Rem 870 20 gauge as home defense gun?

[tactikel]

I've killed pheasants at 45 yrds with a .20ga and 5s. While I would recommend the largest lead pellets you can find for the 870 (or slugs) birdshot will certainly be lethal/incapacitating at 10 yards.
legally it would be very hard to justify shooting in SD at a range of over 10 yards.
I have some old 3"mags with lead #2s for my 870 20 ga. SD load.

 

[jaholder1971]

Remington 870HD and reduced recoil 2 3/4" 00 buck.

The extra weight of the 3"chamber and extended tube/extra shells along with the reduced recoil will make that 12 feel like a 20 gauge. Since he's in good shape and he;s not going to be humping this thing on long hikes the extra weight shouldn't be a detracting feature.

Just make certain the thing fires. Friend of mine got one that had powder coat get into the bolt and firing pin hole and wouldn't shoot.

 

[vicdotcom]

I've killed pheasants at 45 yrds with a .20ga and 5s. While I would recommend the largest lead pellets you can find for the 870 (or slugs) birdshot will certainly be lethal/incapacitating at 10 yards.
legally it would be very hard to justify shooting in SD at a range of over 10 yards.
I have some old 3"mags with lead #2s for my 870 20 ga. SD load.

Hi Interlock, I don't know if you are familiar with the site "Box o' Truth" but he tested the penetration power of various 20 gauge rounds at 15 feet (5 yards) out. The penetrating power of birdshot did not penetrate well at all. Buckshot and slugs did real well though.

Here is the link if you want to check it out:
http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot22.htm

 

[357sigRog]

Rem. 870 20ga. for HD

I personally like a 20ga. better than a 12ga. for home defense because of less recoil. In my opinion the 20 is not that much less recoil than a 12 but it is enough to where it is easier to handle on follow up shots. I use Federal
2 3/4 Buckshot #3 which is 18 - .25 diameter pellets. The Rem. 870 is a great shotgun for HD, I personally use a Charles Daly pump.