I check Midway from time to time to see what ammo they are out of and hoping to find something I can use. I see that they have rubber buckshot now and some of the reviews said that people use them for home defense rounds. Somehow I just don't think that is a good idea. From a legal stand point I would think that you would be on the same grounds as if you shot at someone with lead buckshot. I don't plan on shooting at anyone unless my life is at risk and if I do I want the threat eliminated immediately. What are the forms thoughts on this.

I think the same as you .
If you have to shoot shoot to end the threat for good.

Saved me a lot of typing!

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

My understanding is that rubber buckshot is intended for crowd control. I believe the idea is to fire it at the ground in front of a mob. The rubber pellets bounce up off the pavement and into the crowd. It's not meant to be fired directly at people.

The only use besides crowd control that I can think of is chasing problem bears from your property.

In the state where I live, a firearm is considered deadly force, regardless of what it is loaded with. That means that if you use non-lethal ammo, you still need to be justified in using deadly force. Rubber buckshot is for keeping bears out of your trashcan, not personal defense.

I'm pretty sure lead buckshot will do a better job. Larry

Hey, I use buckshot for home defense!

I just use the kind that's made of lead, zinc, tungsten, and/or copper.

Seriously though, I don't see the point in less than lethal ammunition. Common sense dictates that anyone who doesn't immediately retreat when they hear the sound of a shotgun's action cycling, much less having one pointed directly at them most likely isn't going to surrender or retreat after being pelted with rubber buckshot.

Once a situation has escalated to the point that I have to pull the trigger, I believe that it has escalated to the point that potentially lethal force is necessary.

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Bad idea for home defense. Really bad idea.

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The only possible reason I could see for using rubber ammunition is if you live very close to your neighbors, i.e., town homes, apartments, closely spaced houses, etc.
Rubber may be (or maybe not) lethal at down the hall or across the room ranges. People have died (although it's not that common) from different types of less lethal rounds fired from shotguns. But by design, rubber buckshot will slow down quickly with distance and punching through layers of drywall. So, you have less of a chance of serious injury to an unintended victim in the next dwelling.
Rubber buckshot is designed to be fired at people, although at longer ranges and after a glancing blow off the ground. Lead, being much denser, will maintain it's momentum far longer after punching through multiple interior and exterior (wood & siding) walls. Basically, lead stays lethal at far longer ranges than rubber will.
Other than that, I agree, not the best choice, although if it's all you have... As others have said, if you need to pull the trigger it is (or should be) a true lethal force situation. If someone thinks they will bounce a few rubber pellets off of someone and scare them away, that's going to end badly one way or the other.

Might be useful if you're invaded by rubber ducks........

A while back was watching Bear control I think in Nevada Mountain towns.
These folks were using Rubber Slugs.

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Rubber buckshot can be used to dissuade bears and it is considered a less lethal load for crowd control. As a self-defense load against humans, no, nope, bad idea.

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I wonder if the game commission would fine you for using rubber buckshot to chase bear away? They frown on shooting bears unless it is attacking in which case I want lead buckshot or slugs.

Groo here
Have some , trained with same at the S.O.
The rubber buck was to be used at range direct at target , close , by being
bounced off ground, BUT at 3 yds or less [due to pellet speed] the load is same-same to lead buck.

I would only use it on this [IMG][/IMG]

If I were young and foolish again, I'd shoot it straight up and listen for it to come back down.

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Sorry Couldn't resist!

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Still Running Against the Wind