Buckshot vs Slug: What’s Best for Self-Defense?

Ammo ^ | December 18, 2023 | Chris Dwulet

[Yo-Yo]

Bird shot does a fine job of turning a thoracic cavity into hamburger at that distance, and there is little chance of a #7-1/2 shot pellet penetrating a wall and killing an innocent person on the other side.

You might get flamed by others, but I agree that birdshot is completely appropriate for home defense.

[DoodleBob]

Ya can’t please everyone.

If I excerpt the story, I’m accused of being a blog pimp or “why didn’t you include THIS sentence are you derp state yada yada yada?!?”

[Williams]

If they attack your house and you can pick them off at long range or through the door you might want to fire slugs.

Buckshot or birdshot is best indoors, or if you want to deter them at long range without necessarily killing them.

I guess the shot pattern indoors is tight enough that you shouldn’t hit family members by accident.

[jimbug]

The first thing: check the laws especially Castle Doctrine laws.If your state does not permit you to kill an intruder,move to a state that does.

[Disambiguator]

I would eschew slugs for residential environments due to overpenetration concerns. Same with 00 Buckshot. #4 shot is a good choice. Even birdshot will get the job done at inside-the-house distances. No one wants to get hit by anything coming out of a 12 gauge!

Mossberg’s Maverick shotguns are a great choice for budget minded types.
Great review here:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-9OL7IquoIo&pp=ygUYbWF2ZXJpY2sgODggdG9ydHVyZSB0ZXN0

[Aut Pax Aut Bellum]

I had one of these. Shot it a fair amount with different 410 buckshot and came to the conclusion it was a novelty. I could not constantly put the buckshot where I wanted every shot, it patterned erratically and lacked penetration.

[Flatus I. Maximus]

If you’re engaging targets at 75+ yards, you’re going to have a hard time arguing in court that you did so to defend your home.

[TexasGator]

“I think buckshot might provide good, sweeping coverage”

Almost no spread at that range.

[sauropod]

.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Shotgun Slugs for Home Defense - Lucky Gunner Ammo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Az3X8prhJs

Buckshot for Hunting and Home Defense - Paul Harrell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ny67ZNy4zwQ

Bird Shot in your Home Defense Shotgun - Paul Harrel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaR1EVybUgc

Home Defense: Aguila 12ga. mini shells m- Paul Harrell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13LaTffG1K0

.410 Shotgun for Home Defense - Paul Harrell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQD77feU-rY

Hornady .410 Triple Defense Ammo - Paul Harrell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suhpsBnkhBY

[Az Joe]

Thank you sir.

[HartleyMBaldwin]

NINE .33” balls per shell will be coming at you, and if using the Taurus Magnum Raging Judge, SIX rounds can be unleashed.

Can you get nine 00 buckshot pellets into a .410 shell?

[Billthedrill]

Nope. You get 9 00 pellets in a 2 3/4 inch 12 gauge.

[gundog]

A few minor quibbles aside, I’d add that they’re also making some exotic slugs....

[freepersup]

Yes, if it is a 3” shell.

[HartleyMBaldwin]

That’s what I thought. Too bad the Taurus uses .410.

[DoodleBob]

https://youtu.be/uFuCcIR45nA?si=7LsTNbNgEtAD7ZJv

This is a birdshot vs buckshot test using full roasting chickens as the targets.

For anyone who says birdshot at 5 yards (a not unreasonable inside the home distance) has no stopping power, go to the 7 min mark. Boohyeah!

[gundog]

A sidesaddle shell holder will add some needed weight. in addition to “extra” rounds.

[HartleyMBaldwin]

Really? It just doesn’t seem logical that you can get the same number of pellets as in a 12-gauge into a much smaller shell. I’ll take your word for it, though.

[Flag_This]

I’ll stick with my depleted uranium rounds.