30-30 Lever vs Wondernine for Homedefense? (over penetration not an issue)

[Al Thompson]

Shoot them center mass with a 9mm premium bullet - dead


I'm a 9mm fan and that statement is incorrect on many levels. One, most folks survive GSWs and (2) you should always plan for failure. Dadgum, I've seen 110 lb. whitetail does take a .30-06 to the chest and run off. You really think a 200 lb. guy is less tough? On another note, center mass on most folks will give you a gut shot. If I have a chance, I'm aiming at the upper chest.

Stay away from the 3 inch loads - the 2 3/4 will work better as the muzzle velocity is higher and the recoil not as bad. And for Gosh's sakes, start out with cheap birdshot loads until you get comfortable with the shotgun.

 

[JShirley]

I've come to realize that to use this SKS as the indoor 'go to' gun,
would potentially put bystanders down range of my shots in harms way.

With proper ammunition selection, the SKS will be less likely to endanger bystanders.

What a lot of people don't seem to get- though several people have mentioned the phenomenon, or alluded to it, in this thread- is that faster bullet, everything else being equal, expand violently or fragment more than slower bullets. Pick expanding ammunition, and test your 7.62x39mm vs. your handgun in medium. Wet phone books or water-filled milk jugs are probably the easiest.

Or you could look for terminal ballistics tests of the ammunition you have access to. In any case, it shouldn't be difficult to determine it's not hard to find a rifle round that will decisively put down intruders yet have less danger of penetrating through housing than a decent handgun round.

John