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Igotyour6 | 02-21-2009 10:44 PM
Shotgun Home Defense Ammunition This may have already been discussed, but since I could not find it here it is again. If nothing else it is bathroom reading material http://www.firearmstactical.com/briefs10.htm Tactical Briefs #10, October 1998 Shotgun Home Defense Ammunition For home defense, a shotgun is superior to a handgun in terms of being able to stop a violent intruder as quickly as possible. A reliable, well-made, pump-action shotgun can usually be purchased for less than the cost of a handgun of comparable quality. Also, inexpensive birdshot ammunition, typically used for training applications, is about three-fourths the cost, round for round, of comparable handgun ammunition. Most people typically choose a shotgun for home defense for one of three general reasons: 1) to minimize wall penetration to reduce the danger to innocent third parties in case of a missed shot, 2) to maximize wound trauma to stop a vicious assailant as quickly as possible, or 3) because a shotgun does not require as much skill as a handgun to put lead on target. If you're considering a shotgun for home defense or already have one, we suggest you give some serious thought to attending a one or two day "defensive shotgun" training course from a reputable shooting school. (We have a few schools listed on our Links page.) It's one thing to be armed with a well-equipped, high-tech shotgun and premium personal defense ammunition, but if you're not a skilled shotgun operator, you're the weakest link in your last-ditch home defense weapon system. Shotgun Pellet Wound Ballistics A shotgun pellet produces wound trauma by crushing the tissue it comes into direct contact with as it penetrates. In order to produce wound trauma that will be effective in quickly stopping an attacker, the pellets must penetrate his body deeply enough to be able to pass through a vital cardiovascular structure and cause rapid fatal hemorrhage to quickly deprive the brain of oxygenated blood needed to maintain consciousness. Shotgun pellets are classified into two general categories: 1) birdshot, of which individual pellets are typically less than .20 caliber in diameter, and 2) buckshot, which varies in diameter from .24 caliber to .36 caliber. Table 1 and Table 2 list nominal size and weight information about lead birdshot and buckshot, respectively. Table 1. Lead Birdshot Shot Number Pellet Diameter (Inches) Average Pellet Weight (Grains) Approximate # of Pellets per Ounce 12 .05 .18 2385 11 .06 .25 1750 9 .08 .75 585 8 1/2 .085 .88 485 8 .09 1.07 410 7 1/2 .095 1.25 350 6 .11 1.95 225 5 .12 2.58 170 4 .13 3.24 135 2 .15 4.86 90 BB .18 8.75 50 Table 2. Lead Buckshot Shot Number Pellet Diameter (Inches) Average Pellet Weight (Grains) 4 .24 20.6 3 .25 23.4 2 .27 29.4 1 .30 40.0 0 .32 48.3 00 .33 53.8 000 .36 68.0 Birdshot, because of its small size, does not have the mass and sectional density to penetrate deeply enough to reliably reach and damage critical blood distribution organs. Although birdshot can destroy a great volume of tissue at close range, the permanent crush cavity is usually less than 6 inches deep, and this is not deep enough to reliably include the heart or great blood vessels of the abdomen. A gruesome, shallow wound in the torso does not guarantee a quick stop, especially if the bad guy is chemically intoxicated or psychotic. If the tissue crushed by the pellets does not include a vital cardiovascular structure there's no reason for it to be an effective wound. Many people load their shotguns with birdshot, usually #6 shot or smaller, to minimize interior wall penetration. Number 6 lead birdshot, when propelled at 1300 fps, has a maximum penetration depth potential of about 5 inches in standard ordnance gelatin. Not all of the pellets penetrate this deeply however; most of the shot will penetrate about 4 inches. Federal Personal Defense Shotshell Federal Cartridge Company offers reduced recoil Personal Defense Shotshells in 12 gauge and 20 gauge. Both are loaded with #2 lead birdshot. According to Federal's 1998 catalog, the shotshells propel their pellet payloads at a velocity of 1140 fps. (Note: We tested terminal performance of the 12 gauge Federal Personal Defense Shotshell, and published our results in Tactical Briefs, January 1999. Click here to read our product review.) 12 Gauge Shotshell Ammunition For personal defense and law enforcement applications, the International Wound Ballistics Association advocates number 1 buckshot as being superior to all other buckshot sizes. Number 1 buck is the smallest diameter shot that reliably and consistently penetrates more than 12 inches of standard ordnance gelatin when fired at typical shotgun engagement distances. A standard 2 �-inch 12 gauge shotshell contains 16 pellets of #1 buck. The total combined cross sectional area of the 16 pellets is 1.13 square inches. Compared to the total combined cross sectional area of the nine pellets in a standard #00 (double-aught) buck shotshell (0.77 square inches), the # 1 buck shotshell has the capacity to produce over 30 percent more potentially effective wound trauma. In all shotshell loads, number 1 buckshot produces more potentially effective wound trauma than either #00 or #000 buck. In