Best Choice-12 ga. 00 Buck-,9 or 12 pellets?

[Bart]

Between these two 00 Buck pellet loads, 9 or 12, which would you choose, and why? (please don't discuss #1 or #4 here) This is in relation to SD or HD situations.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[HotGuns]

Which ever one patterns the best. It is not uncommon for one load to pattern better and more consistently than the other.

Experiment. See which load the gun likes the best and then go with it.

[bbqgrill]

One thing to think about usually 12 pellet 00 buck is a 3" shell; there is more felt recoil. 9 pellets usually 2.75" shells with lighter recoil. That said shoot whichever you and your shotgun are most accurate with; either one will get the job done in a home defense situation.

[llongshot]

Take the loads you want to use and then measure the yardage/footage you will be using them. Then duplicate the structure that may be on the backside in case of a shoot through or [God forbid] a miss. Do you have children and where are they going to be when SHTF. Will it be possible for errant 00 Buck to get out a window and find a child on the sidewalk? Remember! There's no excuse for endangering the life of an innocent just to protect your own.

[ccw9mm]

Which ever one patterns the best.

That's the method I used. In my Remington 870P 14" mod choke 12ga, it turns out Winchester Super-X Magnum 2-3/4" #1 Buck w/ 16 Pellets @ 1250 fps patterns best, given my specific gun and distances I anticipate experiencing. I had certainly focused on #00 and went through dozens of boxes in order to narrow down what seemed to work best, in terms of pattern + recoil + accuracy, at the distances I anticipate.

YMMV, depending on the specific gun and situation you need to cover.

[retsupt99]

Get a piece of plywood...stand back 6-10 feet and fire a couple of each.
Then decide which hole that intruders would like the least...the 8" or the 6".
For home invasion prevention...either will send the correct message...guaranteed.

To be more specific, since you're asking, I prefer a few less, but larger pellets.(same size? then more pellets)

[Sky Pilot]

Between these two 00 Buck pellet loads, 9 or 12, which would you choose, and why? (please don't discuss #1 or #4 here) This is in relation to SD or HD situations.

Well, if you don't want me to discuss #4, I won't.
#4 buck is my personal choice -- but per your request I won't discuss it.
As far as 00, I believe in putting the most payload on the target so my favorite in that persuasion is the 12 pellet load.

[Bart]

Well, if you don't want me to discuss #4, I won't.
#4 buck is my personal choice -- but per your request I won't discuss it.
As far as 00, I believe in putting the most payload on the target so my favorite in that persuasion is the 12 pellet load.

Thank You. I've always thought that fewer large and heavy pellets would do the job better than numerous smaller, lighter pellets. I've always been partial to the 00 Buck and will stay with it, I have a good supply of both 9 & 12 because my supplier always has a good stock of one or the other when I purchase. I'm just curious as to what others know, or feel is better. I feel that 12 is better than 9, but, feelings often lie. In all reality 9 may not be any better than 12 in most self defense situations, but if 12 is better than 9 then I'd like to know the reasons why, or why not. Every bit of information helps, but maybe in the end it will come down to simply humble opinion or preference..?

[Chevy-SS]

I use the 9-pellet load, simply because of recoil.

Some shotgun loads compared: The Box O' Truth #3 - The Shotgun Meets the Box O' Truth - Page 1

[varob]

Both are pretty good. I use 00 with 9 -32cal pellets.

[ccw9mm]

... but maybe in the end it will come down to simply humble opinion or preference..?

If you pattern it through a battery of various rounds and document the trends, then selection won't simply be based on opinion or preference. It'll be supported by the reality of what your gun "likes" best.

[10thmtn]

My guess is that the 12 pellet loads of 00 buckshot might have less velocity (same powder charge pushing more mass = less velocity), thus less penetration. And, as others have said, more felt recoil. It'll probably still get the job done.

[BigJakeJ1s]

Or eight ~9mm sized 000 pellets...

Andy

[tbrenke]

Will it be possible for errant 00 Buck to get out a window and find a child on the sidewalk?

a window?
How about a wall, a door, through the BG then through the wall.
Of course there is a possibility.
There is also a possibility that the BG will change his mind just outside the door and go back home.
There is also a possibility that the BG could be struck by lightning after sneaking into your home.

it is far more likely that this will be around 2am when the BG decides to sneak in. it is very unlikely that a child is outside your window at that time.

was this really a legitimate concern of yours?

[Bart]

My guess is that the 12 pellet loads of 00 buckshot might have less velocity (same powder charge pushing more mass = less velocity), thus less penetration. And, as others have said, more felt recoil. It'll probably still get the job done.

2-3/4" - 12 pellets= 1290 fps. is pretty good.