Saturday, January 30, 2021

Why A 20-Gauge For Home Defense Might Be A Better Than 12

However, that statement you made is absolutely ridiculous and not true at all. The best self-defense weapon for anyone is the one they have with them at the time they need to use it. There are many more factors operating in a self-defense situation than simply the caliber of the weapon you have available. People go on and on about which is the best self-defense caliber, 45, 40, 9mm. Let’s be realistic any of them handled by someone who is reasonably competent with a firearm can put someone down with any of those rounds. If you are familiar with 20-gauge, you will know that there are not 00 buck loads in 20-gauge from the more reputable manufacturers.

I would much rather use a 20 gauge shotgun than a handgun for home defense because it's easier to handle, but that could be because I grew up hunting with a 20ga shotgun. 20ga shotshell types remain very similar to 12ga shotshells. The main difference, besides the size, is generally the number of projectiles and the amount of powder housed in the round. Depending on the firearm, this decrease often means a reduction in recoil, which is why the 12ga vs 20ga is heavily debated. The Federal one-ounce rifled slug offers hunters 1,610 FPS muzzle velocity at $1.12 per round, so it's not outrageously priced, yet you have a round capable of ethically killing a deer.

BEST HOME DEFENSE TACTICAL SHOTGUNS

If you're okay with increasing the shot size but losing almost 50fps you can choose the #8 shotshells for a harder-hitting load for larger upland game birds. Because of the increased lethal range of TSS, many turkey hunters are downsizing their shotguns. 20 gauges and 410s are becoming more sought-after by turkey hunters because a 12ga is no longer needed to harvest a mature Tom ethically.

I often use Winchester Super-X Expert Steel, but many manufacturers offer quality tungsten and bismuth 20 gauge loads. I'm not a big fan of using a slug in a defensive situation because it is more likely to penetrate multiple walls. However, if it's all I had, I would grab the Winchester 3/4 oz rifled slug that hits 1,600 FPS. IDK id this can help anyone, but i find breneke k.o, black magic, and S.F. 20-gauge shotguns are lighter than their 12-gauge counterparts but don’t sacrifice much in the way of performance. 3” magnum 20-gauge loads, after all, basically put the 16-gauge out of commission in the U.S.

Fiocchi – 12 Gauge – 2-3/4″ 1 oz #8 Shot – Best 12 Guage Shotgun Practice Ammo

With dry practice runs and pre-planning, your odds of successful dwelling and vehicular defense improve. If danger presents itself at the front or rear of a vehicle, the engine compartment will still provide some protection. Protection from the windshield or the rear window is tenuous. Wind shields are not amazingly effective against bullets but are still better than my skin. As in a dwelling, pre-planning is vital for self-defense in a vehicle.

best shotgun shells for home defense 20 gauge

If you have the option, we generally recommend sticking with 12 gauge shotguns. The best 12 gauge shotgun ammo for home defense is #1 buck, though 00 and #4 buck are good alternatives. With 12 gauge being the most popular shotgun gauge and buckshot being the most popular type of home defense shotgun ammo, let's start by looking at the 12 gauge buckshot options. Ballistic gel tests show that our pick for the best home defense shotgun ammo, #1 Buckshot, achieved an average penetration of roughly 16.5 inches in ballistic gel tests.

Best Shotgun Ammo: Home Defense & Target Shooting

Trusted by every branch of the military and almost every other military on the planet, semi-auto shotguns are a well-proven technology that has matured into some amazing designs. Even a very inexpensive shotgun is still incredibly reliable. The same can’t be said for the cheapest AR-15 or 9mm pistol on the market. While “stopping power” isn’t a real metric, it’s the easiest way of describing the raw lethal power a shotgun can lay down. The greatest strength of a shotgun is the undeniable “stopping power” of 9 to 24 lead balls moving at 1,300+ feet per second. Whether practicing with friends on homemade targets, skeet, trap, or sporting clays, this steel shot performs above expectation.

That depends on the shooter and what THEY shoot best. I assure you any home defense shotgun in 410 loaded with 000 buck is more than adequate to stop a threat. Those five pellets at 15 feet are devastating, so don't kid yourself and don't dissuade people who are recoil averse from using this very effective equipment. I'm not so sure 12 gauge slugs are always inappropriate for self defense or home defense against human attackers.

Birdshot for Target Shooting

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.

Founded in 1876, Fiocchi has a wealth of experience in ammo manufacturing. When it comes to shotgun ammo, they offer an excellent line of quality, well-priced rounds. Anyone looking for accurate target practice loads is in the right place. These 2-¾-inch 1 ounce #8 lead shot cartridges are just the job. The best self-defense shotgun ammo is usually buckshot.

However, birdshot of any kind has varying difficulties in delivering killing blows, if it penetrates clothing and flesh. Tight groups of unhampered pellets could probably penetrate two to four sheets of drywall, but would also lose potency rapidly as the distance increases. When picking a home defense shotgun, a 20-gauge might be a better choice than a 12-gauge. It might sound strange, given the latter being the default shotgun for all purposes.

I also like their controls a little better, but that’s minor. Whatever your needs, there’s an on-board ammo carriage option that should meet them. Pumps are also, normally, significantly less expensive compared to semi-auto shotguns. While other weapons might require expensive new uppers, barrel conversions, or more — a shotgun is tailored to your situation almost exclusively through the use of different shotshells.

Both are designed to keep firearms secure from unauthorized access and loss, but there are some important differences. Semi-autos function a lot like a pump-action, without the pumping. The fired shell’s recoil energy or expelled gas drives the breech-bolt rearward, compressing a spring which shoves the bolt forward, loading the next shell. Ejection, feeding and chambering all occur in a matter of milliseconds.

best shotgun shells for home defense 20 gauge

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