Shotgun ammo considerations for indoor defense

Since 09-24-05

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A good home defense shotgun is easily the most important choice you can make and probably the easiest. Most any shotgun can be made to do the job if the right ammo is used. A few important rules. The barrel must be at least 18 inches long and the gun must be at least 26 inches from the tip of the barrel to the back of the butt. Having said that you could use any shotgun for this purpose. I prefer a 12 gauge but a 20 gauge or even a 410 will get the job done.

You do have to fit the ammo to the job. Lots of people use buckshot or slugs sometimes mixed together one then the other. I prefer #6 shot all the way through. It will cut a man in half at close distance but won't go through walls and doors and then kill somebody on the other side.

Keep in mind that buck shot is a several 38 caliber balls going down range. Lots of penetration. I don't want penetration, see ammo. I want lots of knock down and minimum penetration. I don't desire to go through walls, brick, doors or people and have the projectile still carrying a lethal load.

12 GA #6 shot ammo example:
 
12 GA 2-3/4" #6 1-1/4 oz Heavy Field PMC Box (25 rds) $5.95
4102655
PMC HF126 Heavy Field load with hardened shot at 1330fps.