Great? Maybe for HD, but not for much else. You couldn't reasonably expect take a deer with it at any range other than point blank, and even then it might not do the job. As for birds, rabbits and so on, you're either going to miss completely due to the low pellet count, or, if you're dead-on with your aim, you'd likely vaporize your target.
The best Home Defense Shotgun/Ammo setup?
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Great? Maybe for HD, but not for much else. You couldn't reasonably expect take a deer with it at any range other than point blank, and even then it might not do the job. As for birds, rabbits and so on, you're either going to miss completely due to the low pellet count, or, if you're dead-on with your aim, you'd likely vaporize your target.
Froggy
Member
GunNut
Member
I'd recommend a Remington 870P or 11-87P, bothing being the LE/Police versions. They are much higher quality than the civilian models.
I'd look around for a used one.
For ammo, i'm partial to using Federal Tactical LE 00 buck as my primary, and have Winchester Ranger slugs just in case I need them.
STeve
I'd look around for a used one.
For ammo, i'm partial to using Federal Tactical LE 00 buck as my primary, and have Winchester Ranger slugs just in case I need them.
STeve
Martini13
Member
870 Marine Magnum
Another vote for the Rem 870 Marine Magnum.
Common sense, the rarest of all senses
Another vote for the Rem 870 Marine Magnum. Common sense, the rarest of all senses
knuckles
Member
Yes, it was a difficult choice between the Remington 870 and the Mossberg 500. I eventually went with the Mossberg though, however, it seems that the 870s have more in the way of accessories...
Jackal
Member
I would like a Tromix modified Saiga. Nuff said
Glockfan,
No military shotgun that I ever saw(or heard of) had a sidesaddle. I carried them for 20 years in the military and 20 more as an LEO, then went back as a LE/Security trainer. The reason is that attaching ANYTHING to the receiver is not a good idea, particularly if it "squeezes" the receiver with screws. Even a steel receiver can be squished that way, at least enough to malfunction.
Outside of being "tacticacool" most of the hang ons are not really useful. The only accessories I have ever seen a pro have on his SG are a butt cuff, and possibly a light(I have mixed emotions about a light). There are some advantages to an optic, if you are going to use slugs. Outside of that, ghost rings are about as esoteric as you want to get.
I have a tactical/military SG collection, I have 2 with sidesaddles, one came with it on, the other I put on to see if I could get the gun to malfunction-I could.
You will hear some people say that a butt cuff will affect the operation of a semi auto SG, particularly a short or long recoil gun-NOT! What will cause a problem is not shouldering the weapon properly, or limp wristing it if you fire from the hip.
BTW, having a pistol grip on a SG is worse than useless. A folding stock is really for carrying in close confines(aircraft or vehicle) to be extended and shouldered ASAP after disembarking. Full length stocks with PG also put you at a disadvantage if you have a close confrontation, like having to use it as a striking weapon,(some of us remember the vertical butt stroke). If you do have to retain your weapon or use it as a striking weapon, a standard stock is best, as it puts both of your hands in the same plane, making disarming you much more diffifult, and your striking much easier. After all, a SG is a short range weapon, right?
The Marines are just discovering this with the new Benelli, not a bad SG, but a really bad striking weapon.
OK, EOR (end of rant).
No military shotgun that I ever saw(or heard of) had a sidesaddle. I carried them for 20 years in the military and 20 more as an LEO, then went back as a LE/Security trainer. The reason is that attaching ANYTHING to the receiver is not a good idea, particularly if it "squeezes" the receiver with screws. Even a steel receiver can be squished that way, at least enough to malfunction.
Outside of being "tacticacool" most of the hang ons are not really useful. The only accessories I have ever seen a pro have on his SG are a butt cuff, and possibly a light(I have mixed emotions about a light). There are some advantages to an optic, if you are going to use slugs. Outside of that, ghost rings are about as esoteric as you want to get.
I have a tactical/military SG collection, I have 2 with sidesaddles, one came with it on, the other I put on to see if I could get the gun to malfunction-I could.
You will hear some people say that a butt cuff will affect the operation of a semi auto SG, particularly a short or long recoil gun-NOT! What will cause a problem is not shouldering the weapon properly, or limp wristing it if you fire from the hip.
