#4 Buckshot Effective?

[ECVMatt]

Before the lead ban in my state I took a few coyotes with #4 buck. The farthest was about 35-40 yards with a full choke. It was lights-out lethal 100% of the time within that range. I would have no problems using it.

 

[.45Coltguy]

Home defense is a close range proposition- I suggest you go shoot some out of YOUR GUN at the range at 10,20, and 25-40 feet and make a judgement for yourself.... Personally I load #4 buck in my bedroom shotgun-

And that is what I did a couple years ago. #4 buck in a 12 ga plays hell on 5/8th plywood at 7, 10, 15 yards. Even 20+ yards. I'm confident for HD/SD purposes. You do NOT want to be on the receiving end of it.

 

[Fishingted]

For home defense, I have heard conflicting reports on the efficacy of #4 buckshot loads. I am asking because I live in an apartment at the moment and the risk of overpenetration is a very real concern.

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I am reading some claim it isn’t up to the job and is more of a varmint load, yet I came across this on another board:

I would feel confident with any high velocity 12 gauge 1 1/4 oz. high velocity {1300+} load. I once saw a wall that was shot with a 16 gauge load of 5s. from about 5 feet it blew an entry hole about an inch. Took out about 8 inches exiting the other side. This was an old style wood slat and plaster wall. Not plaster board. At in house ranges I don't think it would matter. No room for the pattern to open up anyway.

So there’s that supposedly.

What do you all think about the topic? Is #4 an effective load for home defense? Why or why not?

 

[Insignificant bill]

https://www.activeresponsetraining.net/choosing-a-buckshot-load-for-home-defense
Here's another take on buckshot for HD

 

[Grey54956]

No. 4 buck is excellent for defensive use.

It has adequate penetration and more pellets than 00. At close range, there is little pattern dispersion, anyway. Due to packing efficiency, the mass of the No. 4 buck load should be higher. Assuming the same velocities, more mass is better.

 

[Coyote3855]

I load #4 buck in my Shockwave and 590, both 20 gauge.