20ga Defensive Loads

[Lovesbeer99]

Thanks to everyone on my last thread, I bought an 870 20ga youth (cost 175.00, has a short stock and 21" barrel). I might get an 18" barrel and a collapsable stock, but I'll see how it feels first. I will definately add a side saddle and a mag tube extention.

Here's my question. Does anyone make 20ga HD loads in 00, 000, or #1? How about slugs for HD?

If not does anyone have any recipies for HD handloads?


Thanks
Lovesbeer99

 

[Dave McCracken]

Slugs will work, but overpenetration may occur.

In your shoes, I'd try as many buck loads as possible and go with the tightest patterning.

For comparison's sake, the 20 ga YE here with a Mod choke puts Winchester 3 buck into 20-22" at 25 yards. At the longest shot distance possible in Casa McC, 8-10".

 

[Lovesbeer99]

I can't find any buck shot larger than #3 for the 20. Does anyone make 00, or #1? If not is there a recipe for it for handloads?

As far as the slug goes, they are all designed for hunting deer out to 100 yards so close range penetration is big concern, so I'm looking for close range HD slugs. Any options out there?

 

[Dave McCracken]

There's some 2 buck loads in 20 ga, but they're not common. Nothing larger.

As for slugs, no dedicated HD slugs I know of. Try the old style rilfed slugs and see what your shotgun "Likes".

 

[JPP]

A dose of #3 or #4 buckshot from a 20 ga. will take care of ANYTHING you want to stop. No Problemo.

JP

 

[MCgunner]

A dose of #3 or #4 buckshot from a 20 ga. will take care of ANYTHING you want to stop. No Problemo.

Especially at 14 feet across my bedroom. Pattern is going to resemble a pre-fragmented slug. I load with 2 3/4" #3 20 count Remington buck and live satisfied.

Think about it, Dick Cheney took down and nearly killed a lawyer (an evil monstrous overgrown spineless leech we have down here in abundance) with 8 shot low brass out of a 28 gauge! Shot penetrated and barely missed his heart and this from 35 yards or so as I recall. What do ya think a tightly packed load of high brass #3 buck will do from a 20 gauge? And, hey, them lawyer critters are FAT down here, feed off the ambulances they catch, very well fed!

Way to go Dick! Great shootin' ol' boy!!!!

 

[mp510]

I have Winchester 3 Buck for my 20 gauge shotgun, and that would probably be my load of choice for HD (first shot(s)- rifled slug(s) to follow them in the event of a failure to stop). With 3 Buck, you get 20 pellets, and the size is decent enough, I sure as hell wouldn't want to be on the recieving end.

 

[mp510]

The factory configuration of your shotgun sounds like it would be pretty comfortable for HD use- the shorter youth stocks are good for getting a little faster rack-in on follow up shots. With an 18" bbl you are only saving 3". I say stick with the factory config on this one unless it's unusably short for you.

 

[FLORIDA KEVIN]

if this is for inside the home defense i would stick with the #3 o4 #4 buck loads and the barrel you have ! at 20 ft your pattern will be aboout the size of a fist ! We had a discussion here a couple months ago about the possibility of using a rifled barrel to open the pattern at close ranges ! if i were going to get another barrel it would be a rifled barrel ! Kevin

 

[scout26]

Here's the recipe that Mrs Scout and my daughter use for HD loads in their Mossberg Bantam 500's in 20 ga. with 22" barrels.

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reload...htdis=2 3/4&shellid=404&gtypeid=6&loadid=2563

2 3/4 Fed. Hi Power Plastic Shell (aka Top Gun) Hull
Fed. 209 primer
Blue Dot 25.0 grains
Rem. SP20 wad
18-#4 buckshot
1,275 fps
9,300 psi

There are other 20 ga buckshot loads listed on Alliants site, but they all call for 1, 3 and 4 Buck. And Alliant seems be the only powder manufacturer to have any loads listed for buckshot 20ga loads.

You can always buy factory loads, but IIRC, I don't remember seeing anything other then #2, #3 or #4 buckshot..

Federal: http://www.federalcartridge.com/ballistics/Ammo_Search.aspx?act=choose&firearm=5&s1=1

Winchester: http://www.winchester.com/products/catalog/shotlist.aspx?use=4&gauge=20

Remington: http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/shotshell/buckshot/express.asp

S & B: http://www.sellier-bellot.cz/hunting-shotgun-shells.php?product=13&type=magnum-and-buck-shot

Yes, there's not as much to pick from as there is with a 12 ga, but I still wouldn't want to be on the "ouchy end" of a 20ga buckshot load.

 

[3/325]

JP is right.

Using a shotgun for HD negates a few important factors such as range and spread. What's the longest distance you would ever shoot in your own home? Twenty feet? Thirty feet? The longest measurement I've taken in a home was thirty-six feet from the linen closet, down the hall, through the living room, and stopping at the door to the garage. At that range (even with #4) a COM hit means your target won't be getting back up no matter how determined or juiced up he might be, and the spread from a legal barrel will be the size of a fist (okay, maybe a large fist) at best.

The 20ga often gets overlooked as an effective weapon. It doesn't need to be "ramped up" with custom shells or legendary loads to get the job done.