Home Defense Load For 12 Gauge

[Jrm5204]

I called about three or four shops and no one offered to order any and I didn't ask. I walked in the best shop in my area and handed the guy a list with all the brands I was looking for and they only had Remington LE RR12-00, good enough for me. He did say they carry some of the other brands from time to time. No big deal I was only looking for the five packs anyway to test with my gun. I can find most of the other brands online in five packs but not all from the same supplier so the shipping will probably cost more than the shot shells. Some of the places have other things I want to buy so I'll order the ammo with it to save on the shipping.

Mark8252 I agree at that distance any load will probably get it done, but I rather have a load that will definitely put someone down. I also wanted to do some patterning with those loads to see which one works best and have a little fun.

 

[Daniel964]

This just a tag for me to find this thread later. Lots of interesting information here to review.

 

[only1asterisk]

Was that a bit too much for home defense?

Not so long as you only have to shoot once!

David

 

[silverlance]

range test

too my benellim1 to the range

m1s90
IC choke
133 00 tactical LE
6 in tube, +1 in chamber
10 feet away (usually about the farthest one is in a HD sit)

mind you this is a "homemade" test, but just for chips n giggles:

* cycles perfectly
* MUCH reduced recoil over birdshot
* reduced noise
* very accurate if you take the time to aim (and I suck at shotties, this is my 1st one)
* at 10 feet, it is EXACTLY like hitting them with a slug. the holes it made in the paper were perfectly round and about 1" in diameter. blew out the center of the paper (it was already shot up by my p228 tho) completely out. i guess those 9 (or is it 8?) pellets never got a chance ot spread out.

my conclusions:
slugs aren't necessary at HD range
shotty won't compensate for bad aim
LE low recoil is a reliable cycler (went through 25 rnds in a BENELLI)
- cost is acceptable at 149 / 250
this will knock the bejeezus out of anything it hits.

 

[cheapsk8]

For me, the standard Winchester 9 pellet load(really cheap @ Walmart) is the best HD load for my situation. My 14" Cylinder spreads about 1" per yard. Thats a 10" pattern @ 10 yards. This will put almost all pellets on a target at that range, which is the farthest my home layout dictates a shot at any way. This gives a LITTLE margin of error, as well as a well ventilated target. The weather is cold most of the year where I live, so concerns about lack of penetration due to winter clothing are non-existant. I also keep some #4 buck around, but would be selective in using it during the cold months. Best.

 

[Gordy Wesen]

00 Federal buck and Winchester Platinum tip slugs in the same tube.

 

[Nnobby45]

Ah Jeez,

Silverlance, tell me you were just kidding about doing all your shooting at ten feet and calling that a "range test". :banghead:

Go get some large cardboard targets and PATTERN the dang thing at 10, 15, and 20 yds, and beyond until the pattern is no longer consistently effective. Know what you're shotgun will do. Things don't always happen at the usual 10 ft. or less. Consider that you may want to take your HD gun with you outdoors, sometimes.

LE133-00 is the 8 pellet load and is effective from my cyl bores to about 20 yds. The LE132-00 is the 9 pellet load, and now features the FiteControl wad that produces super tight patterns--7" at 25 yds (that's right ). The LE 133-00 will soon feature the FliteControl, if it doesn't already. Will say so on the box.