What to stoke up as the leadoff shell in a Shockwave or other short shotgun?

[forrestinmathews]

So just taking a survey and maybe sparking a little discussion on how to load a short shotgun kept for defensive ​purposes. How would you set it up for the first shot?

 

[BearBio]

Why?

Short shotguns don't enhance spread hardly at all. The advantage is in its concealability. You wouldn't have the accuracy when using slugs (human error and shorter sight radius). Blunderbusses had the flared barrel to facilitate loading under pressure not for increasing spread.

Assuming no choke, spread would be at the same rate. If the spread is normally 4" at a foot from the muzzle, it would still be 4" at a foot from the muzzle (MAYBE!).

 

[shell627]

I load mine with number 4 buck exclusively.

 

[lebomm]

Me too.

Larry

 

[cgt4570]

At house range (10-20'), it's hard to beat a 3" #4 turkey load. A bad guy would have a hard time continuing to be 'bad' after being hit with that many hard pellets. Neutralizing the threat is what's important in this scenario.

 

[forrestinmathews]

I'm sort of a shotgun guy. I understand the theory of pattern spread and much more importantly the actual truth as it pertains to this particular gadget. I chose a 3" 000 Buck shell as the lead off for its ability to bring quite a bit all at once up close and still retain pretty penetration​ at some distance.
Really I was trying to get back to the romance of fixed choke shotguns and the varied first shell which was as personally varied as the socks folks wore. One might swear by a "Baby Mag"(2¾" Magnum) #1Buck as my Father did or be a die hard #4Buck guy like my Uncle. There are often interesting stories behind the choice of shot.
Jim Cirillo had an interesting idea about setting up a shotgun for combat that varied for daytime and nighttime, but let's hear your ideas....

 

[ContinentalOp]

My only experience with a shotgun was shooting #00 buckshot with an 18" Remington 870 police shotgun, so one should probably take my opinion with a grain of salt.

I have researched using a shotgun for HD, and it seems like the best choice is the 2-3/4" #1 buckshot load as it penetrates deeper than #4 buckshot but with less risk of overpenetration in close quarters than #00 buckshot. So, disregarding the practicality of a pistol-gripped, short-barrel "non-shotgun" like the Shockwave, I'd go with the #1 buckshot. I have no idea what kind of recoil one would experience shooting a Shockwave with #1 buckshot, but my limited experience with #00 buckshot in a full-size shotgun was not what I would call "pleasant."

Personally, I think of the Shockwave as more of a novelty item than a practical SD weapon. It's only advantage is concealment, so the only real benefit I see to it is either one intends to carry it concealed or one has a secure hiding place that the Shockwave can fit into but not a stocked shotgun. I view the shotgun at its best as a "hunker-down-in-the-saferoom" HD gun.

Having said that, I do think it would be neat to have one as it reminds me of the cut down shotguns used by the US Marshals Service Witness Security (WITSEC) deputies.

Just my opinion.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Even a Goose load of steel pellet #T's would do the job........

Heck, it is a 12 Ga. !!

 

[forrestinmathews]

I have researched using a shotgun for HD, and it seems like the best choice is the 2-3/4" #1 buckshot load as it penetrates deeper than #4 buckshot but with less risk of overpenetration in close quarters than #00 buckshot. So, disregarding the practicality of a pistol-gripped, short-barrel "non-shotgun" like the Shockwave, I'd go with the #1 buckshot. I have no idea what kind of recoil one would experience shooting a Shockwave with #1 buckshot, but my limited experience with #00 buckshot in a full-size shotgun was not what I would call "pleasant."

Interesting suggestion on the #1 Buck. I had actually considered loading the whole thing with Baby Mag #1's, but sadly they seem to be unobtainable anymore. I'm running either a 3" OOO Buck or 3" #4 Buck if there was something that needed the shot to be contained.
Recoil with this gun is really not abusive. I roll with it fairly easily and I love the ability to push pull cycle the gun. It translates into very fast cycle times. Take my evaluation with a grain of salt, I am a fan of recoil.

 

[Rastoff]

Setting it up? First shot? No, I wouldn't suggest anything fancy. Just load 'er up with 00 Buck. If for some reason you need to take a longer shot, like 50 yards, do a "select slug" reload and put a slug in there. Otherwise, every defensive shell is 00 Buck.

