Over the years I have gone back and forth and still don’t know which is the best.
I guess the fact that I live in a rural area has a little to do with what I choose. Right now my Winchester Defender is loaded with 7, 2.75 inch OO buckshot.
I would not argue with anyone who chose other loads except bird shot is maybe a little too small.
I bought the Winchester defender strictly because of price. Well that and the fact that it is totally reliable. It cost only $189 at Walmart.
If money was no object it would be a Remington 1187 combat style. An 870 would also be great as would be a bunch more.
When my mom was a trauma room nurse (I was a teen), they brought in a guy that was peppered from knee caps to hair line with #9 bird shot. Took the guy about a week to die from the blood poisoning.
Oh, hell. Look at this.
http://www.personaldefenseworld.com/2016/04/oath-ammunitions-tango-shotgun-round/