Home Defense ammo? - Page 2

jem102 · October 1st, 2009, 10:02 PM

I find both Fed. & Ranger low recoil 9 pellet 00 buck work well in my 18" 870. Standard vel is 1325 the low is 1145 from the Fed and 1200 from the Ranger. The Fed.patterns slightly better @ 7 yd.

gumaro · October 1st, 2009, 10:31 PM

I use the #4 buckshot in my Maverick 88.

TX-JB · October 1st, 2009, 11:01 PM

In an apartment /townhouse setting you are describing I would use #4 buck. It was our recommended carry load for areas where there was a high concentration of apartments. It's a good stopper, but not overly penetrative... Birdshot is for birds, not bad guys...

Wasabi · October 1st, 2009, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jem102

I find both Fed. & Ranger low recoil 9 pellet 00 buck work well in my 18" 870. Standard vel is 1325 the low is 1145 from the Fed and 1200 from the Ranger. The Fed.patterns slightly better @ 7 yd.

The 12ga Federal LE 00 low recoil (LE132-00) is what I use also. I wouldn't be opposed to the standard recoil (LE127-00), I just got a nice deal on the low and bought a bunch up.

bryman · October 2nd, 2009, 12:48 AM

the dude at dicks (its the only place remotely near by that sells ammo) told me they recommend this for any home defense situation.

it was cheap so i got a box while picking up my shotgun. is it a keeper or a take back? if its a take back whats a good brand and size? 2 3/4? 3 inch? is 7 1/2 ok or do i go with 4 shot?

TX-JB · October 2nd, 2009, 01:06 AM

Those are "Game Loads" like the picture of the bird on the box... not a defensive load... it's good for birds, snakes and skeet, not bad guys... Get some sort of buckshot load... those aren't bad for practice or plinking, but not defense... I'd keep them, you'll use them for something...

Buck shot typically comes in 5 round boxes and will run around $5-8/box. Get some different sizes of buckshot (#4, #1, 0, 00) and see which patterns best in your shotgun. Stay with the 2 3/4" loads, there's really no need for 3" loads in defensive situations...

bryman · October 2nd, 2009, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX-JB

Those are "Game Loads" like the picture of the bird on the box... not a defensive load... it's good for birds, snakes and skeet, not bad guys... Get some sort of buckshot load... those aren't bad for practice or plinking, but not defense... I'd keep them, you'll use them for something...

Buck shot typically comes in 5 round boxes and will run around $5-8/box. Get some different sizes of buckshot (#4, #1, 0, 00) and see which patterns best in your shotgun. Stay with the 2 3/4" loads, there's really no need for 3" loads in defensive situations...

thanks!! i was thinking the same about the bird as he suggested this box, but i was like eh ill use these to fire the first shots LOL.

ill go out tomorrow and get some better shells!! i like the black shells some guys have, what are those? even the clear shells are sweet!!

TX-JB · October 2nd, 2009, 01:25 AM

Just about any brand of buckshot will do...Remington, Winchester Super-X, Federal... I think the dark shells are mil-spec loads... not sure about the clear shells... Check ammunitiontogo.com they have some pretty good deals on buckshot, even some LE, LE reduced recoil loads and mil-spec loads...

bryman · October 2nd, 2009, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX-JB

Just about any brand of buckshot will do...Remington, Winchester Super-X, Federal... I think the dark shells are mil-spec loads... not sure about the clear shells... Check ammunitiontogo.com they have some pretty good deals on buckshot, even some LE, LE reduced recoil loads and mil-spec loads...

whats LE??

TX-JB · October 2nd, 2009, 01:34 AM

LE = Law Enforcement... Some loads are reduced recoil or could be a hotter than standard load... Also, buffered loads will typically pattern better... the pellets will not deform, so the pattern stays smaller... I just looked at ammunition to go and they had a good selection of loads in stock, check them out...

Many retailers won't stock LE loads... The manufacturers typically designate them for sale only to LE agencies...It's not against any law for you to buy or have them, they are just harder to get unless you order them from someplace like ammo to go...

October 1st, 2009, 11:01 PM	#13
TX-JB VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sugar Land, TX Posts: 3,146	In an apartment /townhouse setting you are describing I would use #4 buck. It was our recommended carry load for areas where there was a high concentration of apartments. It's a good stopper, but not overly penetrative... Birdshot is for birds, not bad guys... __________________ *"We're in Texas....Things are different here."* *NRA Life Member*

October 2nd, 2009, 01:06 AM	#16
TX-JB VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sugar Land, TX Posts: 3,146	Those are "Game Loads" like the picture of the bird on the box... not a defensive load... it's good for birds, snakes and skeet, not bad guys... Get some sort of buckshot load... those aren't bad for practice or plinking, but not defense... I'd keep them, you'll use them for something... Buck shot typically comes in 5 round boxes and will run around $5-8/box. Get some different sizes of buckshot (#4, #1, 0, 00) and see which patterns best in your shotgun. Stay with the 2 3/4" loads, there's really no need for 3" loads in defensive situations... __________________ *"We're in Texas....Things are different here."* *NRA Life Member*

October 2nd, 2009, 01:25 AM	#18
TX-JB VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sugar Land, TX Posts: 3,146	Just about any brand of buckshot will do...Remington, Winchester Super-X, Federal... I think the dark shells are mil-spec loads... not sure about the clear shells... Check ammunitiontogo.com they have some pretty good deals on buckshot, even some LE, LE reduced recoil loads and mil-spec loads... __________________ *"We're in Texas....Things are different here."* *NRA Life Member*

October 2nd, 2009, 01:34 AM	#20
TX-JB VIP Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Sugar Land, TX Posts: 3,146	LE = Law Enforcement... Some loads are reduced recoil or could be a hotter than standard load... Also, buffered loads will typically pattern better... the pellets will not deform, so the pattern stays smaller... I just looked at ammunition to go and they had a good selection of loads in stock, check them out... Many retailers won't stock LE loads... The manufacturers typically designate them for sale only to LE agencies...It's not against any law for you to buy or have them, they are just harder to get unless you order them from someplace like ammo to go... __________________ *"We're in Texas....Things are different here."* *NRA Life Member*

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October 1st, 2009, 10:02 PM	#11
jem102 Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Jefferson County TN Posts: 144	I find both Fed. & Ranger low recoil 9 pellet 00 buck work well in my 18" 870. Standard vel is 1325 the low is 1145 from the Fed and 1200 from the Ranger. The Fed.patterns slightly better @ 7 yd.

October 1st, 2009, 10:31 PM	#12
gumaro Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Alvin, TX Posts: 175	I use the #4 buckshot in my Maverick 88.

October 2nd, 2009, 12:48 AM	#15
bryman Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Henderson, Colorado Posts: 58	the dude at dicks (its the only place remotely near by that sells ammo) told me they recommend this for any home defense situation. it was cheap so i got a box while picking up my shotgun. is it a keeper or a take back? if its a take back whats a good brand and size? 2 3/4? 3 inch? is 7 1/2 ok or do i go with 4 shot?