Choosing the correct shotgun ammunition.

[Hodgie]

These were posted over the last two weeks by Lucky Gunner who does some excellent ammunition testing on the products they sell. I was thinking this is a good time to share it since so many people are out buying or recommending shotguns for self/home defense to many new buyers and beginners. Poplar to contrary belief shot guns are not just a point and shoot ( I am sure most of us know this) and require some thought and training especially when it comes to ammo choices and patterning. These videos are a great useful tool to those who are getting into the platform especially when ammunition becomes available again.

I learned a lot watching this and it furthered my decision to stick with what I know and have tested instead of going out and loading a bunch of 00 into my shotgun and putting into the rotation.

PART 1:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3haq5BFh7qs&t=1s

PART 2:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf4i8gRTsJs

[Lostinspace]

Those videos were about as useless as teats on a boar hog.  My goodness I've been shooting buckshot longer than he's been alive.  It's a very long topic but here is what I say, use whatever you feel gives you the best results in your particular gun.  Nothing wrong with #4 buckshot at normal self defense ranges.  Frankly I've patterned #4 buckshot in my 3 inch magnum and would not want to be on the receiving end of 41 #4 buckshot pellets at 20 yards that's for dang sure.  My personal preference is #1 buckshot because of how I can stack it in a shell.

[Hodgie]

Lol okay. 

[Danjal]

Those videos were about as useless as teats on a boar hog.  My goodness I've been shooting buckshot longer than he's been alive.  It's a very long topic but here is what I say, use whatever you feel gives you the best results in your particular gun.  Nothing wrong with #4 buckshot at normal self defense ranges.  Frankly I've patterned #4 buckshot in my 3 inch magnum and would not want to be on the receiving end of 41 #4 buckshot pellets at 20 yards that's for dang sure.  My personal preference is #1 buckshot because of how I can stack it in a shell.

Penetration is an issue with bird shot. At least until you get into the larger sizes. And the amount shot penetrates drops off fast with range on smaller pellets.

[JimmyJamesKY]

I have #4 buckshot in my Mossberg 500.  Hopefully I'll never need it, but I live in a residential neighborhood, and hopefully that would lower the chances of a stray shot going through several walls.

[ranger1968]

 Birdshot is for birds.

 For angry adrenalized humans, 00 or #4 buckshot or slugs.

  This is not rocket science.

[Rocketvapor]

Did someone mention Rocket Science?


With things getting really bad in the population hubs (like New Orleans) we're watching for people bugging out to the North Shore.  No bird shot being loaded here. 

[Lostinspace]

Those videos were about as useless as teats on a boar hog.  My goodness I've been shooting buckshot longer than he's been alive.  It's a very long topic but here is what I say, use whatever you feel gives you the best results in your particular gun.  Nothing wrong with #4 buckshot at normal self defense ranges.  Frankly I've patterned #4 buckshot in my 3 inch magnum and would not want to be on the receiving end of 41 #4 buckshot pellets at 20 yards that's for dang sure.  My personal preference is #1 buckshot because of how I can stack it in a shell.

Penetration is an issue with bird shot. At least until you get into the larger sizes. And the amount shot penetrates drops off fast with range on smaller pellets.

Here is a test for you.  Put regular high power #6 or #7 1/2 shot in your 12 gauge, now put a 2x4 10 feet away and shoot it.  I think you're going to be surprised at the results.  Average home defense ranges are usually about 10 feet.  I've done this several times.  Frankly I wouldn't hesitate to shoot someone with birdshot at 10 yards for self defense.  A load of birdshot to the face and neck at that range is almost 100% fatal on the first shot.  Is birdshot my load of choice for self defense...absolutely not, will it keep me from pulling the trigger if that is what's in my gun at the time, absolutely not.

[Lostinspace]

Did someone mention Rocket Science?


With things getting really bad in the population hubs (like New Orleans) we're watching for people bugging out to the North Shore.  No bird shot being loaded here.

