Shotgun Newbie Needs Advice

S

Single Six

New member
As some of you may know from a recent posting of mine, I now have my first shotgun, a Remington 870 Marine Magnum. Now, for all of the years I've been shooting, training, and reading about guns, it's always been handguns for me. So I've pretty much ignored shotguns and all articles dealing with them over the years. Now I find myself playing catch-up. To the point: What do you guys recommend for home defense, buckshot or birdshot ? I've read a Clint Smith article in which he seems to be recommending birdshot, but of course plenty of other articles run the opposite way. I want an effective load [buck is obviously that], but I also worry about over-penetration and/or the ability of typical manufactured home walls to contain a 12 gauge-fired load in the event of a miss. :confused: I'm sure that, for you guys, this is analogous to ".45 vs. 9mm", but I truly am a babe in the woods when it comes to the blunderbuss. Any opinions are appreciated as always. Thanks y'all!
 
#4 buckshot is the smallest shot which will (barely) meet the FBI minimum requirement based on ballistic gelatin testing. The best thing before trouble starts is to know your lines of fire.
 
There are several never ending discussions: Ford or Chevy? M-500 or R-870?, and in your case, buck or bird shot for HD? Although I'm bucking popular opinion, my choice for home defense isn't a shotgun, it's a handgun with frangible ammunition. Unlike most of the tacti-kool crowd, I was there when where buckshot was used with fatal consequences for the innocent -- I don't want to be part of a replay of that incident.

IMHO, too many folks are basing their defensive weapon selection based on MIL/LE offensive weapon criteria. For example, I can't fathom how a breaching device can be used in a defensive situation, but some buyers want them on their HD guns.

Single-Six, since you're an experienced hand-gunner, why are you looking to a scattergun for HD -- why not stick with what you know? If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
 
Thanks for all responses thus far. Zippy13: To answer your question, I haven't entirely abandoned my handguns for HD...rather I'm merely augmenting my options. Without getting too far off topic and into a tactical discussion, my basic HD plan is to barricade myself and family in a bedroom and wait for the the police to arrive rather than go looking for the burglar. The shotgun would be used here, and the handgun would be used if some circumstance compels me to leave the safe room. Of course, that's the plan, and we all know no plan survives first contact, but having a basic plan is always a good idea.
 
There is only one shell I would recommend, and I feel it should be used in everyones home defense.

Winchesters PDX1, It has 00 buck shot followed with a one ounce rifled slug:D
No one is getting past that even if you have a bad shot...
 
I read a couple threads on this or another forum regarding the new Wichester load and while the slug stayed on target, the three OO buck shot spread outside the "zone." I would go with slugs of buckshot but not the Winchester "blend." A great compromise is the Dixie Slugs' Tri-Ball with three 325 grain buck shot balls - big balls - .60 caliber. That is a freight train for sure. The pattern pictures I have seen are awesome.
 
Single Six

Welcome to the world of Scatterguns! I have spent a few years shooting and working on them, now a few years writing about them.

We missed the mark a little with you, (no offense to anyone). Fighting Scatterguns require the same type of basic foundational thinking that your handguns required.

So, for the umpteenth time here goes. 1st - Measure your house for the most effective defensive distance. 2nd - most defensive rounds for our fighting scatterguns come in boxes of 5 rounds thats a good thing, buy a bunch of different brands and 3rd - find a patterning board somewhere that you can set up to your effective distance and bang away. When you are satisfied that a specific load is the best, buy some of that and be done with the problem.

There are other issues with fighting scatterguns, check out some of our past threads or drop me a line sometime.

Sphawley said
Winchesters PDX1, It has 00 buck shot followed with a one ounce rifled slug
No one is getting past that even if you have a bad shot...
Click to expand...

Scattergun bob says "want to bet!"


Good Luck & Be Safe
 
Check out low recoil buckshot developed for law enforcement. Recoil is mild and penetration reduced.

I also like the turkey hunting load of 11/2 oz. #4 shot--available in various premium brands.
 
One Test

I also was looking for HD rounds. No that i've abandoned my CAR, but I was hoping to lessen the chance of pass-through and riccochett. I got some pattern-test targets and tried at 25yds. (test pattern targets 50ft) One thing I wanted to see was the difference in 00 and #1's. They were about the same. I hope to do this again at shorter distances. I have an 18" open cyl. The PDX1-12's did exactly as advertised. Slug in the center, with the three bucks in the outter circle. They would have been except for me alright!
I've had the fortune/mis-fortune to use everything from 45 to 155mm, and this is the first time I was ever "bothered" at the thought of using these on people.
I'm gonna try again at a shorter distance. I'll also add pictures as soon as I can get them at a lower res...
 
You have hit on a subject where everyone has an oppinion and most of them are different.I keep my 870 loaded with Federal 2 3/4in mag #4 buckshot(34 pellets).I also have 00 buck and slugs on a side saddle carrier,just in case the problem goes outside and more effectiveness at distance becomes an issue.
 
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