Best 12 Gauge self defense shells?

B1A

B1A

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I recently purchased my first shotgun (a 12 gauge pump Mossberg 500) for self defense use in my house. I have a large collection of handguns and rifles and reload for them but don't know jack about shotgun ammo. In the past I have shot a friends pump with 00 buckshot but as I have a bad shoulder it really hurts with that load. I am looking for a good knockdown load that won't be so harsh on my fragile shoulder any suggestions. I don't know a lot about the different shot sizes and assume I need to look for something with less ft-lbs of energy.
 
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You could try the reduced recoil "tactical" loads, or perhaps a more generous recoil pad if you could find one that isn't tacky to touch, as those are wholly unsuitable for defensive work. But either way, it's still a light 12ga pump gun running buckshot, which in its standard loading has about the same free recoil energy as a 458 win mag, as I recall.

Frankly, if you are recoil sensitive or have shoulder issues, you'd be better off ditching the shotgun for a carbine of some sort - AR, AK, .357 lever gun, etc. - or just using your pistols.
 
I have an AR and AK but am worried about overpenetration into a neighbors house. Currently I have two Glocks loaded with Black Talon loads, a model 21 and 17 which I keep in opposite ends of the house and am very proficient with either one but wanted a pump to hopefully scare away any intruders with the sound of racking the pump and not having a lethal ending.
 
I prefer #1 buckshot in my old 500A, but it's not always easy to find. I think #1 bridges the gap between 00 and #4 buck, as the pellets are .30 caliber and there are 16 of them. 00 buck usually has 9 .33 caliber pellets, sometimes 12(DON'T get the 3" magnum loads unless you like pain. There are MUCH better loads out there), compared to 27 light .25 caliber pellets in #4 buck.



+1 on the "ditch the shotgun for a carbine" crowd if recoil is a problem for you.
 
I agree with low recoil/tactical buckshot as the best choice if you've just gotta use a shotgun. BTW, in defensive use (you aren't wingshooting birds), the shotgun butt is placed on the pectoral muscle midway between the nipple & top of the shoulder, not in the shoulder pocket. If the elbow is kept down (should point at the ground) while pulling the butt in to tense the pectoral musle, the punishment is much reduced. You might also consider trading for a 20 gauge or autoloader of either gauge. The 20 may be more limited in factory ammo, but the buckshot load is sufficient for defensive use indoors.

Given your situation, I'd strongly suggest 40-45 gr .223 loads in your carbine. The FBI found them to be less penetrative of building materials than pistol ammuntion. Just make sure you run 100 or so rounds of your choice through your particular choice through your AR to ensure proper function and get the sights adjusted properly.

I'd also strongly suggest a decent pair of sound amplifying ear protectors. You want to be able to hear before, during and after firing in the house.
 
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I have a neighbor whose house is relatively close, and I would hate to hurt any of those kids with stray buckshot, so I have opted instead for plain old #8 birdshot in my Winchester 1300 Defender. I have never had to use it for self-defense purposes (thankfully), but figure if the sound of a shell racking into the chamber doesn't eliminate the threat by making him run away, discharging it in his chest should make a pretty good mess of him and end it right then and there.
 
In my Remington 870 I like 2-3/4" Magnum loads of 1.25 oz. BB-shot. I doubt that any intruder will know the difference from a shot inside the length of my house, but I don't have to worry about penetrating 2 or 3 walls with slugs or buckshot, neighbors sleeping in their beds, etc.

Any of the standard 2-3/4" or 3" magnum goose loads should do quite well for home defense.
 
Estate #4 buck (because you get 25 shells for $18)would be my first choice, Winchester 00 buck second ( a 15 round box for about $9 at Wal Mart) Up close any target load. Lots of overrun Olin GI 00 buck on the shelves now (if you don't mind the kick)
 
"....but wanted a pump to hopefully scare away any intruders with the sound of racking the pump and not having a lethal ending...."


You know, I think the sound of racking a shell into a 20 gauge sounds almost EXACTLY the same as a 12 gauge!

Did you ever consider anything but a 12 gauge?
 
I have been using the low recoil 12ga 00 buck in my self defense shotguns. Winchester or Remington are both good rounds. If you are worried about going thru the wall into our neighbors apt, try some of the
rubber buck shot. It will put the bad guys down, but not dead.
 
Greenbeanie67 said:
If you are worried about going thru the wall into our neighbors apt, try some of the
rubber buck shot. It will put the bad guys down, but not dead.
Click to expand...


....and you could still kill someone, which you did not mean to do by using "less than lethal" ammo. I try not to play the lawyer card, but that is not something I would want to try to defend in court after an incident.
 
Look guys, if anything will stop a lethal aggressor, it will penetrate walls if you miss your target. Quit worrying about what happens if you miss and practice so that you don't. While birdshot (so named because it's meant to use on itty-bitty critters normally used for food) can be lethal to large, highly motivated critters at extemely close range, that isn't a range you want a lethal threat to be at when you engage.

Don't bet your life, or the lives of those you love, on what's termed "less lethal" specialty ammunition like bean bags and rubber bullets. You may be expecting incapacitation, the other person may not have read the ads and fail to react in what you may feel as a proper manner. Also, people have died after being hit with those. As noted, it could be argued that the use of that type of ammunition indicated that you did not feel you had justification to use lethal force and any resulting death is manslaughter.
 
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If you already bought the shotgun you could try upgrading the stock to a Knox recoil reducing stock to help with recoil
 
PD here tested and came up #4 mag. shot shells. You could see the difference in the loads.
 
I keep a Mossberg 590 with buckshot. I usually keep the pistol grip installed. Using a pistol grip takes some practice, but would remove the recoil from your shoulder. Question will then become how well your wrist can take the recoil.
 
Let's face it guys-there ain't no "bad" 12 gauge defense shells. I don't think that the shootee gives a royal root n tootin' whether he is shot with 00, #4 buck, 7.5 shot or steel F shot or whatever you can shuck through the action.
Being the discerning man of talent that I am-I use heavy shot duplex turkey loads, buffered of course ;) Less wear and tear on my Home defense shotgun, a Parker BHE-double trigger splinter forearm with straight stock choked IC/M :D
 
I too use the Estate #4 Buckshot. Recoil isn't too bad, but if you add the Limbsaver #10201 recoil pad it really cuts it down. Fits well, out of the box, and easy to install.
 
#8 birdshot at close range will dissuade any would be intruder wether its a mortal wound or not. Especially when said intruder is faced with the likelyhood of 4 more shots coming his way if he doesnt vacate the area, and quick.....and you shouldnt have the worry about the possibility of inuring you neighbors


I keep my SKS with 5 FMJ, steel core, HP's in the mag, and my 870 with 4 rds of 00 in the tube. My nieghbors arent very close...
 
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870 Pump. 20 inch/8 shot extension.
First 2 up are 7 & 1/2 Birdshot.
Next 3 are #4 Buck.
I don't load it up all the way except for riots.
Some live with hurricanes & tornados,
I live with earthquakes & riots.
Welcome to LA.
 
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