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One of the best ways to ensure training actually happens is with an approachable firearm, and “approachable” is the 20-gauge’s middle name. Plus, 20-gauge ammunition is often considerably cheaper per round than 12-gauge alternatives. This is even true of stock from the biggest online retailers like Lucky Gunner . Since 00 buck pellets are larger than #1, you'll find shells don't hold as many pellets.
I want to be safe and quick to control any bad situation on my property. I do hope I'll only use my shotgun for target practice. I gotta say, dismissing 410 bore as too weak is almost like saying that a 38 special is non-lethal.
Winchester Long Beard XR #6
A pump action shotgun is often the best place to begin in most cases. The size of the shot is measured similarly to gauges because the larger the number, the smaller the shot. So 8 shot is smaller pellets than 2 shot which is smaller than BB, which is smaller than buckshot. For instance, target loads and birdshot, typically 7 or 8 shot, are known for little recoil. This is because they don't need as much force i.e. powder, to propel them out of the barrel.
I tested the patterns of a variety of shotshells at 10 and 7 yards. The Remington Express XLR No. 5 shot produces patterns about 9 inches across, which is certainly not hall-filling. XLR buckshot was not readily available in my area, but both Remington and Winchester No. 3 buckshot delivered patterns around 6.5 inches.
Fiocchi – 12 Gauge – 2-3/4″ 1 oz #8 Shot – Best 12 Guage Shotgun Practice Ammo
I discovered them several years ago, found them fascinating, bought 30 boxes or so and that's about it. You have to get in the habit of immediately racking the slide after you pull the trigger. Thank you, looking at a shotgun that handles 3", not sure how that compares to 2-3/4", assume either would work. Up til now, we’ve focused on the 12-gauge, which is by far the most popular. I’m not super familiar with the other gauges so I’m following the recommendations of Internet Armory.
Double aught or 00 Buck is most people's preference; however, don't be afraid to go with smaller pellets because there will be more per shell. Learning which brands and loads your shotgun likes best will take time and testing. However, if the need ever arises, you'll be glad you took the time and spent the money to find the rounds that cycle and shoot best out of your shotgun. Yet, just because you're not paying as much doesn't mean you're losing terminal performance or quality, as it reliably works in pump-action and semi-auto shotguns. I've always said a shotgun is the best home defense firearm because of its reduced risk of over-penetration, increased stopping power, and accuracy. Some people believe that a Shockwave loaded with birdshot, with a pattern spanning a hallway at 7 to 10 yards, will be adequate despite pattern gaps.
Best 20 Gauge Shotgun Shell Types
Most commonly, 12 gauge shells contain nine 00 pellets. Despite the pellets being larger, ballistic gel tests show that 00 buck does less overall damage than #1 due to the fewer number of pellets. For protection against human attackers, I'd generally avoid using slugs.
This article does a great job explaining why 20 gauge shotguns are generally not a fantastic option for home defense. #4 buckshot is the last of the common buckshot calibers we'll be covering. Though I prefer our first two options, #4 buck is at least in the conversation for the best home defense shotgun ammo. Below you'll find our picks for the best home defense shotgun ammo for a variety of gauges and types of ammo. Most indoor gun ranges only permit the use of slugs, as the spread of birdshot and buckshot are likely to damage equipment or hit other customers' targets... So even if you don't plan to use them for home defense, you're likely to still find yourself buying slugs for practice.
Federal Premium – 12 Gauge 2 3/4 inch Centerfire Shotgun Slugs – Best 12 Guage Shotgun Tactical Slug for Home Defense
No shooting necessary is the only good outcome--stealth ninja SEAL Ranger Jedi Recon tactical bullshit aside. You aren't John Wick, and you aren't shooting it out with an army of Kamikaze assassins. For more on choosing the right shotgun ammo, check out the Brownells Daily Defense video below. So try a bunch of them out and see what shoots and patterns best in YOUR shotgun. Not the best or many choices, but the minimum of what we would consider as a good shotgun defensive round.
There are two primary types I consider home defense rounds and a third that can be used if it's all you have on hand. For a round priced in between the two above, check out the Fiocchi 1 oz. The Aero Rifle Slug is designed as a self-defense shotshell for auto-loading shotguns.
Likewise, awaking from sleep to the noises of a break-in will ruin your sleep and change how you see your home—possibly forever. That’s why shotguns, like the Mossberg 590 Shockwave 20-Gauge make great home defenders. If you want the best for home defense, you can’t beat the 590 M-LOK. The added ghost ring sights, 1913 railing, and M-LOK mounting points give you lots of options. For a more tactical approach, the 870 Tactical Magpul is a much better option. M-LOK mounting points for lights, ghost sights on top with 1913 railing for a red dot, plus all of the robust reliability that you expect.
If you’re good with it, and you’ve done what you’re supposed to do by practicing with your weapon of choice, most firearms are viable. I have a 20 and a 12, a .22 and several handguns all ready for home defense. I’m not an expert or competition shooter, but I still practice with them and am competent. The .22 that’s close to hand is better than the 12 ga that’s in another room, or the .380 in my pocket vs. the .357 mag left at home.
Maybe consider if you have really thin walls in your apartment. It looks pretty good…with what looks like 14.5-inches penetration — what we would deem the minimum acceptable load. Much larger BBs than birdshot, the most plentiful buckshot round is 00 buck (“double-aught buck”).
Home defense tactical shotguns are simple and easy to use, one of the classic home-defense options that just don’t let you down. Finding the right one for you might take a little thought and time, but there is a shotgun out there for everyone. I would like the author to permit someone to shoot him with my 20 gauge shotgun with a magnum 3″ 2 buck load and see how he makes out? So, what does the 20-gauge shotgun have going for it in the home defense role?
We can get some decent loads with those shot sizes, with plated and buffered shots at least. The wad technology available in 12-gauge still isn’t there, but maybe for home defense ranges, we can go without. Careful choke selection will help us out a little too.
I'm generally not too picky when it comes to shotgun slugs, so long as they're reliable and made by a quality manufacturer. Generally, 00 buck penetrates close to the FBI's maximum recommend penetration depth in ballistic gel tests. It is a bit more likely to overpenetrate, compared to #1 buck. They're incredibly capable of downing an attacker in a self-defense situation, but also very likely to overpenetrate through your target and/or multiple walls. Though unlikely to be an issue inside of a home or apartment, birdshot has an effective range for self-defense of just around yards. All of this is not to say that birdshot is not incredibly lethal against human attackers, but that it's suboptimal for quickly neutralizing a threat.
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