addition, number 1 buck is less likely to over-penetrate and exit an attacker's body. For home defense applications a standard velocity 2 �-inch #1 buck shotshell (16 pellet payload) from Federal, Remington or Winchester is your best choice. We feel the Federal Classic 2 �-inch #1 buck load (F127) is slightly better than the same loads offered by Remington and Winchester. The Federal shotshell uses both a plastic shot cup and granulated plastic shot buffer to minimize post-ignition pellet deformation, whereas the Remington and Winchester loads do not. Second best choice is Winchester's 2 �-inch Magnum #1 buck shotshell, which is loaded with 20 pieces of copper-plated, buffered, hardened lead #1 buckshot. For those of you who are concerned about a tight shot pattern, this shotshell will probably give you the best patterning results in number 1 buck. This load may not be a good choice for those who are recoil sensitive. Third choice is any standard or reduced recoil 2 �-inch #00 lead buckshot load from Winchester, Remington or Federal. If you choose a reduced recoil load or any load containing hardened Magnum #00 buckshot you increase the risk of over-penetration because these innovations assist in maintaining pellet shape integrity. Round pellets have better sectional density for deeper penetration than deformed pellets. Fourth choice is any 2 �-inch Magnum shotshell that is loaded with hardened, plated and buffered #4 buckshot. The Magnum cartridge has the lowest velocity, and the lower velocity will help to minimize pellet deformation on impact. The hardened buckshot and buffering granules also help to minimize pellet deformation too. These three innovations help to maximize pellet penetration. Number 4 hardened buckshot is a marginal performer. Some of the hardened buckshot will penetrate at least 12 inches deep and some will not. 20 Gauge Shotshell Ammunition Recommendations We're unaware of any ammunition company who offers a 20 gauge shotshell that is loaded with #1 buckshot. The largest shot size commercially available that we know of is number 2 buck. From a strict wound ballistics standpoint, we feel the Federal Classic 3-inch 20 gauge Magnum number 2 buckshot cartridge is the best choice. It contains 18 pellets of number 2 buckshot in a plastic shotcup with granulated plastic shot buffer. However, the Federal Classic load might produce too much recoil for some people. Given this consideration, Remington's Premier Buckshot 2 �-inch 20 gauge number 3 buckshot cartridge is the next best choice. This load contains 20 pieces of nickel-plated, hardened lead shot that is buffered to reduce pellet deformation from post ignition acceleration and terminal impact. The Remington buckshot load will probably produce the tightest shot patterns in 20 gauge shotguns. Third place is Winchester's 3-inch 20 gauge Magnum number 3 buckshot cartridge, which contains 24 pieces of buffered, copper-plated, hardened lead shot. Shotgun Slugs, Flechettes and Exotic Ammunition for Home Defense? Unless you live on acreage and anticipate engaging bad guys at distances beyond 25 yards, shotgun slugs are not a good choice for home defense, because of their enormous capability to over-penetrate a human body and common building materials. Some shotgun cartridges are loaded with flechettes. These are small, steel, pointed dart-like projectiles with aft stabilization fins, and are commonly referred to as "nails with tails." The low cross sectional area of a single flechette, combined with the small amount of flechettes that can be loaded into a shotshell, makes them an inferior choice for home defense when compared to buckshot. Also, according to Second Chance Body Armor Company, flechettes are not effective against soft body armor, if this is a particular mission requirement for your ammunition. Steel shot also is ineffective against soft body armor. There are other various exotic shotshells that are best classified as gimmicks. These include rubber buckshot, bean bags, steel washers, rock salt, "Dragon's Breath," bird bombs, ceramic slugs, "bolo" projectiles and so on. The efficacy of these loads is questionable at best, and we advise you to avoid them altogether for this simple reason. Summary With the right load, a shotgun can be very effective in quickly stopping the deadly violence being perpetrated by a criminal who's invaded your home. If you're worried that a missed shot might penetrate through a wall and harm others, load your shotgun so that the first one or two cartridges to be fired is number 6 or smaller birdshot, followed by standard lead #1 buckshot (12 gauge) or #3 buckshot (20 gauge). If your first shot misses, the birdshot is less likely to endanger innocent lives outside the room. If your first shot fails to stop the attacker, you can immediately follow-up with more potent ammunition. With birdshot you are wise to keep in mind that your gunfire has the potential to NOT PRODUCE an effective wound. Do not expect birdshot to have any decisive effect. Number 1 buckshot has the potential to produce more effective wound trauma than either #00 or #000 buck, without the accompanying risk of over-penetration. The IWBA believes, with very good reason, that number 1 buckshot is the shotshell load of choice for quickly stopping deadly criminal violence.

