Ammo For Shotgun At Home

[Guest dreh]

What ammo would you suggest for a Winchester 12 gauge that would only be used for home protection? Thanks for any help.

[dats82]

Anything number 4 and larger will work. I keep buckshot in mine, but I do not know what number it is.

[Guest Jcochran88]

I keep 00 buck loaded and then 4 slugs in the side saddle.

[TripleDigitRide]

Anything #4 Buckshot and larger is probably the most common.

Persoanlly, I have my 870 loaded with (2) 00 Buck, (2) 000 Buck. and (2) Slugs.

[BigPoppa]

Depends on what "home" is. 00 buck is the standard, "default" home defense load.

If you live in an apartment, mobile home, or otherwise close to your neighbors, you may need to look at a # 4 buckshot, or perhaps (gasp ) a birdshot load.

On the other hand, if you live in a very rural setting, you may have a use for slugs.

[Superman]

Whatever you choose make sure to try it out so that you know how it patterns. There is one particular load that patterns so wide out of my shotty() that I wouldn't feel comfortable useing it for HD.

[Guest Drewsett]

I live in a condo, so I keep 3 BB birdshot shells, followed by two #4 buck shells, followed by one 00 buck shell (just in case the BG didn't get stopped by the first 5 rounds).

[RoDan]

00 here, with slugs in the speed feed in case I need some range or more penetration.

[kwe45919]

I have a Mossberg 500 18in barrel and have found that Nobel Sports #4 low recoil Law enforcement shotshells pattern about 12in at 10yrds. Perfect for my home. However, most buckshot patterns about 16in at 10yrds.....a little to wide for my taste to use in my home. I have found that Centurions' multi-defense "buckshot" patterns well for my use also. For slugs I use Federal TruBall Rilfled Slugs though I really can't shoot them worth a crap at distance being my Mossy's a pistol grip w/o a stock. If I had a stock, the slugs would be more useful to me.....

So in closing, I have my Mossy loaded with 2 of Nobels' #4 Law Enforcement shells, 3 of Centurion Multi-defense shells and one slug for good measure....

Considering ammo for a 12 gauge is pretty cheap, I suggest you buy small ammounts of various loads and shots and go try them out for yourself. You'll gain a better respect of what your shotgun can truly do....

Edited December 20, 2009 by kwe45919

[enfield]

No birdshot!

You won't be shooting at birds. Hopefully you won't be shooting at all, but if you have to, put 'em down.

Buckshot is the ticket, #1 is my choice.

Slugs will penetrate 2 houses, less if they're brick.

[kwe45919]

No birdshot!

You won't be shooting at birds. Hopefully you won't be shooting at all, but if you have to, put 'em down.

Buckshot is the ticket, #1 is my choice.

Slugs will penetrate 2 houses, less if they're brick.

Why?? With certain modified chokes, you can have a spread pattern of 10in at 30yrds...turkey shooters do it all the time.......I don't see anything wrong with that if you /had/needed to shoot something at a distance. Buckshot has more recoil than most #4 shot out there.... almost perfect for a woman......of course it all depends on your shotgun as well....type and barrel lenght......

[RD3]

00 buckshot

[Superman]

I have a Mossberg 500 18in barrel and have found that Nobel Sports #4 low recoil Law enforcement shotshells pattern about 12in at 10yrds. Perfect for my home. However, most buckshot patterns about 16in at 10yrds.....a little to wide for my taste to use in my home. I have found that Centurions' multi-defense "buckshot" patterns well for my use also. For slugs I use Federal TruBall Rilfled Slugs though I really can't shoot them worth a crap at distance being my Mossy's a pistol grip w/o a stock. If I had a stock, the slugs would be more useful to me.....

So in closing, I have my Mossy loaded with 2 of Nobels' #4 Law Enforcement shells, 3 of Centurion Multi-defense shells and one slug for good measure....

Considering ammo for a 12 gauge is pretty cheap, I suggest you buy small ammounts of various loads and shots and go try them out for yourself. You'll gain a better respect of what your shotgun can truly do....

Have you tried Harnady TAP, Winchester Ranger, Federal LE with or w/o flitecontrol wad, or any of the other buckshot intended for law enforcement/HD. The Hornady TAP I use patterns a little under 12" at 15 yards. I have some of the Ranger but haven't tried it yet.

[rjmech]

I run 00 buck in my Mossberg 935 for home defense.

[Oh Shoot]

I run 00 buck in my Mossberg 935 for home defense.

Lordie, how much do you have to run through it a year for that?

- OS

[Rock.45]

00 buck shot is great in house if you want to go though walls and doors and hit loved ones . At 15 feet 6 or 4 shot works just as well as 00. 9 pelts or 109 pelts , think about it and think of our neighbors and loved ones , 00 and slugs are great outside of the house .

[Oh Shoot]

00 buck shot is great in house if you want to go though walls and doors and hit loved ones . At 15 feet 6 or 4 shot works just as well as 00. 9 pelts or 109 pelts , think about it and think of our neighbors and loved ones , 00 and slugs are great outside of the house .

You keep birdshot in your handguns, too?

- OS

Edited December 21, 2009 by OhShoot

[Superman]

00 buck shot is great in house if you want to go though walls and doors and hit loved ones . At 15 feet 6 or 4 shot works just as well as 00. 9 pelts or 109 pelts , think about it and think of our neighbors and loved ones , 00 and slugs are great outside of the house .

Birdshot will go through drywall. What load do you use in #4 and #6? How wide is the pattern at 10-15 yards?

Edited December 20, 2009 by Superman

[rjmech]

Lordie, how much do you have to run through it a year for that?

- OS

Quite a bit. but I do take a break on Tuesdays and Sundays. lol:)

[Oh Shoot]

Quite a bit. but I do take a break on Tuesdays and Sundays. lol:)

Nashville's even rougher than I remember!

- OS

[Smith]

You keep birdshot in your handguns, too?

- OS

No kidding, right? Seriously, I don't see 00 being as "dangerous" for wall penetration as 9mm or a .45. Think about it. If it can't at least go through a wall how in the world is it going to go through denim, a coat, or a heavy shirt and stop an intruder?

[Oh Shoot]

No kidding, right? Seriously, I don't see 00 being as "dangerous" for wall penetration as 9mm or a .45. Think about it. If it can't at least go through a wall how in the world is it going to go through denim, a coat, or a heavy shirt and stop an intruder?

Or even just flesh to a depth that matters.

Exactly my point.

- OS

[Guest Revelator]

Interesting how the filter didn't catch that picture Oh Shoot. And I keep 00 buck loaded, myself.

[rjmech]

Nashville's even rougher than I remember!

- OS

Ha Ha, just pullin your chain. Except for the range, they just sit in the chamber and tube, pray every night that it stays like that !

[Wingshooter]

Here is a good video by Rob Pincus about wall penetration with 9mm, .45, .223 and 12ga. It's been posted before, but it's a good vid.

THE BEST DEFENSE - on the Outdoor Channel