defensive load for an apt

[Waywatcher]

What about plated shot, e.g. Nickel plating or copper plating?

What about different hardness of shot? (level of antimony) Chilled, Magnum, etc.

There are lots of variables, and while I don't doubt your experiences, a heavy nickel plating on a lead pellet will do a lot to keep it from deforming. A thin copper wash not as much, but still better than nothing.

 

[Youngster]

What about plated shot, e.g. Nickel plating or copper plating?

What about different hardness of shot? (level of antimony) Chilled, Magnum, etc.

There are lots of variables, and while I don't doubt your experiences, a heavy nickel plating on a lead pellet will do a lot to keep it from deforming. A thin copper wash not as much, but still better than nothing.

IME it all helps a bit but size is still king, plating and hardening might bring your shot's penetration performance up to that the next larger size, maybe two at most.

The one exception might be Hevi Shot type loads.

 

[Jason_W]

What about plated shot, e.g. Nickel plating or copper plating?

What about different hardness of shot? (level of antimony) Chilled, Magnum, etc.

There are lots of variables, and while I don't doubt your experiences, a heavy nickel plating on a lead pellet will do a lot to keep it from deforming. A thin copper wash not as much, but still better than nothing.

I know the super buck that BPI sells doesn't deform noticeably after impact while remington 00 pellets seem to pancake.

 

[john917v]

More importantly, I'd consider what is more important-over-penetration, or more effectively stopping an intruder. Let's say you shoot him/her with small birdshot, they run off, and what next? Take a whole family hostage? I'd take the more reliable people-stopper, and go with some buckshot, or maaaaybe (not too sure) some turkey-shot, with an extra-tight turkey choke.

 

[45crittergitter]

Answer to the question.

http://www.guntalk.tv/gtv/library.php?video_id=273

 

[Beaux Nehr]

Sorry, but that guntalk guy is just making unsupported statements.

No data to back up what he is saying about effect on an assailant.

 

[bang_bang]

I had a similar post once, regarding a .410 bore shotgun being used in a town house configuration. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=472654

I did some test shots with .410 buckshot (Winchester). They flattened out on impact on the old stump.

A friend and I have also tested shooting a shotgun at common distances inside of houses. A 12 gauge with birdshot practically shot like a rifle at 25 feet. That's quite a bit of lead in one spot...did not test penetration though.

 

[Beaux Nehr]

A 12 gauge with birdshot practically shot like a rifle at 25 feet.

No, no it isn't.
Five 50lb toddlers, if all moving at the same speed, as one mass, are not going to tackle with the same force as one 250 pound man.

 

[Purgatory]

It's a trade-off directly reflecting your personal priorities. It'll be buck or birdshot interchangeably alternating every other person you ask.

There's no end-all, be-all perfect shotgun load for home defense.

I still prefer Buck.

 

[KodiakBeer]

Make the shot. Even 00 is going to be pretty tame after passing through a human body, a layer of dry-wall, some insulation, and then another layer of dry-wall. You can reduce the danger by using smaller buckshot - #4 would be my choice - but essentially, if you make the shot your neighbors aren't in a great deal of danger.

 

[Leaky Waders]

If you want something non-lethal, then look at non-lethal means of defense, cannister sprays and such.

Is the big bird gang pillaging houses again?

I fail to see this bird shot fascination...and I routinely hunt ducks and geese.

I guess that is why they invented those cape guns...put your 7 1/2 in one chamber and your 9.3x74r in the other so if the intruder decides to duck behind a wall - that thing you don't want to mess the paint up on, or a couch, you can fire the rifle round.