what size shot in a 12ga?

[35Rem]

What size shot for home defense?  Momma will use it as well.
Thinking about something other than buckshot/slugs.
Will size 4 shot in a high brass 2 3/4" shell do the job well?  Less recoil is better.

What do you guys use?

[PA-Joe]

#4 is good

[Heavy C]

You could even go with something as small as #6 shot.  It will be less recoil and send more shot in the direction of the bad guy.

[Bob_VT]

What is the intent?  First I would never use a reload to shoot an intruder too many legal issues.  I would go with a #1 factory buck shot load.  The #4 or #6 will make a mess and lead to a long court battle.  You can tell Momma it is a light load in the shotgun and trust me when I tell you that fear will overcome recoil with a buckshot load.  I doubt there will be a "gun battle" after the shotgun goes off.  You will either have a stopped intruder or a wounded intruder getting the hell out.

[35Rem]

Who said reloads?  I'm asking for a factory shotshell that others use.  I should have been more clear.

I think it's all going to make a mess and end up in court, either way.  That's today's society.

#1 I don't want to wound anybody.  If I have to shoot, they better be dead. See above.

Just want to know what others use, and/or what's reccomended and WHY.

I figured a good heavy load of #4 shot would suffice, but I want to know why not, too.  Thanks

[35Rem]

Also, any links to webpages with reports on shotgun effectiveness, etc would be cool.  Thanks again.

[Mikey]

35Rem:  #4 Buckshot is effective.  #4 Shot is not unless you know where to put it.  HTH.  Mikey

[K.K]

There are low-recoil buckshot loads avaiable. I'm not sure that you actually need buckshot. Whatever you choose, you and momma should pattern it and practice to see how and where it hits.

[Shawnee Gene]

Federal makes a 12ga. PD load with #2 shot.  It is labeled " low recoil " and PD.  #PD12 2 is the product number.  It is a 2 3/4" hull, high brass, 1 1/4 oz. shot, 3 dram eq, and the velocity is listed at 1140 fps.  It is what I have in my HD shotguns.

[bearfat]

At a gun club meeting we were discussing our pistol bowling pin shoots and I wanted info regarding the shoot using shotguns.

The shoot takes place from 21' away.

Anyway one of the few members I believe knew what he was talking about said birdshot will go through a 55 gallon metal drum barrel from 6'.

I agree with Bob VT and think you could even have her practice with low brass but stick the real stuff (buckshot) down the tube later at home.

From some of the safari books I've read some guys in the excitment never even hear let alone feel their elephant guns go off.

And I don't know how many times I have shot big game and routinely watch for the tell tale flinch through the scope. I'm not using mag rifles but do pump up my 30-06 with big heavy bullets and max powder.

Adrenaline will allow our body to take a pounding.

[Todd N.]

Also, any links to webpages with reports on shotgun effectiveness, etc would be cool.  Thanks again.

Try this- it'll make you stop and think for a few minutes.

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot3.htm

[35Rem]

Todd N.

Thanks a lot!!  That's what we needed to know.
The box o truth strikes again....

Use the big stuff.

[S.S.]

an interesting test.... I am not really surprised by the results though
except from the slugs. I would have expected the jug to have been vaporized.

[Tn Jim]

If you're shooting birds, stick with bird shot. For home defense, I'll stick with 00.

[Old Griz]

Amen!