 Buckshot for home defense - Page 2

huntinaz · November 22, 2011, 10:46 PM

I use it for coyotes and it does a great job out to 40 yards. I will guarantee you it will absolutely smoke somebody inside of ten yards. And, it's on sale at Cabela's right now. Free shipping on orders of $100 or more. Good stuff:
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoot...3Bcat104567580

Gehrhard · November 24, 2011, 03:17 PM

Swan shot, like #2 (.15) and BB (.18, which cannot be had in lead anymore), including in the duplex rounds, especially BB and especially where overpenetration may be a concern, may be ideal for HD at indoors ranges. I'm talking up to 15 yards, at 15 meters, etc...

#4 Buckshot starts to suggest longer distances and less backstop concern.

#1 Buck and my personal overall favorite when you just don't know what or where you're gonna be, #0 Buck, open the guns capability to its maximum useful range including outdoor HD -- the longer ranges will require heavier pellets to maintain energy and deliver enough energy in multiple hits with decent penetration to perform as required. #00 Buck and #000 Buck are increasingly less effective, respectively, for any HD than the smaller but higher count pellet loads, plain and simple.

NYCShooter · November 24, 2011, 04:20 PM

#1 Buck here, too. Waiting (and hoping) for Federal #1 Buck, FliteControl.

scwhitetail · November 24, 2011, 04:46 PM

I've shot #4 buck several times out of a 20 ga, never hunting but just messing around shooting at some trees and stuff, and it will do the job for sure on a 2 legged assailant. I even know someone who had to shoot an intruder and only had some birdshot at his disposal. While it didn't kill the man, it rendered him incapacitated. So yes, #4 buckshot will definitely do the job on an intruder. Ive killed deer with 12ga 00 buck, which is obviously way better if you are anticipating attacks from predators. It will penetrate the thick skin of a bear better, but in a home or apartment it is very likely that 00 buck will penetrate several walls putting children, or other people at risk. I would suggest a round or two of #4 followed by a few rounds of 00 just in case.

Gehrhard · November 26, 2011, 08:47 AM

NYC, y Flite Control? A shotgun is supposed to SPREAD! Choose your pattern. Select your choke. Only your attorney, Officer Rambo, and folk who fancy themselves "innovators" taut the things. It is a marketing gimmick, a solution looking for a problem, w/a narrow niche.

NYCShooter · November 26, 2011, 10:23 AM

Gehrhard, at typical HD distances, say 5-7 yds., almost any 12 gauge 00 buck will produce a 2-2 1/2" hole. The FliteControl shell does this, but also enables effective patterning at 30-40 yds., if necessary. The LE 132-00 Tactical Low Recoil, FliteControl, 9 pellet, 00 buck is the best HD shell I have ever used. If the rumors are true and Federal will introduce a #1 buck, 16 pellet version, I'm there.

Sport45 · November 26, 2011, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9ballbilly

I keep slugs, #1 buckshot,and 00 buckshot on hand for home/camp defense in my Rem. 870.

If you already have 00 and #1 buck, I see no reason to buy anything else. I can't imagine needing slugs for home defense. Camp defense for bears maybe, but none of those around my place.

Gehrhard · November 26, 2011, 07:11 PM

NYC, an "effective pattern" for a shotgun at 30-40 yards, the standard intended one for any specified distance in fact, is 70% inside a 30" circle obtained, in this case, with an Improved Modified choke (probably: maybe Modified, maybe Full, YMMV). What are you referring to please?

NYCShooter · November 26, 2011, 07:28 PM

5"-6" at 30 yds.; 10"-12" at 40 yds., cylinder bore.

Gehrhard · November 26, 2011, 07:55 PM

Yeah. So, that's a terrible shotgun pattern I know you know. Extra Full with small Buck would be in between. But, the good news is you don't need a shotgun anyway. OK. Have you considered the appropriate pistol or, better yet, pistol caliber carbine? You must already have a Longarm Lic. there...

NYCShooter · November 26, 2011, 08:02 PM

The best news would be #1 buck, 16 pellet, FliteControl. As always, YMMV...

Stevie-Ray · November 27, 2011, 03:58 PM

I try to have, in order:

1. #1 buck
2. 00 buck
3. #4 buck

Since I have a difficult time finding #1 buck around here, I have quite a bit of 00 and #4 buck on hand. My 930 SPX fires all with equal aplomb.

White Mamba · November 28, 2011, 10:14 PM

I like #9 shot. It has less recoil & it will turn a human into hamburger meat.

Dave McC · November 29, 2011, 02:24 PM

WM, recoil is a function of mass and velocity, not shot size.

9 shot will work if you're close enough. Unfortunately, "close enough" may be just a few feet.

This has been well covered in the past here. I suggest mining the archives.

GM2 · November 30, 2011, 04:13 AM

I load up my sawed off DB 12 Gauge (in legal lengths) with Winchester #1 Buck with two more loads in a butt stock sleeve.

