Best Defense Loads for 12 Guage

[Hapworth]

At typical shotgun defensive ranges (25 yards & under) I don't think a human target could tell the difference between 00 & 000 buck, nor whether or not it was fired from a 2 3/4", 3" or 3 1/2" shell.

Quite true, but what the target experiences isn't the only consideration...

Feeling the zombie font tonight?

 

[chief38]

I have always used #1 or #4 buck. 00 might be too much in side a home. #1 will have a little better penetration for situations where heavy clothing is normally worn, but the #4 will have a larger pellet count which will serve better in situations where only light clothing is normally worn. Either one is devastating and should more than do the job. I only use 2 3/4" shells inside a home as I am concerned that 3" magnums will over penetrate.

Chief38

 

[Fourkeeps]

Personally I like the Centurian Multidefense round 2 3/4 12 ga and Remington's HD duplex rounds. Little Pricey but why spare the change for guests??

 

[tops]

Buckshot comes with different powder charges the same as small shot and the powder charge and weight charge determines the speed. 3 in. shells could penetrate less than 2 3/4 in. and # 4 buck could penetrate more 00 buck. A lot depends on speed. Larry

 

[Springfeildkid585]

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.

I once met a guy who said he loaded pennies and magnesium into the first load in his double-barrel and a slug for the second shot. He said the magnesium would blind and disorient an intruder in the middle of the night, though I imagine it'd have roughly equal effect on both parties.

 

[wharvey]

I'd pick one of the low recoil load. The little you lose in ballistic performance still puts you way ahead of handgun rounds and follow up shots are a lot easier.

 

[wharvey]

I once met a guy who said he loaded pennies and magnesium into the first load in his double-barrel and a slug for the second shot. He said the magnesium would blind and disorient an intruder in the middle of the night, though I imagine it'd have roughly equal effect on both parties.

A prosecutor and civil trial lawyer would have a field day with him if he ever has to shoot someone with that home made shell.

 

[amazingflapjack]

all around it'd be #4 for me.

 

[Springfeildkid585]

A prosecutor and civil trial lawyer would have a field day with him if he ever has to shoot someone with that home made shell.

This is was one of my father's friends. He isn't exactly the brightest bulb in the bunch.

 

[deerhunter5555]

Two rounds of 00 buck followed by slugs.

Yep, can't be beat for knock-down power!

 

[walnutred]

So far when I respond to the Thump in the Night I have no idea what I'm actually responding to. To date it has always been outside rather than inside and a coyote, raccoon, wild dog or some other 4 legged varmint. For that reason my shotgun load is #4 buck for the pattern density. Given the effect that load has had on large aggressive canines I have no doubt it would be effective on a human.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

I reside in a city, a dozen or more houses (mostly of frame construction) within close proximity to my own.

Remington 870 pump 12-gauge, 2-3/4" magnum loads 1-1/4 oz. BB-shot. At the distances likely to be involved I doubt very seriously that the recipient would ever know the difference between that and either buckshot or slug, but I don't have to worry about penetrating multiple walls, etc.

YMMV.

 

[Imaposer]

Long story, short.... I vote for Federal Reduced Recoil 00 buck with flight control wad. 2 3/4", 9 pellets of 00 buck at 1145fps. The flight control wad keeps the pattern a little tighter at extended ranges and the Reduced Recoil rounds allow for more control and faster follow-up shots for me. I seriously doubt that those on the other end of them will notice a significant difference in terminal ballistics, but I sure notice a difference on my end.

 

[NYlakesider]

I live out a ways in the boonies and animals (yotes and hungry bears) are a concern along with 2 legged varmints. LEO response could easily be 20+ minuets. My primary is a Mossie 12 G loaded with 9 2 ¾ rounds. The first five are 00 buck followed by 4 slugs. I feel that should handle just about anything that comes along.

FWIW my son who lives about a mile away just shot a yote about 50' from his house. The yote was attempting to lour his Heinz 57 away from the house and into the woods. The yote was so intent on what he was doing that my kid got a perfect shot with his Benelli. At 50' the damage that 2 ¾ 00buck load did was impressive. Right after he fired he heard a large commotion in the woods and best guesses that was the rest of the yote pack beating feet to go deeper in the woods

 

[Road Rat]

Any of you taken a look at this web where he shoots various loads:

The Box O' Truth #3 - The Shotgun Meets the Box O' Truth - Page 1

 

[C Islander]

There has been a number of you mentioning slugs. What slug do you use in an 18.5 barreled pump shotgun?

 

[crofoot629]

I'm a simple man.
2 3/4" 00's for me.

Emory

------------------------------------------------------------------
Honest Men Fear Neither The Light Nor The Dark

 

[remo]

Go to Box of Truth. They show what a 12ga can do to a wall of a house. The Box O' Truth - Ammo Penetration Testing

 

[Hapworth]

Go to Box of Truth. They show what a 12ga can do to a wall of a house. The Box O' Truth - Ammo Penetration Testing

Unfortunately, any round that will penetrate the required depth in FBI testing protocols will also go through typical household walls -- no avoiding it.

 

[Fourkeeps]

Unfortunately, any round that will penetrate the required depth in FBI testing protocols will also go through typical household walls -- no avoiding it.

Agreed, IMVHO to many people worry so much about penetration and not enough about range work and accuracy! In incidents I'm aware of Far more bystanders were injured by completely missing the perp then a round penetrating through one, barriers etc....

 

[kisportolt]

4 rounds of 2 3/4 00 buck in the tube, chamber empty. A nice loud rack is a fair warning, and hopefully will scare off those who don't want trouble.

 

[Steve in Vermont]

Long story, short.... I vote for Federal Reduced Recoil 00 buck with flight control wad. 2 3/4", 9 pellets of 00 buck at 1145fps. The flight control wad keeps the pattern a little tighter at extended ranges and the Reduced Recoil rounds allow for more control and faster follow-up shots for me. I seriously doubt that those on the other end of them will notice a significant difference in terminal ballistics, but I sure notice a difference on my end.

Federal also makes a slug version, with the flight control wad, for IC barrels. I've shot both of these and the accuracy with the slug is amazing. As to the 00 buck, the control wad keeps the shot together for some distance and doesn't start to open up until you get past 10 yards. Some people feel using buckshot means you don't have to aim, just point and shoot. Most of us understand that's not true, especially with the aforementioned load.

 

[Neumann]

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

Hmmh! My 870 holds 6+1 rounds, 2-3/4" or 3". No difference with a 2 round plug either.

12 pieces of 00 in a 2-3/4" shell, or 15 in a 3" magnum is a good compromise between penetration and pattern. I look for 1300 fps or so, not those whiffle rounds. Those 3" shells will pull your shirttails out.