Best 12ga load for 870 for HD & Target Practice?

[b00gym4n]

I know this is a popular question, but I'm stumped. I did a bit of researching and everyone tells me to get 00 buckshot w/ 8 pellets. I live in a large home over 4,000 sqft, but I'm afraid to accidentally shoot a family member or a neighbor. I want to have enough power to stop an intruder with 1 shot, but at the same time I don't want to have any collateral damage. I'm about to own a Remington 870 Express Tactical. (It's being shipped and should be here soon). Load types, brands, etc would be much appreciated.

Also if you could also recommend any cheap and fun target shooting ammo that would be awesome. My buddies tell me to buy birdshot from walmart, but there's so many variations. Thanks in advance.

[Bellehood]

If you are seriously concerned about hitting a family member or shot going through an exterior wall, then buck is out of the question. While I, along with just about anyone you ask, will promote buck, whether it be my preference, 00, or the other options, 000 or #1, there are alternatives.

For an almost guarantee not to over-penetrate, use #4 birdshot, or BB, with a high brass load. At household-ranges, it will still be devastating.

As for cheap fun plinking ammo, get the cheapest stuff you can find. Can't go wrong with the cheap Remington "Target" loads, on a good day you can find box of 25 for $5-6. I speak from personal experience, that it will do the job to just give you hours of fun tearing stuff up, and having fun with your friends.

[b00gym4n]

I'll buy a few boxes of the #4 birdshot brass loads and check out the spread at different distances. I would feel much safer with 00 buck though. Argh. Maybe, I'll just keep 000 and slugs on my side saddle.

[Federalist]

For HD, I believe in 00 buck. Do your research. Most are going to tell you that buckshot has the best stopping power. They also will refer you to lots of examples and tests where birdshot is not sufficient. Since you are rightly concerned about over penetration, consider a lower recoil 00 buck LE round.

So for HD, I have Federal Premium LE Tactical 00 Buckshot with Flite Control Wad (LE 13300). You can find it at http://www.ammoman.com. Because it is a low recoil round, it won't over penetrate. And the Flite Control Wad technology gives it a very tight (about 9") pattern at 15 yards.

For target practice, I use whatever is the cheapest birdshot available. Every couple of months I put a box or two (5 rounds per box) of 00 buck through the barrel.

[mif_slim]

Home defense, flight control is good. practice? use the federal 100 pack at walmart going for 20 bucks (where Im at).

[BVamp]

I dont have to worry about family members where I live, as I live alone. I prefer 15 pellet 00 buck. If I were to worry about other factors, I would take what most LEO have told me was the best, and thats #4 buck.

practice with it a little, but also run whatever else you want as well for economy reasons, to learn the gun itself better.

also - neat little trick is to get a tactical light, mount it to the gun, and set the beam size to your shot pattern size at the range. no more aiming, just put the light on what you want to shoot, and pull the trigger, no thinking involved.

[b00gym4n]

Cool thanks for all the info everyone. I did some research and the 00 Buck shot Low recoil w/ wad is the winner. I might keep some magnum and slugs on my side saddle for diff situations. Also the flashlight trick seems like a good idea. Originally I was going to purchase a surefire, but wow are those expensive. I'll try to find something cheaper that works just as well. Thanks again.

[mif_slim]

You dont have to get Mag loads. for HD, the recoil (muzzle climb) will be too much for follow up shot. YOu want to have your front sight on target for as long as possible, even during firing.

[Bellehood]

You dont have to get Mag loads. for HD, the recoil (muzzle climb) will be too much for follow up shot. YOu want to have your front sight on target for as long as possible, even during firing.

+1

most experts would agree, that 2 3/4 00 buck is more than enough firepower, and that the extreme recoil of magnum loads is not worth the extra shot, since your not really getting anything in velocity out of it.

As for the suggestions for low-recoil 00 buck, I was under the impression that it still has similar velocities and energy as normal 00 buck, just a different design that gives less recoil. So would it really penetrate significantly less than normal buck?

[b00gym4n]

Yeah I meant keeping mag loads on my side saddle with slugs just in case I need to shoot long distance or shoot through walls. (7) 00 buckshot will already be loaded in my shotgun.