home defense- slugs vs. Buck shot

[Snakum]

I know that 00 buckshot won't penetrate a human unless it's very close range (muzzle against skin)

I'll have to disagree with you there. I have seen post-mortem pics and autopsy reports where at least some 00 buck pellets went all the way a human torso thru from as far away as three yards.

 

[SnakeLogan]

First a single 0.33 pellet has more energy than a 32 ACP as the muzzle velocity of the 00 Buckshot I use is 1325 fps vs. 850-900, at best, for the 32 ACP...you can use the Hornady TAP 00 buckshot load which reach 1600 fps!!!

Yes I know, the actualy pellet is a bit lighter than a 32 ACP bullet and it has worse sectional density....however becauce of its much higher velocity, the energy is superior.


Second, when you shoot someone is like hitting him with nine 32 ACP bullets at the same time (15 if i use 3" shells),....the shock is a bit different!!

Good post. Plus incapacitation has less to do with energy than some people make it out to. Instant incapacitation is about hitting the BG's CNS. Any projectile that is able to travel 16+ inches in ballistic gel is going to have enough energy to cause "lights out" when it hits the BG's CNS.

 

[mljdeckard]

Yes. A lot of people are making a lot of assumptions about what their gun will and will not do, and what they KNOW will happen in a real-life gunfight. Bad ideas.

 

[Nicodemus38]

to get actual energy of buckshot at the muzzle you have to divide the listed muzzle energy by the number of pellets in the load. that doesnt include any buffering or shotcup/wad weight.

for example if the box says 1000 foot pounds at the muzzle for a 10 pellet load, each pellet will have roughly 100 foot pounds of energy when it has left the muzzle.
actual energy will be a little less as the buffering, wads, and shotcup will subtract a portion of the total energy from the load when it seperates. One old time shotgunner i used to know liked to add 2 pellets to the divisor number if it had a shotcup, and an extra pellet for the buffering.

 

[meadmkr]

Assuming I grab the 20g Mossberg first and not the Glock the first round is usually #2 or #4 shot, then buckshot and then the last ones are slugs... The choice of shot first slugs last is due to the layout of our house and bedrooms.

If an intruder or intruders are confronted and shots fired, their options would be to retreat quickly or face exponentially increasing lethal force. If they do retreat after the first shot they are going to be in severe 'discomfort' with several dozen pellets in their carcass with a trip to the ER being highly likely. And if they keep moving towards me the lethality increases.

 

[scotjute]

If the threat involved for home defense included marauding bears, I'd go with slugs or one round of buckshot followed by slugs. For defence against people within 40 yds., buckshot would be my choice. # 4 ok for use up to about 25 yds., # 1 or # 0 any distance up to 40 yds.

 

[Rshooter]

Yes. A lot of people are making a lot of assumptions about what their gun will and will not do, and what they KNOW will happen in a real-life gunfight. Bad ideas.

Is it like combat? Or worse is it like being alone with someone intent one doing you harm? It is amazing how alone a person can feel even if they have an advantage a weapon. The only way to overcome a situation like this is training and practice because what you have trained and practiced will come out if it has been done properly.

 

[Ben86]

I use 00 buck. I've been considering #1 though for less recoil (for the wify), less penetration and larger wound area (16x.30" instead of just 9x.33"). I save the slugs for hunting. I would never, ever want to use one in the house. The only time I see myself needing one in a pinch is if someone is trying to pick me off from a distance, in which case I would use my .270 instead.

 

[Lou McGopher]

for a 10 pellet load, each pellet will have roughly 100 foot pounds of energy when it has left the muzzle.

Looking at 00 buck ballistic gelatin tests, the damage doesn't appear to have been done by 10 projectiles with ~100 ft lbs energy each.

 

[WatongaJim]

I like #4 buckshot, although it's a little harder to find in most stores, as it's not as popular as 0-000 loads. 27 pellets per shell if I remember right.

 

[ARdefense]

I load every other- 00,#4,00,#4 and so on...

 

[tactikel]

Never fire a shotgun at anybody unless you are in mortal danger! warning shots (which is what birtshot is) invite the intruder (if he is armed) to shoot you!-if he is not, you are likely to be arrested for aggravated battery, or at least be charged in a civil suit.
IMHO use: buck, buck, slug, slug.