HD loads

[five.five-six]

[Jon0807]

This is from The Box O' Truth

"Birdshot as a Defense Load
I have had a lot of questions, summed up as follows: How effective is birdshot (#4, #6, #8, etc.) as a defense load?

We have done tests with various birdshot loads. Birdshot penetrated through two pieces of drywall (representing one wall) and was stopped in the paper on the front of the second wall. The problem with birdshot is that it does not penetrate enough to be effective as a defense round. Birdshot is designed to bring down little birds.

A policeman told of seeing a guy shot at close range with a load of 12 gauge birdshot, and was not even knocked down. He was still walking around when the EMTs got there. It was an ugly, shallow wound, but did not STOP the guy. And that is what we want... to STOP the bad guy from whatever he is doing. To do this, you must have a load that will reach the vitals of the bad guy. Birdshot will not do this.

In fact, tests have shown that even #4 Buckshot lacks the necessary penetration to reach the vital organs. Only 0 Buck, 00 Buck, and 000 Buck penetrate enough to reach the vital organs.

Unless you expect to be attacked by little birds, do not use birdshot. Use 00 Buck. It will do the job."

I too am worried about over penetration but I want the intruder stopped in his/her tracks so I usually load a slug as the first one or two rounds, then 00 for the rest.

[five.five-six]

Unless you expect to be attacked by little birds, do not use birdshot. Use 00 Buck. It will do the job."

Bawahahahaah ↑

My mags hold 7 shells, I am starting to think the first 2 birdy shot, then big buckshot after that

[SureShot241]

I just use Honady Critical Defense in my home gun (well, their zombie ammo, but it is almost the exact same round in every way except looks)

If you hear someone breaking in, just gather your family into one room, call 911, and inform the intruder that you are armed and the police are on their way.

Just my 2 cents...

[-hanko]

Your first consideration, I think, might be stopping the attacker as quickly as possible.

If that makes sense, WHY would you use shells designed to shoot down thin-skinned feathered flyers?

I'm not aware of any reputable trainer advising ammo designed for killing birds is ideal for home defense.

If birdshot were effective, police and the military would be using it.

Pick a single load designed for self defense and practice with it. Different loads in the magazine are equally stupid.

Waiting for the standard idiotic post(s) about standing in front of a gun loaded with birdshot.

-hanko

[wjc]

The idea is to stop the attacker from attacking...now.

00 Buskshot is my round of choice.

[Subotai]

You might want to consider #2 buck, but from your criteria about over-penetration, I don't know if that helps. #4 buck is iffy. I'd just stick with double-ought.

[JeremyKX]

00 buck for me.

[halon101]

i was at bass pro shops once and i overheard a salesman recomending 9mm shot shells as "a great home defense round" i interupted and told the guy to buy some hollowpoints.

for me its slugs and 00buck. i like the idea of a birdshot warning round in my hands, in my wifes hands, i dont think she needs to mess around.

[Red Devil]

HD/SD load?

000-Buck.

Shotgun Pellets slow motion ballistic gelatin

Definitely 000-Buck.


#4 Buck should due if over-penetration is a concern.

Set up some drywall/stud/drywall target stands at 7 yards and see what happens.


NTS: If you actually have to shoot someone? they will more than likely be in the process of shooting at you - Not orphaning your kids should be your prime directive.

[negolien]

If you're worried about knockdown load 1st round with game and follow ups with buck /shrug. If the 1st round of 7 1/2 to the face doesn't deter em unload on em with the 00. That's how I' am running my HD rig #8 for the 1st and 3" 00 for the following 4..

[reidnez]

There was an agency (I'll look for the link later) that determined that #1 buck was actually the best overall defensive load, because those are the smallest pellets that reliably penetrate 6", which is what you need in order to have reasonable confidence in stopping someone. #1 buck was superior to larger shot because, obviously, there are more pellets and thus more wound channels. That is not to say that 00 buck isn't a good defensive round (LOL!) but that #1 may actually be superior. It will also overpenetrate a bit less, but if that is your primary concern, use 5.56...really, most any round that will stop someone, will go through lots of drywall. There's no way around it.

[five.five-six]

I guess that next time I build a home I will have to double sheer panel every wall.

[SocomM4]

#1 buck shot. At HD distances it produces the most soft tissue/organ damage without over penetration.

Low Recoil slugs are really nice too.

FBI did the testing.