I prefer a 1 Buck-2 Buck for HD they have more projectiles, first shot is birdshot ( at point blank it's lethal and won't go through the walls of my shi**y home), if they survive that its a dose of buck for them, and 000 buck doesn't have more pellets, has fewer and larger.

 

Or they shoot back with flesh woulds called birdshot. YMMV.

I prefer to end the threat on the first shot, thereby eliminating the need for a second one if possible.

 

I use 00 Buck simply because, of the sizes of buckshot, it goes on sale more often than the others. Either 000 or 00 should be fine though.

 

That's what my cousin says. I'd go 00 as well. Not that 000 wouldn't do fine as well...

 

Thanks to both of the replies so far.

 

I use 00. Seems to do well in testing and I practice with it so I'm used to it.

I used to use lead BB's, but I was worried about under-penetration. Its quite possible they will perform well, but I have seen lots of data contradicting this. My dad and I argue this point endlessly but I haven't tested the ammo myself so I stick with what I am confident with.

 

Neither...and since you're shooting within 20 yards an imp cyl would be the best choke. If you happen to be shooting beyond that distance it may not be considered self defense, especially when they're trying to jump over your back fence--castle doctrine usually doesn't apply and you may be charged and/or sued.

Like the man said, #2 (.270/12.5 oz) or better still #4 (.240/20.3 oz) buck, twice and three times the number od pellets then #00 (.330/8.12 oz).

Just take the 10 yard spread as that is the usual length of a hallway. With cylinder you’re throwing a basketball down the hall, modified a soccer ball and full a softball baseball. I would like to have as many effective sized pellets as possible, within that spread as I can because I can assure you from first hand experience your adrenaline will be pumping and your aim will be off slightly—however slight depends by the amount of training you’ve taken.


Presented for your edification:

A CHOKES EFFECTIVE RANGE (Expressed in yards)

…………………….…IDEAL……....EFFECTIVE
CHOKE………....RANGE…........RANGE

Cylinder……….....15-22.........10-27
Skeet 1………….…20-27.........15-32
Imp Cylinder…...25-32.........20-37
Skeet 2…………...30-37.........25-42
Modified…………..35-42.........30-47
Imp Modified.....40-47.........35-52
Full…………..………45-52.........40-57
Extra Full………...50-57.........45–62

EFFECTIVE PATTERN DIMENSIONS (Express in Inches of Diameter)
YARDAGE……10…..20……25……30…..40
Spreader…….23…….27…….44…….51…….66
Cylinder……...20…….32…….38…….44…….57
Imp Cyl……….15…….26…….32…….38…….51
Modified………12…….20…….26…….32…….46
Full…………….. 09…….16…….21…….26…….40

Both above taken from NRA American Hunter Oct. 2006 Issue page 92

YARDAGE…..10…..15…..20…..25…..30…..35…..40…....45…..50
Full…..............10…..15….. 20…..25….. 30…..35…....40…....45…...50
Mod….............15…..20…...25…....30…...35…....40…..45…...50
I/C…...............20…..25…...30…....35…...40…..45…..50
Cyl…...............25…..30…...35…....40…...45…..50

From Beretta Arms

As you can see the differences are slight, could be the amount of powder, size of wad, with or without a shot cup, size of shot cup, between the two different reports...

 

"Also, should I use a turkey choke with buckshot for a much tighter patter, or will buckshot destroy the choke?"

In spite of logic, a full choke does not necessarily equal to tighter patterns with buckshot. Trust me, I have tested this theory several times. The key to achieving good patterns with buckshot is to keep the pellets from being deformed on their passage through the bore. Large pellets like 00 and 000 buckshot are usually badly deformed by a full choke. The oblong and irregular shaped shot then causes irregular patterns because they do not fly straight after exiting the muzzle. I have found that an improved cylinder choke works best for me with buckshot, especially the larger sizes. The use of tighter chokes usually causes the pattern to open up more. If your shotgun is equipped with screw in choke tubes, try some of the more open chokes and see which works best in your particular shotgun.

