slugs for HD...opinions??

[proven]

i have always thought of slugs as the "reach out and touch someone" round for shotguns.

i'm wondering what your opinions are on loading slugs for HD. i guess my main concern is with overpenetration. i live in a small apartment and the longest shot would be about 20 feet, give or take a foot or so before it hit a wall.

i imagine that a slug and any buckshot would be equally lethal at these ranges.

opinions, comments??


brian

 

[MrAcheson]

Slugs will go through entire apartment buildings. If you lived out in the country they would be a great always option. As it is, stick a few on your buttcuff or sidesaddle in case you need to make a long shot in the parking lot (long shot is 25 yards or so). Keep in mind that even then you especially need to know your backstop with slugs.

For general use, buckshot will limit penetration so you are less likely to accidentally kill your neighbors. Something between #1 and 000 should be good. Pattern it so you know what works best in your gun.

 

[john l]

I like #4 birdshot for an apartment, and I agree that a buttcuff with slugs is a great option.

I don't mean any disrespect, but really go to the range and pattern your shotty with your choice of shot, see what the relationship is between the bead or front sight and how it hits paper at "apartment" ranges. Same with slug. You may have already done this. It gives you a lot of confidence in your weapon and what it's doing.
john l

 

[Citadel99]

In an apartment it's an absolutely horrible idea. Unless you have kevlar plated walls with cinder blocks in between.

Mark

 

[Fred Fuller]

Slugs in a defensive gun are dual role. They are indeed a reach out and touch option as you mentioned. But they are also a shoot-through option as well, in case you _need_ the extra penetration to get to the BG through a barrier. It is of course necessary to be mindful of the background when employing sugs, and admittedly having to engage a barricaded thug is an unlikely prospect.

Even so I think slugs should be available in the mix of ammo kept in/with the HD shotgun, but used with a lot of discretion and only after adequate practice to ensure functional reliability and the shooter's ability to hit with them.

lpl/nc

 

[proven]

i've patterned with the reduced recoil 00 buck that i load up with now. at my old place i kept a couple slugs in the SS. but this place is a bit smaller. i've actually removed the SS for now.

as for the parking lot, i'm not following anyone outside. if one of us isn't dead after they bust in my door, and they retreat...so be it


brian

 

[sm]

Each individual must take note of their particular Abode, neighborhood , "backstops", when choosing a firearm for HD.

I happen to have "experiences" where entering, leaving or answering the door whether a house, a business, Hotel/ Motel or apartment was real.

I CCW, even while here in my apt. I did so when I lived in a house. Shotguns - mine were then as they are now, loaded with slugs only.

FOR me, I have a reason for doing so. For some folks that I have housesitted for , yes , slugs only as well.

*Hypothetical* if I were to have to answer an alarm, where I will be going slugs are the best choice. I may have contact from contact to further away. My CCW is used to get me out of my apt, en- route, and to location.

Shotguns are a great tool for HD. I don't carry one concealed very well, especially while bringing in groceries, taking out the trash, or signing for a package. Have not had a Pizza delivered in awhile, hard enough to juggle the Pizza and 2 liter bottle of Coke as is...with a shotgun, even slung, I'd have a more difficult time I bet.

An emergency comes up, I leave the apt, and where I "might" go, say a warehouse, a rural setting....with pallets and stuff, Buckshot won't work. There most likley will be a 30-30 involved as well.

In my apt, yep I have shooting lanes....more concerned about NOT getting into that situation in the first place....and the flip side of lanes - is cover they provide.

Think outside the box.

 

[Nippy]

Advantage of a shotgun is Power and Speed. With all slugs you have an oversized carbine with 8 rounds.

YMMV

 

[bad LT]

That is one heck of a powerfull 8 shot 72 Calabre Carbine

 

[seeker_two]

I'm with john l on this one. My shottie loadout is...

#4 plated birdshot (Turkey) for indoor short-range use,...

00 Buck on the cuff for extra range & punch,...

...and a few Brenneke slugs for extended distance & penetrating cover or windshields.


Just gotta love a shotgun's versatility...