Type of Shell and Mix for your 12 Guage Pump (home defense) - What do you prefer?

[ANGLICO]

I'm taking notes on the good advice I might get on this. Or good jokes Two Questions below.

My sleep with 'Long Arm Weapon' is a Mossberg 500 with an 8 additional rounds, externally mounted to the left side receiver.

I currently load (in chamber) 3 in OO, followed by a 1 oz Slug, then the rest in the tube are 2 3/4 in 00.

On the external holder (holds 8 total), I have four 3 in 1 oz Slugs (back 4) and four 3 in 00 (in the front). I do know how to move, select, reach with the underhand to load and shoot (thank you USMC).

Just for fun, I also have a pressure switch LED mounted, and folding stock/pistol grip for CQB in the house.

What I love about this is that it was a very inexpensive investment to set up, and feels just right.

Note: I am not in a situation where I have to worry about fragging the people next door.

QUESTION 1: With a similar home defense set up, how would you recommend I adjust my loads in size, type and order of fire?

QUESTION 2: I have 3 inch Mag Sabot loads (for Bear) and should I open up with them? They will crack a car wheel.

Semper Fi

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[gasmitty]

First thing I'd do is dump the 3" buck rounds. For home defense, the extra 3 pellets aren't worth the additional recoil over standard buck, unless you expect grizzlies to knock down your front door. Those reduced-recoil LE buckshot rounds deliver plenty of payload... and are quicker on target for follow-up shots.

Next, I'd leave the tube loaded with just buckshot, but have a few slugs on the external holder in case you have to reach out and touch someone much beyond the confines of your home.

Re the sabot rounds, save 'em for hunting. Their advantage over "punkin ball" slugs is trajectory and retained velocity beyond 50 yards or so. If you've got a defensive situation on your hands where you need to knock something down at that range or farther out, you'd best be reaching for your rifle and save the shotgun for your last stand after your compound has been overrun by the bad guys.

BTW, if you intend to use that pistol grip on your shotgun, make sure you practice with it! There's a world of difference between a full-stocked SG and one with a pistol grip. I much prefer a full stock that I can tuck under an elbow and shoot from the hip to one with a pistol grip. I could shoot an AR or an AK with a pistol grip all day and actually hit stuff, but a shotgun's a whole 'nother story.

[tacman605]

Yep what gasmitty said.

Keep it loaded with 00 Buck and the slugs on the side saddle.

[yz9890]

I've got #4 buck w/ slugs in the speedfeeds.

[Landric]

I don't actually use a shotgun for home defense, but when I have in the past it was loaded with #4 Buck with 00 Buck in the side saddle. My patrol shotgun is loaded with all Federal "Tactical" 00 Buck, but I have a patrol rifle for longer range shots, so I don't feel the need to load the 12 gauge with slugs. If I didn't have a rifle, I'd carry all slugs on patrol.

[paaiyan]

I keep my tube loaded with 6 2 3/4" #4, because I'm in an apartment. On the sling I have 3 more #4, 5 #00 and 5 slugs.

[Yoda]

No dutch loads recommended.

[10thmtn]

The only thing I'll add is that you consider using #1 buckshot instead of 00. The #1 buck seems to be the best compromise between penetration and payload.

My shotgun is loaded with straight #1 buck, with more on the butt cuff. If I need to reach out further - I use a rifle.

[craze]

I just stuff the tube of my 870 with #4 buck and more of the same in the side saddle.

[F350]

I have an 1100 with tube extension, I keep loaded 2 #1 buck, 3 00 buck, 3 000 buck with 3 more 000 and 3 Brenneke slugs on the side saddle.

[bmcgilvray]

I'm another who doesn't really take the shotgun seriously for home-defense though I have a dandy shotgun for the purpose. I used to keep it available with 2 3//4-inch No. 4 buckshot in the past. 10thmtn's suggestion of No. 1 buckshot might be the very best choice though.

Any staggering of different loads in any firearm only smacks of indecisiveness on the part of the user. Such a practice yields no real benefit unless it assuages angst for the user.

There are some real problems with this method of loading weapons. Does one really need the additional concern of keeping up with which type of ammunition is "up next" when stressed with the realization that one is involved in a defensive shooting situation? Will the actual application of lethal force really depend on the exact sequential delivery of the chosen loads? Will the sequence in which the ammunition is loaded properly address each and every defensive situation that one could face?

[Ram Rod]

My shotgun is number two in the HD scenario as well. There was a point in time it was my first however. I also have a hard shell holder on the side of my 870. Thing is....it should never come down to the side saddle if your mag capacity is five or better. Depends on the situation and the trigger puller. 2 3/4 shells should be sufficient inside house. #4 for 20ga and #2 for 12ga seems to leave good respectable patterns out of mine. Ask me why I end up moving once a year......LOL! 00 buck has been preached to the masses for many years. Shooting a field gun or a tactical gun? Longest expected distance to target for shotgun inside the home? Length of barrel? Choke? I absolutely love the pattern #2 steel shot gives at 7yds and under out of mine. 18 1/2" modified. 2 3/4" reduced recoil 00 buck is okay at best. Slugs? I do have slugs in my side saddle just in case I get a good bead on and have to take a seventh shot or tackle a getaway vehicle. LOL!

[ANGLICO]

All good advice. Thanks. Keep it coming.

Semper Fi,

[Thunder71]

I don't mix, the last thing I want to think about is 'crap, what's next on tap a slug or another 00 buck'.

Keep it simple!

[Yankeejib]

All good advice. Thanks. Keep it coming.

Semper Fi,

At 12 feet, I don't think it really matters what you have loaded in your 12 gauge. Something's going splat.