BTW, having a pistol grip on a SG is worse than useless. A folding stock is really for carrying in close confines(aircraft or vehicle) to be extended and shouldered ASAP after disembarking. Full length stocks with PG also put you at a disadvantage if you have a close confrontation, like having to use it as a striking weapon,(some of us remember the vertical butt stroke). If you do have to retain your weapon or use it as a striking weapon, a standard stock is best, as it puts both of your hands in the same plane, making disarming you much more diffifult, and your striking much easier. After all, a SG is a short range weapon, right?
The Marines are just discovering this with the new Benelli, not a bad SG, but a really bad striking weapon.
OK, EOR (end of rant).
epwrangler
Member
- Joined
- May 25, 2015
- Messages
- 15
My HD SHOTGUN is a nickel pump It iItshort, light and easy to handle. 12ga. And in doors loaded with one ounce of 7 1/2. In doors it is devastating. In the yard several shots will shred the target. Later rounds are 00. My only addition is a plain sling. I like it. Clearing a house it works fine.
Sheepdog1968
Member
Either a Remington 870 or Mossberg 500. 00 buckshot is a good choice. Find one that patterns well.
Objectively, the best would be a reliable semi auto with a light, sling, and RDS like an Aimpoint micro. Ammo- I think #1 buck is just about perfect, 16 .30cal pellets with good penetration in ballistic gel, not as much over pen as 00 buck.
Dirty Bob
Member
I like the Mossberg 500 in 20ga. Light and quick with five in the tube. I use #3 Buck: 20 pellets in a 2-3/4" shell. I doubt a bad guy could tell the difference between that and a 12ga buckshot load, but the kick is lighter on my end, and the shotgun is light. It's low in price, so I'm able to afford more practice ammo.
All my best,
Dirty Bob
All my best,
Dirty Bob
AJumbo
Member
My prime HD shotguns are both Remingtons, an 1100 and an 870 Police Magnum. The 1100 is being moved to second string now that the 870 is in the picture. Local LEOs load #1 buck in their shotguns, so I do the same. I use the same guide for defense ammunition in my pistols and my AR.
I use my old 870 2 3/4 with the plug removed and a skeet barrel. Slapped a shell holder on the side. 00 buck is my choice for ammo, but it's just my wife and I along with the four paw alarm system. I have no worry about wall penetration. Second choice would be #4 buck.
Most important is to have a plan for your own environment.
Most important is to have a plan for your own environment.
AStone
Member
9
Oh, sorry ...
Wrong thread.
I meant 12, or maybe 10
Oh, sorry ...
Wrong thread.
I meant 12, or maybe 10
Barry the Bear
Member
I have a humble 590 that pulls home defense duty just a light and occasional sling when hunting nothing much more.
jmorris
Member
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2005
- Messages
- 24,275
Against what? Killed lots of stuff with shotguns over the years, nothing fancy. If it happens to hold more than a few rounds the first two are bird then something with more "oomph". Never have been an "operator" though.
Bird shot works fine for snakes, squirrels, rabbits and such. Never have had to get to buck shot yet but being in the tube is faster than digging it out of a box once I find where I put it, just in case.
Panzerschwein
member
Here is my rig:
If they can get through this, they deserve whatever they've come for.
If they can get through this, they deserve whatever they've come for.
Chuck R.
Member
Best shotgun, is very subjective and really depends on the user. Before I switched to my AR, I used a Benelli M1S90, condition 1, loaded with #1 buck, Hornady oo TAP on the stock and an Insight M3X light, stored in a V-Line vault:
I'm very familiar with the Benelli action due to having an SBE I use for waterfowl hunting. I've used the above setup in a couple defensive shotgun classes and it's done well.
Ammo selection is not as subjective, but is or should be influenced by conditions/situation. I use #1 buck, but not just due to over penetration concerns.
According to some testing I read #1 "reliably" obtains sufficient penetration to be effective, so does OO. Standard #1 load is 16 pellets at .30", so that's 16 chances of hitting CNS/Vital organ. Whereas OO buck has either an 8 or 9 pellet payload at .33 diameter. So doing the math for surface are of TGT covered by payload:
#1 =16 x .30 = 4.8"
VS.
