What type of shot for home defense shotgun?
I just purchased a Remington 870 express magnum for home defense and recreational shooting. When I went to pick it up I was asking the salesman what type of shot to use for home defense and he stated either a 2-3/4 #4 or #6 which I believe is bird shot. Is this the best load for home defense? He said that 00 buckshot will tear up the walls if fired inside but I am thinking that is the least of my worries when facing an intruder. Also can I fire slugs out of the regular barrel on the gun or does it have to be a rifled barrel?
Thanks in advance guys,
Brian
Thanks in advance guys,
Brian
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I'd go first 2 shots with #6 and then step up to 00buck after that.
Just insurance if the first 2 don't do the job.0 -
he is right, inside a house #4 or #6 Birdshot is just as deadly, wont shoot thru multiple rooms. if you are in the country and live alone stick with 00 Buck or 4 Buck. If you dont believe me, go shoot something(like scrapwood) with birdshot up close! 0 -
Slugs, DO IT! Everyone likes a huge gaping hole in their intruder. Nevermind that it went through the intruder and through 3 other rooms in your house before stopping in your child's stuffed animal. [:D]
Seriously though, #4 or #6 is plenty good.0 -
up close, shot will make a much bigger hole 0 -
...I like 00, no kids, by-standers around. That said, almost any size shot at 20' or so, is going to make a mess of someone; and a mess of the walls. If not 00, #4-6 shot would be my choice...[;)] 
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I've seen what a load of #4 birdshot does to a mans legs at 40 yards... not pretty.
Birdshot, but make it big - #2 or 4 bird (turkey loads!), maybe BB, maybe #4 buckshot.0 -
I have 00 buck in the magazine, 4 buck in the side saddle 0 -
I appreciate it guys I am new to this and have limited experience, just want to make sure it will get the job done. 0 -
get a box of each , put up a big piece of cardboard and shoot at the distance you will be shooting in your house. you decide! 0 -
This isn't a very popular answer, but inside a house it makes no difference what size shot you use. Whatever you have the most of will do the same job as anything else. Slugs will give you more penetration, but you don't need more penetration. Number nine low brass will kill a person just a dead as double aught buckshot. There is only one stage of dead. 0 -
I have a 12ga loaded with remington loang range express high brass #6 if they are still around after that they will not be very mobile nor will they be interested in whatever they came for 0 -
quote:Originally posted by JamesRK
Number nine low brass will kill a person just a dead as double aught buckshot. There is only one stage of dead.
And the upside is if they do live, they will be picking shot out of the person for weeks![:D]0 -
what about #2 self defense shot from federal? 0 -
Mine is loaded with 00 Buck but it really doesnt matter.
Yes you can shoot slugs but if long range accuracy is desired then you need a rifeled barrel.0 -
"he is right, inside a house #4 or #6 Birdshot is just as deadly, wont shoot thru multiple rooms. if you are in the country and live alone stick with 00 Buck or 4 Buck. If you dont believe me, go shoot something(like scrapwood) with birdshot up close!"
tsavo303 is right.
If you doubt the effectiveness of birdshot, do a test. Get some small birdshot, number 8. Get an old leather boot, to simulate the heaviest clothing, such as a leather jacket.
Put a couple of 1x4s inside the boot, which will simulate human bone.
Give it a rip from inside the house range, such as 20 feet.
You will quickly realize that a man wearing that boot would have had his foot blown off.
What such a load would do on a chest/stomach shot would be even more grim.
Don't get me wrong, buckshot is quite lethal as well. It is just that the birdshot is less likely to penetrate walls.0 -
There is a buck shot on the market that is hollow, wont go through walls but does its job otherwise. 0 -
I agree on the birdshot. Where I live I don't have to worry about over penetration and my 870 is loaded with #4 buck and 00 low recoil staggard. I have a couple of slugs in the stock (Speed Feed). I have shot a few flechettes and they are pretty nasty but I will stick with the standards. 0 -
I have some 3" 00 buck and some 3" BB loads as my defense rounds, no kids at home just the wife and I now. 0 -
Two #4 shotloads followed by 5 00 buck in my 870 HD 0 -
My mossy is armed with a whole tube of 2 3/4 " 7 1/2s. I figured the max distance to shoot in the house and went out and shot some 2x4s to see what worked best. Found out that at that rage it doesn't matter...like JamesRK said..there is only one stage of dead. 0 -
7rds of high brass #4. 0 -
My shotguns stay loaded up with just bird shot of what ever size I have laying around. If I am headed out side of my house a rifle is a better choice for where live.
