HD ammo question

[Bert Gamble]

Since the thread I was reading on this subject is no longer available, and I wasn't able to get my question in - in time, I figured I would make a new one.

There was a comment or two about using a rotation of 00 buck and slug not being effective or practical and I am wondering why that is.

I load that way because I figured that if I were to need a slug for a hostage situation, it would be only a slide pull away. It could also be used to put big holes in the bad guys if they didn't have a hostage.

I know that 00 buck is fine to put down hostage takers. I have done it on paper and never got close to the good guy, but in a real life setting with a family member involved, I would rather have a slug just to be sure.

I am interested in learning from the more experienced guys why the slugs shouldn't be in there.

Thanks

[BigDogatPlay]

Candy caning, or alternating, different kinds of rounds in a magazine is usually not the best approach for a few reasons.

First and foremost, different ammo is going to shoot to different points of aim and to different effect. In the midst of a fight for your life are you, realistically, going to remember which round is coming up next in the rotation? Unless you're blessed with some higher power the answer to that is most likely 'no'. I know I would almost certainly not be able to and I've been working with fighting shotguns for 30+ years as both a LEO and as a teacher.

Generally speaking for the overwhelming majority of HD situations taking an offensive shot on a hostage taker is very, very low on the scale of probability. You are far more likely to get engaged in some type of toe to toe fight, or the bad guy(s) may try to bull charge. Buckshot is going to be a better solution in the most common types of circumstances. Is it something to practice... yes, as if you train for a situation you'll be much better prepared to deal with it. But I would not focus on it.

My suggestion would be to load buckshot as it is going to be the best solution for likely 99% of HD situations you might ever find yourself in and throw a pair of slugs on the sidesaddle. Then you practice select slug drills. That way in the unlikely event that you need to change off to a slug during a fight, you'll be able to.

To be absolutely honest, if I were in a situation where I needed to take that kind of precision, offensive, shot I'd want a carbine or a rifle in my hands.

All of the above is strictly my opinion. YMMV.

[Reductio]

What BigDog said. Far better to just get some Federal Flitecontrol / Hornady Versiwad 00 buckshot and load up with that. I have slugs in my side saddle if I ever need them.

[Bert Gamble]

Thanks for the great answer BigDog. It makes total sense about having no idea which round is actually chambered. Never even considered that.

This is why I love this forum.

I will be switching to all 00 buck for sure.

Thanks again

[Richard Erichsen]

Since the thread I was reading on this subject is no longer available, and I wasn't able to get my question in - in time, I figured I would make a new one.

There was a comment or two about using a rotation of 00 buck and slug not being effective or practical and I am wondering why that is.

I load that way because I figured that if I were to need a slug for a hostage situation, it would be only a slide pull away. It could also be used to put big holes in the bad guys if they didn't have a hostage.

I know that 00 buck is fine to put down hostage takers. I have done it on paper and never got close to the good guy, but in a real life setting with a family member involved, I would rather have a slug just to be sure.

I am interested in learning from the more experienced guys why the slugs shouldn't be in there.

Thanks

I don't know what kind of HD scenario you are planning for, but hostages are the generally the sole domain of a well equipped, well trained team of several dozen specialized LEOs and not something you should expect to handle (properly) on your own.

As a general rule, if they were forced to rescue someone from an armed gunmen, they are going to have a last ditch coordinated attack plan to rush in if the negotiations to surrender break down. About the last weapon they would use is a shotgun for this sort of task, particularly one loaded with slugs that could pass through the entire home and into their own team members, emergency personnel or the general public. You don't need a lot of penetration for a human target at only 3-7 yards range.

What works in open country for deer hunting or as a measure of safety for bear defense doesn't translate well to HD use.

R

[Bert Gamble]

I don't know what kind of HD scenario you are planning for, but hostages are the generally the sole domain of a well equipped, well trained team of several dozen specialized LEOs and not something you should expect to handle (properly) on your own.

As a general rule, if they were forced to rescue someone from an armed gunmen, they are going to have a last ditch coordinated attack plan to rush in if the negotiations to surrender break down. About the last weapon they would use is a shotgun for this sort of task, particularly one loaded with slugs that could pass through the entire home and into their own team members, emergency personnel or the general public. You don't need a lot of penetration for a human target at only 3-7 yards range.

What works in open country for deer hunting or as a measure of safety for bear defense doesn't translate well to HD use.

R

I was just thinking that if a random bad guy broke into the house and grabbed a family member before I could get him, it would be easier to have a slug in the chamber.

I suppose I think about that because it is about the worst scenario I can imagine and would want to be prepared for it.

I can accept that this is a very unlikely scenario and should focus more on what is more realistic.