Some of the worst advice I’ve read in a long time - If I ever get shot from across a room, I hope it’s with #9! Pretty much LTL past 7-10 yards.
I don’t think i have ever missed with a shot gun at close range, but maybe if he ninja kicked you. . .any way I think that in a home defence situation, especially with dry wall a lower gauge would be best. I guess if i was a robber just seeing a half naked guy with a shot gun would scare me shitless XD :eek:
With the availability of Federal low-recoil FliteControl 00, I’m amazed that these discussions still persist.
I suspect those “entry teams” use it for shooting things besides bad guys. Just a thought.
ETA: Yes, it was bad advice, for sure.
Thanks for all of your input. After reading all of the posts, I’ve ordered some of this and will make sure it functions well in my shotgun and this is what I’ll go with for now.
You have chosen wisely.
I love a shotgun. I own four fighting 870’s including my favorite a 14" gun. Though when it comes to home defense for the reasons you posted I don’t feel comfortable with buckshot. I have two kids and a wife. Hence I use an AR rather than a shotgun. If it were just me it’d be a shotgun. 1# buckshot is I’ve heard very effective. Birdshot is for birds. It might leave a nasty looking wound but I would be concerned it would not have enough penetration unless at close to contact distances. In all my shotguns I run Federal flite control 00 downloaded one and Brenneke slugs in the side saddle.
If that’s true, (and I’m unaware of any that do), the “various reasons” would have to include lack of any knowledge of wound ballistics.
Absolutely!
But they sure do persist.
Flite Control buckshot is fantastic. If you have a semiauto, though, make sure it will cycle properly with the low recoil stuff. Federal makes regular Flite Control too, and it still patterns like a champ.
Good point.
Check your patterns with the full-power FliteControl loads. My shotguns exhibit a “donut effect” with the full-power loads.
I have my 870 stacked with #4 and 00, alternating. Don’t honestly know why, just hope it will work for whatever I need it for… 
Of course, I also keep at least one stacked mag (Amerircan Brass heavy ball and Federal Hydrashock) for my .45 in the nightstand…
Take it with a grain of salt, just my $.02 
Neither do I. 
You might want to consider updating your ammo selection. You’re about 15 years behind the technology curve. (http://m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=19887)
“Candy caning” your mags serves no useful purpose.
You would be better served by finding one load that works well in your shotgun (I bet it will be Federal flitecontrol 00) and loading with just that one load. That will give you consistency from shot to shot. Consistency and proficiency usually work better than hope.
Of course, I also keep at least one stacked mag (Amerircan Brass heavy ball and Federal Hydrashock) for my .45 in the nightstand…
You would likely be better served by finding a more current round that works well in your pistol and loading your mags with just that round.
Is there an echo in here…? :sarcastic:
Best home defense shotgun load is an AR-15. I used to keep my 870 handy, but after some thought provoking discussion realized it’s not the best choice. Lack of rounds is one concern, the second being the over penetration of 00 buck. Not if I miss, but rather that there are 9 uncontrolled .38 cal balls of destruction coming out of the barrel, and I only kind of know where they’re going to go. I can aim center mass and even at the short distances in a house, one flyer could go right past the bad guy. Better choice: Aimed fire from a rifle. The 5.56 round is effective, and if I need more than one, or twenty, the AR is ready to deliver… I typically keep my sbr handy now, with the added bonuses that I’m not too lazy to put it back in the safe when I leave and when I have to check the house or back yard I have a very convenient and compact but lethal rifle.
Sandsunsurf, the more I read, the more I am leaning this way too, but I plan to have several options available rapidly if needed (Glock 21 with TLR-2, FN SLP-MK1 with TLR-1 as well as an AR)
I also have a Noveske 6.8 SPC 12.5" barrel loaded with 100 gr. Accubond ( It seems that there are several good rounds for the 6.8 for LE and home defense ). I’ve added an Aimpoint T1 with Troy BUIS and a Surefire “E” series with a Malkoff Head on a Gear Sector mount to have as a home defense rifle.
I have kids at home, so I am looking at a long gun case that has a keypad entry for quick access that is also secure.
Now I need to get some more training!
Very pithy but, any chance that for once a shotgun topic can stay on topic and not become yet another “my AR can beat up your shotgun” thread?
Horse for courses. An AR can lay accurate fire much, MUCH farther. On the other hand, you can take the same shotgun wingshooting and also use it for Alaskan bear defense.