How much buckshot

[Nwcid]

Looking at my stock level of buckshot, I am trying to decide how much I need. I have several 12 ga shotguns in single shot, pump and semi auto.
I have plenty of bird shot on hand. I rarely use buck shot other than for occasional practice but I would like to be prepared.
How much buckshot is enough to keep on hand? I currently have about 250rds on hand. I was thinking about increasing that 2-3x.
A shotgun is not planed as any primary firearm.

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[MTpockets]

I do not know the type or size of buckshot that you currently have, but you may want to try some different pellet sizes?
Variety is nice...especially if it brings you to find something that patterns well.


Photo from ---

Buckshot Sizes & More Shotgun Stuff You Should Know

Buckshot sizes and more stuff you need to know about shotgun ammo. Tips on patterning, various shells dissected and more in this easy to follow guide.

www.luckygunner.com

Part 2 covered buffered loads etc..

More Stuff You Should Know About Buckshot [Part 2] - Lucky Gunner Lounge

Lessons that are all about buckshot - controlled vs uncontrolled, buffered, etc. We break it all down in this guide.

www.luckygunner.com

Edit to add: I am restraining myself from posting Clint Smith videos, memes, and quotes.

 

[Hooyah DeepSea]

Just so you are aware, if you are looking at the shotgun for personal defense, No. 4 buck gives you the best shot size to number of pellets ratio for that purpose.

 

[Nwcid]

Use would be for general preparedness. For use for gathering food or defense against any type of threat. I am likely to go with 00 du to availability vs price.

Again this is not a primary arm, but 250rds does not seem like enough, 1000 seems like too much.

 

[Certaindeaf]

How many slugs do you have?
I prefer slugs as they go through more stuff than puny .33 cal round pellets.

 

[NeoBlackdog]

How many zombies do you anticipate letting get close enough that the shotgun will be an effective tool?

 

[oremike]

I keep 4 Buck for the coach gun and various types of bird shot for the BPS.

 

[Stomper]

How many slugs do you have?
I prefer slugs as they go through more stuff than puny .33 cal round pellets.

Yup, say you're attacked by a….. Cadillac from Texas for instance.

 

[Joe13]

Use would be for general preparedness. For use for gathering food or defense against any type of threat. I am likely to go with 00 du to availability vs price.

Again this is not a primary arm, but 250rds does not seem like enough, 1000 seems like too much.

Jebus!! What exactly are you preparing for??? Lol.

I bought a bunch of slugs and 00 buck when I saw it cheap just to have.

I agree and use 0000 buck in my HD gun.

If you're preparing for a shootout or long term self defense I'd think you would be better spending money to acquire a long gun with a magazine.

Just my 2¢

 

[Joe13]

Oh and look up cut shells and wax slugs - you can do a lot with bird shot in a SHTF sitch.

 

[Hooyah DeepSea]

And higher penetration jacketed sabot loads ( for the rampaging cadillac)!!

 

[titsonritz]

Just so you are aware, if you are looking at the shotgun for personal defense, No. 4 buck gives you the best shot size to number of pellets ratio for that purpose.

#1 is where it's at, IMO, but usually harder to find.

 

[slimmer13]

500 ea seems like a nice round number for specialized uses, buckshot, birdshot, ammo for each hunting rifle etc.

 

[Jbsheepdog]

Idk what number it is, but my personal goal is a 5 gallon bucket of 00buck. I'm sure that will go up with my increased income and space as I upgrade in home later in life

 

[Knobgoblin]

How many shotguns do you have?
How many fallback/ perimeter positions will you have staged? Will they be fully stocked?

 

[bradsteen]

How many shotguns do you have?
How many fallback/ perimeter positions will you have staged? Will they be fully stocked?

^^^^
This! Also, are you planning for just yourself, or a group of people? Not a bad strategy to have some spare pump or break action shotguns around to arm friends or family in a SHTF situation. Easy to use, cheap to purchase, useful for both hunting and defense, and valuable in a barter economy.

 

[Yarome]

I don't think there is any particular "recommended" amount, but it sounds like your intended usage is about like mine. I like to keep about 1.5k rounds on hand per shooter.

I break it down in 600-700 bird/target, 300-400 mid size game loads and 500 in SD. About 300 split between 00 and 0000 and 200 in slug.

I dunno if it's really wise to do a bunch of stocking at the moment though. I think prices are still going to keep coming down, but I am certainly keeping an eye on what the market is doing and setting aside some cabbage to restock when I feel prices have bottomed out.

A shotty isn't my primary SD either, but I try to keep "more than sufficient" amounts not only for SHTF preparedness, but also so I can ride out one of these price/availability issue spikes when they roll around. Typically lasting a year or 2... it's an eventuatlity so it's always nice to ride it out without cramping your shooting style or paying through the nose to profiteers.

I also set basement level quntities on hand. The closer I get to it the more I'll cut back on target practice in order to maintain "SHTF" preparedness, if needed.

That said, I don't really believe having too much ammo is ever a "thing". Stored properly it'll keep until well into the next generation.

 

[Tony617]

My shotguns are for defensive use only since only FN SLP has threads for a choke but it only 18" long. My Mossberg pump action the longest I own is 22". So I use 9 pellet 00 buckshot mostly. I did buy some #4 buckshot and also have some LE132 15 pellet #1 buckshot. Federal has stopped making LE132 #1 buckshot. Flite control rounds are more expensive so I practice with Rio 9 pellet 00 buckshot.

 

[TTSX]

Kind of a stretch here, don't know if you play video games or ever did. If your character is armed with a shotgun and you have 250 rounds, it takes a long, LONG time to burn through all that even when in active combat. You have enough ammo already, especially for a non primary weapon. You can always add more but don't freak out

 

[Yarome]

Kind of a stretch here, don't know if you play video games or ever did. If your character is armed with a shotgun and you have 250 rounds, it takes a long, LONG time to burn through all that even when in active combat. You have enough ammo already, especially for a non primary weapon. You can always add more but don't freak out

On the other hand... if society completely collapses shortly after lunchtime... and 250 are meant to last you the remainder of your days... you might wanna stack a little deeper.