Anything more damaging than a 12 gauge with buckshot?

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sbaker10

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Is there anything short of a explosive or .50 BMG that is more damaging single shot than a 12 gauge with 00 buck shot? It would be like being shot 12 times.. A slug is .70 caliber if I remember right and some even expand.


However a single shot 45/70 is in the same price range and they can be utterly destructive as well, what is your input?

I want a gun for home defense, defense against large critters such as the occasional black bear, and just a toy to occasionally blow up targets with, 45/70 aint cheap and shotguns aren't a couple cents per shell either.
 
While I tend to shy away from flowery descriptions of the destruction weapons cause, OO 12 gauge makes for a very good defensive round.
Make sure over penetration is not a serious concern.
I've heard 5.56mm. in a AR is actually less penetrative and better where over penetration (of walls and structure) are concerned, and is even better than some handgun rounds that way.
But a 12 gauge is a fine home defense weapon.
 
Over penetration is not a huge issue all in all, I live on the 2nd floor, and while there is one other person on my floor where I would "hunker down" with my gun would be shooting off into the side of the house, which has 100 acres of trees past that. I just want something that would stop someone 99% of the time, my 9 could do it so could my mosin nagant, but I don't want to rely on a lucky shot or haul my 5 foot bolt action rifle out :p
 
Almost forgot aboujt the 12ga 3.5" magnum. SAMMI pressure is 14k instead of 11.5k since there were no old guns to worry about.

Mike
 
000 Buck or HP slug, rifled barrel would get you into better slugs for more range. Inside the house its a moot point though.
 
So the general consensus is the only thing with more stopping power than a shotgun is a bigger shotgun? Might just be my next gun, even if I never need it, which I hope I don't, it'll be fun to blow up old appliances before I haul them off.
 
I was being facetious with the 10 gauge.

I think 12 gauge 00 buckshot is more than adequate for HD. Other than that, a 5.56 AR is also fine, as would be a service caliber handgun.
 
sbaker10 said:
Is there anything short of a explosive or .50 BMG that is more damaging single shot than a 12 gauge with 00 buck shot? It would be like being shot 12 times.. A slug is .70 caliber if I remember right and some even expand.


However a single shot 45/70 is in the same price range and they can be utterly destructive as well, what is your input?

I want a gun for home defense, defense against large critters such as the occasional black bear, and just a toy to occasionally blow up targets with, 45/70 aint cheap and shotguns aren't a couple cents per shell either.
Click to expand...

Is there something more damaging than a blast of a 12 gauge 00 buckshot?

Yes, many things. For starters, 12 gauge 000 buck shot, it's even bigger.

You also discuss 12 gauge slugs.

While it is true that the 12 gauge using slugs packs more whallop than even the mighty 30-06 there is a whole world beyond it in power. Generally these are cartridges that were developed for dropping dangerous game in Africa. I suggest you do a little googling on the 375 H&H, 416 Rigby, 458 Lott, 460 Weatherby, 600 Nitro Express, and the like.

Of course while these are more potent than a 12 gauge slug, they aren't nearly as cheap, nor are they as useful in home defense. The 12 gauge 00 buckshot is regarded as a good home defense not because it is so incredibly powerful but because it balances 1) Power 2)Price 3)Penetration 4)Availability. There is something better than a 12 guage in each of those categories, but few items that are high on the list in ALL those categories.
 
Anything more damaging than a 12 gauge with buckshot?
Click to expand...
I would sat the Centurion brand "Buck and Ball' load is about as bad as it gets in a HD shotgun load.
But it's hard to find now.
I bought a bunch when it was inexpensive and available. Very fast and very destructive.
Kicks like heck.

https://www.google.com/search?q=cen...JAdWYgJgP&sqi=2&ved=0CHsQsAQ&biw=1920&bih=985


As for my HD shotgun I load this gun with 12 ga Federal 00 Buck FliteControl.
With a extra full choke I'm getting a spread of 13.5 inches at 35 yards.
My HD distance is out to 35 plus yards, so I want the shot spread as small as possible.
The normal average shot spread for a 18 inch cylinder bore 12 ga shotgun is one inch for each yard distance to the target.


KelTecKSGwchoke_zpsa0b9fa09.gif
 
The biggest advantage of the 12ga over the large bore rifles is the forgiving spread. Movement, bad lighting, sleepy eyes, surprise, and adrenaline all can screw up your perfect form and aim that you demonstate at the range on a bright sunny day in a relaxed environment. Close does count with horse shoes, hand grenades, and shotguns.
 
If i am awake and waiting for grizzly to bust thru the cabin door, then the 45-70 marlin is my preference for repeated (hopefully at least 2) shots on target with good penetration to shut that monster down. Of course i hope i never know if that theory is sound or not.
 
I would have to say a submachine gun, like an MP40 would be "slightly" more damaging than a 12 gauge, but not much. I say this after seeing one used at an indoor range once.

If I had a, "Alamo" situation at my house, the 12 guage would be my first choice though.
 
Is there anything short of a explosive or .50 BMG that is more damaging single shot than a 12 gauge with 00 buck shot?
Click to expand...

Most any centerfire rifle round with softpoint ammo and most pistol calibers. While buckshot is effective, it is the most over rated defensive load. It's only real advantage is being able to increase the probability of hits because of multiple projectiles. Each projectile on it's own is a poor performer.
 
sbaker10 said:
Is there anything short of a explosive or .50 BMG that is more damaging single shot than a 12 gauge with 00 buck shot? It would be like being shot 12 times.. A slug is .70 caliber if I remember right and some even expand.


However a single shot 45/70 is in the same price range and they can be utterly destructive as well, what is your input?

I want a gun for home defense, defense against large critters such as the occasional black bear, and just a toy to occasionally blow up targets with, 45/70 aint cheap and shotguns aren't a couple cents per shell either.
Click to expand...
Yes, combat flechette load in 3" case.
 
Flechette's in 12 ga shotguns were proven ineffective in Vietnam.

They are still ineffective in 2013.

They were very effective in Vietnam when fired out of a 105mm or 155mm cannon where you can get a screaming steel cloud of them in one shot.

But that ain't no shotgun.

rc
 
Both are good choices. What do you want to own and practice and feel most comfortable with? That's the one I would reccomend. There is no right and wrong answer. I'd sleep soundly with either.
 
The IWBA has stated that #1 buckshot is the most effective against humans based on their analysis. If I remember right, it is the smallest pellet size for which the projectiles will all reliably reach FBI minimum penetration while having the largest combined cross-sectional area.
 
jmr40 said:
Most any centerfire rifle round with softpoint ammo and most pistol calibers. While buckshot is effective, it is the most over rated defensive load. It's only real advantage is being able to increase the probability of hits because of multiple projectiles. Each projectile on it's own is a poor performer.
Click to expand...
May be poor performer to some, but I shot a large doe under 10 feet one handed while just alerted; out of a double barrel coach gun with a 3" Rem Hi-Velocity copper plated 12 pellet 00. All 12 pellets exited out the other side of the chest cavity with a baseball sized pattern (18.5" barrel) destroying all ribs and organs along with it.

I imagine it would be equivalent to a 12 round burst from a .380 machine pistol loaded with LRN.
 
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I have a big 10 ga single shot it is far less punishing to shoot than the 12 ga pumps shooting 3 1/2 in loads I have shot And who ever decided a 5 lb single shot that will chamber 3 1/2 shells was a good idea ought to be drawn and quartered :what:
Roy
 
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