12 Gauge Shotgun Shells - Slug it out

Am Shooting Journal ^ | 8/20/2016 | Oleg Volk

[w1n1]

Modern 12-gauge Shotgun Slugs Can Be An Excellent Choice For Self-Defense Distances And Beyond

Shotguns are a perennial home defense favorite. They are generally inexpensive, very common and perceived as being simple to operate. Nearly every gun-owning household has at least one smoothbore. But, since research and anecdotal evidence point towards the relative ineffectiveness of birdshot against large intruders, buckshot is typically used to deliver multiple simultaneous impacts while adding some margin for aiming error.

Buckshot, from .35 caliber 000 to .24 caliber No. 4, works fairly well on opponents up close and in the open, but doesn’t penetrate cover well. For people who want the ability to get through furniture, walls or auto glass, slugs provide another option. The same applies to rural residents who worry less about overpenetration but may have to fire in self-defense at longer ranges where buckshot spreads too much, and individual pellets lack adequate penetration.

Large-bore smoothbores and rifles have long been the first choice of dangerous game hunters. A typical musket was around .70 caliber, and black powder rifles varied from .70 to .45, with long conical bullets providing necessary penetration on ornery creatures like Cape buffalo or grizzly. Jacketed bullets developed by the 1890s and monolithic solids introduced in the second half of the 20th century continued this trend. Read the rest of the story here.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

I meant 5 10 feet not yards. In a 6” revolver it makes an 8” tight group of 20 #4 pellets that can bulge 1/2 plywood on the backside. You can’t always take a snakecharmer which is really illegal anyway and only 1 shot.

[txnativegop]

I’ll stick with #4 buck.

[mabarker1]

OUCH!!!

[umgud]

Slugs might kill, but it takes a very special person to continue aggression toward even birdshot.

[JamesP81]

The reality is this.

Any ammunition with sufficient penetration to be effective for self defense will overpenetrate interior walls in the home.

Handgun rounds, buckshot, and slugs are all major overpenetrators. Especially slugs. Slugs are for large, extremely dangerous game, or deer in states where it’s illegal to use buckshot.

Buckshot is definitely effective for self defense but the firearm itself is, IMO, inefficient. Lots of heavy recoil, low magazine capacity, and while a pump shotgun is mechanically very reliable, it is actually very common for a person to short stroke the pump under stress during a defensive shooting. Short stroking the pump usually results in ejecting a spent shotshell but not feeding a new one, so you get a click when you pull the trigger again. Shotguns are also difficult to reload in the middle of a shooting.

At the same time, 55gr FMJ from a 5.56 / 223 Remington tends to break apart upon impact and does damage that compares favorably with 00 buckshot. The AR-15 itself has minimal recoil, ammo capacity to spare, and is easy to reload if needed. It’s not heavy, it maneuvers well in confined spaces, and being a semi auto one does not need to worry about short stroking the pump like on a shotgun. Most AR carbines have telescoping stocks, which are great for the ladies...most rifles are built for men, making them slightly too long for most ladies (I indirectly benefit from this because I have unusual short arms for a man). Further, because 55gr FMJ has a tendency to break up on impact, it actually overpenetrates interior walls less than shotguns or handguns do.

To me, it’s pretty clear that the very best long gun in the home defense role is the 16” barreled carbine in 223 Remington. I am partial to the AR-15 in this application because it has been tested and long used effectively by both military and police officers. With that said, the SCAR, Bushmaster ACR, and Ruger Mini-14 all work effectively as well for home defense purposes.

[wrench]

It is easy to load snake loads in any straight walled pistol brass. Revolver works best, as does #9 or smaller shot. Bullseye for propellant.

For non reloaders, the CCI rounds work well, if in range.

[TNoldman]

Shotgun ping

[Charles Martel]

For people who want the ability to get through furniture, walls or auto glass, slugs provide another option. The same applies to rural residents who worry less about overpenetration but may have to fire in self-defense at longer ranges where buckshot spreads too much, and individual pellets lack adequate penetration.

Here's a good illustration of range capability:

Smoothbore + slugs at 230 yards - with iron sights

Yeah, it's Hickok45. Jump ahead to the 7:30 mark to see the footage from the close-up target camera.

[yarddog]

You make some good points especially about the possibility of short stroking a pump during stress.

I am not sure I agree that a .223 is as effective up close as a load of buckshot but the difference probably isn’t worth mentioning.

[Georgia Girl 2]

We mix it up with our Mossberg 500 tactical. First two rounds are number four mags and the next four are 00 buck.

[locountry1dr]

bfl

[Hugin]

But, since research and anecdotal evidence point towards the relative ineffectiveness of birdshot against large intruders,

What research? A load of birdshot at 15 ft would be a grapefruit size ball. That's going to shred any body part it hits. It's very unlikely that you would shoot an intruder at a greater distance in your home. I would prefer buckshot, but any shot will stop an intruder at close range. Outside at greater distance might be a different story.

[ImJustAnotherOkie]

#9 is like sand compared to #4.

[ChildOfThe60s]

Serious recoil too.

Trying to shoot from the shoulder /aim it like a rifle with slugs is very hard on my neck.

I was told (accuracy undetermined) that #4 buckshot is the FBI choice over #00 because it still has good penetration and better odds of serious damage to vital organs.

[RollingThunder]

Your choice of type of round is dependent upon the situation. However, if you really want to hurt them bad, I suggest that you load your shells with the Mother of all hurt: Rock Salt and Bacon Rind. Yes, they can wash out the rock salt, but the bacon rind has to be taken out with tweezers. Learn this from a famers around Fort Gordon, Ga.

[USMCPOP]

So hitting someone in the face with 6 shot isn’t enough to get their attention?

Shotguns are so impersonal, stand-offish. For close-up personal encounters, some crystal Meth and a 14" machete is nice. If they survive, they will think twice about coming back.

[Chode]

i usually load 4 or 5 bucks on top, those would be good for the bottom of the tube

[Big Red Badger]

Interesting post,
Thanks.

[aces]

I have a nice winchester 410 backpacker, great for rattle snakes up to 150 foot with 4 buck..great for the wife, makes adequate hole.

[Pollster1]

For people who want the ability to get through furniture, walls or auto glass, slugs provide another option. The same applies to rural residents who worry less about overpenetration but may have to fire in self-defense at longer ranges where buckshot spreads too much, and individual pellets lack adequate penetration.

A shotgun is not my choice if the threat is outside buckshot range - I have time, so I'm switching to an AR. However, inside the home or on the porch, I like the idea of a pump action with anything more or less from 00 to #4. My last round is a 3" magnum with buckshot, just so I notice it's the last one.