my dad has 45 yr. in LE and He has seen and had to do thing that most never will and in a home you will not see a shot over 20 feet unless you live an a relay big house and he told me that #6 at under 20 feet out of most shot gun unless a open choke Will drop just about any one . there can be things that will effect any circumstances and all you can do is be prepaid for the average . I asked him what would you prefer to have , he laughingly said a hand grenade . but short of that at close rang a shotgun with #6 shot , as for the chance it dos not stop them , he said that you alway prepare to shoot again !! thanks I'm out of this . and yes I have had to defend my grandmother and my self and a man lost his life , the experience is highly over rated !!