HD Shotgun ammo at the ready?

xsquidgator · February 18th, 2007, 10:51 AM

I'm curious as to how people here who keep a home defense shotgun keep ammo ready for it. It looks to me as if the options so as to have the shotgun ready for quick use are
1) keep the tube magazine loaded, chamber empty
or with/without shells in the tube mag,
2) 4-5 shells in an elastic shell-holder wrap around the buttstock
3) several shells in one of those shell holders that mounts to the side of the receiver
4) a sling with shellholders built in for 5-15 shells
5) bandoliers that hold shells

I have a New England Firearms Pardenr pump 12 ga that pretty much is just used for weekly trap shooting, although it's also what I'd grab if I was awakened in the middle of the night by an intruder. I used to have the elastic stock shellholder with 5 shells, but have switched over to a sling that could also hold as many as 15 shells (for weight reasons, I don't load it up with that many). I wanted a sling anyway to make it easier to carry, and with a couple in the tube magazine ready to be racked in and a couple shells in the sling, I feel pretty well armed for anything.

What do you all like to do, and why?

cphilip · February 18th, 2007, 11:13 AM

I do number one, no round in chamber but safety off.

Nothing like the intimidation factor of a round racking into a shotgun!

randytulsa2 · February 18th, 2007, 11:26 AM

Remington 870, one in the chamber, 4 in the tube. Safety on (it's in a hidden compartment on top of a coat rack).

Chuck R. · February 18th, 2007, 11:34 AM

Here's my setup which is my primary HD gun:

Benelli M1S90, Insight M3X light, loaded with 6 rounds of Hornady TAP OO in the tube, one round on the lifter tray, chamber empty. On the butt is a Specter Gear buttcuff with 6 more rounds of Hornady TAP OO.

http://www.spectergear.com/shotgun_bsh.htm

It stays under the bed in a V-Line long gun case with a simplex push button lock. In the picture is a 3 point sling that's mounted for range use. I was going to a combat shotgun class the day after I took the picture.

I like the M3X light because I own a couple and I can swap them out to different guns if needed, or quickly remove it when practicing in daylight.

I like the buttcuff as compared to a side saddle, because I don't like the chance of pinching the Benelli's aluminum receiver and I also don't like adding any extra width at that point. The only concern with the buttcuff is that in my case it requires strong hand loading, which to me, with practice isn't that big of a deal.

The Hornady TAP OO is the best patterning load I've found so far. The stuff is pretty remarkable out to 25 meters, at house distances it's about a 6" pattern at my longest potential shot.

Most of the time the Sling and the buttcuff aren't attached. I like the weight and quick pointing features of the Benelli without a bunch of stuff hanging off it.

IF I go through 7 rounds of OO, I'm just going to have to grab another gun.

Chuck

PackerfanXD · February 18th, 2007, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cphilip

I do number one, no round in chamber but safety off.

Nothing like the intimidation factor of a round racking into a shotgun!

Same here. That sound is known in all languages!

cphilip · February 18th, 2007, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PackerfanXD

Same here. That sound is known in all languages!

I should add I have no kids in the house. Well... my kid is 20 years old that is.

PackerfanXD · February 18th, 2007, 12:23 PM

No kids here either; just 2 APBTs.

lowflyer · February 18th, 2007, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chuck R.

Here's my setup which is my primary HD gun:

It stays under the bed in a V-Line long gun case with a simplex push button lock.

Now that is what I call a HD gun!

I need to get one of those cases. My Benny stays locked up in the safe.

Chorizo · February 18th, 2007, 01:28 PM

1 in chamber, 5 in the tube. No kids in house. Sound might be universal, but I want the "drop" on the BG if he is in the house.

Before guests come I open chamber and insert cable through action opening and lock to cast eyebolt secured to wall stud and slide under bed. Same procedure before leaving house.

edit: 5 are on elastic buttstock shell holder also.

vinnie · February 18th, 2007, 02:00 PM

I want any intruder hearing the gun racking. I figure that will most likely scare anyone off if they do get in. I see the point of having the surprise factor, but I live in a one bedroom apartment. I should hear them before they get all the way inside... if I don't then I'm probably screwed!

Oh, and 5 in the tube (magnum triple aught) empty chamber and safety on.

