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Best 12 Gauge Ammo for Home Defense

PostPosted: Tue Feb 28, 2017 11:49 pm
by TactiCool510
Whats up everybody. I'm a new member on this site and I recently purchased my first firearm, a Remington 870 Express Tactical. I need some help from the more experienced guys here. I'm new to shotguns and i'm still trying to learn the differences in 12 gauge ammunition. I need to find out the best ammunition for home defense.
I went to Walmart to checkout the different types of 12 gauge they had and I left very confused. I know that I only can use 2&3/4" to 3" shells but I still see an influx of different ones to choose from. If it helps, I live in a 2-story home. The first floor is very open and the second floor is moderately tight; and my Remington does not have a stock, only pistol grip.
Thanks to those who help out, god bless.

Re: Best 12 Gauge Ammo for Home Defense

PostPosted: Wed Mar 01, 2017 8:36 am
by SHOOTER13
It IS a proven fact that "birdshot" is the best load for home defense situations due to the fact it will NOT over penetrate common house building materials to harm any friendlies in the home as well as outside the structure.

2 3/4"... 7 1/2 birdshot... keeps a tight pattern in the usual self defense distances found in most homes.

Don't believe me...?!

Google It !!

Re: Best 12 Gauge Ammo for Home Defense

PostPosted: Thu Mar 02, 2017 8:58 pm
by TactiCool510
Cool, thanks brother!

Re: Best 12 Gauge Ammo for Home Defense

PostPosted: Thu Mar 02, 2017 10:48 pm
by Eyorspt
Here is a link to a place where various loads were tested:

http://www.theboxotruth.com/the-box-o-t ... x-o-truth/

Re: Best 12 Gauge Ammo for Home Defense

PostPosted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 9:39 am
by SHOOTER13
Good link...proves my point.

Remembering that you have at least a few more shots in the shotgun...the perp will drop...without excessive danger to others in or outside the home.

Re: Best 12 Gauge Ammo for Home Defense

PostPosted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 8:54 pm
by coyotebob
SHOOTER13 wrote:It IS a proven fact that "birdshot" is the best load for home defense situations due to the fact it will NOT over penetrate common house building materials to harm any friendlies in the home as well as outside the structure.

2 3/4"... 7 1/2 birdshot... keeps a tight pattern in the usual self defense distances found in most homes.

Don't believe me...?!

Google It !!


X2, but NOBODY walks through a 12 guage no matter the shot size, but as Shooter said do to over penetrating birdshot is primo!

Re: Best 12 Gauge Ammo for Home Defense

PostPosted: Thu Apr 27, 2017 6:16 pm
by DavidFagan
Seems all the cops carry low recoil 00.
I'll have to go read that I've always worried about bird shot in long hallways or distances.

Re: Best 12 Gauge Ammo for Home Defense

PostPosted: Fri Apr 28, 2017 7:56 am
by nitesite
well, inside of what distance?

If I were to stick with smaller shot I would select #4 or #5 high brass hunting loads. Or waterfowl loads of #2 heavy shot.

BTW, that is a nice shotgun you bought. Congrats.

Re: Best 12 Gauge Ammo for Home Defense

PostPosted: Thu May 04, 2017 3:57 pm
by remingtontoter
I like to keep mine loaded with #6 or #4 shot, high brass, 2-3/4". You really don't need the power of the 3", especially at close range, against a human target at close distances. JMHO.

Re: Best 12 Gauge Ammo for Home Defense

PostPosted: Mon May 08, 2017 11:34 pm
by nitesite
OP, just what are you going to go with as a defense load?

Re: Best 12 Gauge Ammo for Home Defense

PostPosted: Mon Jul 10, 2017 7:10 pm
by remingtontoter
nitesite wrote:OP, just what are you going to go with as a defense load?
Guess he figured it out on his own? :?:

Re: Best 12 Gauge Ammo for Home Defense

PostPosted: Wed Aug 16, 2017 7:13 pm
by TactiCool510
nitesite wrote:OP, just what are you going to go with as a defense load?


Thanks for the help guys... sorry for the late reply and being gone for a while. But hopefully i'll be posting more very soon. My shotty looks a whole lot different now than it does in my user pic. I'll post pics soon..
@nitesite right now I just I have 2&3/4 high brass birdshot. Getting into shotguns is something I'm still trying to adapt to, now I'm trying to learn all the different types of ammunition available.

Re: Best 12 Gauge Ammo for Home Defense

PostPosted: Tue Sep 26, 2017 8:01 am
by KSDeputy
I have an 870, 1100, and new 870 Tac 14. In the latter I use managed recoil 00 buck. I live in the country, so no concern about it bothering anyone.

Re: Best 12 Gauge Ammo for Home Defense

PostPosted: Wed Apr 04, 2018 9:58 am
by engineerpower
1-buck is nice because you get 12 pellets vs. 9 with 00-Buck. Only downside is there's not much supply for it :(

Re: Best 12 Gauge Ammo for Home Defense

PostPosted: Sun May 05, 2019 8:23 pm
by Hummer70
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... VVJeGlGaFE

Above is all the issues of the Intl Wound Ballistics Assn. 10 years worth for free. If you had been a member these would have cost you 600.00 in dues and they are all available to everyone free now.

Suggest you download and copy all to a thumb drive.

Re: Best 12 Gauge Ammo for Home Defense

PostPosted: Fri Dec 27, 2019 4:42 pm
by mallardmadness
Try these for your Home Defense Shells.
I love them

https://www.hevishot.com/catalog/hevi-duty/