Best shell for home defense

[live2offroad]

(I'm sure this has been discussed, but a search for shells and home defense got me nadda.)

I keep my Mossberg 500 nearby, for any number of reasons.. But I've been reading that bird shot, even heavy bird shot, is less than ideal for home defense.

What is the preferred shell?

00 buck? Slugs? Thoughts?

-Peter

[RyanB]

00, 000.

[Oscar 319]

00 Buck.

[kjo]

might look into federal tactical low recoil 00 buck

[warpigM-4]

3 inch 00 buck 9 -12 pellets

[DANGER CLOSE]

+1 on the Federal Tactical #00 buck.

[RWK]

Birdshot is for birds.

My recommendation is for whatever 00 buck feeds and patterns best in your shotgun. I included feeding because you didn't indicate whether your shotgun was a pump or semi-auto. Patterning should be for whatever distance you determine your longest reasonable shot may be, i.e. the longest hallway, distance from the top of the stairs to the bottom, opposite corner-to-corner width of the largest room, etc.

There are 8- or 9-pellet loads, full power or low recoil loads, plated or lead shot, and loads with or without FliteControl wadding. Federal Tactical, Hornady TAP, Winchester Ranger, and Remington Tactical all have comparable offerings.

I recommend buying a small sampling (25 rds, or so) of each and testing them with your shotgun. Some people may even find that standard hunting loads work as well for them as the 'tactical' stuff. (And the hunting loads are less expensive, too).

[Joe Mamma]

I go with standard hunting 12 pellet OO Buck. But, I keep slugs closeby as an option because you never know . . .

Joe Mamma

[TheGhostRider]

I use #4 BB..........

It's evil.

[TheGhostRider]

I use #4 BB..........

It's evil.

Another good one is 0000buck.