February 18th, 2007, 10:51 AM	#1
xsquidgator Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 268	HD Shotgun ammo at the ready? I'm curious as to how people here who keep a home defense shotgun keep ammo ready for it. It looks to me as if the options so as to have the shotgun ready for quick use are 1) keep the tube magazine loaded, chamber empty or with/without shells in the tube mag, 2) 4-5 shells in an elastic shell-holder wrap around the buttstock 3) several shells in one of those shell holders that mounts to the side of the receiver 4) a sling with shellholders built in for 5-15 shells 5) bandoliers that hold shells I have a New England Firearms Pardenr pump 12 ga that pretty much is just used for weekly trap shooting, although it's also what I'd grab if I was awakened in the middle of the night by an intruder. I used to have the elastic stock shellholder with 5 shells, but have switched over to a sling that could also hold as many as 15 shells (for weight reasons, I don't load it up with that many). I wanted a sling anyway to make it easier to carry, and with a couple in the tube magazine ready to be racked in and a couple shells in the sling, I feel pretty well armed for anything. What do you all like to do, and why?

February 18th, 2007, 11:13 AM	#2
cphilip Distinguished Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: South Carolina Posts: 1,392	I do number one, no round in chamber but safety off. Nothing like the intimidation factor of a round racking into a shotgun! __________________ www.cphilip.com

February 18th, 2007, 11:26 AM	#3
randytulsa2 Distinguished Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,448	Remington 870, one in the chamber, 4 in the tube. Safety on (it's in a hidden compartment on top of a coat rack). __________________ "...bad decisions that turn out well often make heroes." Gary D. Mitchell, A Sniper's Journey: The Truth About the Man and the Rifle, P. 103, NAL Caliber books, 2006, 1st Ed.

February 18th, 2007, 11:34 AM	#4
Chuck R. Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Leavenworth, KS Posts: 233	Here's my setup which is my primary HD gun: Benelli M1S90, Insight M3X light, loaded with 6 rounds of Hornady TAP OO in the tube, one round on the lifter tray, chamber empty. On the butt is a Specter Gear buttcuff with 6 more rounds of Hornady TAP OO. http://www.spectergear.com/shotgun_bsh.htm It stays under the bed in a V-Line long gun case with a simplex push button lock. In the picture is a 3 point sling that's mounted for range use. I was going to a combat shotgun class the day after I took the picture. I like the M3X light because I own a couple and I can swap them out to different guns if needed, or quickly remove it when practicing in daylight. I like the buttcuff as compared to a side saddle, because I don't like the chance of pinching the Benelli's aluminum receiver and I also don't like adding any extra width at that point. The only concern with the buttcuff is that in my case it requires strong hand loading, which to me, with practice isn't that big of a deal. The Hornady TAP OO is the best patterning load I've found so far. The stuff is pretty remarkable out to 25 meters, at house distances it's about a 6" pattern at my longest potential shot. Most of the time the Sling and the buttcuff aren't attached. I like the weight and quick pointing features of the Benelli without a bunch of stuff hanging off it. IF I go through 7 rounds of OO, I'm just going to have to grab another gun. Chuck __________________ homo homini lupus est

February 18th, 2007, 12:23 PM	#7
PackerfanXD Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Ground zero of the invasion Posts: 663	No kids here either; just 2 APBTs. __________________ The wealthiest nation in the world with the mightiest army man has ever assembled could not stop them. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJhD-72v958 Free Ramos and Campion

February 18th, 2007, 01:28 PM	#9
Chorizo Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: SW Idaho Posts: 387	1 in chamber, 5 in the tube. No kids in house. Sound might be universal, but I want the "drop" on the BG if he is in the house. Before guests come I open chamber and insert cable through action opening and lock to cast eyebolt secured to wall stud and slide under bed. Same procedure before leaving house. edit: 5 are on elastic buttstock shell holder also. __________________ Freedom is not free, but the U.S. Marine Corps will pay most of your share. Si vis pacem, para bellum - Vegetius If you want peace, prepare for war P-12 45acp CZ 2075 40 S&W

February 18th, 2007, 02:00 PM	#10
vinnie Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 58	I want any intruder hearing the gun racking. I figure that will most likely scare anyone off if they do get in. I see the point of having the surprise factor, but I live in a one bedroom apartment. I should hear them before they get all the way inside... if I don't then I'm probably screwed! Oh, and 5 in the tube (magnum triple aught) empty chamber and safety on.

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