What Is The Best 12 Gauge Shotgun Load for Home Defense?

Me ^ | November 5, 2001 | NoControlling LegalAuthority

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

I would like opinions on the best shotgun shell load for use in a 12 Gauge Shotgun when being used for home defense. I have heard of using bird shot, buck shot and slugs - standard or magnum loads. I have heard of progressive loading such as first round-bird shot, second round-buckshot, third round-slugs.

Considerations seem to include whether you want to blow the door or wall down in the process of stopping the intruder.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

I have a small, 20 gage New England Firearms sigle shot with XX 3". I feel confident it will do the job.

It is rare that a homeowner is required to fire a shot. The mere display of overwhelming force is usually sufficient.

[gonzo]

Hmmm, yer right. It's about 22 feet on the diagonal, from where the Mossberg is to the door. I'll measure when we get back...FRegards

[Nov3]

The gonzomobile on your home page isn't showing up what is it?

[PoorMuttly]

About the dimes...a friend used them in S.E.Asia...they "fly all over the room," basically persuading all inhabitants to run screaming into the shreaded walls, or silently, sort of, bleed to death. Like tiny little circular saw blades in every direction. THAT's an open, scatter choke! It's bad, it's mean, and it's ugly. He called it a "room cleaner." Such a shame we even have to consider, or know about such things. What a world. But I guess it's good that the "world" know that when we mean business, we know how to take care of it beyond their wildest comprehension. Don't tread on us, buster. You don't want to see what's coming to those who butcher our parents, children and friends. Listening Mister Taliban??? You bet he's listening. Rock on, America! Let Freedom ring. (wear hearing protection, when possible)

[BigBlueJon]

Thanks for the info. It's not so much of a shame. There are bad guys, and then there are good guys that know how to be bad. You my friend are a good guy.

[jojo the boxing kangaroo]

I found that the best home defense for me is three brass door knobs in a burlap sack.

[Doc On The Bay]

......How FOOLISH of me; I merely wanted to SCARE 'EM!

Doc

[dbbeebs]

Even the very best rifled slug guns aren't accurate to more than ~4-6 inches at 100 yards.

I own a Benelli SBE with an E.R. Shaw custom slug barrel. It can beat that spec.

[gonzo]

'Gonzomobiles'. I dunno! It works on Netscape, Explorer, and AOL for me.

The website is built on Netscape, and they've told me that they're gonna shut that system down. I have to move everything to a new place by next February. I hope my tiny brain can figure it out by then.

I've noticed that occasionally, some pics don't load, and a 'reload' usually works. Stay well and vigilant....FRegards

[cayuga]

I agree, Doc, rock salt is great. But from the original question here, I don't think using reloads is an option. And I can't recall any factory loaded rock salt. Still, a good idea.

[PoorMuttly]

Thanks so much. I try, as I think you do too, since you clearly understand. By the way, that's around $1.60 in dimes, if memory serves. The gunfighters of old are reputed to have carried paper money in their empty, hammer-down chambers, for their own "buryin' money," should they lose in the confrontation. I guess this is a 20th. century version of giving change! Grisly, though. May it never have to happen again. All the best to you, Jon.

[Warhammer]

Bookmark

[RiflemanSharpe]

Remington 870 12 ga pump, 20" slug barrel with 7 shot mag extension. 2 3/4" 00 Buck magmuns, 12 pellets each. This is what I keep handy.

[lugsoul]

Hmmm... Strange. I would've expected to see more BPS fans. That's where my vote goes.

[lugsoul]

The cheap little fiber optic sights are pretty good, too.

[RightWhale]

That is the correct series of loads. Also, practice shooting from the hip. Recoil becomes not a problem, and you have a couple more feet to swing around. Push the muzzle down and away to compensate for line of aim. This is most important if it is dark.

[Redleg Duke]

You need a pump...nothing like the sound of a pump jacking a shell into the chamber in the dark! :-)

[Nalu]

I load my own 12ga 3in with BB and #4 Buck in Rossi Coach gun.