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Best 12 Gauge Ammo for Home Defense

Anything and everything related to ammunition can be posted here.

Moderators: Scorpion8, ripjack13, John A., nitesite

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Copper BB
Posts: 6
Joined: Mon Jan 23, 2017 5:27 pm
Location: California
PostPosted: Tue Feb 28, 2017 11:49 pm
Whats up everybody. I'm a new member on this site and I recently purchased my first firearm, a Remington 870 Express Tactical. I need some help from the more experienced guys here. I'm new to shotguns and i'm still trying to learn the differences in 12 gauge ammunition. I need to find out the best ammunition for home defense.
I went to Walmart to checkout the different types of 12 gauge they had and I left very confused. I know that I only can use 2&3/4" to 3" shells but I still see an influx of different ones to choose from. If it helps, I live in a 2-story home. The first floor is very open and the second floor is moderately tight; and my Remington does not have a stock, only pistol grip.
Thanks to those who help out, god bless.
NRA Member
PostPosted: Wed Mar 01, 2017 8:36 am
It IS a proven fact that "birdshot" is the best load for home defense situations due to the fact it will NOT over penetrate common house building materials to harm any friendlies in the home as well as outside the structure.

2 3/4"... 7 1/2 birdshot... keeps a tight pattern in the usual self defense distances found in most homes.

Don't believe me...?!

Google It !!
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Copper BB
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Location: California
PostPosted: Thu Mar 02, 2017 8:58 pm
Cool, thanks brother!
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.22LR
Posts: 11
Joined: Tue Feb 07, 2017 9:47 pm
PostPosted: Thu Mar 02, 2017 10:48 pm
Here is a link to a place where various loads were tested:

http://www.theboxotruth.com/the-box-o-t ... x-o-truth/
United States Air Force Master Sergeant (Retired)
PostPosted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 9:39 am
Good link...proves my point.

Remembering that you have at least a few more shots in the shotgun...the perp will drop...without excessive danger to others in or outside the home.

.410
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Joined: Sun Jan 22, 2017 10:22 pm
Location: Noble county, Ohio
PostPosted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 8:54 pm
SHOOTER13 wrote:It IS a proven fact that "birdshot" is the best load for home defense situations due to the fact it will NOT over penetrate common house building materials to harm any friendlies in the home as well as outside the structure.

2 3/4"... 7 1/2 birdshot... keeps a tight pattern in the usual self defense distances found in most homes.

Don't believe me...?!

Google It !!


X2, but NOBODY walks through a 12 guage no matter the shot size, but as Shooter said do to over penetrating birdshot is primo!
US Army Retired

.22LR
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Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2016 4:52 pm
PostPosted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 6:16 pm
Seems all the cops carry low recoil 00.
I'll have to go read that I've always worried about bird shot in long hallways or distances.
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 28, 2017 7:56 am
well, inside of what distance?

If I were to stick with smaller shot I would select #4 or #5 high brass hunting loads. Or waterfowl loads of #2 heavy shot.

BTW, that is a nice shotgun you bought. Congrats.
An ATI stock set on a 1955 16-ga Wingmaster would make Baby Jesus cry...........

Cop
Reloader and Bullet Caster
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.270 WIN
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Location: Indiana
PostPosted: Thu May 04, 2017 3:57 pm
I like to keep mine loaded with #6 or #4 shot, high brass, 2-3/4". You really don't need the power of the 3", especially at close range, against a human target at close distances. JMHO.
USMC 83' - 87'
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Indiana & Utah CCW

Are we there yet?
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PostPosted: Mon May 08, 2017 11:34 pm
OP, just what are you going to go with as a defense load?
An ATI stock set on a 1955 16-ga Wingmaster would make Baby Jesus cry...........

Cop
Reloader and Bullet Caster
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.270 WIN
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PostPosted: Mon Jul 10, 2017 7:10 pm
nitesite wrote:OP, just what are you going to go with as a defense load?
Guess he figured it out on his own? :?:
USMC 83' - 87'
NRA Member
Indiana & Utah CCW

Are we there yet?
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Copper BB
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Location: California
PostPosted: Wed Aug 16, 2017 7:13 pm
nitesite wrote:OP, just what are you going to go with as a defense load?


Thanks for the help guys... sorry for the late reply and being gone for a while. But hopefully i'll be posting more very soon. My shotty looks a whole lot different now than it does in my user pic. I'll post pics soon..
@nitesite right now I just I have 2&3/4 high brass birdshot. Getting into shotguns is something I'm still trying to adapt to, now I'm trying to learn all the different types of ammunition available.
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.410
Posts: 33
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Location: NE Kansas
PostPosted: Tue Sep 26, 2017 8:01 am
I have an 870, 1100, and new 870 Tac 14. In the latter I use managed recoil 00 buck. I live in the country, so no concern about it bothering anyone.
Life member NRA, GOA, LEAA. Member KS State Rifle Association.
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.22LR
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 9:58 am
1-buck is nice because you get 12 pellets vs. 9 with 00-Buck. Only downside is there's not much supply for it :(
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.22LR
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Location: Cradle of the Confederacy
PostPosted: Sun May 05, 2019 8:23 pm
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... VVJeGlGaFE

Above is all the issues of the Intl Wound Ballistics Assn. 10 years worth for free. If you had been a member these would have cost you 600.00 in dues and they are all available to everyone free now.

Suggest you download and copy all to a thumb drive.
NRA Benefactor, Distinguished High Power Rifle, Smallbore Prone (2)US Palma Teams, (2) US Palma Trophy wins, Certified Small Arms and Ammunition Test Director, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md, Test & evaluation of Small Arms US Gov't

Copper BB
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Joined: Sun Jan 03, 2016 2:54 pm
PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2019 4:42 pm
Try these for your Home Defense Shells.
I love them

https://www.hevishot.com/catalog/hevi-duty/

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