3 1/2 inch mag defense round?

S

SpyderMan2k4

New member
Hello everyone,

I have a Mossberg 835 that sits by my bed at night for home defense. Currently is just 2 3/4 in. birdshot, which I was ok with until I read that birdshot is a terrible defense round and won't penetrate much. Therefore, I started lookin around at prices for 00 Buck shot, and came across some 3 1/2 magnum 00 buck shot rounds. This provides both more power and more pellets. Obvously, more pellets is nice, but is the "more power" too much power? Would this increase the risk of overpenetration? It seems that it would proved a wicked amount of knock down power, but I'm curious as to other people's opinions on it

For the record: I've shot a fair number of magnum rounds and don't find the recoil to be bad, in case that would be an argument against such.
 
Actually the 9 pellet 00 buck 2 3/4 inch has the highest velocity. ~ 1300 fps according to federal

The 3 inch 00 has 15 pellets going slightly slower 1200 fps

and the 3.5 inch 00 is 18 pellets going even slower 1100 fps

so "more power" is not what you're gaining, only twice as many pellets, along with about twice the recoil and probably 3 times as much noise. 3.5 inch buckshot isn't the best idea for inside the home protection.
 
according to the FBI i beleive it was, the best load is 2.75" #1 buck. it reliably penetrates the minium 12" or whatever it is, and since there is more than a 00 buck shot round, it has a good deal higher amount of flesh that it will damage.

IMO pick what you feel comfortable in, however i would stick with a 2 3/4" shell, between 000 buck and #1, reduced recoil is you prefer.
 
I agree that a 3 1/2 inch magnum load will have much unwanted recoil, but in a HD situation and if you have to use the shotgun (God forbid), I would think that your adreneline would be so pumped up that the recoil would hardly be noticable. As far as the 3 1/2 inch 12 gauge goes, I feel that it's nothing but a 10 gauge load stuffed into a 12 gauge.

On a side note about the birdshot not being a good defensive round, I think that whoever told you that needs a little more education about HD situations. At close range it don't matter what size the shot is, it is basicly a big ball of lead. However, yeah at longer distances such as 30-40 yards, you are going to need larger heavier shot like buckshot for effective penetration.
 
I shoot an 835 for deer and turkey, and Maser you are right that you won't notice the recoil when adrenaline is up (shooting at a trophy animal produces a similar rush), but the one thing you will have no control over no matter the adrenaline is the increased muzzle jump which will slow down any followup shots. Having said that, one would think that 18 pellets of 00 buck at 1100 fps would stop someone cold dead at typical HD ranges, but it's no guarantee.
 
I keep some 2-3/4" Magnum #4 buckshot around for HD. Less overpenetration potential, and likely to take down a BG with one shot.
 
In a house it's going to be close quarters. I use #6 shot in the hopes of taking out an eye. Plus it won't damage anything you don't intend to. After you've stopped him with the shotgun, a M1911 should discourage him from trying anything else.
 
In a house, # 6 shot will take out quite a bit more than an eye! Apparently, you haven't done much shotgun shooting. There will be no need for the .45.
Bill
 
Actually, 3 1/2" buckshot has about the same velocity as 3" buckshot (I have chronied extensivley, so I know). So it IS a great deal more powerful. Not to mention, that Winchester's new 1450fps "Hi-Velocity" 00 buckshot loads are in all chamberings from 2 3/4" - 3 1/2". So, yes, the 3 1/2" buckshot has a lot more power. The trouble is it has too much power for home defense. Even with a knoxx stock and a vang comp ported barrel taking all of the felt recoil away, the muzzle rise is so great, that follow up shots are a joke. These are big game hunting rounds, not combat rounds.

Any size buckshot, or large birdshot, in 2 3/4" is more than powerful enough for your average intruder at home defense ranges. If you want the order of most powerful buckshot loads in 2 1/3" then they are....

1. 12 pellet 00
2. #1 buckshot
3. Winchester's "Hi-Velocity" 9 pellet 00
4. 8 pellet 000
5. Standard 9 pellet 00
6. Everything left over
 
On a side note about the birdshot not being a good defensive round, I think that whoever told you that needs a little more education about HD situations. At close range it don't matter what size the shot is, it is basicly a big ball of lead. However, yeah at longer distances such as 30-40 yards, you are going to need larger heavier shot like buckshot for effective penetration.
Click to expand...

This has been discussed and researched at length, and the fact remains, birdshot of any size is wholly unsuitable as a self defense round. Yes, the shot will act as one mass up to a certain point, but the retained energy of that mass upon contact is very low. While this may cause a very nasy wound, chances are it will not be a life threatening, or even debilitating one. Often these wounds are nothing more than superficial.

Proponents of birdshot for defense tout that it lessens the risk of overpenetration. This is true, but it also has a reduced chance of effective penetration and wound damage to human tissue. The effect is much like a deadblow hammer. All of the contained firce is absorbed by the shot iteslf upon impact.
 
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