12 Ga. Bird Shot For Home Defense

[BBJohnnyT]

I have a teen in another bedroom down the hall, and my home is fairly small at under 2,000 square feet.  I also have neighbors just 30 feet away.  So I loaded my bedroom 870 like this...

1. First 2 in the tube are #6 birdshot (Federal Hevi-shot tungsten).
2. Remaining 4 in the tube are #4 buckshot.
3. The side saddle has 4 00 buckshot and 2 slugs.

Knowing how devastating birdshot is at close interior distances, something would have gone terribly wrong if it even escalates to my need for the #4 buck.  The loads in the side saddle are there if all bets are off.

Just to clarify my own personal opinion on this timeless debate... IMO, there is no single "best" load as a generic recommendation, because it will always depend on the person's defensive scenario.  Running #6 birdshot, with loads of increased power for follow-ups, is best for my suburban scenario.  If I lived in a rural homestead with no neighbors and no other family members in other bedrooms, I'd be running 00 buck or slugs.  If I was in a urban high-rise apartment, I'd stick to solely to #6-8 birdshot.  Yes, 00 buck or slugs will always win the fight, but folks always seem to ignore the consequences of collateral damage in this debate.  For me, I will always go with the highest power loads that I can get away with without overt risk to a nearby loved one or a neighbor.

[Solus]

First time I heard 00 Buck trumpeted was in a book by Kurt Saxon called   The Poor Man's James Bond.

His recommendation for a shotgun was a pump, a Winchester 12, IIRC, because it did not require a trigger pull after the pump, it fired when the slide was pushed forward.

He also recommended the maximum barrel length and full choke an what ever shotgun you chose.  The maximum barrel length was to be able to accommodate the maximum length magazine extension.

He recommended 00 Buck because it was deadly, but more so because he claimed he could reliably put 3 of the pellets in a 10" (or maybe 12") circle at 100yds.

He also recommended the shotgun be held on it's side so that recoil would cause it to move laterally...   "Clear a street as fast you can work the action."

Saxon sold an Image more than he did practical knowledge...but he was often a humorous read. 

This was around 1970 or so.

[tombogan03884]

Thing to remember about "The Poorman's James Bond" was that it had nothing to do with Home defense, it was aimed at DIY guerrilla warfare, that's why he covers "silencers" home made submachine guns, and included a reprint of a British manual on fighting in cities.

[PABLO DEL NORTE]

WE KEEP BIRDSHOT IN OUR SHOTGUNS AT HOME. IT IS VERY EFFECTIVE ON 2 OR 4 LEGGED INTRUDERS. OUR SHIHTSU WAS ATTACKED & KILLED BY 2 PIT BULLS WHO GOT INTO OUR YARD WHEN ONE OF THE KIDS LEFT THE GATE OPEN WHEN THEY LEFT. I HEARD THE NOISE WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE SHOWER & GRABBED MY SINGLE- SHOT 12 GA. I OPEN THE DOOR & ONE OF PIT BULLS CAME AT ME. I DROPPED IT WITH ONE BLAST & THE OTHER ONE TOOK OFF RUNNING FASTER THEN ANY DOG I'VE EVER SEEN.    THE SAD PART WAS I HAD TO TELL MY DAUGHTER ABOUT HER PUP WHEN SHE CAME HOME FROM SCHOOL THAT DAY.   
SO BIRDSHOT IS VERY EFFECTIVE AT LEAST UP TO 20 TO 30 FEET.

[DeltaM]

Seems the where you live rule is most important.  I live in a rural setting, nearest neighbor through the woods and 1/4 mile away.  We live in a brick house, just me and my wife and her two jappy little dogs.  I've never had a dog in the house before 4 ears ago but have to admit nothing happens without alerting them.  I have a pump 18" barrel open choke 12 ga as primary in our bedroom with  3" magnum #4 as the first two, then three 00.  Keep an AR in my reloading room and office with first ten rounds frangible then 20 rounds steel tip penetrator.  Experimented with the steel tips on an old brick wall once and they don't initially shoot through modern brick though they will break a hole eventually.  They can find their way through the mortar in places.  If I could get to the AR 5.56, it would be my first choice if things progressed to the hide and return fire stage.  I keep various handguns stashed in hidy spots around our house.  If neighbors come by for a visit, everything goes in the gun safe except the stuff in our master bedroom with the door closed.  If kids are involved, everything goes in the gun safe.  Just not worth it with neighbor's kids involved.  Mine were indoctrinated with gun safety starting with a BB gun at age 7. They had no "pretend" guns. The mystery and reality of firearms wasn't a problem with them.  So many kids could be saved if they were taught gun safety.

Trying to get any law enforcement here under 20 minutes is a pipe dream.

I'd have to have a mighty good reason to live in a place like California.  Interesting a firearm manufacturer operates there (forget which one).  I guess as long as there is a buck involved, the politicians hold there nose.  The big city politics have ruined the place.

[Sponsor]

[wtr100]

We have a 20 ga with birdshot hanging over the door in the walk-in closet. If you're there and you need a gun your range is going to be under 10 feet. Should be effective.

especially in multiple doeses as needed!

[warhawke]

I used to recommend this myself but changed my mind. I recommend #4 or higher for HD, yes #7 or #8 will give anybody a hell of a hickey but a really big guy can be a problem as the pellets often won't give adequate penetration to kill the SOB and let him keep coming. I work more on tactics and accuracy to avoid blasting the neighbors instead of reducing my effectiveness, but your mileage may very.

[tombogan03884]

Every one will have a different opinion based on their own situation .
I have neighbors within 5 yards to South, and West, 10 yards to the East .
North is about 25 yards, but that is a blank wall with my bed against it, if I have to shoot it will be one of the other directions no matter what I'm doing when  the SHTF .
With a Max engagement range of 2 yards lighter shot is better for me.

[wtr100]

always thought 2 - 3 doses of 1 1/4 oz of whatever followed by smacking the SOB with the shotgun like a bat might ought to stop most fellows

[MikeBjerum]

I have posted this on other threads, but I will do so again since it came up:

Having professional experience with this topic I will testify to the fact that the use of either 20 ga or 12 ga trap loads at interior home defense ranges will result in the use of the following products:










Questions?