 

000 Buckshot is hard to find sometimes. Dbl 0 seems to be the most popular.

 

00B bigger pellets mean bigger holes. Inside a home your not going to miss.

Lose the tight choke and go with a cylinder bore.

A flashlight on, or near the gun may be a good idea incase your power is out/cutoff.

 

Either will work just fine. with 2 3/4" your giving up 1 pellet to go with 000 for most brands. I use 2 3/4 reduced recoil Rem 00 buck. 8 pellets of 00 will put them down just as good as 8 pellets of 000 in a short hall way. If 1 doesn't do it I got 7 more where that came from. Also 00 is usually more commonly found than 000. But I supose if your a tremendously good shot and you live alone in the middle of nowhere I guess you could use a 1 1/8 ounce hot rodded slug. That would really do the trick.

Point being it's a big F*****G shot gun so no matter what you use at a close enough range you will put them on their A**.

 

I like the #1buck cause they are .30cal. and ya get 16 in a 2.75shell 24 in a 3in. shell.

 

Good advice +1

 

Whichever one is cheaper!

 

00 Buck beats 000 Buck for price every time every day every store or web site

 

my buttstock saddle holds 3" 000 and my side saddle holds slugs, the buck is to start it off and the slugs will be used to pop off any runners:

 

Excellent idea! Does your state have Castle Doctrine? Doesn't matter, cause if you shoot said runners, you'll be charged with murder if you get them and attempted murder if you only wound them! Once they are fleeing, they are no longer a threat and self defense no longer comes into play...

You can--"Better to be judged by twelve then carried by six"--right! Remember that if you do or don't get off from the criminal charges there's still civil court! They'll get you nearly every time with "Denying them their civil rights", but why take the chance or incur the $100,000 legal fee that goes with more then likely, two trials...

You want to shoot them twenty times, while they're standing in your house, go ahead as you shoot until the threat is stopped but if you then go over to where they are laying on the ground and put one in their head, (you know like they do in SEAL and Delta and Ranger) sorry, but that's murder and with the forensics available today, they can and will prove it...If you shoot them as they're raising a gun at you while on the floor is not the same thing, that is still self defense...

 

meh... if the attacker has a weapon in his hand while hes running away then he's still a threat and im taking the shot:upsidedown:

 

Hope you like eating peanut butter sandwiches in the graybar hotel. As was said earlier, you WILL go to prison for manslaughter or worse yet murder. It has also been mentioned about civil court. If you shoot anyone, regardless of whether or not it is justified, you WILL get socked with a lawsuit. It is a crazy and litigious world that we live in. No sense in making it any harder on yourself.

 

000 is a larger pellet than 00 buck, I prefer 000 in a 3" mag

 

000 is a larger pellet than 00 buck....

Exactly. 000 is nominally .36. 00 is nominally .33. I say nominally because you'll sometimes find significant variances in shot sizes even in the same shotshell. In any case, either will do the job.

 

As long as it says "buckshot" on it, I don't really care what size the shot is.

 

I'm with the poster, as long as it says Buckshot on the box.
And enough already with this using bird shot as it won't penetrate walls etc, A) you won't be hosing the house down with shot shell, B) the pattern inside of a dwelling at dwelling distances don't offer all of these stray pellets to begin with. Some people won't shoot anything but bird shot due to wall penetration of stray bullets, instead they reach for their 15 round 9mm, can't hit someone with a shotgun at close distances you mine as well settle for calling 911 and wait for help to arrive. Especially if one can't hit a close range target with a handgun either.
00 stays in both of my 18" barrel pumps.

 

As was said, 000 is slightly bigger pellets than 00. The 00 is more common and usually less expensive (esp since 000 are usually 3" shells). Either will work fine... 000 gives you more recoil, less pellets, but slightly bigger.