As far as wich buckshot to carry I only have one REAL world experience with it. As many of you know I am a paramedic in small city. We got called to a guy that got shot in the abdomen with a 12ga. It was determined that he was shot will 00 buck from the shell that was left on scene. The patient (PT) was shot at point blank range. His abd had a very large hole in the middle that had basicaly been "ripped" open. The wad was hanging out of a .5 inch hole in his right hip. The x-ray at the hospital showed the inside of him full of filler. He was having a really bad day but short of that he was stable condition. Had the PT been an attacker I dont belive it would have stoped him.
That is just my .$.020 -
6,4, then load it with 000.
If that doesnt work, hit him with the butstock.0 -
Shot a coyote with 00 Buck at 5 yards once.
Been a believer in it ever since.0 -
quote:Originally posted by jwb267
put up a big piece of cardboard and shoot
Heck, get a solid-core door, and shoot it at fifteen feet. You'll be making toothpicks.
#4 will give you enough of a kick on the shoulder. What's it gonna go to the bad guys?0 -
#4 bird shot in 20 gauge is as big as I go for home defense but #6 is OK too.
I recently purchased some 12 ga 3" #4 shot turkey loads that were on sale. I don't hunt turkey but I thought they might be handy to have.0 -
quote:Originally posted by JamesRK
This isn't a very popular answer, but inside a house it makes no difference what size shot you use. Whatever you have the most of will do the same job as anything else. Slugs will give you more penetration, but you don't need more penetration. Number nine low brass will kill a person just a dead as double aught buckshot. There is only one stage of dead.
James is absolutely right on this.
At indoor-type distances of under ten yards, the pellets barely spread at all, and effectively act as a single solid mass regardless of their individual size.
So you might as well pick something that isn't going to punch holes through your walls and cause collateral damage.
If you are going to use the gun outdoors, heavier pellets do retain more energy at greater distances (due to proportionately lower air resistance), so I'd go with buckshot or slugs.0 -
quote:Originally posted by HobbyGuy
12 GA FLECHETTE SABOT SHOTGUN AMMUNITION[xx(]
http://www.antipersonnel.net/sdllc/005.html
These make great squirrel rounds[:p]0 -
quote:Originally posted by Nwcid
My shotguns stay loaded up with just bird shot of what ever size I have laying around. If I am headed out side of my house a rifle is a better choice for where live.
As far as wich buckshot to carry I only have one REAL world experience with it. As many of you know I am a paramedic in small city. We got called to a guy that got shot in the abdomen with a 12ga. It was determined that he was shot will 00 buck from the shell that was left on scene. The patient (PT) was shot at point blank range. His abd had a very large hole in the middle that had basicaly been "ripped" open. The wad was hanging out of a .5 inch hole in his right hip. The x-ray at the hospital showed the inside of him full of filler. He was having a really bad day but short of that he was stable condition. Had the PT been an attacker I dont belive it would have stoped him.
That is just my .$.02
Thanks for the info.....Im a medic as well but ive only seen 22 and 9mm injuries.0 -
Read somewhere once that #1 shot was a better stopper than 00 buck.
more pellets same powder charge or something. The article also said that the double ought tore up car fenders better for tv. I'm thinking Ayoob or Ahern but it might have been Skeeter! (it's been a while.)
I would be concerned using flechettes would enable some authoritys and the news media to make a mountain out of a molehill. (they work too well) Can you imagine the s**tstorm about the flechettes,the "automatic" shotgun, and the poor underprivliged child who got horribly mangled by the crazed homeowner and his "special loads" designed to create havoc rather than to permit someone to change their minds and leave unscathed??
A load of #4s might make it harder for the local DA to persecute you.
Anyone that's not trying to run through a wall after hearing a couple of rounds go off is either a fool or hit too hard to crawl. Or for some reason your home just got hit by a SF squad! (not gonna speculate bout that)
You might want to be prepared in advance for the flash and sound inside a dark home.
Allen0
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