Best 12 gauge load for HD

[RedFord150]

I own a Mossberg 500 12 gauge pump with a 20 inch barrel. This is the 7 + 1 capacity. It also feeds both 2 3/4" and 3" shells.

I have always kept 00 Buck as my HD load. I also have some Slugs for it.

I recently hear a lot of SG owners claiming that #4 Buckshot is a better choice. Smaller pellets, but a lot more of them.

I know this might turn into a Ford vs. Chevy argument, but what do most CGers load their HD SGs with?

[plumbum]

Some people like #4 buckshot to reduce over penetration risk - also there is #1 buckshot which is supposed to offer the best of both worlds.

Personally I can’t help but think that any of them are more than sufficient to convey the necessary message in a HD situation.

[AregularGuy]

NSFW

[9Cal_OC]

I live in an apt so I opt for #4B. If I lived in a house with no kids, I’m loading the 00.

[Skip_Dog]

Same as above. #4, with a side car of 00 and slug.

[BajaJames83]

00 will be fine as it is easier to find on shelves most loads are 9 x 00
20 x #4 is my preference as well which I load any way or a mix of #1 and #4 fit better any way.

[Mayor McRifle]

#1 Buck

https://www.theboxotruth.com/the-box-o-truth-56-federal-flight-control-1-buckshot/

https://www.chuckhawks.com/home_defense_shotgun_ammo.htm

https://ammo.com/bullet-type/1-buck

[AregularGuy]

Buckshot and rifled slugs if you really want to neutralize the threat!

[Erion929]

Single family house here....

Semi-auto shotgun, 7+1 , with 00 buck......72 big metal balls coming at you in less than 3 secs.


.

[RTE]

What patterns well in your specific shotty?

Winchester 12 Gauge 2 3/4-inch 9-Pellet Ranger Low-Recoil Buckshot.

Winchester 12 Gauge 2 3/4-inch Ranger Low-Recoil SLUGS.

[L84CABO]

I'm a fan of the Federal Law Enforcement Tactical w/Flight Control. Comes in 8 pellet, 9 pellet, and reduced recoil versions of both. Note that the 9 pellet shells are ever so slightly longer than the 8 pellet. This affects capacity in my Benelli m4 but not in my 870. YMMV.

[RedFord150]

Thank you to all of you guys who responded.

This is a lot of great info. I had never even thought about #1 Buckshot. Definitely worth looking into.

RickD427 deserves the credit for making me think about this topic. He reminded me that the best use of a handgun is to hold off the BG while you get to your long gun. Looking at our current climate, I think he is right.

[SandHill]

I am in the No. 1 camp. 15 .30 caliber pellets just seems likes better deal than 8 or 9 .33 caliber pellets. Federal does load their Flite Control in No. 1 buck https://www.ammunitiondepot.com/951-...buck-shot.html

It is even harder to find than their Flite Control 00, and in the current situation basically impossible to find, but if you ask me what is "best" tht is my vote and what I have loaded right now.

Given the current supply and demand situation, I would be OK with any buckshot in 12 gauge for now. As long as you can buy enough to make sure it runs OK in your gun, it will get the job done.

[Germz]

[SCVlongstroke]

If you’re in a home where there’s no small children a shotgun is a great defense weapon, especially in close quarters. 00 buck can take the fight out of someone who isn’t dead yet. Get a “cheap” 100 lbs bag, duct tape and a training shotgun. Practice with muzzle thrusts and butt strikes, you'll develop techniques unto yourself that’ll be very effective should an attacker close distance. Depending on what type of shotgun you have practice loading techniques from different positions. WW1 trench warfare with shotguns was extremely effective.