I guess it depends on your situation. I have no kids and my main concern, and the reason I don't just use a rifle, is not killing or maiming the neighbors. live in an apartment building where I'm insulated from my neighbors by 2 sheets of 3/4 inch sheetrock plus two 3/4 inch sheets of plywood and insulation. The odds of buckshot going through that with enough energy to do serious harm is pretty slim.
If I ever wounded anyone - intruder or neighbor I'd be broke for the rest of my life. Therefore, if anyone comes in uninvited they are not going to live long and multiple gunshots wounds on the intruder might make a jury suspicious.
I find Don a pretty reliable source.
When we did it, and we literally build 3 "code" sheetrock walls, the 00 went through all three walls and still penetrated into some watermelons we had behind them. When we repeated the experiment with #6, it only penetrated 3 sheets.
Then we placed a watermelon in front of the sheetrock and hit with with one round of #6. The melon was completely penetrated, but the wall behind it wasn't.
This was done at a measured 10 feet.
I guess it depends on your situation.
You're quite correct. My defense scenario is completely different than yours I'm sure. You're to be commended for putting so much thought into this. Most people don't.
If I ever wounded anyone - intruder or neighbor I'd be broke for the rest of my life.
This proves that we know longer live in a rational society.
I find Don a pretty reliable source.
Most of his stuff is dead bang on, I just disagree with him on this one. I think if he repeated his experiment using some slightly different parameters and assumptions he'd come up with vastly different results.
We have a 14 year old in our house who is separated from us by only 4 thicknesses of sheet rock. 00 is, in my opinion, inappropriate in this situation.
Nice chatting with you.
L