End of Hope | 02-21-2009 11:14 PM
Re: Shotgun Home Defense Ammunition First choice: 00 buckshot Second choice: 4 buckshot (if buckshot presents a threat to neighbors, you live in a compromised location) "Special application" choice: heavy slugs, such as Brenneke USA, for use against vehicles, those on PCP, or terrorists with body armor. I just ordered some Hornady TAP/FPD 00 buck; this stuff has only 8 pellets (as opposed to the usual 9 for 2.75 shells). Consistently good reviews; only mark downs on reviews solely due to cost. All 12 gauge defense ammunition should be: 1) factory-loaded (unless you, as an expert, load it yourself) 2) from a reputable brand - Federal, Remington, Winchester, Hornady, Speer, Brenneke; Wolf or Estate are not "reputable brands." 3) be hand-checked (each shell) before depending on it - I recently had some nasty defects in a few Winchester shells. 4) tested at the range prior to depending on it (just a sample, of course).

Lars Ragnarsson | 02-21-2009 11:43 PM
Re: Shotgun Home Defense Ammunition Quote:
Originally Posted by End of Hope (Post 1585856) All 12 gauge defense ammunition should be: 2) from a reputable brand - Federal, Remington, Winchester, Hornady, Speer, Brenneke; Wolf or Estate are not "reputable brands.
I haven't found anything negative on the Estate shotgun shells - in fact all the reviews I've seen have been positive, and that's why I just bought a case. I've never shot any, so I'm just curious about where your info is coming from. First or second-hand experience?

Igotyour6 | 02-21-2009 11:55 PM
Re: Shotgun Home Defense Ammunition Quote:
Originally Posted by End of Hope (Post 1585856) terrorists with body armor.
GEESH those pesky terrorists...and that body armor! Preciate! your input