In February we were in the north shore between covington and hammond looking at homes.  Gonna wait until all this blows over before thinking about relocating there where the family lives.  So far they haven't had any issues with NOLA's yet bugging out to there.

[Hodgie]

The videos are not about birdshot it goes through the various loads of shot gun ammunition, the different way it’s designed, how different manufacture if process can change patterning, and overall performance of defensive ammunition vs standard hunting loads.

[Rocketvapor]

Did someone mention Rocket Science?


With things getting really bad in the population hubs (like New Orleans) we're watching for people bugging out to the North Shore.  No bird shot being loaded here.

In February we were in the north shore between covington and hammond looking at homes.  Gonna wait until all this blows over before thinking about relocating there where the family lives.  So far they haven't had any issues with NOLA's yet bugging out to there.

It would be easy to isolate the "North Shore" from New Orleans. 
Causeway, I10 Twin Span, I55@ Maurespaw, Hwy90@at Rigolets.
"Essential" workers going back and forth is bringing this to my parish. 

Population centers mixing with rural areas needs to stop.
At least the traffic cams show greatly reduced traffic in both directions.

Beginning Monday, March 23, 3:30 PM, the GNOEC will make temporary changes to CASH operations of the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway toll bridge in order to follow statewide mandates of social distancing to help reduce the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus. The changes will be in place until April 22, 2020.

Motorists who do not have an active toll tag and intend to use CASH must use LANE 3 and will be sent an invoice in the mail for the price of the toll.  To save 40% on the invoice, please consider obtaining a toll tag by clicking here or contacting the tag office at (985) 674-3641.

Thug carjacks your vehicle in NOLA and heads to the NorthShore and you get a bill for the toll.
Oops, no bill until they head back to the SouthShore.

[Venom00]

Here is a test for you.  Put regular high power #6 or #7 1/2 shot in your 12 gauge, now put a 2x4 10 feet away and shoot it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4sVQ_ZwI04

[Danjal]

Those videos were about as useless as teats on a boar hog.  My goodness I've been shooting buckshot longer than he's been alive.  It's a very long topic but here is what I say, use whatever you feel gives you the best results in your particular gun.  Nothing wrong with #4 buckshot at normal self defense ranges.  Frankly I've patterned #4 buckshot in my 3 inch magnum and would not want to be on the receiving end of 41 #4 buckshot pellets at 20 yards that's for dang sure.  My personal preference is #1 buckshot because of how I can stack it in a shell.

Penetration is an issue with bird shot. At least until you get into the larger sizes. And the amount shot penetrates drops off fast with range on smaller pellets.

Here is a test for you.  Put regular high power #6 or #7 1/2 shot in your 12 gauge, now put a 2x4 10 feet away and shoot it.  I think you're going to be surprised at the results.  Average home defense ranges are usually about 10 feet.  I've done this several times.  Frankly I wouldn't hesitate to shoot someone with birdshot at 10 yards for self defense.  A load of birdshot to the face and neck at that range is almost 100% fatal on the first shot.  Is birdshot my load of choice for self defense...absolutely not, will it keep me from pulling the trigger if that is what's in my gun at the time, absolutely not.

Last time I checked humans weren't made out of pine. Shotgun wounds look bad, but they fail to penetrate major organs. If your whole plan is to rely on a headshot, you may wish to rethink that.

Here's some get tests. Typical penetration was around 4" with bird shot. Well below the 12" minimum for FBI standards.
www.thetruthaboutguns.com/shotgun-penetration-with-various-rounds/amp/

[JimmyJamesKY]

If you want a vicious looking, shallow wound, go with birdshot. Having the meat scoured off of your breastplate would hurt like hell, but wouldn't be fatal.

 It may deter some, but the typical tweeker needs something a little more final.

Better than nothing, but you should prepare for better than that.  Pony up the extra cash and buy some buckshot...