Should I use #4 or 00 buck?

[Ballardguy]

For home defense shotguns I'm not a fan of over penetration as it could go through sheetrock walls and harm friendlies. I like even #6 shot the best as it will stop the bad guys and not be deadly after passing through walls.

 

[ilikegunspdx]

I'll offer a differing opinion and say do not use #6 birdshot. IMO less likely to penetrate to vitals or central nervous system. Especially if heavy clothing worn or anything beyond very close range. If it's very close range you would probably be ok but why risk it? Even at home, we don't know ahead of time when the attack will happen or what it will look like (Fe how far away attacker(s) will be).

If you hit what you are aiming at, and you know your shotguns pattern, imo you don't have to worry as much about overpenetration. IMO for shotguns, missing the target with 1 or more pellets is where the penetration of unintended targets is most likely to happen. Fe, a hypothetical indoor 5 pellet .410 shot shown below. Whereas if you are on target and you have the right load for the range you are shooting at, overpenetration through and beyond the target you intended to hit is much less of a concern.

Remember the "he shot my arm off" guy? That was reported as #00 buck. The perp didn't just drop dead. What would have been the damage with #6 birdshot? That example also shows that perps are not static, facing you like a 2 dimensional paper target. In this case the gun and arm holding the gun were forward of the person and likely took most of the damage. That's why you have to have enough penetration to break through arm/shoulder bones and penetrate to the vitals or CNS. #6 is very unlikely to do that imo.

 

[Hemlock]

Who says you have to choose? Load a couple of 00 buck first so they're the last out and finish off the tube with #4 for the first shots out.

 

[JuglansRegia]

You haven't lived until you've touched off a couple of 3" magnums with 15 pellets of 00 buckshot. That being said, something like BB or #2 shot would be better for flying mechanical devices.

 

[Outermostline]

00 Buckshot is ONLY the standard for historical reasons mostly due to its use in the trenches of World War 2 & 1 & its combat effectiveness/knockdown power (which made the Germans declare shotguns a "War Crime" despite them using gas & other war crimes on the battlefield).

If gun owners had a little common sense, #1, #2, #3 & 0 Buck would all be more abundant & more commonly used than 00 Buck, at least against HUMANS & other medium sized game (anything up to deer). You should always take a greater hit probability & 16-27 Pellets that are .24"-0.3" in diameter over only 8-9 Pellets which are 0.33" in diameter- only about 0.03" to 0.1" wider than #1 Buck-#3 Buck pellets. #4 Buck & smaller sizes are still decent & work well for home defense/low penetration situations where even #1 Buck/#2 Buck/#3 Buck might overpenetrate walls, etc.

But the gun community doesn't operate based on "common sense", guns & ammo loadings sell based on peoples' emotions: 1911s outsell every other .45 ACP pistol from H&Ks, FNX-45s & Glocks to Shield .45s, XDm .45s, etc. all combined. The 1911s are heavier, less advanced mechanically & internally & hold about half as many rounds.

 

[Stomper]

Awful joke inbound:






00 for adult men , #4 for women and children.


I'll see myself out.

You think that's bad? Unlike @Andy54Hawken I don't let my guns tell me what they like, I tell them what to like!

 

[Caveman Jim]

Use this stuff for tweakers….

View attachment 2300911

Ah, Big Jim and the triplets…

 

[Caveman Jim]

My precious!

Come on man, mean it when you say it!!!

 

[Ben B.]

Federal quit making the #1 buckshot with Flite Control back in 2018. They still make the 9 pellet buckshot with Flite Control.

According to this web article: Au contraire, mon frere.

Federal's #1 Buck Is Back - American Cop

For home or business defense, with generally shorter ranges and greater foreknowledge about backstop issues, Federal’s #1 Buck loads fill a market niche effectively.

americancop.com

But I just don't see any evidence that the Fed #1 loads the author used had a FLITECONTROL wad.

There are #1 loads out there, by Federal and others.

12 Gauge Ammo Shells | Bulk 12 Gauge Ammunition Shells For Sale Cheap

12 gauge ammo shells for sale that's in stock at Lucky Gunner Ammo - today! Featuring cheap 12 gauge shotgun ammunition shells in stock and in bulk.

www.luckygunner.com