What ammo for HD ?

9

9x19mm

New member
What kind of ammo (12 ga) should I prefer for home defense? I am not necessarily looking for any specific brand, but for specifications.

For example some say that 2-3/4 shells are prefered over magnums because they offer more control (less recoil) in HD scenarios. Also, others believe that birdshot is better than buckshot (we don't want to penetrate the walls of neighboring apartments by accident, do we?) Are slugs and sabots out of question here?

What is your opinion folks ?
Thank you all :)
 
i stay with the 2 3/4 myself, but to each their own.

here's my HD load:

1st 4 shots are OO Buck followed by 2 slugs. i figure that if 4 OO buck won't take them down, the slugs are kinda the last resort (or sould I just put my head between my legs and kiss my a$$ goodbye) :eek:
 
Most shotgun loads in house hit with the shot still in the wad. Think 73 caliber rifle or a giant Glaser safety slug. The database shows no difference in effectiveness between 9 shot and 00 buck. I used to say you could load the shells with breath mints but I now fear some dunderhead out there will actually try it.

HD 870 holds 6+1, loaded with 5. First up's a trap load, followed by 00. More 00 in Sidesaddle, and for something remotely possible but unlikely, a pair of slugs.

My deer 870 serves as backup for HD outside the deer season. It's loaded with 00.

Try different loads on a patterning board at the max distance a shot possibility will occur in your house, add a yard for GPs, and use the tightest.

HTH...
 
The advice to try a patterning board at maximum in-house distance is good. I was all over the place with my Rem 870 HD until I did this. Finally settled on #4 buck (not bird) shot for tightest group at typical in-home distances. Next to last is 00, then a slug (I live in bear country).
 
My Mossberg 590 has a full load of 00 buck, with 4 Rottweil slugs in the butt stock slots. I only use 2 3/4 for HD

For my Mossberg 500C 20 ga, I load BB shot with some slugs in the cuff on the stock.

My Stevens 16 ga double uses #1 buck

My Remington Wingmaster shoots best with #1 buck also. The 18 inch barrel throws a good pattern at indoor range, say no more than 15 yards.
 
As much as I love slugs and 00buck, I think #4buck and 7 1/2 will do fine in a home defense situation. 00 and slugs are just too much of a liability (unless you live in a dessert). Load up with 2 #4 buck first, followed by 7's. You will be just fine. . . and your neighbors too. :cool:
 
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