What size of shot in a 12 ga shell is best for home defense?

Answer 1

Lots of weird answers....only three or four with any knowledge behind them.

At home defense ranges, a shot of skeet (# 7 1/2) will hit with an almost indentical pattern as a load of 00 or a slug. The shot will still be in a tightly packed blob as it hits the target.

The only diffs in those loads is that the bigger the shot, the more energy it will retain so the more it will penetrate. A load of #7 1/2 shot won't kill the neighbor next door if you miss. And don't even think you won't miss. At home defense ranges, a shotgun is no diff in aiming than a rifle. If you would miss by an inch with a rifle, you will miss by the same inch with the shotgun.

One fellow s uggested #4buck. That's the most favored combat load because at ranges up to 30 yards it will have a good spread but still be able to kill if you only hit with a few pellets....but it's just as bad as 00 as a home defense load. You won't be shooting any terrorists at 30 yards inside your home.

Go with 3 1/4 - 1 1/4 - 4 or 3 1/4 - 1 1/4 - 6 and you won't have to worry.

Answer 2

For the close ranges in home defense lighter bird shot that you use for hunting does the trick pretty well. No. 71/2 or 8 or even 6 will not expand and stay in a dense wad pattern that will act like a ball and take out the intruder without going through or creating a big mess. The next best thing would be 00 buckshot which would be the preferred for longer ranges and outside work, but may offer too much penetration and create holes in your wall and create a mess with the blood. But, it is the best stopping, a slug might over penetrate too much and you have a greater chance of missing than with buckshot or in someways the bird shot.

Hope that helps!

Answer 3

Overpenetration is a real concern for most people who have neighbors. Small sized shot is excellent im preventing overpenetration.

On the flip side, if I am going to shoot at someone, I intend on shooting to kill, not knock down or wound the intruder.

Personally, I would opt for the 00 buckshot. Overpenetration is a concern. To overcome this, I talk with my neighbors and find out where they sleep at night. I plan to defend my home defense plan accordingly (primary consideration is to fire away from close dwellings or if I have to fire toward a nearby house, what angle can I fire at to minimizw the chance for hurting someone)

Personally, I use my 12 ga. with the short rifled deer barrel. I have 5 shots of 00 buckshot and 5 rounds of accurate sabot slugs. After 10 shots, I could hopefully fall back to a different position where I can access more weapons.

Answer 4

Im no FBI agent or shotgun professional yet ive examined diverse a lot with birdshot,protection stress 00, and slugs. All checks used the comparable thickness - a 2inch exhibit door with dry wall at the back of it. The birdshot AA 7 one million/2 2 3/4 shot for the time of the door yet not often scratched the drywall. The 00 blew for the time of the door and the d.wall. The slugs have been "selfmade" and didnt do crap in any respect(not a real sturdy assessment to authentic slugs nevertheless you may incredibly think of what a real slug could do.) i individually use #4 greenback in simple terms because of the fact i've got self assurance like it packs a extra helpful punch than any birdshot yet wont over penetrate to anothers homestead

Answer 5

Don't use slugs, they'll punch straight through a 4x4 and you really don't want to kill a neighbor or someone half a mile away. I start with #7s for home defence, at short range they'll make a real mess of anyone and they won't punch through a wall from more than a few yards away. But the far end of the mag is full of 00 buck, if I get that far the #7s aren't doing the job and I need more punch.

Answer 6

2 3/4" dueces at close range (10-15 feet) will totally **** up someone's day. At that range, the shot will still be in the shot cup. That won't fall away until like 18 feet or so. You won't have to worry about over-penetraton, or in the (hopefully unlikely) case of a miss, having the round go through several walls (or the house next door) and striking something unintentional.

Answer 7

Home defense means short range, so any shot size will do. But, I'd use a goose load. The shot is steel, and nearly a large as bb's. But, at short range, even skeet loads are fine.

Answer 8

00 buck shot. bigger and fewer shot . you can also get slugs Bird shot makes a huge mess and may only knock a person down. Buck shot will take someone down and out, it also allows for the shake of fear. Slug rounds are a single bullet that will stop anyone including someone with body armor on. it wont kill the guy with body armor but it will knock them down.and keep them down for awhile. With body armor so easily available it might be best to stay with buckshot and or slug rounds

Answer 9

In close quarters, such as in the home, it would be best to use small shot, seven or eight. More tightly packed you would get a little more weight, but less penetration to damage or injure neighbors or their property. A direct hit would be just as lethal at close range.

Answer 10

7 1/2 shot, great for close range and over 20 yards it will pepper very well.