12gague defense load

[akr]

I started to disagree with you, then I read your profile. You can use whatever you want.

[FatMatt1981]

I've been considering this very topic for a few weeks now...which load would be the best etc. I've heard the opinions of #4 shot...and for 00buck...mixed with a slug every now and then just in case....
Now, I'm curious as to which "brand" would be the best pick.
I've nosed around the sporting goods sections of the Wally World..and only find standard bird/squirrel stuff.
I've seen good reviews on S&B 00....and have had very good luck with Brenneke slugs myself.
The weapon would be a Mossberg 500A "riot" type shotgun...holds 8 shells or so...20" barrel.
What are the "low recoil" type shotgun shells?

[fredj338]

Originally Posted by FatMatt1981

I've been considering this very topic for a few weeks now...which load would be the best etc. I've heard the opinions of #4 shot...and for 00buck...mixed with a slug every now and then just in case....
Now, I'm curious as to which "brand" would be the best pick.
I've nosed around the sporting goods sections of the Wally World..and only find standard bird/squirrel stuff.
I've seen good reviews on S&B 00....and have had very good luck with Brenneke slugs myself.
The weapon would be a Mossberg 500A "riot" type shotgun...holds 8 shells or so...20" barrel.
What are the "low recoil" type shotgun shells?

Every shotgun will "pattern" diff. This is the spread of the shot @ a known distance. You should try several brands of whatever load you want & choose the one that has the tightest pattern & hits closest to point of aim.
Low recoil shells are just that, less recoil. This is accomplished by either removing paylod weight (# of shot) or reducing vel. or both. Reduced recoil buckshot often produces tighter patterns & allows much faster follow up shots.

[K9american]

Originally Posted by akr

#1 buckshot if you can get it. If not #00 buckshot.

We have a winner.

"For home defense applications a standard velocity 2 ¾-inch #1 buck shotshell (16 pellet payload) from Federal, Remington or Winchester is your best choice. We feel the Federal Classic 2 ¾-inch #1 buck load (F127) is slightly better than the same loads offered by Remington and Winchester. The Federal shotshell uses both a plastic shot cup and granulated plastic shot buffer to minimize post-ignition pellet deformation, whereas the Remington and Winchester loads do not."

http://www.firearmstactical.com/briefs10.htm

[fredj338]

Originally Posted by K9american

We have a winner.

"For home defense applications a standard velocity 2 ¾-inch #1 buck shotshell (16 pellet payload) from Federal, Remington or Winchester is your best choice. We feel the Federal Classic 2 ¾-inch #1 buck load (F127) is slightly better than the same loads offered by Remington and Winchester. The Federal shotshell uses both a plastic shot cup and granulated plastic shot buffer to minimize post-ignition pellet deformation, whereas the Remington and Winchester loads do not."

http://www.firearmstactical.com/briefs10.htm

Only if it patterns well in your SG. Fed. #1 patterns like crap in my 870 w/ riot choke.

[akr]

Originally Posted by fredj338

Only if it patterns well in your SG. Fed. #1 patterns like crap in my 870 w/ riot choke.

Well, regardless of that, the gun will only make a 3" diameter hole inside the house at the very most, won't it?

[Son of Liberty]

I just realized I haven't patterned my 870 with the loads I'm using for home defense. The few times I've shot them, they seemed decent at 20 yards or so but I need to pattern them at a closer range.

Problem being, I don't have an 18" barrel yet, so any patterning I do right now will be moot after Christmas (I'm hoping, anyways...) because my 28" barrel with modified choke is gonna perform a little differently than the 18" barrel will.

I'm currently using Winchester 3" 00 buckshot, if that makes a difference.