Shotguns, Buckshot, and SHTF

Marktwain | 23 October, 2011 | Marktwain

[marktwain]

Shotguns, buckshot, SHTF

With all of the insane government spending going on, and the potential of nasty inflation hitting soon, I have been looking for things to buy that have utility, trading value, and long term storage life.

I have been heavily involved in the gun culture, grew up in it, studied it, and have been a professional for the last 16 years.

Almost everyone has a shotgun. Usually it is a 12 gauge, although there are plenty of 20, 16, and 410 shotguns out there. Most people have a box or two of bird shot. They might have a few slugs, maybe a couple of rounds of buckshot, but most do not have even a magazine full of buckshot or slugs. Worse, in this area, buckshot is not heavily stocked. I doubt if the local stores have a collective inventory of 200 boxes, for a population of 100,000.

I had a couple of boxes of buckshot and slugs. I did some research and came to the conclusion that buckshot was the best SHTF shotgun round to have, and that the type developed for sale to law enforcement was the best of the bunch, and not that much more expensive. With the best LE type buckshot, all the pellets will be in a 6-9 inch group at 25 yards, and it is likely that you would get multiple hits on a man sized target at 100 yards. It turns a small game and bird getter into a very effective militia/SHTF weapon.

Most people do not have buckshot because they do not use it regularly. I happen to know my neighbors and I trust them. If the SHTF, I want them armed, and I want them confident in their arms. I pondered the situation and decided on this course of action.

I ordered a case of what I think is the best buckshot out there, Federal LE 9 pellet 00 buck with the Flight Control wad. A person that I know well in a State Patrol said that they tested it extensively, and that it gave incredible patterns (about 6 inches at 25 yards). This is also a reasonably mild load at 1145 fps, works great in manually operated shotguns, but may not work in all auto loaders.

Having a box of factory ammo that says : FEDERAL PREMIUM LAW ENFORCEMENT AMMUNITION, TACTICAL, just might put a little more spine into a recently formed informal militiaman when they need it.

I will be giving a couple of 5 round boxes of this ammo to all of my neighbors who have 12 gauges this Christmas. I believe that it will be better received than fruitcake. They all know me as a firearms instructor, so that gives it a bit more credibility.

I was able to find a case of this ammunition on the Internet for $225 dollars for 250 rounds including shipping. Other brands can be had for as little as $150/250rds, including shipping.

Buck shot is a relatively heavy munition, it is bulky, and a shotgun is not my first choice for a SHTF firearm, but for a great many people, it is the best that they have.

I highly recommend getting to know your neighbors before the SHTF.

Do most Freepers who have shotguns have a good supply of buckshot?

[marktwain]

Many people might want slugs for a shotgun, but my thought is that a rifle does every thing a shotgun with slugs does, and does it better. I don't want to be messing around with changing ammunition in a deady situation, and the incredible groups that the best buckshot loads give you make it fairly effective out to 100 yards in any case.

[MindBender26]

It is a rare legal situation were one can claim self-defense / Castle Doctrine more than 30 meters away. 12 Ga every time, with Alexander Arms Grendel 6.5 ready to punch out more than 600 meters if needed.

[Gaffer]

I did some research and came to the conclusion that buckshot was the best SHTF shotgun round to have...

At one time for a brief period, ATG sold 12 gauge rounds loaded with fleschettes.....if you'd have acted quickly, you'd have something that would work very well, indeed....

[Mikey_1962]

I grew up in Michigan where we had 4 seasons: Deer Pheasant Rabbit and Hockey.

I stopped hunting and reduced my guns down to 4: 2x12 gauges and 2x.357’s

During the ‘67 riots those weapons kept our house safe from the looters. It was a lesson well learned.

[Mariner]

A tactical shotgun (at least 7rds magazine, whether pump or semi-auto) along with 100rds of 00 buckshot is the best SHTF weapon you can have.

They will kill reliably out to 50yds and under 25yds you don't have to double tap.

Sure, everyone should have a good pistol, a .22 rifle and a hunting rifle with scope...the adventurous should have an "assault weapon" with 1,000rds of ammo.

But that tactical shotgun should be the first weapon acquired and mastered.

[marktwain]

We live in interesting times. I certainly hope that the S does not HTF in a general way anytime soon, but if it does, I want the law-abiding, Constitution supporting, God fearing people to be armed. There are very few times when people needed to form informal neighborhood militias on short notice, but we have seen them when government directed order breaks down over a fairly wide area.

I think that the more people that are prepared, the less likely it is to happen.

[Hang'emAll]

A combo of buckshot and 65 caliber ball is shown at the link below.

Centurion Multi-Defense Buckshot

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03KmUQiQ-jE

[Paladin2]

[Mouton]

I’ve been quietly accumulating both Bird and Buck shot for some time. Every once in a while, a sale comes up that I cannot pass on. If I were in Cal now, I’d be considered an armory under state law with just my shot gun rounds. Own 5 shot guns, 1 a 12 double; 2 are 12 pumps; 1 each in 20 double and pump. When the SHTF one will need both anti personnel rounds and food rounds IMO.

[2111USMC]

I’ve got 20 gauges around here.

Made me take a look. I’ve got 7-1/2, 4, and a couple of boxes of #2. A few rifled slugs and about 10 sabot slugs.

Been spending so much money on shooting 9mm and 9x18 Mak that I’ve kind of ignored the shotgun ammo.

[DJ MacWoW]

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[umgud]

I have all manner of shotties, but keep my Mossy 8 shot for SHTF. I have a few hundred rnds of buckshot, but hadn’t thought of giving ammo to my neighbors.

[kingu]

My suggestion would be to gift them each with firearms instruction and range experience certificates, and then gift the shotgun and rounds while on the range. My viewpoint is arming a neighbor who doesn’t first show the desire to be able to use the weapon effectively means that you’re creating a weapons cache for someone else to use. Otherwise I applaud your efforts to secure your neighborhood.

[BigDaddyTX]

http://www.firequest.com/exotic-shotgun-ammo.html

[Hammerhead]

I’ve reduce my inventory down to an Colt 6920 with Aimpoint Comp M4 and 3x scope with Larue quick disconnect, Mossberg 590A1 LE with military buckshot, Ruger tactical .22 lr, and (1) hicap Sig 9mm

all complete with a couple thousands rounds each.

next is to stock up on food/medical supplies.

[KoRn]

I usually like to keep a good stock of ammo. I have around 250rnds of 00 Buckshot on hand at all times. Not counting the 40 shells I have loaded into a couple of drum mags for a bad day.

[marktwain]

It is a good idea. Most of the neighbors are pretty competent people. Of course, it is far easier to give them a Christmas gift than it is to organize a range session.

[Chuckster]

I don’t have any guns or ammo. All lost in the boating accident last year.

[RDRAMSEY]

Yes,Everyone should be Ready
It’s coming
Shotgun will stop most up to 100 yards anyway
An AK-47 will reach out & tap them
Let’s get some FOOD in & something to protect it with Folks RD

http://rd1938.envy.nu/RDsSurvivalTips.html

[MileHi]

I got an 18” barrel with rifle sights and RemChoke for my 870. I fitted it with a rifled choke tube. Buckshot patterns well at 30 yards and slugs stay easily on a paper plate at 100 yards. It also works great for turkeys with an extra full choke.

The original barrel with various chokes still serves for various table fare.