Buckshot vs Birdshot for HD . . . Here we go again.

[Excelsior]

Load whatever you want, but here are some things to think about:
The world is a large, 3D place. Shot fired from a shotgun disperses into this 3D place. The child in the room next to you is a relatively small target. The further away from you the child is, the smaller target s/he presents. The chances of accidentally killing your child by either missing your target or over penetrating your target are relatively small, especially if you put your child out of any expected lines of fire. If you over penetrate your target, the buckshot is not going to carry a lot of energy. If your buckshot penetrates your target and then goes through another two sheets of drywall it'll be carrying even less energy.

Decision time: Would you rather have the best chance at immediately incapacitating an attacker such that you can continue to defend your family at the cost of possibly killing your child (neighbor, whatever) should a buckshot hit him or her? Or would you rather chance not immediately incapacitating your attacker such that he or she could possibly kill you, potentially allowing any accomplices to take action against your family?

Surely it's a hard decision, but it's one you make when you load a firearm for defensive purposes.

The fallacy in your comments is that you simply don't know if buckshot would have a better chance to incapacitate a bad guy within the confines of a home. You offer it as if it were a given and it's not.

[mossy]

The fallacy in your comments is that you simply don't know if buckshot would have a better chance to incapacitate a bad guy within the confines of a home. You offer it as if it were a given and it's not.

seriously?????? YES buck shot will have a better chance at incapacitating a human, because BUCKSHOT IS MADE FOR STOPPING MEDIUM TO LARGE ANIMALS LIKE HUMANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! birdshot is made for stopping birds not people. i have seen someone who took 3 shells of birdshot and was not seriously hurt. most of the pellets did not even penetrate his clothing. if he had been shot with buckshot at the same range and in the same areas he would have been paralyzed or killed. why are we still arguing this? is there seriously nothing else we can talk about in the shotguns section? although i am sure i (like half of calguns) am on your ignore list so you probably wont see this post..................

[m16]

Man you guys need to stop feeding the troll.

He does this same thing in every thread he posts in.

[John Joseph]

If birdshot were an effective solution for defense of life and limb, then Law Enforcement would use it in their shotguns.

Actually we trained with #9 shot for riot situations at the academy. Not for stopping but for "herding." I don't recollect seeing any #9 cartridges after that though. We always got issued 00.

[ZombieTactics]

"Cured?" Did you even watch the video?

It certainly is a good empirical test although the penetration/destruction would have been greater on a living/breathing human as Quinn clearly pointed out.

I've seen the video several times. It (unfortunately) gets offered up as "evidence" or "science", far too often, by people who have no idea what either word really means.

It's an "empirical test" of shooting a piece of dead meat.

Here's Jeff's biography from his own website:

Jeff is a full-grown child who lives in the woods next to a national wildlife refuge in Tennessee. He has always loved guns and shooting, and really enjoys writing about the things he loves. Born in 1959, Jeff is a Patron Member of the NRA, a Shootist, a conservative, and a Baptist. You may not agree with his opinions on guns, politics, or life in general, but he will still give them freely to all who will listen!

He's a really neat guy, but is that your idea of a ballistics expert? On what basis does Jeff propose that these "tests" are anything but a bunch of homespun entertainment?

Now, how about you try this for a challenge: Name some acknowledged authorities (with actual credentials) who support your position.

[m16]

Why bother?

According to this guy, everyone lies about their credentials.

See how that works?

No matter what you say, he turns it into an argument.

That is the definition of trolling.

I'd be surprised if he even owns a shotgun.

[-hanko]

Man you guys need to stop feeding the troll.

He does this same thing in every thread he posts in.

When one has issues winning arguments at home or at work, the internet is always available. What a way to live your life. My heart definitely goes out to folks in this group.

Inveterate Arguers

[003]

This thread has become very entertaining to say the least. Not much information of any real value, but entertaining.

[-hanko]

This thread has become very entertaining to say the least. Not much information of any real value, but entertaining.

But it doesn't hold a candle to a good bear thread.

[Packy14]

The fallacy in your comments is that you simply don't know if buckshot would have a better chance to incapacitate a bad guy within the confines of a home. You offer it as if it were a given and it's not.

do you think before you write? the ballistics are easy for a comprehending human to understand. The fact that you continue with your senseless barrage mean only one thing.

[Packy14]

God forbid I'm ever in a gunfight. But if it happens, I hope I'm up against "birdshot guy".

seriously

I do think 20 gauge buckshot is a nice intermediate option, especially for women and smaller people to use. Unless it's more than one BG, i still prefer a handgun, as I feel more proficient.

[-hanko]

seriously

I do think 20 gauge buckshot is a nice intermediate option, especially for women and smaller people to use. Unless it's more than one BG, i still prefer a handgun, as I feel more proficient.

This. The last few deer I've killed with either a BPS Upland Special, or a Beretta Silver Pigeon.

[Huntsprig]

Birdshot is the only way to go.
Just ask the people of Bodega Bay.

[RobertMW]

#1 Buckshot. Smallest caliber shot that will penetrate to FBI standards. Gives a greater surface area for tissue damage than 00 buck.

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot56.htm

/thread

[ZombieTactics]

To be fair, once you get up to T or F sized shot ... probably pretty reliably effective at distances up to 5 yards.

I just don't see any sense in using them, when #4 Buck, #1 buck and 00 buck will do the job so much MORE reliably.