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12 Gauge Shotgun Shells - Slug it out
Am Shooting Journal ^ | 8/20/2016 | Oleg Volk

Posted on 08/20/2016 12:44:29 PM PDT by w1n1

Modern 12-gauge Shotgun Slugs Can Be An Excellent Choice For Self-Defense Distances And Beyond

Shotguns are a perennial home defense favorite. They are generally inexpensive, very common and perceived as being simple to operate. Nearly every gun-owning household has at least one smoothbore. But, since research and anecdotal evidence point towards the relative ineffectiveness of birdshot against large intruders, buckshot is typically used to deliver multiple simultaneous impacts while adding some margin for aiming error.

Buckshot, from .35 caliber 000 to .24 caliber No. 4, works fairly well on opponents up close and in the open, but doesn’t penetrate cover well. For people who want the ability to get through furniture, walls or auto glass, slugs provide another option. The same applies to rural residents who worry less about overpenetration but may have to fire in self-defense at longer ranges where buckshot spreads too much, and individual pellets lack adequate penetration.

Large-bore smoothbores and rifles have long been the first choice of dangerous game hunters. A typical musket was around .70 caliber, and black powder rifles varied from .70 to .45, with long conical bullets providing necessary penetration on ornery creatures like Cape buffalo or grizzly. Jacketed bullets developed by the 1890s and monolithic solids introduced in the second half of the 20th century continued this trend. Read the rest of the story here.


TOPICS: Hobbies; Outdoors
KEYWORDS: banglist; shotguns
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1 posted on 08/20/2016 12:44:29 PM PDT by w1n1
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To: w1n1

Bookmarked.


2 posted on 08/20/2016 12:46:34 PM PDT by Inyo-Mono
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To: w1n1

So hitting someone in the face with 6 shot isn’t enough to get their attention?


3 posted on 08/20/2016 12:48:47 PM PDT by WakeUpAndVote
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To: w1n1

I hadn’t seen much from Oleg in a while. Is he still doing all the cool, great 2A photography / messages?


4 posted on 08/20/2016 12:53:12 PM PDT by FreedomPoster (Islam delenda est)
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To: w1n1

I load my 12 Gauge with Fiocchi #4 buck.
I’m happy with it.


5 posted on 08/20/2016 12:54:18 PM PDT by Artemis Webb (Ted Kennedy burns in hell.)
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To: w1n1

Up close, it probably doesn’t matter what shot you use. Still just in case, double ought buck shot, tho again any size buck would be fine.

I have an 18 inch barrel Winchester Defender next to my bed, loaded with 7 rounds of 00 buck. Despite the fact that I probably could not do better, I really would like an Italian Lupara.

They can be made very short overall as the action is short. Only two shots before reloading but that would probably be enough.


6 posted on 08/20/2016 12:54:48 PM PDT by yarddog (Romans 8:38-39, For I am persuaded.)
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To: w1n1

Number 4 for anything small. I found that Speer has released a 38/357 birdshot round. It has a 5 - 10 yd range. It looks very effective as a snake round. To see it in action go to Gunblast.com.


7 posted on 08/20/2016 12:57:12 PM PDT by ImJustAnotherOkie
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To: yarddog

If mama might be using it stick with 2 3/4. The 3” might be a bit too much recoil for a follow-up shot.


8 posted on 08/20/2016 12:59:39 PM PDT by ImJustAnotherOkie
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To: WakeUpAndVote

IF I didn’t get their attention before I pulled the trigger then I want more than their attention when I do.


9 posted on 08/20/2016 1:02:22 PM PDT by rockinqsranch (Dems, Libs, Socialists Call 'em what you will, they all have fairies livin' in their trees.)
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To: w1n1
"For people who want the ability to get through furniture, walls or auto glass, slugs provide another option. "

00 or 000 buckshot works just fine for that application.

The only advantage a slug has over big buckshot is range and penetration of over 24 inches of muscle and bone.

10 posted on 08/20/2016 1:03:46 PM PDT by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
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To: WakeUpAndVote

No. six shot also works wonders on wasps nests up in a tree twenty or thirty feet away that you can’t reach to spray otherwise. The first round takes out the nest and the second for whatever buzzes around shocked afterwards (they hung in a cloud when the nest was gone)


11 posted on 08/20/2016 1:05:12 PM PDT by SkyDancer ("They Say That Nobody's Perfect But Yet Here I Am")
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To: Mariner

Or, if you ever have the inclination or need to shoot clear through a 10 inch diameter fir tree.


12 posted on 08/20/2016 1:07:33 PM PDT by Mariner (War Criminal #18)
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To: ImJustAnotherOkie

“I found that Speer has released a 38/357 birdshot round. It has a 5 - 10 yd range.”

You will be hard pressed to kill a snake much past 5 feet with those rounds. 15 to 30 feet is wishful thinking.


13 posted on 08/20/2016 1:08:21 PM PDT by wrench
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To: ImJustAnotherOkie

I use 2 3/4 for defense mainly because it allows a couple more rounds. Different brands of shells vary a bit in overall length. Enough that I have noticed my shotgun will take 7 of most brands but some it will only take 6.

With 3 inch it will only hold 5 in the mag. The only advantage of the 3 or 2 1/2 inch shells is pattern density. At 6 feet the advantage is moot.


14 posted on 08/20/2016 1:09:12 PM PDT by yarddog (Romans 8:38-39, For I am persuaded.)
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To: w1n1

12 gauge, double ought, police loads.


15 posted on 08/20/2016 1:09:54 PM PDT by Jimmy Valentine (DemocRATS - when they speak, they lie; when they are silent, they are stealing the American Dream)
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To: w1n1

“Take that sh*t further out. To the suburbs, burn they sh*t down.” Yes please, bring out here.


16 posted on 08/20/2016 1:10:18 PM PDT by Wilderness Conservative (Nature is the ultimate conservative.)
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To: WakeUpAndVote

I keep #2 shot in my “house” shotgun. I used to keep lead BB size in it, but can’t find that any more. I suppose the larger sizes of steel shot would be OK, too. At most ranges a shotgun might be used inside the home, even those #6 will be nearly a solid mass.


17 posted on 08/20/2016 1:11:59 PM PDT by Quickgun (I got here kicking,screaming and covered in someone else's blood. I can go out that way if I have to)
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To: yarddog

If there is only one target. And you dont count the first shot as a throwaway.


18 posted on 08/20/2016 1:15:12 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; Not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: w1n1
The last 2 rounds in my shotgun are steel slugs.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/index/5-rounds-d-dupleks-monolit28-12-gauge-2-3-4-flat-nose-steel-slugs-1-oz-1460-fps?a=730865

19 posted on 08/20/2016 1:27:45 PM PDT by Elderberry
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To: w1n1

So whats best load to cover a door way in the home from say a distance of looking down the cellar stairs.


20 posted on 08/20/2016 1:30:11 PM PDT by CGASMIA68 (kant spell er punktuate,fluncked english.Gramer to!!)
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