What is the best home defense load for a 12 gauge Remington 870?

Question

Considering I live in a small condo complex with neighbors behind walls on either side of me.

Answer 1

Remember, rounds that don't penetrate, paper, powdered sand and plaster of about 3/8" in thickness, and another thin layer of paper do not have the penetration needed to reliably reach vital targets within the human body. They tend to create very shallow messy looking wounds that while painful have not stopped attackers in the past and most likely will not stop attackers in the future.

Your best bet for a 12 gauge is to use the standard #4 buck. This will not have the penetration of 00 buck but will, within 15 yards (45 feet) penetrate deeply enough to reach the heart lungs of a human.

As for your neighbors, owning a firearm is a serious decision and you must plan for safe fields of fire within your apartment. Plan to barricade yourself in a room, with a phone and loved ones while the phone call to the police is made. Seek cover and concealment and hold fire until absolutely necessary.

Always be aware of your target and what is beyond. There will be some directions you will not fire the shotgun in unless in extreme emergency or you are certain of hitting your target. Never fire unless you expect serious bodily harm to you or another family member. Get a light for your shotgun and role play how you would order the suspect, on his knees facing away from you, lay down legs crossed, arms outstretched as you make the call to the police or someone else makes the call.

Also consider pepper spray, taser, a dog, and/ or an alarm system. These are all deterrants to attack and will create a well thought out plan that will make you a less appealing target for criminals.

Answer 2

I've had the same question, and the best thing I've found is #4 copper or steel shot (I keep two boxes or Remington #4 copper with my shotgun next to my bed). The lighter the shot is, the better in this case. It's light weight won't penetrate through two layers of sheetrock from ten yards away, but that's from a 18" barrel with a rifled choke. Using a rifled choke will put a spin on the wadding and spread your shot out pretty quickly, which is ideal. Since it's #4 you're getting about 27 pellets in a wide spray in front of you, and there's little chance you'll have to do anything more than respackle and paint.

This is all, of course, assuming you like your neighbors. If not, get some Hornady SST slugs, they have really, really good penetration and should be able to slide right through a building.

Answer 3

Since its a condo, buckshot should be elimintaed to due to danger to others. A small shot like 7 or 8 will have enough stopping power and if it goes through a wall, it wont do much more than sting a bit.

Answer 4

#7 birdshot. At the short distances for home combat, which is under 20 ft , you will still get a very tight pattern on the target, without the risk of penetrating the walls and hitting innocent people.

Answer 5

Use the Bismuth 2 3/4 #4 shot.

Answer 6

CANT GO WRONG WITH 00 BUCK, BUT IF YOU ARE STILL CONCERNED ABOUT PUNCHING THROUGH WALLS, THEY MAKE SPECIALTY SHOTGUN ROUNDS CALLED 12 GAUGE MAIDEN'S REVENGE. BASICALLY "THIS IS AN IDEAL CARTRIDGE FOR STOPPING AN INTRUDER IN THEIR TRACKS WITHOUT EXCESSIVE WALL PENETRATION AND RICOCHET. THE HOLLOW STEEL BALLS MAKE THIS ROUND VERY LIGHT IN RECOIL SO THAT ANY FAMILY MEMBER CAN HANDLE ITS USE." ALSO THERE ARE A LARGE SELECTION OF OTHER SHOT SHELLS FROM THE WEBSITE PROVIDED. HOPE THIS HELPS.

Answer 7

Regular #4 or #5 shot with high power federal or remington express 2 3/4 inch shell. It's light enough to be stopped by walls but heavy enough to go through clothing and tissue.

Answer 8

I use Federal tactical 00 buck shot this stuff is great it shoots such a tight pattern but I also live in a big old house with thick walls and no neighbors rite next to me.I would recommend for you is maybe some of that less lethal ammo like rubber or plastic shot or maybe a bean bag round I seen a video of a big guy getting shot in the chest with one he went down quick.

Answer 9

id say a #8 or #9 or #12 because its less likely to go through the walls police use a 00BUCK thats what i carry in my van but the smaller shot is better for an appartment

Answer 10

Skeet or trap loads, size 8 or 9 shot. That is 1 1/8 ounces and over 600 pellets in size 9. Almost any partition with insulation and drywall on both sides will stop 9's unless you are right up against it.