Self defense 12 ga loads?

Question

So I used to load my 12 guage with "reduced recoil" buckshot. You know the stuff, 2 3/4 in, 9 pellets of OO buck.

I just bought some value pack of magnum buckshot. Haven't tried it yet, but will soon. It's 3 inches, 15 pellets of 00 buck.

15 pellets seems like it'd be "that much better," what do people consider an acceptible trade off for more firepower against recoil?

Answer 1

I'd say that 2 3/4" 00 Buck will do you just fine. The 3" magnum loads... that just seems like overkill, and meanwhile your recoil has gone up. The SWAT teams and other tactical teams usually use the 2 /34 00 Buck loads with REDUCED recoil. They only use 3" shells for breaching rounds. They seem to know what they're doing.

But if you can handle the 3" magnum recoil like its nothing then go for it.

Answer 2

AVOID BIRDSHOT LOADS as some suggest. It is an old argument and admittedly they do a lot of damage at close range, but for a juiced up surprise attacker you may not get a good body shot and only hit an arm or leg etc.

At least buckshot a few pellets will still break the bone you hit and immobilise. Birdshot may not.

Which is why law enforcement stick to buckshot sizes. Funny thing that...

A 15 pellet load on the other hand is overkill.At point blank it will act like a solid projectile and blow holes through people or punch through walls and even metal liners on sliding doors etc.

Answer 3

For using inside a home you might want to use smaller shot so it doesn't over penetrate into a neighbors home or through walls into an innocent person.

Buck shot is OK but remember, there are 9 .32 caliber pellets coming out at least at pistol speeds . They may travel in alot of places after 30-40 feet.

I think the best all around would be number 4 Buckshot. It is .22 caliber size and will have about 44 pellets. It will cover more area outside and is useful probably out to 30 yards. Inside it will not over penetrate as much and hitting an innocent with a stray .22 is probably better than hitting them with a .32 ball. So always be sure of your target and whose on the other side of the wall.

Answer 4

Man, plan on a sore shoulder if you shoot the 3" mags with 00 buck. I prefer the 2-3/4" at close range it's enough to decapitate most intruders unless they are on PCP. For home defense it'd be better to opt for a smaller BB say #2 or #4, more pellets, less chance of collateral damage.

Answer 5

Wake up and smell the gunsmoke. With a 12 gauge shotgun it really does not matter for self defense. Take a piece of half inch plywood and try various loads. At 12 feet even 7 shot blows a hole you stick a watermelon through; this makes it a moot point. I load my 12 gauge double with 6 shot since I don't want to take a chance on harming a neighbor if I encounter a burgler; and when patching the wall you get faster drying time on the spackline with a number of smaller holes. I hate trying to cut and fit drywall.

Answer 6

if you are looking for self-defense inside your home you need to think about dispersal at the range of 15 foot (across the room), I think there is going to be very little widening of the shot pellets at that point............so if you hit this person it pretty much is going to be a 2 to 3 inch pattern.....

why don't you try a beanbag round first, the noise factor of taking the first shot inside will stun your attacker alone, hey how about the cha chunk of the pump action shotgun that alone should be a warning it self......

as far as power versus recoil question, do you expect your attackers to be wearing body armour? not likely, but i don't know in your situation..........but I would think 9 pellets of 00 buck at 15 feet would hurt enough ............

Answer 7

The 3 inch shells usually aren't that bad. Just shoot them and see what you think. 15 beats 9 any day if you can still handle the gun. If recoil is a concern definitely don't go with the 3 1/2 inch shells though.

Answer 8

Like lymanspond says you'll probably be inside at close range. I have #4 shot in my shotgun, more spread than buck, plenty of damage at close range and less likely to penetrate my walls.

Answer 9

All you really need is #4 0r #5 shot for the purpose you want it for...

Answer 10

rocksalt load,s first shot double aught buck second shot and deer slug,s after