Can birdshots kill humans effectively?

[Scarecrow Repair]

Buy some sheetrock

Put some sheetrock up and try shooting it with different loads. See for yourself what makes you feel comfortable.

[AJD]

i live in a relatively small apartment complex, so over penetration is a big issue for me. for my shotgun loadout i use federal low recoil Tactical 00 buck & truball slugs. both offer awesome stopping power with minimal over penetration issues. both rounds are also extremely accurate. the 00 buck offers a very effective grouping at even moderate distances.

I wouldn't say any 00 Buck has minimal over penetration issues. I saw a test once where it was fired through a typical sheetrock wall and still penetrated 24 inches in ballistic gel. Actually, low recoil loads will penetrate more sometimes than standard velocity loads. The reason is there is less pellet deformation from less blast, thus the pellets retain more of their round shape which aides in penetration.

Here's a decent article on home defense shotgun ammo.

http://www.firearmstactical.com/briefs10.htm

[aplinker]

Unless, I should always opt for my HK USP .45 over my mossberg???

No. No. No. Don't get me wrong, the .45 is a great round, but 00 buck at home defense ranges -- there's no comparison. Combine that with better accuracy and the convincing demeanor of a shotgun. Let me put it this way -- the go to gun for bear country, whenever possible, is a shotgun. And bears are far, far tougher than any human. If you really are worried about overpenetration, go for #4 or the 4/6 mix.

Keep in mind a 00 buck shot is nearly like nine 9mm rounds.

[Blue]

My cousin took a shot of bird shot in the back a number of years ago while walking down the road. It screwed him up real bad but he survived.

[M. Sage]

Keep in mind a 00 buck shot is nearly like nine 9mm rounds.

I'd rather have a shotgun full of 00 than a FA 9mm SMG with 30 rounds.

[ivanimal]

I asked a fishing guide in Alaska what he was running in his Winchester Model 12. He said 1 round birdshot followed by 4 rounds of slugs. He said fire the birdshot into the bears face to let him know you mean business. If that doesn't work use the slugs. He said the birdshot wont hurt them it just scares them.

[fireblast713]

I'd rather have a shotgun full of 00 than a FA 9mm SMG with 30 rounds.

I don't know about that... with it's shorter length, reduced recoil, increased accuracy, and the ability for quicker follow up shots (just pull the trigger again, as opposed to having to rack another round and fire), I might have to go with the SMG, especially if you were engaging multiple assailants (I mean there's a reason why swat teams aren't all armed with 870's right?)

[gose]

I shot a deer in the head a few years back with a no 5. Distance was under 10 ft and considering what it did to the poor cute little deer, I would not want to be on the receiving end on a load of birdshot.
Would it be lethal at close range, maybe, but it's definitely not my first choice for home protection.

[elsolo]

Of course it is incapable of killing people, an ounce of lead going 1200 ft/sec only tickles if the shot size is below the magic number.

[The Professional]

There are better choices out there...

I use the Hornady TAP For Personal Defense shotgun ammunition. Very controllable and produces the tightest group in any of the loads that I have ever tried. I have shot it at night and the flash is minimal compared to Remington buckshots...

There's a reason why it's called a "bird"shot you know...

[goldfinger]

I asked a fishing guide in Alaska what he was running in his Winchester Model 12. He said 1 round birdshot followed by 4 rounds of slugs. He said fire the birdshot into the bears face to let him know you mean business. If that doesn't work use the slugs. He said the birdshot wont hurt them it just scares them.

i have the same thing with my 870 for HD: 1 round of birdshot, followed by 2 rounds of Winchester Ranger 00 Buck, followed by 2 rounds of Federal Tactical Slugs.

[Cpl_Peters]

when i kept my shotgun loaded for HD first was #6 bird, 2 00, 2 000, then 1 slug.

IN my new apartment com,plex though I would fear for over penetration so I keep my sig 226r loaded with 135 gr hydrashok .40 and a x200

[Pokey]

<SNIP>...Unless, I should always opt for my HK USP .45 over my mossberg???

#1 rule of gun fighting, have a gun.
#2 rule of gunfighting, bring a long gun, bring all of your friends with long guns.

A pistol is good if that is all you have but they are ballistically deficient, their energy doesn't compare to (almost) any long gun.

As said before, know your weapons
and know thyself.

[wildcard]

i have the same thing with my 870 for HD: 1 round of birdshot, followed by 2 rounds of Winchester Ranger 00 Buck, followed by 2 rounds of Federal Tactical Slugs.

I'd suggest shooting to kill since justifiably shooting somebody is really a all or nothing kind of deal and the only reason you should be shooting in the first place is if somebody's life was in danger. Imagine the the lawsuit that would follow if that first round scared him away but also injured him only.

[1911su16b870]

#1 rule of gun fighting, have a gun.
#2 rule of gunfighting, bring a long gun,
#3 bring all of your friends with long guns.

A pistol is good if that is all you have but they are ballistically deficient, their energy doesn't compare to (almost) any long gun.

Pistol is used to fight your way to your long gun.

As said before, know your weapons
and know thyself.

+1 Well said Pokey.