Based on cost and ease of practicing more often, I would just go with 00BK 2.75" shells for HD in a house - reduced recoil loads as suggested above if cost is neglegible. I use the 2.75" 00BK in my 12ga guns... Estate for range and Rem Red Recoil for HD loads. You may want to make the first round in the chamber #4 birdshot and the rest #1BK or #4BK if you have thin sheetrock walls (ie high rise). GL

 

cabelas 175 rounds of 12g 00 for $99, and it comes in a military ammo can.

 

I Should I use 00 buckshot, or 000 buckshot? I know 000 has more pellets but are smaller right? and the 00 has less pellets but bigger I am pretty sure.

This may help you a little.

The box o' truth has some thing to say about this.
http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/buickot5.htm
http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot45.htm
http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot3.htm
http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot20.htm
http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot42.htm

 

I like #4 because at close range it's like dumping a full mag off 223 all in one trigger pull. I would say get what make you feel best and spend your time practicing because it doesn't matter how good your bullet load is if you can't hit a target. (and it's a convenient excuse to tell the wife when you're out at the range all day).

 

I picked up some winchester PDX1 yesterday on sale, and I'm pretty impressed. At about 10 yards out of an 18" barrel the 3 pellets made a nice triangle pattern that would be roughly throat-kidney-kidney with a slug in the solar plexus. Nasty. They are a 1oz rifled slug with 3 00 buck pellets in front of it. As for knockdown power, it moved my "test stick" (4ft 8"x8") a good 4 feet.

 

Never used 000 Buck so I really can't comment on it, But I used to do alot of deer hunting and one day I was hunting with my father and he was using a 3 inch round of 00 Buck and as I looked to my left he was pointing his gun and as I looked down range I saw an 8 point buck and a doe and as he shot the doe jumped in the front of the buck and he hit her in the neck, Ive never seen anything so devestating in my life knocked a 175 pound doe off her feet and laying on the ground shakeing. As I remember she was about 100 to 150 feet away. I guess slugs and bird shot are good for certain situations but can definetly say you will only have to fire once with 00 Buck.

 

I like to use my Remington 870 for home defense, who doesn't right? I have several questions with this. Should I use 00 buckshot, or 000 buckshot? I know 000 has more pellets but are smaller right? and the 00 has less pellets but bigger I am pretty sure. I don't need to worry about hitting anyone with either, because my family and I have a plan all worked out in a hd situation.

Boogerman won;t know the difference at HD range, use what you have the most of and practice with.

Also, should I use a turkey choke with buckshot for a much tighter patter, or will buckshot destroy the choke?

My experience with extra full chokes is anything larger than #3 or #4 shot will not group well out of that tight of a choke. I patterned mine at 25 yards and you could throw a full sized raccoon through the hole in the middle of that pattern. It's why I use #3 on geese and #4 on turkey

All replies are greatly appreciated, thank you.

By now you have learned the difference between 00 and 000, don't feel bad, if you don't play with it it's easy to get turned around, no big deal.

If you want to pay with your Turkey choke get some BB shot give or take a size and play with that on the pattern board but for all practical purposes you best choice in my opinion is anything between IC to IM will work for HD. I just happen to prefer IM but that is what works best in my gun and your gun may want a different flavor.

 

ask your self what are your walls made of.Is there brick on the out side or is it sheetrock condo.What ever you use make sure it is safe for those living next door or close to you yet still lethal to home invaders.000 buck has 8 pellets at 36 cal 72 grains each muzzle velocity of 1100-1350 and some even hotter.00 buck is 9 pellets in standard 2 3/4 inch 12 gauge shells 1100-1350 muzzle velocity.

 

You can say that butt i still dont believe it.

Either the killing is justified or not,

using 00 or 000 isnt going to make any difference in a court of law in the united states.

 

You can be sued in civil court even if you were found justified in criminal court and in civil court the lawyers may claim that you deliberately purchased the deadliest ammo that you could find. Illinois along with some other states provides civil immunity in their self defense laws which prevent you from being sued for killing or injuring an aggressor in defense of self or other person(s) from any forcible felony.