Best 12 Gauge Shotgun Load For Home Defense

[conchmariner]

Originally posted by sigp220.45:

The FBI, as I recall, uses and recommends #4. To me, that's a good reason not to use it. Razzer

The FBI has issued 00 buck for at least the last twenty years, and I doubt we ever issued #4. The current load is 8 pellet "tactical" stuff, before that it was plain old 9 pellet, and I have a slew of the old 12 pellet magnum 2 3/4 inch ammo, too.

Is 8 pellet the reduced recoil? I shot 10 rounds of 8 pellet Fiocchi 00 buck last week that was labeled reduced recoil. Very comfortable to shoot, and patterned real well.

 

[speedo1]

In home, I do have 2 children, I use Supersock ( bean Bag) rounds. In close proximity, devastating, and a headshot will still have em' pushing daisy's!!

 

[GC]

Originally posted by sigp220.45:

The FBI, as I recall, uses and recommends #4. To me, that's a good reason not to use it. Razzer

The FBI has issued 00 buck for at least the last twenty years, and I doubt we ever issued #4. The current load is 8 pellet "tactical" stuff, before that it was plain old 9 pellet, and I have a slew of the old 12 pellet magnum 2 3/4 inch ammo, too.

Actually, I think the FBI did issue No. Four Buck back in the early 80's time period. When I first became a "copper" way back in the day the 2 3/4" 27 pellet No. Four Buck was our department issue because of the testing of the FBI and the fact it was their issue round to field agents. The thought then was "If it is good enough for the FBI, then it is good enough for us too!" Glad that mindset wore off...

 

[bubbatime]

As everyone else said, 00B or 1B is what I use. Good stuff.

 

[Jimbob]

The Federal Tactical 00 buck low recoil is the best I have found aside from Hornady TAP. Both patterned extremely well. Winchester ranger had a noticably larger pattern beyond 10 yards.

 

[handejector]

Originally posted by GC:

#4 Buck is my favorite. High pellet count with a .27" diameter.

No. Four Buck is actually .24" diameter...

You are correct- I just checked my Federal 1979 ammo catalog, which I filed in 1979!
So much for going on a 30 year old memory!

 

[handejector]

Originally posted by GC:

Originally posted by sigp220.45:

The FBI, as I recall, uses and recommends #4. To me, that's a good reason not to use it. Razzer

The FBI has issued 00 buck for at least the last twenty years, and I doubt we ever issued #4. The current load is 8 pellet "tactical" stuff, before that it was plain old 9 pellet, and I have a slew of the old 12 pellet magnum 2 3/4 inch ammo, too.

Actually, I think the FBI did issue No. Four Buck back in the early 80's time period. When I first became a "copper" way back in the day the 2 3/4" 27 pellet No. Four Buck was our department issue because of the testing of the FBI and the fact it was their issue round to field agents. The thought then was "If it is good enough for the FBI, then it is good enough for us too!" Glad that mindset wore off...

I have a Winchester box for #4 Buck that is marked "Not for Commercial Sale. Law Enforcement Only". I got it from a Fed that it was issued to.

 

[Guest]

I do believe I responded to this earlier on. I have carried and used #4 Buck Shot for some 30 years now and I have always found it to be enough to do the job but not too much to over do things either. I know there are some newer "Low Recoil" loadings out there but from what I've read 'they' have simply reduced the pellet count and/or the powder charge. I've seen "00" Buck loads do a great deal of over penetrating. Stay with the Standard 2-3/4" loadings and get enough to do some practicing in before hand. Buck Shot and Slugs do not shoot to the same point of aim that a load of bird shot does so practicing with bird shot is a waste of time. My first three rounds are #4 Buck with a Slug as the final one in the magazine in case I need to make a longer shot. I also carry extra #4 Buck loads and a couple of additional Slugs. So far this combo has proved to work very well.