I have a Mossberg 500 - I bought 2-1/2 inch and 3 inch shotgun shells
Mostly 7-8 birdshot - but I’ve never fired a shotgun before
I think we lost a FReeper who told me what to buy to reduce the recoil (named above)
You need to get out to a farm or similar place to practice its use. Otherwise you may drop it or injure a family member.
Shoot one of the 3” shells, and then you’ll understand why to trade the rest of them off for something else. :)
3 inch shells are magnum loads. Newton’s second law: “for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.” The recoil will kick you like a mule and make it harder to stay on target. 3 inch shells are for things like duck hunting. 2 1/2 inch shells are fine for HD.
Birdshot is effective point blank but if you’re defending yourself in winter, the intruder is heavily clothed, etc, not so good. You need immediate penetration. Center mass kind of thing.
00 buck is preferred by a lot of people but in an apartment building or if there are other people in your house, the buckshot will not stop at the drywall. It penetrates drywall with enough energy to kill whatever is on the other side.
My main home defense is a handgun with light/laser. But I also have a shotgun with #4 buckshot. Note: not #4 duck hunting shells as that’s different.
But if I hear something shatter in the night, it’s my 45 ACP with the light/laser. And my electronic ear muffs if I have time and presence of mind. Long guns are a worst case scenario thing.
One option is to make the gun heavier. I have a pound of lead in the butt of my duck gun. I mounted a 6-round Side Saddle on the home defense gun.
3 inch shells are a waste of time, IMHO. Way too much recoil. If you have a 12 gauge, 2-3/4” shells are more than adequate. Plus, more of them fit in a magazine than 3” shells. I took some 3” buckshot out one time and everyone in attendance complained about the recoil, so no more of those! The recoil even knocked the shells out of a sidesaddle carrier that was on the shotgun (!).
There’s an adapter so you can use mini-shells in your 500, if it isn’t already equipped for those.
https://opsolmini-clip.com/product/opsol-mini-clip-2-0-flex/
The birdshot you have is a good choice. At close range, it will ruin anyone’s day, and overpenetration is a lesser concern than with 00 Buck or other loads.
You got your homework Now!
100 posts and Noone mentioned
12 GA Reduced Recoil Buckshot !?!
.
Go make noise with your Smokepole!!