Saul Mine | 02-22-2009 12:11 AM
Re: Shotgun Home Defense Ammunition Quote:
Also, inexpensive birdshot ammunition, typically used for training applications, is about three-fourths the cost, round for round, of comparable handgun ammunition. Most people typically choose a shotgun for home defense for one of three general reasons: 1) to minimize wall penetration to reduce the danger to innocent third parties in case of a missed shot, 2) to maximize wound trauma to stop a vicious assailant as quickly as possible, or 3) because a shotgun does not require as much skill as a handgun to put lead on target.
There is a great deal of baloney about guns from nearly all sources. After all, they are the specialty of people who tend to be highly opinionated but maybe not so highly educated. You should verify every detail of what you think you know at http://theboxotruth.com/. You will find actual test results there that refute or modify each of the points mentioned above. * Bird shot does not penetrate denim, so it won't penetrate skin either. * Birdshot may or may not cause a trauma depending on exactly where it hits. Probably not. * Wall penetration might surprise you, no matter what you expect. (The wad usually penetrates as far as the shot.) * From any effective range, shot spreads no more than a hand width. Any advice about not needing to aim is bs. Oh, and the advice about racking the gun to scare bodily fluids out of a perp - that's covered there too!

End of Hope | 02-22-2009 12:19 AM
Re: Shotgun Home Defense Ammunition Quote:
Originally Posted by Igotyour6 (Post 1585898) GEESH those pesky terrorists...and that body armor! Preciate! your input
The terrorists I refer to don't wear towels on their heads, of course. :wink:

End of Hope | 02-22-2009 12:26 AM
Re: Shotgun Home Defense Ammunition Quote:
Originally Posted by Saul Mine (Post 1585911) You should verify every detail of what you think you know at http://theboxotruth.com/.
A site which has gained an undeserved reputation of complete dependability - like snopes.com. BoT is an interesting site, with some good information. But there are plenty of other sources that provide equal, sometimes better, data. And none substitute for the only experience that counts: one's own. Quote:
Originally Posted by Saul Mine (Post 1585911) * Bird shot does not penetrate denim, so it won't penetrate skin either.
Any takers on being the recipient of #8 bird at point-blank range? Please be my guest, wear any ordinary attire you wish, leather jacket, even. Quote:
Originally Posted by Saul Mine (Post 1585911) * Birdshot may or may not cause a trauma depending on exactly where it hits. Probably not.
See previous. Quote:
Originally Posted by Saul Mine (Post 1585911) * From any effective range, shot spreads no more than a hand width. Any advice about not needing to aim is bs.
That's correct. But it's far easier to hit with many pellets than a single bullet. Quote:
Originally Posted by Saul Mine (Post 1585911) Oh, and the advice about racking the gun to scare bodily fluids out of a perp - that's covered there too!
That's not the point. The point of racking is to let the thug know he will be on the receiving end, "encouraging" him to leave and find someone easier to pick on.

Family Man | 02-22-2009 11:05 AM
Re: Shotgun Home Defense Ammunition Great post Igotyours6. I would encourage shotgun owners to pattern their shotgun/load of choice on paper several times. I've done this at the Gun Club when alone (because I had to be forward of the firing line) and in the woods with a target on plywood. You want to know what the shot spread measures at 5 yards, 10 yards, 15 yards, and for 20 yards. Well, we know for these different zones 5 yards is a no brainer, a few inches . With 00 FED in my Rem 1148, 18 1/2" bbl 10 yards is a 6" pattern. 15 yards about 12" pattern, and at 20 yds an 18" pattern. I know beyond 20 yards I need to switch to a solid projectile in order to keep my lead on target. And the determination of why you are shooting at more than 10 yards needs to be thought through as well. Obviously I am not doing this to for in my home testing, but for knowledge of how my smooth bore shoots. My smooth bore throws solid projectiles high, at all distances up to 20 yards. But I know how high. Couple of final points. Take a combat shotgun class. You will become better with your gun. Shotguns should have a sling. Just a a hand gun has a holster. Ghost ring sights work great. Mine are from Scatter Gun Technologies. Put a Side Saddle on your shotgun. Holds 6 shells. The problem with these smooth bores is keeping them fed, and carrying shells. The Vang Comp Mossberg is an awesome gun, keeps buckshot groups tight more than any other self defense shotgun. Wish I had one. Enjoy your shotguns!

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