exactlymypoint

I was in a group discussion about what is the best shotgun HD load. One person said #7 shot. I said 00 Buck. The last guy chimed in with #4. Here is his rational.

#7 - not enough effective stopping power
00 Buck - over penetration. Will probably end up with several BBs in the next room or next house
#4 - Compromise between the two. At inside the home distances, has enough stopping power yet will not penetrate a wall should you miss.

Any comments.

__________________

• Let me explain. No. There is not time. Let me summarize.
• Doing my part to create a huge carbon footprint
• Be still, and know that I am God; Psalms 46:10
• I am not by nature a humble man, sir, but circumstances sometimes require a change of habits - John Adams to Thomas Jefferson

dukalmighty

I've seen game hit with 4 shot and if somebody's wearing heavy clothing might not penetrate enough to hit vitals

__________________
I like Poetry,Long Walks On The Beach,And Poking Dead Things With A Stick

Pete Zaria

Interesting question, and a little bit of related info can be found at the Box 'o Truth

I've patterned both #4 Buck and .00 Buck, both 2 and 3/4 inch loads, out of a 20" barrel. There wasn't much of a difference, and if anything, the #4 seemed to spread out a little bit more, which could be useful for home defense purposes.
As a side note, #4 Buck is cheaper than .00 loads or slugs in local sporting goods stores.

One of the beautiful things about a pump action shotgun is that it will load almost anything you feed it, and "dutch loading" won't cause nearly the point-of-aim vs point-of-impact problem that it does in a handgun. So consider keeping the first two or three shells 2&3/4" #4 buck, and follow it up with a few 3" magnum .00's. That's what I've got in mine

In all honesty, it's probably a moot point. Anything heavier than birdshot, from a 12 gauge shotgun at close range, is going to be devastating. I doubt the coroner, let alone the BG, is really going to know or care what you shot him with. Even through civilian-available body armor, I would imagine the 3,000+ ft/lb of energy from a 12ga shotgun shell at close range would break ribs.

Peace,
Pete Zaria.

__________________
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
- Margaret Mead

"Booger Hook Off the Bang Switch" - unknown

Fast Cloud

Agreed...and yet time and time again despite all the imperical data from every possible kind of test, I read about someone loading birdshot in their shotgun for SD. You can't fix stupid of course, but I'm determined to try!! If you're that concerned about over penatration, you'd probably be better off picking up a baseball bat or just giving him a good butt stroke with it. Sense I have no such issues personally, I use 00buck. It's been a proven load and has been the standard for decades. Nobody's built a better mouse trap yet IMHO. (except maybe 000, but for me the 1 extra pellet and inch and 1/2 extra penatration just isn't worth all that extra kick) That said, I too believe that #4 or #1 would certainly be sufficient.

__________________
"The handgun would not be my choice of weapon if I knew I was going to a fight. I'd choose a rifle, a shotgun, a RPG or an atomic bomb instead"---Clint Smith

NRA member

itschuck

Anyone ever hit a pheasant at close range?? Not much left when it happens.
I have remington high speed steel shot #4 in my 870. I truely would hate to be on the recieving end at 15ft from the muzzle.

__________________
Current collection: SIG P239 2-tone 40 with DAK, SW MP 40 Compact, Ruger SP101, Ruger Single Six 32H&R birdshead, Walther PP, SW 360 38+p Airweight, Browning Buckmark

Scot Van

Polyshok ammo is a unique addition to the shotgunner's arsenal. Frank Borelli has written a review of this round here...

http://www.borelliconsulting.com/eva...r/polyshok.htm

Unfortunately, unless you're LE or military, it is difficult to get the opportunity to try this out.

This is the only thing I keep in my 870 under the bed. It is a massively lethal load that behaves like a liquid...basically, all kinetic energy is transferred into the widest surface area possible, so penetration is minimal but damage is maximized.

I shot an refridgerator with it and the door promply fell off. Some Mounties use this round in Canada to stop bear and moose. Check out the films to see this round in action!

__________________
Sacred cows make the tastiest hamburger.
A. Hoffman

T Bone

Back in the old days, I used #6 for the first two in my Ithaca 37.

These (more enlightened?) days, the 870 HD has 2 rds. 00 Buck followed by 4 slugs.

__________________
Regards, T Bone.


"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety". Benjamin Franklin

Fast Cloud

If I'm anything, I'm skeptical...I just read that article, linked to their site...read it...checked out the vids, and I have to admit that I'm more than impressed. What that round does to gelaton is almost criminal. Also the fact that even though it didn't penatrate the body armor, it devestated the concrete behind it is very encouraging. It seems there may be at long last, a worthy remedy for over-penatration. I'd love to see some carcass test results.

__________________
"The handgun would not be my choice of weapon if I knew I was going to a fight. I'd choose a rifle, a shotgun, a RPG or an atomic bomb instead"---Clint Smith

NRA member

aus71383

Big difference between #4 shot and #4 Buck - be sure you are getting what you want. I personally wouldn't use #4 - shot or Buck - due to inadequate penetration. I'd be happy with 1 Buck or 0 Buck, but its harder to find, so my HD shotgun is loaded with 00 and I'm perfectly happy with that.

Austin

K4Kimber

None of the links I tried could come up with a file attached. Can you point me to the video link you used?

__________________
JK

GeorgiaCarry.org Member