Which Buckshot? Low recoil, standard or mag?

[billt]

Remember guys, shooting a shotgun across an average upper middle class living room is like shooting a slug, regardless of payload. Even a 1 OZ. Trap load will hit with a solid mass at 15 feet. Try shooting a 2" X 4" at 10 feet with a trap load and you'll see what I mean. Slugs, as well as buckshot in a cookie cutter house can easily over penetrate. Then your asking for trouble. You are responsible for wherever that slug, buckshot, or bullet goes. All the time, every time. My "house" shotgun gets nothing but trap loads. They are more than effective for most all home defense scenarios.  Bill T.

[USSA-1]

Dibs on Navigation!   

I call the 50 cal. !

[Timothy]

I call the 50 cal. !

No problem Eric.....the Nav gets to program the Phalanx too!

 

[USSA-1]

billt,

Those are some very good observations.  Regardless of what weapon system you decide to use, you must consider the environment you expect to operate within.

With respect to the suggestion of using Trap loads for home defense, I would respectfully reconsider your selection.  While just about any shotgun round at contact distances will do tremendous damage, most shot loads lose their energy very rapidly.  Additionally, the shot does not have the mass needed for reliable, adequate penetration of at least 12".  Consider this, if you select a shotgun load that won't penetrate sheetrock, it's not going to penetrate 12" of human body either.

If you select a shotgun as your primary defense weapon and you have concerns about over-penetration, I would recommend using a #4 Buckshot load.  #4 will still provide the necessary penetration needed to incapcitate an aggressor, but it will not penetrate as much as 00 Buck.

USSA-1

[bulldog75]

I have trap loads for inside and standard for the yard.

[Sponsor]

[garand4life]

Somebody needs to give Erik a raise up there at USSA

[USSA-1]

Somebody needs to give Erik a raise up there at USSA

Thanks!!  I will pass your recommendation along!

USSA-1

[MikeBjerum]

I'm behind on this, but here is what I do:

Wife's shotgun has trap loads with 1 1/8 ounce of #8, because she is comfortable with that load and not affraid of it;

My shotgun has #3, 3", because that is a load that will deter any animal that strays too close to the barns or pasture critters, and it isn't going to make any home invader too happy either.

Practicallity is the name of the game around our place.  I can't have guns loaded for every possible situation and then try and pick the right one at the right time.  These two guns are loaded with practical loads for us to use if and when needed.

[Michael Bane]

RE: TAPS and the Federal Law Enforcement buck, 6 of one, etc. We shot them side-by-side at GUNSITE, and the Hornady opened up a bit more (maybe an inch or so at 25 yards), but nothing significant. Off my Vang Comp 870 barrel, all the groups shrank by at least and inch or more at 25; the TAPS shrank more than that, which is what's in my shotgun.

We've been doing a lot of shotgun penetration tests for TBD, ad I'm still going to come down on the side of a shot load over any buckshot for apartment dwellers or anyone where penetration is a problem. I'm interested in getting some of the Winchester PDX 12-gauge loads — 3 pellets of buffered #00 and a 1-ounce slug — and see what they'll punch through.

I wish I could shoot a shotgun like Erik...the man is a true master of the beast!

Michael B

[texcaliber]

didn't Dick Chaney shoot some smuck in the face or neck with a heavy chocked bird load at very close range.  Stinks having a FUBAR memory.