Thoughts on Self-Defense Ammunition

[Underdog 1,593]

What are your thoughts on 12 and 20 ga. self-defense ammunition?  Is there any good 20 or 12 ga. shells with lower recoil that would be good for elderly for defense?  I was also thinking about finding a 410 but cannot believe the prices on those.   Also, I was thinking about trading a 12 ga. Stevens 77 for a 20 ga. pump of some kind... Thoughts?  Should I keep the 77 which is very similar to a Vietnam trench gun?

[Scorpio64 5,153]

Federal Tactical 8 pellet 00.  It's the cat's ass.

[Old Glock guy 1,127]

2 hours ago, Scorpio64 said:

Federal Tactical 8 pellet 00.  It's the cat's ass.

The 9 pellet 00 is fine as well.  Look for "Flight control"  LE13200 is all of that, plus low recoil. 

Thread over!

[Ray Ray 3,566]

On 8/6/2019 at 6:41 PM, Old Glock guy said:

The 9 pellet 00 is fine as well.  Look for "Flight control"  LE13200 is all of that, plus low recoil. 

Thread over!

Almost

If you want the tightest pattern then these will do.  Also the Hornady stuff as well.  All others don't compete for patterns.

BUT

If you do want more spread then the above mentioned loads will not work.

[ChrisS 31]

 

 

this is 3BK but shoots VERY soft out of a 20g single shot. 

[CGVETERAN 10]

Even low brass bird shot is lethal at close range. Which Is going to be low recoil for sure. If for self defense I suspect you are talking about typical distances inside a home of 15 feet or less. There are a lot of videos on YouTube showing the effectiveness of birdshot at close ranges on meat targets. Perfectly acceptable and won’t over penetrate. 

[Displaced Texan 11,739]

1 hour ago, CGVETERAN said:

Even low brass bird shot is lethal at close range. Which Is going to be low recoil for sure. If for self defense I suspect you are talking about typical distances inside a home of 15 feet or less. There are a lot of videos on YouTube showing the effectiveness of birdshot at close ranges on meat targets. Perfectly acceptable and won’t over penetrate. 

Bad, bad idea. Especially in the wintertime, when people wear heavier clothing. 
 

@High Exposure could tell you a story about birdshot in a suicide attempt....

Stick with 00 buckshot, a handgun, or an AR. 

[Displaced Texan 11,739]

Might have a read through this thread: https://www.njgunforums.com/forum/index.php?/topic/76172-shot-gun-home-defense-ammo-what-is-recommended/

[Handyman 5,682]

Somebody out there makes buck and ball ammo that looks interesting. It'll put a heck of a hole in whatever it hits. 

[Displaced Texan 11,739]

Over the weekend, High Exposure showed me a segmented slug. Very interesting. 
Upon impact with soft surfaces or tissue, it segments into 3 pieces. H.E. told me it penetrates 13+ “ of ballistic gel. Violently. 

Upon impact with hard surfaces, such as a car door, it stays intact, and acts like a regular slug. He said fairly accurate to 100 yds. 

https://www.activeresponsetraining.net/new-winchester-segmented-slug-round#:~:text=It is available to citizens as the PDX1,to other slugs when fired through hard barriers.

 

[CMJeepster 2,778]

14 hours ago, Handyman said:

Somebody out there makes buck and ball ammo that looks interesting. It'll put a heck of a hole in whatever it hits. 

"Kitchen sink?"  https://wolfhillammo.com/12gauge234kitchensink.aspx

[Handyman 5,682]

6 hours ago, CMJeepster said:

"Kitchen sink?"  https://wolfhillammo.com/12gauge234kitchensink.aspx

Holy crap, that one sure covers all the bases.

[JC_68Westy 1,024]

6 hours ago, CMJeepster said:

"Kitchen sink?"  https://wolfhillammo.com/12gauge234kitchensink.aspx

I am going to duplicate that load, the only thing I need is some .58 caliber ball. I may head to Cabelas this weekend.

[CMJeepster 2,778]

15 hours ago, JC_68Westy said:

I am going to duplicate that load, the only thing I need is some .58 caliber ball. I may head to Cabelas this weekend.

Please take some mental notes as to their inventory of "stuff" for those that might need something.

[JC_68Westy 1,024]

23 minutes ago, CMJeepster said:

Please take some mental notes as to their inventory of "stuff" for those that might need something.

Will, do. My closest Cabelas is in Gainesville, VA.

[CMJeepster 2,778]

Just now, JC_68Westy said:

Will, do. My closest Cabelas is in Gainesville, VA.

Meh, maybe just a broad observation then.  I'm curious how the other states supplies are.

[JC_68Westy 1,024]

My local gunshops are fully stocked with powder. Bullets and primers are gone. Guns are available with the exception of HD shotguns. No 9mm, 45ACP, 38SPL in any quantity.  When available limit on purchases. There is 223/5.56 but it is expensive. Lots of shotgun target loads, not much buckshot. The local gun shops said AR sales are way down but handguns and HD shotguns are the biggest sellers.Hunting ammo (30-06, etc) is available.

[YankeeSC 1,204]

12 minutes ago, CMJeepster said:

I'm curious how the other states supplies are.

South Carolina similar to what @JC_68Westy said.  No common handgun ammo.  5.56 and .223 going for $67 per 100, one per customer.  Plenty of uncommon caliber and hunting.  A couple of weeks ago I was able to get .308 at $16 per 20 but now that appears to be sold out too.  Lots of birdshot but no buck or slug.

[CMJeepster 2,778]

Thanks for the info.  I am trying to get a big pictures of where we are.  The civil unrest this year is most likely the cause of the overall market woes.