Shotgun Defense load - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

BDZ71 · 03-20-2008, 03:51 PM

Whats a good Defense Load for a 20Gauge?
Ive got a Moss. 500 full camo 20Gauge pump that I use for small game and clay shooting.. Its always loaded when at home with a heavy bird shot but I know there has to be something better for a defense load for this thing.

Any ideas/Suggestions

slugger6 · 03-20-2008, 03:53 PM

I use #2 shot. It's hard to find on the shelves though.

ichy_trigger · 03-20-2008, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slugger6

I use #2 shot. It's hard to find on the shelves though.

Way back when I only had one long gun, it was a 20 ga and thats what I kept too. #2 3-inch duck load.

BDZ71 · 03-20-2008, 05:45 PM

thanks for the feedback.

I think I found a good BG Stopper

Ammunition To Go : 25rds - 20 Gauge Federal Premium Vital-Shok 3" #2 Buckshot [P2582B] - $34.79

**scjbash** · 03-20-2008, 06:09 PM

I've been looking for an article I read, I think by Massad Ayoob, but can't find it. It was talking about wound statistics from shotguns. Anyway, it said 00 and 000 produced more damaging wounds. Smaller shot caused nastier looking wounds because it tore up a lot of flesh, but lacked the penetrating power to quickly incapacitate someone. I've never owned a 20 gauge so I don't even know if you can get 00 or 000 in it, but the idea of bigger shot being better would still hold true. My experience with deer hunting makes this seem correct to me. If they are the best loads to knock down a 200 pound deer, I would think it would be the best to knock down a 200 pound man.
Just my 2 cents, and I've been wrong before. Once. In 1987.

Jack the Toad · 03-21-2008, 07:42 AM

I use #3 buck in my 20 GA. . There are 20 pellets .25 cal each. In my 12 GA. I use #1 buck 27 pellets .30 cal. each. Your load would be superior to my 20 GA. load . I have a 2.75 chamber length in my 20 and I like as many pellets as possible with good size. At home defense ranges a hit from any of these loads will do the job.

03-20-2008, 06:09 PM	#5
scjbash XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: West Virginia Posts: 580	I've been looking for an article I read, I think by Massad Ayoob, but can't find it. It was talking about wound statistics from shotguns. Anyway, it said 00 and 000 produced more damaging wounds. Smaller shot caused nastier looking wounds because it tore up a lot of flesh, but lacked the penetrating power to quickly incapacitate someone. I've never owned a 20 gauge so I don't even know if you can get 00 or 000 in it, but the idea of bigger shot being better would still hold true. My experience with deer hunting makes this seem correct to me. If they are the best loads to knock down a 200 pound deer, I would think it would be the best to knock down a 200 pound man. Just my 2 cents, and I've been wrong before. Once. In 1987. __________________ Life is hard; it's harder if you're stupid. - John Wayne

03-21-2008, 07:42 AM	#6
Jack the Toad XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 159	I use #3 buck in my 20 GA. . There are 20 pellets .25 cal each. In my 12 GA. I use #1 buck 27 pellets .30 cal. each. Your load would be superior to my 20 GA. load . I have a 2.75 chamber length in my 20 and I like as many pellets as possible with good size. At home defense ranges a hit from any of these loads will do the job. Last edited by Jack the Toad; 03-21-2008 at 07:49 AM.

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03-20-2008, 03:51 PM	#1
BDZ71 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: North Carolina - Confederate States of America Posts: 306	Shotgun Defense load Whats a good Defense Load for a 20Gauge? Ive got a Moss. 500 full camo 20Gauge pump that I use for small game and clay shooting.. Its always loaded when at home with a heavy bird shot but I know there has to be something better for a defense load for this thing. Any ideas/Suggestions

03-20-2008, 03:53 PM	#2
slugger6 XDTalk 20K Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 22,178	I use #2 shot. It's hard to find on the shelves though. __________________ "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us". - Ralph Waldo Emerson

03-20-2008, 05:45 PM	#4
BDZ71 XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: North Carolina - Confederate States of America Posts: 306	thanks for the feedback. I think I found a good BG Stopper Ammunition To Go : 25rds - 20 Gauge Federal Premium Vital-Shok 3" #2 Buckshot [P2582B] - $34.79