shotgun shells

[supporter2a]

ive been out of the shotgun scene for a while, so many new types of shells out there nowadays. my question is if i were to use slugs or buckshot, whats the best one to use in a 870 express? the only type of shells ive ever used is birdshot.
also for home defense what do you all suggest? ive heard of people alternating between slug and buckshot or slug and birdshot. thanks

[drh777]

I Bought some hornady critical defense 00 buckshot for my 870. Very happy with the results. Nice groups at 25 yards, Heard good things about federal too

[drh777]

Only 2 3/4" or 3" shells in the express. Buy a couple different brands and see what works for you.

[border.bandito]

i keep 00 buck in Mossberg 500 for home defense...'cept the very last shell (first one that goes into the tube when loading) is a slug.
in my minds eye, if the 4 shells of 00 dont stop the threat, then the slug definitely will.

originally, i used to keep it with; 7 1/2 oz birdshot first in line, followed by 3 shells of 00 buck, and last was the slug.
i was worried about over penetration, hence the birdshot being the first round to chamber....followed by the 00 in case the birdshot didnt stop the threat.

however, after talking to a friend of mine that was a Sheriff for many years, he told me he wouldnt trust his life to birdshot...specially against a big guy on drugs...wearing heavy clothing.
that^ got me thinking....and switching back to 00 buck and slugs.

[kayaker55]

Suggest looking at Federal Law Enforcement Low Recoil Flight Control Wad. Difficult to find right now, but well worth it.

[M27]

assuming you are looking for factory shells and not wanting to reload

I like the 00 buck form hornady with the versatite wad or federals with the flight control wad, both have shown to keep good groups with that wad. Interestingly though hornady loads with 8 pellets and federal's has 9.

when it comes to buckshot I don't like nickel or copper plated, I want the pellets to deform on the target like a hollow point would, that way it transfers as much energy as possible

when it comes to slugs for smooth bore I have had really good experience with Remington sluggers, I have a friend that swears by federal truball slugs.

[glenn.ma]

Winchester PDX1 12

http://www.winchester.com/Products/New-Products/Pages/pdx1-12.aspx

[appagohm]

Winchester PDX1 12
http://www.winchester.com/Products/N...s/pdx1-12.aspx

I second this, low recoiling, with slug and three buck shots. I shot some of this ammo last time i was out at the range, my shot gun is currently a remington wingmaster with saw off style pistol grip with a 16inch barrel. The shortest legal lenth both for barrel and overall.

[xCaliChris]

#4 magnum Winchester green box for HD for me. As for plinking I use the cheap rio 00 and federal target loads along with a slug or two. Havent really taken my mossy out since the recent ammo rush

[supporter2a]

thanks for all the good info, its exactly what i was looking for.

[moulton]

I picked up some Rio Royal Star reduced recoil slugs for pretty cheap and could not even get them on paper at 25 yards, they dropped so fast. I also picked up some Rio Royal 00 Buckshot and it performed and patterned great. Best part is that it cost $2.50/5 shells.

[Socalman]

My choice for HD is #1 buck, though it is difficult to find. Next up is OO.

[Dantedamean]

I personally use centurion buck and ball, I've done a bit of testing with it. My house is fairly small and it has a good spread at about 10-20 feet. They have a hell of a kick though.

[paratroop]

I personally use centurion buck and ball, I've done a bit of testing with it. My house is fairly small and it has a good spread at about 10-20 feet. They have a hell of a kick though.

I like the buck and ball too, but sometimes the spent shell doesn't extract from one of my guns. Thats a pretty nasty load ain't it?

[RuskieShooter]

I have 8 in the tube of 00-buck and five in the side saddle of PDX1. I will probably get rid of the PDX1's in favor of straight slug (segmenting PDX slugs or some Hexolit32's would be nice).

My thought is if you want 00-buck you probably don't want the (over) penetration of a slug and if you want a slug you don't want three pellets of 00-buck going God knows where...

-Ruskie