Home Defense Shotguns Buckshot vs Birdshot

opsspec1991

opsspec1991

Active member
Home Defense Shotguns Buckshot vs Birdshot

By Home Defense Gun

We have had a couple posts on shotguns and there is always a discussion about what type of ammo to use. Which one – buckshot vs birdshot? buckshot vs birdshot

There are misconceptions about what both do and the pros and cons of each. We found a great video which demonstrates shot patterns and over penetration.

Read More & Watch Video: Home Defense Shotguns - Buckshot vs Birdshot - Home Defense Gun

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrM5U2kGQCc&feature=player_embedded
 
I have opinions based on a few instances I've seen.
I personally saw the results of 1 1/4 ounce of #4 chilled striking a yearling deer in the ribcage @ 12-15 yards. DRT-not even a wiggle. Some of the shot fully penetrated while most was scattered through the lung tissue, off side ribcage, and under the off side skin.
In another instance, I witnessed a 16 gauge field load (presumably 1-1 1/16 ounce of common #6) shatter the skull of a mature bovine at approximately 10'. Absolutely, without a doubt DRT.
 
Ringo said:
Short barrel 20 gauge - #3 buckshot - Works for me. :cool:
Click to expand...

What does short barrel mean in this instance? 18.5" or shorter?

12 GA 27-pellet #4 buckshot out of a 18.5" semi-auto shotgun works for me. It patterns 4 inches at 5 yards, 6 inches at 7 yards, and 7 inches at 9 yards. It penetrates 11.5-15 inches in bare gel. The total wound area created by the sum of each of the 27 pellets is 2.4 square inches (it's 1.5 square inches with 9-pellet 00 buck). It penetrates through 3 interior walls, after which it is not lethal. It is stopped by an exterior wall.

Bird shot is for birds. It penetrates through 1 interior wall, after which it is not lethal. It converts every single interior wall from concealment to cover for your attacker.

Anyone concerned with wall penetration should consider rule #4: Identify your target, and what is behind it.

The spread of a shotgun is close to the accuracy of a handgun shooter under stress. The wall penetration of buckshot is similar to self-defense handgun ammunition. A handgun is not an alternative to a shotgun for home defense when it comes to wall penetration. An AR with barrier-blind 5.56/.223 ammunition is a better alternative.
 
2 bucks followed by 3 birds in my shotgun. Probably prefer the buckshot if I get to the last 2 rounds in a single encounter.
 
bofh said:
What does short barrel mean in this instance? 18.5" or shorter?
Click to expand...
20" barrel. This Ithaca M66 was given to me by my sister in-law. It was sitting in the corner of her closet for the last 40 years. The M66 had never been fired.
Link Removed​
 
Howdy,

Mobuck said:
I have opinions based on a few instances I've seen.
I personally saw the results of 1 1/4 ounce of #4 chilled striking a yearling deer in the ribcage @ 12-15 yards. DRT-not even a wiggle. Some of the shot fully penetrated while most was scattered through the lung tissue, off side ribcage, and under the off side skin.
In another instance, I witnessed a 16 gauge field load (presumably 1-1 1/16 ounce of common #6) shatter the skull of a mature bovine at approximately 10'. Absolutely, without a doubt DRT.
Click to expand...

Most country boys have killed deer with squirrel shot.

I do get a laugh out of the city boys that have never killed anything giving advice about what will or will not kill something.

If a person is worried about overpenetration in a HD shooting the #4, 5 or 6 1 1/4oz high brass loads are a good choice.

I would not recommend anything smaller than #6 lead shot.

If you don't have to worry about overpenetration use buckshot, the bigger the better.

Paul
 
I'll end this debate right here and now.

One night, I stopped by the local diner for some grub. I had with me my remingont 870, loaded with buckshot. At the table across from me, I noticed a customer getting up to leave but setting down no tip. Deciding to give him a good talking to for his stingy ways, I grabbed my boomstick and followed him outside. As soon as I stepped out the front door, my sixth sense tingled and I knew gunplay would soon follow. I racked a shell into the chamber, and at that sound the man I was following made a mad dash for his truck. I knew he was going for a weapon, so I opened fire while giving chase.

He made it to his truck and pulled out a shotgun of his own and hit me full in the chest. Unfortunately, for him, it had all the effect of a warm, summers breeze (I later found out it was birdshot), and I proceeded to shove the barrel of my gun into his mouth and pull the trigger. His brains splattered all over the pavement and women and children in the vicinity began to scream in horror.