 

[Muss Muggins]

It's a hallway gun. #8 will do the job. Everything else is just bar talk . . .

 

[Ozark Marine]

Setting it up? First shot? No, I wouldn't suggest anything fancy. Just load 'er up with 00 Buck. If for some reason you need to take a longer shot, like 50 yards, do a "select slug" reload and put a slug in there. Otherwise, every defensive shell is 00 Buck.

I agree with 00 Buck.
I don't think a 50 yard hit with a slug is possible, unless there are 10-12 folks shooting at the same target.
But hey, I was pretty good with a M-79 Grenade Launcher. (Blooper) So just maybe........

 

[scoobysnacker]

I agree with 00 Buck.
I don't think a 50 yard hit with a slug is possible, unless there are 10-12 folks shooting at the same target.
But hey, I was pretty good with a M-79 Grenade Launcher. (Blooper) So just maybe........

Disclaimer- I'm nowhere near the marksman Hickok45 is, and perhaps just as importantly, I'm not nearly as big a guy as he is.

But on his review of the Shockwave, he was pretty accurate with it, and handled it well. He put slugs on target on the gong, I think that is 80 yds at his home range.

He seemed to hold it "almost" at eye level, maybe about sternum height, and was controlling recoil well (heck, he was dual-wielding in the intro!).

 

[Ozark Marine]

Thanks for the info. I'll look for his video.
Old Hickok45 is a amazing shooter.
Thanks.

 

[Rpg]

It's a hallway gun. #8 will do the job. Everything else is just bar talk . . .

^^^^^^^^
What he said!

All this fuss about buckshot and slugs in the house is silly.

A trap load of # 8 in the house is all you need.

Folks that haven't killed critters with a shotgun get carried away imagining what's necessary at self defense ranges in real world applications (not fantacy zombie attacks).

 

[snuffy51]

It's a hallway gun. #8 will do the job. Everything else is just bar talk . . .

Inside a house, use any shot size you want. A 50 yard shot with a slug is not self defense, not in Tennessee anyway. The judge will not compliment you on your marksmanship for sure.

 

[prplbkrr]

I agree with 00 Buck.
I don't think a 50 yard hit with a slug is possible, unless there are 10-12 folks shooting at the same target.
But hey, I was pretty good with a M-79 Grenade Launcher. (Blooper) So just maybe........

I was at a buddy's home range. His 870 has a rifled barrel and rifle sights.

My 870 is a Wing Master with a shotgun barrel that is cut to 19" and no sights. Shooting slugs, we could hit a man sized steel target at 50 yds. no problem. With no sights.

At home, first 4 shells are 2 3/4" 0000 buckshot. #5 is a slug.

 

[okiegtrider]

Put me down as another for 00 buck. It's what I know for shotguns, and have a good supply on hand, I'd stuff it full and be pleased and confident with that loading.

I'm a bit intrigued with the shockwave, wouldn't mind having one of my own.

 

[Rastoff]

I don't think a 50 yard hit with a slug is possible, unless there are 10-12 folks shooting at the same target.

Not only is 50 yards possible, I've done it under time pressure successfully.

I agree that a 50 yard shot is very unlikely. That's why I say to load the gun with 00 Buck and load the slug when you have to.

A trap load of # 8 in the house is all you need.

I don't understand this thinking. No one would pick a .22LR as their first choice. Yet, when it comes to a shotgun, bunches of guys pick the projectile that's 2 1/2 times smaller? It will potentially wound, but it is not a stopper. When the bad guy comes in, you want to stop him, now.

The Box O' Truth #14 - Rifles, Shotguns, and Walls - The Box O' Truth

 

[Biggfoot44]

My first round would be the same as the rest of the rounds.

In theory , no1 Buck would be best balance of pattern density and pellet size . But alas it is rare on the shelf in my area, and Federal Tactical 00B is plentiful, so that what I usually roll with. If you were speaking literally in the home, 4B would be more or less viable , but for my rural home, front door to end of driveway is close to 50yds.

No, I'm not volunteering to take a load of #8 to the face at close range. But the various birdshot has reallly, really shallow penetration, and I'm not even a penetration obsessed guy. Like 1-2 inches of pnetration. Unless I'm mugged while dove hunting ( actually a real thing) , I'll pass .