[PSYS]

...just wondering what everyone else is stockpiling for 12-gauge ammo?
00 Buckshot and 000 Buckshot at the local Fleet Farm or Gander Mountain always seems to be $5 for 5/shells. Hardly a bargain. I know this shot load typically offers the best penetration for home defense situations and for those things that go bump in the night... but is this really what everyone is stockpiling? ...just curious what other alternatives are being utilized?

 

[charlie505]

00 buck - tons
#6 and #7.5
slugs - lots of slugs - use them for deer hunting in nys

 

[slyguy]

Off name 00 buck like Rio or Estate can be had for around $125-150 per 250rds. Great for the range. Not real sure about Rio (I've heard good things but not used it), but I'd trust my life to Estate 00 buck 23/4"... shot thousands of rounds in my 870s and Saiga with very very few FTFs (infrequent FTEs in the semi-auto Saiga, but that's the gun's fault, not the ammo).

Better names like Remington or Winchester can be found for around $4/5rds of 00BK... possible discounts if you buy 15+ rd packs. This is the stuff I'd like to have loaded for HD.

I don't think any shotgun ammo is really worth "stockpiling." Shotgun ammo is too heavy to carry very much of, and that's a known downside to an otherwise versatile and fantastic short/med range weapon. I'd think 300-600rds total in the home is plenty for most avg Joes... gives you 50-100rds at the range or a hunt a couple times without "running low" and being forced to go buy right away. I shoot shotguns pretty often and own 3 right now... I probably only have around 100/200rd of 20ga bird/buck and 200/300rds of 12ga at any given time, and I'm fine with that.

 

[boldimagery]

#4 Buck is what I pack for my HD

 

[JedLMF]

Well you could load yourself, then you'd have any loading at your fingertips.

 

[solinvictus]

I load #5 because I live in an apartment. My bandolier/belt is a mix of #1 buck, #5, and slugs.
FWIW- my local Wal*Mart now carries 250 round cases of #4, #6, and #7 for $42.

 

[Pixelguy]

I load 00 first two loads and the slugs for home defense. First two won't kill an invader necessarily, but the slug sure will stop them.

Yes, I know, slugs can go through walls. Got it. That's why the first two loads are buck shot.

 

[Oh Shoot]

Off name 00 buck like Rio or Estate can be had for around $125-150 per 250rds. ..

Rio and Estate are both just fine. Also, Nobel Sport is good.

- OS

 

[WildeWolff]

I have slugs for that one that always seems to be behind the bullet-resistant couch, and buckshot of any variety will work with the distances most are looking at for home defense. (To anyone- any real arguments with that, feel free to have a friend shoot you from across the room and tell me how much fight you have left.) also, keep in mind that you don't want to use a single or double shot bird gun for an intruder if you can help it. My shot might not be the strongest, but at under 10ft and with another 7 rounds ready to slide into the barrel I'm confident I can deter and confound.

[unrelated- love the avitar. Spike is a great role model for how to handle life. Had been watching an episode while cleaning my first firearm, noticed his barrel was hexagonal in this exact pic and looked at my own. Turns out he uses an israeli research industries/magnum research jericho .40, the baby desert eagle]

 

[PSYS]

thanks as always, you guys.

 

[BlightedJosh]

Kent Fast Steel is outstanding. They are about $14 for 25 shells and worth every penny. Buy those.

 

[tmootu]

For in home defence just regular bird shot will do the trick. If you kill someone with buckshot you will have alot of paper work to do. With buckshot your intentions are to kill. While bird shot will just hurt alot because it spreads out. If your hit with bird shot I would think that you would have second thoughts about your career. Buckshot nine times out of ten you will end up in the ground.

 

[ImbriD]

Around here Walmart has the Remington 15 pack 00 buck for a bit over $9. We've been stocking that, Federal 00 buck and slugs (not for HD

 

[trixie]

For in home defence just regular bird shot will do the trick. If you kill someone with buckshot you will have alot of paper work to do. With buckshot your intentions are to kill. While bird shot will just hurt alot because it spreads out. If your hit with bird shot I would think that you would have second thoughts about your career. Buckshot nine times out of ten you will end up in the ground.

sorry but thats the stupidest thing ive ever heard. why would you ever want to injure a perp, then be exposed to lawsuits and conflicting stories????
birdshot does not spread out inside the house.

 

[mightyoak]

Walmart 15 count boxes of 3" 15 pellet oo is $12.

Check out Cabelas next week or so. I saw an advanced copy of a frlier that had 2 3/4" oo for $1.50/5 with a mail in rebate. Not sure on the amount limits.

 

[razadp]

As I live in an apartment, I also load with #4 birdshot. I do not do this under any impression that its my best defense against an intruder, but because there are 20 other people living within my building. Incidentally, I did carry out my own tests with plywood and #4 vs # 7.5 birdhot. The #4 penetrated about 3 plys, 3/8 inch. The #7.5 stayed visible on the surface of the wood, totally unacceptable against an intruder.

I keep another set of 00 buckshot beside the shotgun, ready for quick load. I'd recommend this to anyone who cant hear their neighbours walkng around, showering, etc.

 

[vicdotcom]

As I live in an apartment, I also load with #4 birdshot. I do not do this under any impression that its my best defense against an intruder, but because there are 20 other people living within my building.

I am one that believes that birdshot is for the birds BUT this is one instance where it is acceptable IMO. I used to live in an apartment with walls so thin that I could hear their conversations. Also, they had kids and an infant next door on either side of my apt.

And yes I would rather be "carried by 6" than accidentally shoot and kill an infant/child. I just practiced on aiming my birdshot directly in the face. Also I had a full Imp. Modified choke on it.

I was less than what most considered "ideal" but it was what I could live with in the conditions presented.

 

[PSYS]

+1

I do have numerous rounds of buckshot but I also live in a tiny studio apartment. I am sandwiched in between two neighbors. I can't hear conversations between our walls so I don't think they're paper thin... but at the same time, I don't think 000 buckshot should me the first round in the chamber.

 

[Texas Fire]

For in home defence just regular bird shot will do the trick. If you kill someone with buckshot you will have alot of paper work to do. With buckshot your intentions are to kill. While bird shot will just hurt alot because it spreads out. If your hit with bird shot I would think that you would have second thoughts about your career. Buckshot nine times out of ten you will end up in the ground.

Unless you live in a very large house, bird shot will most likely kill the invader. My first two loads are bird, followed by buck, no slugs. The bird shot will be spent after it penetrates the first layer of sheetrock, the buck shot will be spent after the second layer of sheetrock (might hurt, but that's all) but a slug can still be lethal after 2 layers of sheetrock. (All of this of course will depend on the proximity and angle of shot to the wall) No need to try this at home though, you can find it on utube.:thumb:

 

[Oh Shoot]

+1

I do have numerous rounds of buckshot but I also live in a tiny studio apartment. I am sandwiched in between two neighbors. I can't hear conversations between our walls so I don't think they're paper thin... but at the same time, I don't think 000 buckshot should me the first round in the chamber.

The chamber needs to hold what will STOP the aggressor. Immediately.

Or, you can use your birdshot and let him fire off a mag's worth at you while he slowly bleeds to death (if he even does).

- OS