That there should tell you the effectiveness of birdshot.
 
Howdy,

Wild Dog said:
I'll end this debate right here and now.

One night, I stopped by the local diner for some grub. I had with me my remingont 870, loaded with buckshot. At the table across from me, I noticed a customer getting up to leave but setting down no tip. Deciding to give him a good talking to for his stingy ways, I grabbed my boomstick and followed him outside. As soon as I stepped out the front door, my sixth sense tingled and I knew gunplay would soon follow. I racked a shell into the chamber, and at that sound the man I was following made a mad dash for his truck. I knew he was going for a weapon, so I opened fire while giving chase.

He made it to his truck and pulled out a shotgun of his own and hit me full in the chest. Unfortunately, for him, it had all the effect of a warm, summers breeze (I later found out it was birdshot), and I proceeded to shove the barrel of my gun into his mouth and pull the trigger. His brains splattered all over the pavement and women and children in the vicinity began to scream in horror.

That there should tell you the effectiveness of birdshot.
Click to expand...

Holy Crap!

Paul
 
Wild Dog said:
I'll end this debate right here and now.

One night, I stopped by the local diner for some grub. I had with me my remingont 870, loaded with buckshot. At the table across from me, I noticed a customer getting up to leave but setting down no tip. Deciding to give him a good talking to for his stingy ways, I grabbed my boomstick and followed him outside. As soon as I stepped out the front door, my sixth sense tingled and I knew gunplay would soon follow. I racked a shell into the chamber, and at that sound the man I was following made a mad dash for his truck. I knew he was going for a weapon, so I opened fire while giving chase.

He made it to his truck and pulled out a shotgun of his own and hit me full in the chest. Unfortunately, for him, it had all the effect of a warm, summers breeze (I later found out it was birdshot), and I proceeded to shove the barrel of my gun into his mouth and pull the trigger. His brains splattered all over the pavement and women and children in the vicinity began to scream in horror.

That there should tell you the effectiveness of birdshot.
Click to expand...


There probably 2 places in the country where you wouldn't do time for a stunt like that and then just maybe. So tell me again just how you didn't create start and cause this whole thing?
Last I knew normal people don't take shotguns to dinner and not leaving a tip wasn't a crime of any sort. So that leaves three possibilities. Stoned, trolling or a vivid imagination. Pick one.


Sent from my XT1080 using USA Carry mobile app
 
Howdy,

driz said:
There probably 2 places in the country where you wouldn't do time for a stunt like that and then just maybe. So tell me again just how you didn't create start and cause this whole thing?
Last I knew normal people don't take shotguns to dinner and not leaving a tip wasn't a crime of any sort. So that leaves three possibilities. Stoned, trolling or a vivid imagination. Pick one.


Sent from my XT1080 using USA Carry mobile app
Click to expand...

All of the above.

Paul

Sent from my ObamaPhone using my right thumb.
 
driz said:
There probably 2 places in the country where you wouldn't do time for a stunt like that and then just maybe.
Click to expand...
First off, dude, we're here to talk about the pros and cons of buckshot vs. birdshot, not my heroic actions. And before you continue to try and obfuscate the conversation with polarizing terms like 'do time' or maybe add provocative words like 'felony' or perhaps speculation like 'fleeing the scene before the cops show', I say we get back to the conversation at hand.

driz said:
So tell me again just how you didn't create start and cause this whole thing?
Click to expand...
It's real simple, yet you seem so lost, so I'll spell it out for you. The dirtbag would still be alive if he didn't take off without leaving a tip while in my field of vision, it felt like he was almost daring me to do something. Then, to top it off, he went for a gun. I'm not sure how anymore cut and dry this situation would be, unless you're one of Obama's gun grabbes, is that you , driz?

driz said:
Last I knew normal people don't take shotguns to dinner and not leaving a tip wasn't a crime of any sort.
Click to expand...
You're right, normal people don't take shotguns with them to dinner...but warriors do. Life is a nonstop battle, if you aren't locked and loaded and ready to fight it with everything you've got then all you are is just another dead man walking.

As not leaving a tip not being a crime, well, it's a crime against polite society. It's a matter of right and wrong, and when the law won't address it you better believe the Wild Dog will.

driz said:
So that leaves three possibilities. Stoned, trolling or a vivid imagination. Pick one.
Click to expand...
I can guarantee I'm not stoned.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

New Threads

Members online

Total: 149 (members: 1, guests: 148)

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
49,525
Messages
610,668
Members
74,995
Latest member
tripguru365

Share this page

Back
Top