Shotgun self-defense ammo, what do you use ?

[svanni]

Let me know.

[Fronty Owner]

#4 buck or larger

before someone tells you bird shot, check out www.theboxotruth.com

[Gunlovingvet]

Slug first 00 Buck the next 4

[Redleg]

00 buck. Better chances of getting the job done with numerous .32 cal. projectiles over just one. Plus, you can skip them off hard objects.

[Gunlovingvet]

the slug just makes a nice hole in the door to start the show...

[wannadiesel]

00 Buck 9 ball reduced recoil in mine.

[Equalizer_2]

Birdshot is underestimated from what I have gotten. I know a shotgun instructor from Gunsite that is a retired SEAL that says birdshot is amazing at short ranges. I have blown 3-4 inch holes in solid core doors from 10-15 yards with birdshot. #4 Buck is a good choice for shots 3+ with the first two shots being birdshot. That way if the first two don't stop them the next ones will.

The boxoftruth.com is an interesting site though.

[wannadiesel]

Any 12 gauge shotgun shell is devastating at inside the house distances. The pattern is so small at close range that it does not really matter what size shot you use, it is going to tear a big hole in whatever you hit. Hell, even the wad is potentially lethal inside 25 feet!

I lean away from slugs due to penetration issues, and also the greater potential for a miss. My choice of 00 buck 9 ball was arrived at because a police officer friend gave me a leftover box from a qualification session. I don't think it really matters much what ammo you use, it's all gonna be pretty effective if you hit your target.

[dieselcarpenter]

I keep my Mossy 890 with a choice between Hornady TAP 00 buck and some Federal #4 and one or two #8, usually keep an #8 ready on top followed by 1 or 2 #4 and the rest 00, figure Ill give them a chance to start.

But I would probaly keep all #4 or 00,

#4 is a huge deadly clump at close quarters, 00 will cut through most the walls in my house, its a toss up, If I had a large side saddle I would keep 2 slugs on baord for anytyhing long or dense.

Long story short keep options open inm most situations.

Obviously in an apartment slugs and 00 will be a bit much, #4 wouyld be my max choice.

in a more open setting having the several choices + a good starter load is key, remember in most self defense, the fight will start and end with whats in the gun!!

[Tattooz]

Originally Posted by wannadiesel

Any 12 gauge shotgun shell is devastating at inside the house distances. The pattern is so small at close range that it does not really matter what size shot you use, it is going to tear a big hole in whatever you hit. Hell, even the wad is potentially lethal inside 25 feet!

I lean away from slugs due to penetration issues, and also the greater potential for a miss. My choice of 00 buck 9 ball was arrived at because a police officer friend gave me a leftover box from a qualification session. I don't think it really matters much what ammo you use, it's all gonna be pretty effective if you hit your target.

Funny when I was buying 00 buck the guy asked me for what I said Home D, he said that with tear the **** outta the walls, I told him if I was pulling the trigger in the home i didnt care about the walls