Home Defense Buckshot
- Thread starter callo685
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I use Sellier and Bellot #4 Buck and haven't had any problems.
http://www.sb-usa.com/shotshell_main_page_new.htm
-Mcw
http://www.sb-usa.com/shotshell_main_page_new.htm
-Mcw
anastasis
Member
According to the analysis I saw, #1 has the most lethality. I used 00 in my HD shotgun.
anastasis
Member
Please do a search about this as this is asked pretty-much weekly.
The correct answer is that it depends on your particular shotgun. Every shotgun will pattern buck loads differently, so what works for one person in his shotgun may be optimal in your exact model.
Buy a bunch of different 00 buck loads and test them in your shotgun to see which one holds the tightest pattern at self defense ranges. This is called "Patterning" and is step 1. in preparing a shotgun for self-defense/home-defense. Do a search for this.
Last thing, don't use 3" magnum loads, you don't need them.
The correct answer is that it depends on your particular shotgun. Every shotgun will pattern buck loads differently, so what works for one person in his shotgun may be optimal in your exact model.
Buy a bunch of different 00 buck loads and test them in your shotgun to see which one holds the tightest pattern at self defense ranges. This is called "Patterning" and is step 1. in preparing a shotgun for self-defense/home-defense. Do a search for this.
Last thing, don't use 3" magnum loads, you don't need them.
Fred Fuller
Moderator Emeritus
callo,
Every shotgun is going to be pretty much a law unto itself as to what buckshot (or anything else) it patterns best. And it depends on what you think of as the best pattern for a defensive shotgun. Some folks want 'em wide open, some folks like tight patterns, otehrs want moderately open patterns.
But patterning isn't everything. Reliability is Job One for a defensive shotgun- the ammo HAS to run in the gun. If it won't feed, fire, extract and eject reliably, how well it patterns is hardly relevant.
Your personal situation will also dictate to some degree what you use for defensive loads. If you have to be concerned with overpenetration, in an apartment or townhouse for example, you might want to use #4 buckshot, or even reduced recoil loads of 00 or #4 buck. If overpenetration isn't a concern, then you might want to use full velocity loads of 00.
I'm glad you didn't ask about the "best," because as is so often the case there is no real "best." But there are a lot of good options.
You can most likely select a pattern size by selecting the load likely to give you that pattern. If you want patterns as tight as possible, go with Hornady TAP FPD, either the red hull (full velocity) or blue hull (reduced recoil) version. The Federal Premium or LE loads that share the same FliteControl wad with the Hornady TAP will also likely pattern tightly.
For moderately open patterns, most any of the main line ammo companies' produucts will give you what you want. Federal's non-Premium or LE loads, Remington, Winchester, Fiocchi's nickle plated standard velocity or reduced recoil loads, etc. will likely give you good reliable moderately sized patterns.
If you want wide open patterns, try S&B (Sellier and Bellot) or Rio Royal, or any of the loads with soft lead, unplated pellets, no buffering or shot protection at all. Chances are those will give you real scattergun patterns, if that's what you want.
Cost I can't help with much, I'm afraid. Take a look at http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/index.php/cName/12-gauge-buckshot for some comparisons.
hth,
lpl
Every shotgun is going to be pretty much a law unto itself as to what buckshot (or anything else) it patterns best. And it depends on what you think of as the best pattern for a defensive shotgun. Some folks want 'em wide open, some folks like tight patterns, otehrs want moderately open patterns.
But patterning isn't everything. Reliability is Job One for a defensive shotgun- the ammo HAS to run in the gun. If it won't feed, fire, extract and eject reliably, how well it patterns is hardly relevant.
Your personal situation will also dictate to some degree what you use for defensive loads. If you have to be concerned with overpenetration, in an apartment or townhouse for example, you might want to use #4 buckshot, or even reduced recoil loads of 00 or #4 buck. If overpenetration isn't a concern, then you might want to use full velocity loads of 00.
I'm glad you didn't ask about the "best," because as is so often the case there is no real "best." But there are a lot of good options.
You can most likely select a pattern size by selecting the load likely to give you that pattern. If you want patterns as tight as possible, go with Hornady TAP FPD, either the red hull (full velocity) or blue hull (reduced recoil) version. The Federal Premium or LE loads that share the same FliteControl wad with the Hornady TAP will also likely pattern tightly.
