I have said before here that due to arthritis mom can't due the revolver like she once could. NEF youth model 20 ga is always handy and she handles it well. It has the 2 3/4 " # 3 buck. We discussed the selection. She lives alone. Basically she is more concerned about stopping the threat, than remodling...but she lives alone.
jato, Al ... good points made.
I have worked in a OR, GSWs do not always duplicate what one thinks, reads about or puts pen to figures. ( math). Contact the BGs body with promo dove/quail load , and pull trigger, and it will stop an immmediate threat. but I've seen poorly placed buckshot results too. Seen the guy shot with 45 ,live and the guy shot with 22lr die.
It always boils down to 1) Shot placement, 2) testing for a particular gun and that choke as to what happens at a certain distance with that combination. Yeah rabid racoons at close range and #8 work. So does a 20 ga slug at 15 yds. But I knew the gun /loads/patterns and placed the shot. Would #3 buckshot have worked,probably...didn't have any that time out.
In a prison yeah birdshot I can see being a very good control load. Bunch of farmers used to shoot birdshot and rock salt to keep melons in the patch too. Not that I know anything about that of course
How many people have actually tested their choice ( pattern board), how many have taken game with that choice...