Sooooo.. What kinda 12 gauge ammo is everyone shooting?

M

MichaelScott

New member
Looking for either slug or shot for range or home defense. Price isn't really a big deal but I would prefer to shoot the same stuff at the range that I would in HD without breaking the bank.

What does everyone use?
 
I dont have any first hand experence but i have done a lil research on hd. Ive read that slugs and buckshot are dangerous because of the over penetration. You dont want to end up shooting your neighbor or a family member in the next room. The consensus for shotgun HD seemed to be #4-6 birdshot with an IC or cylinder choke depending on the range in your home.

devin
 
I've heard in alot of real world senarios the 1oz slugs don't over penetrate. The soft lead hollowpoints flatten out. I currently use 00 buck but I might be switching to #4 buck.
 
As of right this moment my 870 HD is loaded with 6 rounds of Remington Express 00 Buck in the tube with the chamber empty and safety off.
 
It all depends on what you want to do with it. That's why they make so many different loads. #8s are great for most trap or skeet shooting, #6s are great for upland game hunting. #4s or #2s work well for ducks and geese. For HD, I suspect #4 Buck would probably be best, although I keep a handgun for HD.

There is no one "do-it-all" round for a shotgun.
 
My Mossbergy 590 is stuffed with 4 rounds of Remington #1 buck and the speedfeed stock is sporting 2 Brenneke 1oz. and 2 1-1/4oz. slugs. There's more #1 buck on a shelf near the gun if I really need it.
 
The 'for serious' ammo in the house 870s= magazine loaded one round short with Hornady TAP FPD, the red hull full velocity flavor (8 pellets of 00 at about 1600fps), Sidesaddle loaded with Brenneke KO slugs (one ounce hard alloy lead with attached plastic wad, again at about 1600 fps). No nearby neighbors here, only myself and my wife at home.

lpl/nc
 
Double odd buck shot for me and my double barrel Nitro shotgun

I think double odd buckshot is a great load for the a 12 gauge, especially for home defense. However, birdshot would mess someone up pretty good as well. I would use slugs against bears, or wild animals.

:)
 
I would prefer to shoot the same stuff at the range that I would in HD without breaking the bank.
Click to expand...

What do you plan on shooting at the range?

for skeet, trap and sporting clays you'll shoot either #8 or #9

for home defense cances are all your going to need is 1 round, 5 if you want to load it up.... so i don't see how that would break the bank.
 
my 870's survive and thrive on Federal Tactical 00B and rifled Slug (from ammoman)... and when i want to play on the cheap,.. Wolfs 00B and rifled slugs have proven very capeable...

for clay, wally's cheap 7 1/2 shot is just fine by me...
 
I am really addicted to them federal #8 birdshot 2 3/4" loads you get from walmart. For $20 I can get a case of 100 shells plus a case of 90 clay targets. Now as far as home defense goes I use 3" 00 buckshot loads.
 
I Personaky would not want to stare down a BG with anything less then buckshot. Bird shot makes a wicked surface would but very little penetration. Meaning he could shoot and kill you before he fell as a result of your shot. Buckshot has been used for HD long before I was even born. I'm inclined to think there's a reason for that.
 
I personally keep a 20 ga. dbl barrel "stagecoach gun" with a shell holder on the stock. I load one barrel with #3 buck shot (20 pellets) for close and the other barrel with a 5/8 oz. hollow point slug for not so close. I don't fret about "over penetration" with either. The only thought in my mind is hitting my target. Ergo I practice shooting it at practicle distances. I also keep a Winchester 1300 synthetic with rifled barrel for saboted slugs for little deers (dears). I'm not a trophy hunter so head shots waste zero meat and I rarely if ever follow a blood trail. Getting too old for that. Regardless I never buy my ammo on the cheap. My life isn't cheap. I practice shoot with what I keep in the gun so I'm always familiar with what it will do and how it performs with no surprises.
 
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