000 buck

[Blaster 80]

l've shot some 3in shells yesterday for the first time and it was freaken awesome loved it,it wasn't as bad as i thought it would be,but im looking to get my hands on some 3in 000 buck very soon,so how do you guys feel about 000 for home defense? you think its overkill? over penetration? too much spread?

[FatalKitty]

prepare yourself for about 15 people posting different and conflicting opinions based on no real world experience

[jdewolf]

If you can get a good supply for the right amount of money, what's the problem?

[Baxter]

It will do the job.

[gunace89]

If you can get a good supply for the right amount of money, what's the problem?

I agree

[Al LaVodka]

LOL I've carried 3" magnum plated 000 Buck (and slugs) for bear, and not just black. For HD, you're kidding, right? BB, literally half the size and much less than that in weight per pellet, has been considered an optimal Penetration/Shot Count pellet size for short-range HD! But maybe you're shooting at 40 meters instead...
Al

[randy]

I've heard it works really good on windshields.

[SoCalConservative]

id go with 00 buck myself but to each their own. either way its going to serve its purpose

[MILLITIAof1]

go for it! I would use a howitzer for hd if I could get one for a good price

[rjf]

Use the biggest you can reliably make hits with. I don't think pennies will fit in a 12ga

[resident-shooter]

wow, this forum amuses me over and over when it comes to HD discussions.


Its not the load that makes the most difference, its how YOU shoot.

[xLusi0n]

Someone's done the leg work for you:

http://ammo.ar15.com/project/Self_Defense_Ammo_FAQ/index.htm#SHOTGUN AMMUNITION

[BigDogatPlay]

Its not the load that makes the most difference, its how YOU shoot.

^^ This ^^.... a .22 that finds the mark when the chips are down is far more effective than a .50 BMG that misses. If you're comfortable shooting 3 inch mags then who am I to quibble?

My real world experience is that most LEA are using 2.75 inch and most often either 00 or 4 buck in the shotguns they give their officers. That's what every agency I worked for issued and we usually got pretty satisfactory results at ranges greater than typical HD scenarios. Couple that with more and more agencies using pumps going to reduced recoil, that still hits plenty hard and a trend emerges.

YMMV

[aippi]

In fighting, more lead going toward the threat is better. Our departmental load was 2 3/4" magnum 00 buck which has 12 pellets. I was on scene for two incidents were a shotgun was deployed and in both the bad guy was struck with only two pellets. One was killed and one went down and was no longer a threat. Of course no way tell tell if the round used was standard 00with only 9 peletts would there have been a complete miss in each case. However, once you get to 00 you have a load that will take out anything in North America. With that said, I still use the 2 3/4" magnum OO and have some 3" which has 15 00 peletts but don't load that for HD.

Yes, 000 seems over kill to me for humans and reducing the pellet count does not make sence for what little is gained over 00.

On a sad note: The Department load was changed in the late 80's as females came on board and were having trouble qualifying with the 2 3/4" magnums. It went to standard 9 pellet 00. Lowering standard became a way to meet quota's. Hope that did not offend anyone but sometimes the truth does.