For moderately open patterns, most any of the main line ammo companies' produucts will give you what you want. Federal's non-Premium or LE loads, Remington, Winchester, Fiocchi's nickle plated standard velocity or reduced recoil loads, etc. will likely give you good reliable moderately sized patterns.
If you want wide open patterns, try S&B (Sellier and Bellot) or Rio Royal, or any of the loads with soft lead, unplated pellets, no buffering or shot protection at all. Chances are those will give you real scattergun patterns, if that's what you want.
Cost I can't help with much, I'm afraid. Take a look at http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/index.php/cName/12-gauge-buckshot for some comparisons.
hth,
lpl
357wheelgunner
Member
The type of buckshot used depends on how you want it to pattern, and what works well in your shotgun.
My current barrel, an 18.5" cylinder bore, patterns tightest with Federal Tactical buckshot. My last barrel, a 20" Improved Cylinder, patterned very tightly with the Remington Reduced Recoil buckshot. you have to find what your shotgun patterns well with, unless you don't care about tight patterns.
Below are some pictures of the targets I used to test my new barrel with 3 different loads.
Here are some patterns fired at 10', 25', and 50' with Federal Tactical 9 Pellet 00 buckshot:
Here are patterns fired at 10', 25', and 50' with Remington Reduced Recoil 8 pellet 00 buckshot:
Here is a round of S&B 12 Pellet 00 buckshot fired at 25':
My current barrel, an 18.5" cylinder bore, patterns tightest with Federal Tactical buckshot. My last barrel, a 20" Improved Cylinder, patterned very tightly with the Remington Reduced Recoil buckshot. you have to find what your shotgun patterns well with, unless you don't care about tight patterns.
Below are some pictures of the targets I used to test my new barrel with 3 different loads.
Here are some patterns fired at 10', 25', and 50' with Federal Tactical 9 Pellet 00 buckshot:
Here are patterns fired at 10', 25', and 50' with Remington Reduced Recoil 8 pellet 00 buckshot:
Here is a round of S&B 12 Pellet 00 buckshot fired at 25':
wnycollector
Member
MY current fav load is fiocchi low recoil w/ nine pellet nickel plated 00 buck. It patterns well in my 20" cyl bore maverick 88 plus it's pretty inexpensive (~$5.50/10 at sportsmansguide) for a low recoil loading. I just picked up some Nobel Sport 12 pellet 00 buck to see if I get a denser pattern with the extra 3 pellets.
mljdeckard
Member
I think when you're talking about buckshot, you would have to test long, wide, and thoroughly to see the difference between brands or quality. Having said that, I currently use Hornady #4.
I once shot through a whole case of S&B birdshot in a couple of hours, if there was anything wrong with it I couldn't tell.
I once shot through a whole case of S&B birdshot in a couple of hours, if there was anything wrong with it I couldn't tell.
earlthegoat2
Member
I would say anything in reduced recoil that patterns well at acceptable ranges out of your gun.
I do like the dual diameter stuff from Centurion.
I do like the dual diameter stuff from Centurion.
Zach S
Member
I use federal H132 00. Its shoots tight patterns, although I'll admit that I still haven't formerly patterned it.
LE132 gave me pretty tight patterns as well.
But, for home defense, I use Hornady 75grain TAP FPD. My wife cant shoot my 590, so we use the AR.
LE132 gave me pretty tight patterns as well.
But, for home defense, I use Hornady 75grain TAP FPD. My wife cant shoot my 590, so we use the AR.
HD load
Don't take this the wrong way, folks, but...
Anything will be sufficient, unless your home intruder is a grizzly bear. A lot of folks here are talking about #1 vs. 00, or whatever. Quite frankly, anything hitting center mass will be fatal, and almost surely immediately incapacitating. I've seen a pretty good argument for #4. I keep 00 in mine. The rough equivalent of getting hit with 9 32acp rounds at once will end the struggle. Period.
Don't take this the wrong way, folks, but...
Anything will be sufficient, unless your home intruder is a grizzly bear. A lot of folks here are talking about #1 vs. 00, or whatever. Quite frankly, anything hitting center mass will be fatal, and almost surely immediately incapacitating. I've seen a pretty good argument for #4. I keep 00 in mine. The rough equivalent of getting hit with 9 32acp rounds at once will end the struggle. Period.
Deltaboy1984
Member
Ask any old LEO Buckshot at twenty feet or less is a deal closer. Shooting over twenty feet go with a 500 grain copper plated rifled slug. 
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