Best Defense Loads for 12 Guage

[K38]

What do you think the most effective loads for 12 gauge anti personnel would be? I Have a feeling it may be small buck shot (number 3 or 4) But my Benelli will take up to 3 1/2 inch shells and it may be better to use 000 or 00 buck shot. I really like my new Supernova with ghost ring sights. I have never had a Benneli before, most of my pump guns have been Winchester model 12 and Remington 870s. Benelli's seem to be in style, but I really like the way the gun fits me and I like the pistol grip stock. I would have liked the M$, but it was a bit pricey.

Thanks Guys,

Dwight

 

[Larry from Bend]

If your load fails, it'll be from lack of penetration ---- so 000 buck is your best choice.

 

[Sebago Son]

I use only 2 3/4" shells, even in 3" guns. More rounds that way.

For buckshot I use the superlative Federal P15600 which is a 2 3/4" shell with 12 "00" pellets at 1290 fps.

Federal Premium - Buckshot Details

 

[gdauth]

Two rounds of 00 buck followed by slugs.

 

[Moonman]

How close are your neighbors, you don't possibly live in an apartment building do you, the load would be different?

 

[mc5aw]

Consider the distance you wish to be most effective at. The closer the target, a smaller shot with wider dispersal is the better option. The farther back the target is, a larger shot projectile is going to be more accurate and practical.

 

[jlrhiner]

I've always been a big fan of #4 buck. It patterns nicely out of a 20" barrel out to about 25'. But that's the 800lb gorilla in that room. Get some different loads and try them at the longest distance you might have to shoot in your residence. Pick the one that works best.

Old gunfighters rule; buy all your shells 2 3/4" and all your guns to shoot 3". You'll always be able to shoot what you scrounge and change guns and still have ammo.

I personally see no reason to use 3" shells (or larger) in a defensive shotgun for the home. Just my opinion

 

[Hapworth]

Bigger's always better...if you don't have low-light, close-quarters, loved ones and neighbors to think about -- you know, the things most likely to be considerations in a self-defense scenario involving a shotgun (unless you wear a duster everywhere you go ).

1 buck is, by testing protocols, the ideal shotgun round for self defense, yielding the largest number of projectiles consistently penetrating FBI minimum of 12".

Trouble is, not too much 1 buck floating around out there, especially for defense work. Federal recently came out with a law enforcement round using 1 buck and it's probably quite good but too new for me.

Anything from 000 to 4 buck should handle most situations (I'm not touching the tiresome birdshot debate), but all told, 00 is still your best bet: it's tried and true, and easily available in many varieties at good prices.

I suggest any of the major makers' 2-3/4 00 buck in reduced recoil, defense offerings. Big booms are fun, but controlled, accurate and repeatable hits that don't blind, daze and deafen you win the day.

 

[badge]

Wally World has 15 packes of both 3" and 2 3/4 inch 00 Buck and that is more than enough for anyone.

 

[GLV]

Two full power 00 followed by slugs.

 

[SCWOODY]

first choice is # 1 buck.....especially in home defense mode.

 

[Lee Barner]

five rounds of 4buck followed by a good beating with the butt stock if they're still twitching. lee

 

[alwslate]

I use only 2 3/4" shells, even in 3" guns. More rounds that way.

For buckshot I use the superlative Federal P15600 which is a 2 3/4" shell with 12 "00" pellets at 1290 fps.

Federal Premium - Buckshot Details

I use the same load in my Rem 870 with 3" chamber.

 

[Fishinfool]

At close ranges, as in a home or apartment, pretty much any buck shot load will work, though over penetration might be a concern with heavier 00 / 000 loads. I would stick to 2 3/4 shells for the increased capacity and reduced recoil (quicker recovery)

In 30 years of law enforcement, I have seen shotguns loaded with #4 buck shot used several times, and the results after the fact, several more, on persons at longer ranges - say 30 to 50 yards. I don't remember seeing more than four or five torso hits on any of them, and all proved effective on stopping the suspect. Considering the pattern density of the #4 buck loads compared to 00 buck, I wonder if the difference in number of pellets on target might have made a difference in stopping the bad guy? Can't say for sure, as both agencies I worked for issued #4 buck as standard.

Larry

 

[Springfeildkid585]

I suggest any of the major makers' 2-3/4 00 buck in reduced recoil, defense offerings. Big booms are fun, but controlled, accurate and repeatable hits that don't blind, daze and deafen you win the day.

I've heard someone actually suggest 00 buck out of a 20 instead of a 12 for home defense for that reason: The change on the business end is negligible, but there's less recoil.

 

[walkin jack]

I like #4s and go for the head shot.

 

[Hapworth]

I've heard someone actually suggest 00 buck out of a 20 instead of a 12 for home defense for that reason: The change on the business end is negligible, but there's less recoil.

00 buck out of a 20 gauge will do the job, indeed, but the specific platform dictates whether or not recoil will be reduced; most 20s shooting one ounce of buck will actually recoil more than a 12 also shooting one ounce of buck because the heavier 12 will absorb more boom.

 

[Doug M.]

I have been issued 00, and preferred 000 for my own time. The #1 load referred to above has been heavily tested by Doc Roberts and done real well. I have to get a new shotgun some time, and when I do I may give that a try.

 

[robertrwalsh]

I like either #4 buck or breaching rounds for inside the house use, 00 or 000 buck when overpenetration isn't an issue.

 

[pineappleshooter]

My great-grandfather told me about a round they used to use back in prohibition days. They would open a 00 buck shell, remove the pellets, split them half way with a knife, then clip them to a length of piano wire and re-stuff them into the shell. One BB catches anything and it whips around like a buzz saw. The other round he told me about was to open a 00 buck shell and pour some 5 or 6 shot in to fill in the space around the 00 buck - more mass at close range.