Ultimate shot shell for "defense"

[Pietro Beretta]

I was reading the Federal ammunition catalog and under shots shells it had posted “Personal Protection” the shell was a 2 ¾ shell and shot size #2 for fast opening patterns with light recoil.

Is this the best choice? I don’t think law enforcement personnel (SWAT) would use a load like this...I would think more of 3” magnum and 00 Buck or 000 Buck. What shot size would be the best? And how effective is shot size #2 really? Does it penetrate fairly deep is soft tissue (25 yards and closer) like game?

I have tested many different loads at the range, and by far I like the 3" Magnum 00 Buckshot (15 pellets). I find it had the best patterns at 25 yards and closer. From my Remington 870 Marine Magnum (18" barrel) it has relatively tight/unifirm/consistent patterns compared to the rest I've tested.

Any thoughts would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[Waterfowler]

Best one is the one that is in the gun at the time you need it.

There are too many variables for just one to be the best.

 

[Levi Garrett]

12ga 2 3/4'' 00 Buck (9 pellets)

My pick, ease of loading and 9 of those is pretty nasty

 

[mdbuckle]

Personally I would use slugs. Nothing says "STOP" like a 1oz slug!

 

[Calum]

Personally I would use slugs. Nothing says "STOP" like a 1oz slug!

Very true, but the wife will say stop when you sail one through the wall (or two) into her china cabinet in the next room.

I went for 2 3/4 00 buck.

 

[Calum]

That would just be an excuse for the wife to get a new cabinet and china.

That is true but would prob' bite deeply into the guns and ammo fund.

 

[TheFonz]

I'm actually using a combination of Winchester 3 1/2" #4 Buck and Federal 2 3/4" 00 Buck and an Improved Cylinder choke.

 

[geologist]

2 3/4" 00 buck. More in the magazine. I use birdshot for birds.

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

How about something from here?
firequest.com/catalog/showcase_item_4.html

 

[Calum]

Last I checked Fanchette, and incendiary rounds are prohibited.

 

[pitdogboy]

Personally I would use slugs. Nothing says "STOP" like a 1oz slug!

'cept the 1.25 oz says it louder

 

[Pietro Beretta]

Why does everybody like 2 3/4" 00 Buck (9 pellets) when you can get
2 3/4" Magnum 00 Buck (12 pellets)

I would much rather have 12 pellets in a 2 3/4" shell than a wimpy 9.

But I'd much rather have a 2 3/4" 000 Buck with 8 massive pellets...Remington Express all the way....the little green monsters I call em.

 

[LeePeterson]

Why does everybody like 2 3/4" 00 Buck (9 pellets) when you can get
2 3/4" Magnum 00 Buck (12 pellets)

I would much rather have 12 pellets in a 2 3/4" shell than a wimpy 9.

But I'd much rather have a 2 3/4" 000 Buck with 8 massive pellets...Remington Express all the way....the little green monsters I call em.

Crap why stop at a wimpy 9-12 get a 3 1/2" shell and pump out 18 00 buck pellets.

 

[Calum]

I can't see someone being much of a danger to you after getting a close range dose of 9 .33" lead balls pumped into them at 1300 fps, and if so the lower recoil will allow a better follow-up...IMHO as one that has a less fancy shotgun.

 

[LeePeterson]

Never know with criminals these day they might have a vest on.

 

[Greenhorse six]

I would think even taking a blast from a 2 3/4" 00 buck with a vest on ,they're not going to stay around for the follow up shot.

Or just aim a little low.

Why wasn't 4# shot put on the list?

 

[TheFonz]

If you're looking for shot amount, the 3 1/2" #4 Buck has 54 .24" pellets in it.

 

[DARKARCHER]

i would say 2 3/4 mag 00 buck ........just a note my wife sold her china for my shotgun

 

[Greenhorse six]

Are we talking about in house type range?then just about any thing out of a 12ga should work,

A Friend of my was using 71/2 target loads on an aluminium frying pan at about 7yds,1 of the shot cups imbedded itself in the metal.

 

[BIGREDD]

What most of you don't realize is that most SWAT or police forces use slugs more than buckshot in their shotguns. Buckshot has a tendency to ricochet and hit targets other than intended targets. Slugs are used in close quarters to avoid civilian casualties... and for blowing doors open.