Shot size for Home Defense use.

[hogdogs]

Which one size of shot would you consider to be the best all around Home Defense round if you could only choose one?

Shell length aside.

Thanks for participating!

Brent

 

[Lee Lapin]

I prefer to use what patterns well for me, and right now that's Federal LE127 00, a full velocity (1325 fps) 9 pellet 2.75" load. If I find something better I'll use that, but so far there haven't been any candidates. Far as I'm concerned, tight patterns I can keep on the intended target beat higher pellet count any day.

ymmv of course.

lpl

 

[Tommy Vercetti]

I've kept #4 buckshot loaded in my Winchester 1300 for years

 

[jen45acp]

I second the 00, I havn't found anything that patterns or pushs back a swinging silhouette like good ole double "O".

 

[kozak6]

Anything #4 buckshot or larger. Once you get into this range, I don't think it matters all that much. Valid arguments can be made for most of the shot sizes in that range.

 

[teeroux]

I always prefer #1 or smaller in buck shot, you just don't get enough shot in the pattern any larger.

 

[ohen cepel]

I prefer #4's myself. I'm not looking for long range work with a shotgun that I have in the house.

 

[doglegarms]

i use a 8 pellet 00 load and am happy with it. it's more manageable for me than 9 pellet 00 load.

 

[cbuck]

from everything ive read more than #1 buck is overkill for most situations, and the only thing i think that would be worst then having to use a shotgun for HD would be to have the shot over penetrate and hurt a bystander. that being said if you live out in the country without any neighbors close by and you want to put a hole through the intruder as well as the side of your house..........

 

[jmortimer]

Based this most excellent article from The Truth About Guns site by Robert Farago Feb. 2010 "Shotgun Penetration With Various Rounds"
http://thetruthaboutguns.com/2010/02/robert-farago/shotgun-penetration-with-various-rounds/
#1 Buckshot (.30 caliber) is just right.
"In our opinion, this load is superior to 00 buck for selection as a tactical shotgun load. While exhibiting slightly less penetration, overall penetration is still acceptable and if all pellets strike their intended target there is potential to create approximately 77% more wound tract with the additional 7 pellets"

 

[kaylorinhi]

00, got about 200 for free so it gets the nod!

 

[egor20]

I've always loaded my HD guns with #4.

 

[redstategunnut]

00. I did not know there were other choices. Oh well.

 

[FAS1]

00 Buck loaded in my Beretta 1201FP!

 

[youngunz4life]

just the way I have always done it & always will

3" 15 pellet 00 buck (winchester or federal)

 

[shortwave]

Many moons ago when I lived in town(close neighbors) and kids in the house it was #3. Now I live in the middle of the boonies, no kids and am happy to say my old 12ga. I use for the house patterns 00buck very well out to my preferred SD range...Amen!

 

[C0untZer0]

Discussed on another thread

http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=452487

I'll go with what the The Firearms Tactical Institute reports:

"Number 1 buck is the smallest diameter shot that reliably and consistently penetrates more than 12 inches of standard ordnance gelatin when fired at typical shotgun engagement distances. A standard 2 ¾-inch 12 gauge shotshell contains 16 pellets of #1 buck. The total combined cross sectional area of the 16 pellets is 1.13 square inches. Compared to the total combined cross sectional area of the nine pellets in a standard #00 (double-aught) buck shotshell (0.77 square inches), the # 1 buck shotshell has the capacity to produce over 30 percent more potentially effective wound trauma. In all shotshell loads, number 1 buckshot produces more potentially effective wound trauma than either #00 or #000 buck. In addition, number 1 buck is less likely to over-penetrate and exit an attacker's body."

 

[dsa1115]

I suggest you go shoot some targets with a variety of loads. Inside of 20 feet with a 12 gauge, it doesn't really matter much.

 

[hogdogs]

While the lethality is un questionable with most shot gun loads larger than 7 1/2, it is the surety and peace of mind of the users that is a main reason in this thread.

Personally, I prefer a 00 buck shot. I am confident that I can adapt and overcome with less as I do currently with a 20 gauge I find #3 buck to be the largest I find locally. But I also have a crap load of slugs on hand too.

Also, I am in a locale with a very low rate of violent crime committed against strangers.

I do nothing with persons who may have ulterior motives that would jeopardize my home security.

Owning literally nothing of much value also reduces the risk.

But if I get the Mossberg 930 it will be kept stuffed full of my pet load of Super X 00 buck.

Brent

 

[C0untZer0]

Inside of 20 feet with a 12 gauge, it does matter.

It's not about pattern size it's about how the shot behaves once it enters flesh.

Shot smaller than #4 Buck just doesn't penetrate, so while it might make a ghastly surface wound - generally speaking it would not stop an attacker by damaging vital tissue. Yes the the attacker might stop due to pain or fear, but in other circumstances - an attacker might not.

At 20 feet if you shoot a big boar in the shoulder - the wound size is going to look bigger than that will be created by #00 Buck - but you probably will not kill that hog with birdshot.

At 20 feet if you shoot a big boar in the shoulder with #00 Buck - you will proably take out the heart and drop the boar instantly.

The same analogy holds true for humans.

Looking at the gelatin tests , it seems like some #2 and #4 Buck penetrate 10 - 12" (might be some problems with the gelatin that I viewed). #0 and #1 Buck do penetrate reliably to 14"