Need 12 Gauge Ammo Advice

[scalce]

I have a new 12 Gauge at home but haven't bought any SD ammo for it yet.

What is a good choice of ammo that I can get at Walmart or Dick's until I can research and test various ammo types and then buy online?

I just want something better then the cheap 2 3/4 7.5 loads I currently have for 3 gun.

[gsh341]

You can buy 00 or 000 Buckshot from just about any sporting goods store or gun shop. No need to buy the magnum loads either. Standard 2.75" loads or 3" reduced recoil are good.

I chose Federal 00 Buckshot. 15 pellets of .33cal lead will do a nice job on whatever you hit.

[Krackels]

You might want to reconsider the shotgun as a primary home defense gun.

David K had a good post about it. http://armedresponsetips.blogspot.co...l-in-home.html

[scalce]

Originally Posted by Krackels

You might want to reconsider the shotgun as a primary home defense gun.

David K had a good post about it. http://armedresponsetips.blogspot.co...l-in-home.html

My XD9 is my primary but I figured I should have some shotgun SD rounds just in case.

[Bycyclist]

"A long gun does have a presence in my home defense plan. In case of a home invasion, my plan consists of getting my handgun, gathering my family and directing them and myself to a “safe room.” This room is the one furthest the from anticipated entry location, one that is the easiest to get to and to defend, and one that has a cell phone and long guns. I plan to use my handgun to get my family safe, then defend my safe room with a long gun."

Quote from the David K article referenced above. There is definitely a place for the long gun in your defense planning...

Also, stick with buckshot...you want testing? check out http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot3_2.htm - Don dispells alot of the shotgun myths going around.

[Hank Ellis]

Take a look at this article at http://www.firearmstactical.com/briefs10.htm which I tripped across while doing a search for HD 12ga ammo. It may be complete BS but it does give some thoughts to ponder.

My preference is Federal p/n PFC154. It's a 9 pellet 00 buck (1.125 oz) @ 1145 fps load. In other words the same kick as a standard 2.75 dram trap load. Winchester Ranger p/n RA12005 is the same 2.75 dram loading but it can be a bit tougher to find. Step it up to 3 drams, which is 1.125 oz @ 1200 fps and Remington p/n RL12BK00 is also on my short list. 3 dram is my handicap trap load.

I've been asked why I use such 'wimpy' loads for shotgun HD. Simple answer. Quicker second shot. Those 1.5 oz max dram loads kick like a mule and hurt like hell. It takes much longer to recover from the recoil, rack the slide and get back on target with those loads than with a lighter load.

Another thing to consider. Is there the possiblity of someone other than yourself, like your wife or teenage child, having to be called upon to defend themselves with the 'house shotgun'? With a full power load they may get one trigger pull and the recoil may put them out of the fight. I know it will with my wife. Softer loads gives them a chance to re-engage.

[Sharpsshooter]

My SD loads for the shotgun is 2 3/4 7 shot. Seriously. Think about your engagement range. The shot column for the 7 shot is very dense and will cause considerable damage. If you shoot buckshot, you have 30-40 caliber pellets that very likely will have some miss the target. Those pellets can cause over penetration through walls and some houses, the 7 shot will not.

Do some searches, this is very common advice for shotguns used for home defense.

[john wist]

Any Federal, Winchester, or Remington 00 buck will work just fine for home defense. Police around the country have used it for MANY years with few complaints. I am a fan of the Winchester load. I have heard very good things about the Hornaday TAP 00 loads. Has anyone used it. What is your opinon.

[Hank Ellis]

Originally Posted by Sharpsshooter

If you shoot buckshot, you have 30-40 caliber pellets that very likely will have some miss the target. Those pellets can cause over penetration through walls and some houses, the 7 shot will not.

I did a few pattern tests with 12 pellet Remington 00 buck. IPSC targets set at ranges from 10 to 50 ft. Rem 870 with a Rem IC choke. 21" barrel. At 10 ft the shot had barely left the wad and left a small pattern about the size of your palm. At 20 ft the pattern opened up a bit and you could cover all 12 pellets with your hand. At 30 ft the pattern opened up and all 12 pellets were within the A and C zone of an IPSC target. At 40 ft the pattern opened up more and a few were in the D zone. At 50 ft one of the 12 pellets missed the target. Another pellet grazed the shoulder and the other 10 were evenly distributed all around the target including one in the 'head' or upper A zone.

OK. Sure. This was from a rest in a brightly lit indoor range. But... The point is that within 50 ft a half-arsed aimed shot will put 656 grains of .30 cal going 1290 fps toward the target. Even if half the pellets hit the target, it's going to stop the threat, or at the least slow it down. The problem with birdshot is that it doesn't penetrate enough reliably to stop the threat.

BTW: My shoulder hurt for two days after the pattern test. Screw that. Tried the reduced recoil loads and to me it was the ticket. In my trap shoots I go through 200 birds and though I feel the fatigue it doesn't hurt. When it comes time to cycle out the reduced recoil loads I'm looking forward to see how it patterns. I'm also curious if a change to a modified choke will make a significant change at the 50 ft pattern.

[atmiller]

Originally Posted by Sharpsshooter

My SD loads for the shotgun is 2 3/4 7 shot. Seriously. Think about your engagement range. The shot column for the 7 shot is very dense and will cause considerable damage. If you shoot buckshot, you have 30-40 caliber pellets that very likely will have some miss the target. Those pellets can cause over penetration through walls and some houses, the 7 shot will not.

Do some searches, this is very common advice for shotguns used for home defense.

I agree. Who needs buckshot flying all through their home? At the very close home defense ranges, birdshot will open a nice hole in the bad guy, and not penetrate the drywall into other rooms. I think Personal Defense TV had a show about this.