OO = 9 x .33= 2.97"
So "in theory" the #1 load should be more effective as long as it's used within the distance that it achieves the desired amount of penetration. Based on FBI protocols used for selecting handgun ammo. In some guns the #1 also patterns better than standard OO Buck, and for a long time the standard 9 pellet load often contained a "flier". I think nowadays that has been fixed with the flight control wads.
http://www.ar15.com/ammo/project/Self_Defense_Ammo_FAQ/#mozTocId430646
Chuck
I'm very familiar with the Benelli action due to having an SBE I use for waterfowl hunting. I've used the above setup in a couple defensive shotgun classes and it's done well.
Ammo selection is not as subjective, but is or should be influenced by conditions/situation. I use #1 buck, but not just due to over penetration concerns.
According to some testing I read #1 "reliably" obtains sufficient penetration to be effective, so does OO. Standard #1 load is 16 pellets at .30", so that's 16 chances of hitting CNS/Vital organ. Whereas OO buck has either an 8 or 9 pellet payload at .33 diameter. So doing the math for surface are of TGT covered by payload:
#1 =16 x .30 = 4.8"
VS.
OO = 9 x .33= 2.97"
So "in theory" the #1 load should be more effective as long as it's used within the distance that it achieves the desired amount of penetration. Based on FBI protocols used for selecting handgun ammo. In some guns the #1 also patterns better than standard OO Buck, and for a long time the standard 9 pellet load often contained a "flier". I think nowadays that has been fixed with the flight control wads.
http://www.ar15.com/ammo/project/Self_Defense_Ammo_FAQ/#mozTocId430646
Chuck
P.B.Walsh
Member
Mossberg 590A1 SPX, loaded with eight rounds on 2.75" 00 Buckshot, plus three in the cuff and two 2.75" slugs. No sling now, and the bayonet is just for the picture, although you could use it.
FL-NC
Member
Mossberg or 870. Whichever, but one of those. And in the name of all that is sacred, PUT A LIGHT ON THE DAM THING! Thanks to magpul, a railed forend is easy to get and cheap. Add a surefire nitrolon with a cheap 1" scope ring and you're in business. Remember, its dark 50% of the time here on planet earth. That being said, bad things usually happen in the dark. Identify your target before you puree it. This isn't viet nam. Recon by fire/shooting at noise = bad. Folding stocks suck, you may not have time to extend it. Pistol grips are useless unless its a dedicated breaching shotgun. Ever notice how cops never use them? #4 low recoil buckshot will take care of any soft target.
I like what I've read on #1 buck vs. 00 and based upon that it would seem to be perhaps a better choice in some situations. However, my pattern testing at 10 yards with my HD gun has shown that #1 opens up (spreads) much faster than 00 out of either a cylinder, modified, or full choke. In fact, the #1 often throws almost 2x as wide a pattern at the 10 yard distance. It doesn't really make sense to me, but that's what happens, repeatedly.
The buckshot that throws the best-looking pattern out of my gun is #4.
This was all with S&B buckshot (no flite control wadding) out of an Auto-5 with Colonial Arms screw-in sporting clays chokes, 18.25" barrel. This gun:
The buckshot that throws the best-looking pattern out of my gun is #4.
This was all with S&B buckshot (no flite control wadding) out of an Auto-5 with Colonial Arms screw-in sporting clays chokes, 18.25" barrel. This gun:
entropy
Member
Great minds think alike. 37 with Win. PDX1. The 870 Tac Mag spends most of it's time in the safe since WI went to rifles for deer.
USAF_Vet
Member
Talk about a necro-thread. 10 years in the grave before being resurrected.
Anyway, mine is a Mav 88, 18.5" barrel, loaded with 00 buck, with slugs on a stock sleeve. Once I get some wads and some #2 shot, I'll be loading some low recoil HD ammo.
Anyway, mine is a Mav 88, 18.5" barrel, loaded with 00 buck, with slugs on a stock sleeve. Once I get some wads and some #2 shot, I'll be loading some low recoil HD ammo.
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