November 22, 2011, 10:46 PM	#26
huntinaz Senior Member Join Date: September 21, 2010 Location: az Posts: 1,332	I use it for coyotes and it does a great job out to 40 yards. I will guarantee you it will absolutely smoke somebody inside of ten yards. And, it's on sale at Cabela's right now. Free shipping on orders of $100 or more. Good stuff: http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shoot...3Bcat104567580 __________________ "When there’s lead in the air, there’s hope in the heart”- Hunter’s Proverb "Feed me, or feed me to something. I just want to be part of the food chain." -Al Bundy

November 24, 2011, 03:17 PM	#27
Gehrhard Junior member Join Date: July 15, 2009 Location: East of the Missississippippi Posts: 675	Swan shot, like #2 (.15) and BB (.18, which cannot be had in lead anymore), including in the duplex rounds, especially BB and especially where overpenetration may be a concern, may be ideal for HD at indoors ranges. I'm talking up to 15 yards, at 15 meters, etc... #4 Buckshot starts to suggest longer distances and less backstop concern. #1 Buck and my personal overall favorite when you just don't know what or where you're gonna be, #0 Buck, open the guns capability to its maximum useful range including outdoor HD -- the longer ranges will require heavier pellets to maintain energy and deliver enough energy in multiple hits with decent penetration to perform as required. #00 Buck and #000 Buck are increasingly less effective, respectively, for any HD than the smaller but higher count pellet loads, plain and simple. Last edited by Gehrhard; November 24, 2011 at 08:55 PM.

November 26, 2011, 07:11 PM	#33
Gehrhard Junior member Join Date: July 15, 2009 Location: East of the Missississippippi Posts: 675	NYC, an "effective pattern" for a shotgun at 30-40 yards, the standard intended one for any specified distance in fact, is 70% inside a 30" circle obtained, in this case, with an Improved Modified choke (probably: maybe Modified, maybe Full, YMMV). What are you referring to please? Last edited by Gehrhard; November 26, 2011 at 07:51 PM.

November 27, 2011, 03:58 PM	#37
Stevie-Ray Senior Member Join Date: May 22, 2007 Location: The shores of Lake Huron Posts: 4,783	I try to have, in order: 1. #1 buck 2. 00 buck 3. #4 buck Since I have a difficult time finding #1 buck around here, I have quite a bit of 00 and #4 buck on hand. My 930 SPX fires all with equal aplomb. __________________ Stevie-Ray Join the NRA/ILA I am the weapon; my gun is a tool. It's regrettable that with some people those descriptors are reversed.

November 30, 2011, 04:13 AM	#40
GM2 Senior Member Join Date: March 31, 2011 Location: Southeast, USA Posts: 350	I load up my sawed off DB 12 Gauge (in legal lengths) with Winchester #1 Buck with two more loads in a butt stock sleeve. __________________ Good character is doing the right thing when nobody's looking. Last edited by GM2; November 30, 2011 at 06:36 AM.

November 24, 2011, 04:20 PM	#28
NYCShooter Senior Member Join Date: October 2, 2009 Posts: 103	#1 Buck here, too. Waiting (and hoping) for Federal #1 Buck, FliteControl.

November 24, 2011, 04:46 PM	#29
scwhitetail Member Join Date: November 6, 2011 Location: Northern South Carolina Posts: 43	I've shot #4 buck several times out of a 20 ga, never hunting but just messing around shooting at some trees and stuff, and it will do the job for sure on a 2 legged assailant. I even know someone who had to shoot an intruder and only had some birdshot at his disposal. While it didn't kill the man, it rendered him incapacitated. So yes, #4 buckshot will definitely do the job on an intruder. Ive killed deer with 12ga 00 buck, which is obviously way better if you are anticipating attacks from predators. It will penetrate the thick skin of a bear better, but in a home or apartment it is very likely that 00 buck will penetrate several walls putting children, or other people at risk. I would suggest a round or two of #4 followed by a few rounds of 00 just in case.

November 26, 2011, 08:47 AM	#30
Gehrhard Junior member Join Date: July 15, 2009 Location: East of the Missississippippi Posts: 675	NYC, y Flite Control? A shotgun is supposed to SPREAD! Choose your pattern. Select your choke. Only your attorney, Officer Rambo, and folk who fancy themselves "innovators" taut the things. It is a marketing gimmick, a solution looking for a problem, w/a narrow niche.

November 26, 2011, 10:23 AM	#31
NYCShooter Senior Member Join Date: October 2, 2009 Posts: 103	Gehrhard, at typical HD distances, say 5-7 yds., almost any 12 gauge 00 buck will produce a 2-2 1/2" hole. The FliteControl shell does this, but also enables effective patterning at 30-40 yds., if necessary. The LE 132-00 Tactical Low Recoil, FliteControl, 9 pellet, 00 buck is the best HD shell I have ever used. If the rumors are true and Federal will introduce a #1 buck, 16 pellet version, I'm there.

November 26, 2011, 07:28 PM	#34
NYCShooter Senior Member Join Date: October 2, 2009 Posts: 103	5"-6" at 30 yds.; 10"-12" at 40 yds., cylinder bore.

November 26, 2011, 07:55 PM	#35
Gehrhard Junior member Join Date: July 15, 2009 Location: East of the Missississippippi Posts: 675	Yeah. So, that's a terrible shotgun pattern I know you know. Extra Full with small Buck would be in between. But, the good news is you don't need a shotgun anyway. OK. Have you considered the appropriate pistol or, better yet, pistol caliber carbine? You must already have a Longarm Lic. there...

November 26, 2011, 08:02 PM	#36
NYCShooter Senior Member Join Date: October 2, 2009 Posts: 103	The best news would be #1 buck, 16 pellet, FliteControl. As always, YMMV...

November 28, 2011, 10:14 PM	#38
White Mamba Member Join Date: November 15, 2010 Posts: 45	I like #9 shot. It has less recoil & it will turn a human into hamburger meat.

November 29, 2011, 02:24 PM	#39
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	WM, recoil is a function of mass and velocity, not shot size. 9 shot will work if you're close enough. Unfortunately, "close enough" may be just a few feet. This has been well covered in the past here. I suggest mining the archives.