[ShotgunPro]

both being 00 buck shot i know the 3'' buckshot should have a larger recoil but last time i went to the range it was a crazy difference. Is the high volocity round in 00 buck just a marketing scam.

 

[ShotgunPro]

IMHO 3" shells as a whole are over-rated and over-hyped. I've hunted squirrel, deer and everything in between with 2 3/4" shells for over a decade and haven't found one case where 3" would've made a difference. As for buckshot in particular, I say that 2 3/4" 00 buck should be just fine for HD. Not only will it have less recoil, but you will generally gain 1 extra round of capacity. Just my 2 cents.

 

[ShotgunPro]

^^^^ this

 

[ShotgunPro]

That and the heavier payload means slower velocity. The three inchers will have about the same velocity as the shorter low recoil rounds. The pellets also deform greatly on the bottom when you put more pellets in front of them.

Not worth the slower velocity, extra recoil, loss of capacity and worse patterns.

 

[ShotgunPro]

Is your shotgun designed to shoot 3" shells" Most older guns are only 2 3/4". Check the barrel stamping for size. If you shoot a 3" in a 2 3/4" gun there will be pressure problems + possible damage to the gun problems. However newer guns will accept the 3" shells if stamped for 3" on the barrel. Just a reminder to people shooting older guns. Be safe not sorry.

Otherwise 3" will give you 1 of 2 things. More buckshot or longer range. Read the box to see what is in the shells when you buy them.

 

[ShotgunPro]

I have killed deer with both, They were all just as dead. three inch shells put more lead in the air.

 

[ShotgunPro]

All a 3" 00 round is going to do is slow down your follow up shots.

I can see the purpose in hunting, but not for defense.

 

[ShotgunPro]

All a 3" 00 round is going to do is slow down your follow up shots.

I can see the purpose in hunting, but not for defense.

Interestingly, when my brother started hunting deer he first wanted to use 3" slugs in his Mossy 500 ( we have to use shotgun slugs where we hunt) but found that the extra recoil (substantial), and moreover, added cost of 3" wasn't worth it, and he's been killing deer of all sizes with 2 3/4" ever since. I've only been able to use 2 3/4" because that's all my Remington 1100 can use. I think 3" was really pushed on the turkey and waterfowl hunters, selling them on the idea that without the added lead and power of 3" they'd never be able to bring down birds, never minding that many birds have died via 2 3/4", in large measure because the less recoil allows people to shoot them more accurately. As I've said many times here on the forum, accuracy trumps power; doesn't matter how much lead you're throwing at the target if you miss.

 

[ShotgunPro]

Interestingly, when my brother started hunting deer he first wanted to use 3" slugs in his Mossy 500 ( we have to use shotgun slugs where we hunt) but found that the extra recoil (substantial), and moreover, added cost of 3" wasn't worth it, and he's been killing deer of all sizes with 2 3/4" ever since. I've only been able to use 2 3/4" because that's all my Remington 1100 can use. I think 3" was really pushed on the turkey and waterfowl hunters, selling them on the idea that without the added lead and power of 3" they'd never be able to bring down birds, never minding that many birds have died via 2 3/4", in large measure because the less recoil allows people to shoot them more accurately. As I've said many times here on the forum, accuracy trumps power; doesn't matter how much lead you're throwing at the target if you miss.

Usually 3" slugs weigh the same as a 2.75", so they get pushed faster, shoot a little flatter, and have a little longer range.

Not really applicable at an in home scenario, however.

 

[ShotgunPro]

I prefer #4 shot for home defense.

 

[ShotgunPro]

I prefer #4 shot for home defense.

While it dont happen often, i have seen 2# rabbits take upto 3 shots before,they stop running with #4 shot. Seen even more raccoons have the same reaction. I shot a 20+ pounder in the back, ass area and it did nothing but turn and charge.

Wouldnt even wany to see what a 220# crack head thinks about that.....

Its better than nothing though for sure..

 

[ShotgunPro]

I would take my chances that #4 will stop someone from 10 feet! Better than overpentration and having more collataral damage.

 

[ShotgunPro]

I would take my chances that #4 will stop someone from 10 feet! Better than overpentration and having more collataral damage.

Your life, and your family's life...but you'd better be able to place a lot of rounds on target, and rapidly.

Any round that is effective at rapidly incapacitiating someone is gonna go through walls. The opposite holds just as true.

TANSTAAFL.

(ETA--are you talking about #4 buck, or #4 bird?)

 

[ShotgunPro]

I much prefer #1 buckshot.

 

[ShotgunPro]

Your life, and your family's life...but you'd better be able to place a lot of rounds on target, and rapidly.

Any round that is effective at rapidly incapacitiating someone is gonna go through walls. The opposite holds just as true.

TANSTAAFL.

(ETA--are you talking about #4 buck, or #4 bird?)

Well I would trust #4 to stop anything that is 10 feet away and not to take out my neighbors and save me from re-sheetrocking my house entirely. If you feel the need for 00 buck or slugs good for you.....I am sticking with what I have backed up by my 45 acp.

 

[ShotgunPro]

Well I would trust #4 to stop anything that is 10 feet away and not to take out my neighbors and save me from re-sheetrocking my house entirely. If you feel the need for 00 buck or slugs good for you.....I am sticking with what I have backed up by my 45 acp.

The ACP would be a better choice. Even at 10 feet that BIRD shot (they call it that for a reason) will underpenetrate. Thick clothes, a leather jacket, better hope no one has any on if they come in because it will work like a birdshot proof vest. A guy in MI shot a man four times with birdshot ACR when he came in his house. The poor fella was complaining the next day to the media he was only drunk and confused and didnt deserve to be shot. The home owner is lucky it was only a lost comfused drunk with a leather jacket on.

Instead of thinking you will shoot your neighbors through the walls you need to make a plan. The mere exsistance of a gun in your hands does not mean you will be safe or protected blasting in every direction. Its home defense, not offense. Go walk your house and determine where you will defend it from. Take a look at where you will shoot. Note anything beyond you might hit and modify. Once you know where it is safe to shoot defend from them positions. Then go out and get some ammo that will give you better protection than shot that fails to kill 2# and less animals on a regular basis.

You wont win with your weapon. You win by knowing your home turf better than the intruder. You win with knowledge and proper tools.

 

[ShotgunPro]

Yep.

I work with a guy that took a #5 pheasant load at about that distance that basically gave him a rash after getting though a Carhartt jacket.

Bidshot should only be used on birds and mammals that weigh less than ten pounds.

Personally, I'd take that .223 you have, loaded with a decent softpoint or hollowpoint over the shotgun loaded with birdshot any day.

 

[ShotgunPro]

Who's talking about birdshot?

 

[ShotgunPro]

 

[ShotgunPro]

I prefer #4 shot for home defense.

You are.

#4 shot and 4 buck are very different. Imagine if your boss put a ¢ infront of your earnings instead of a $.

Might cause some confusion, just a little.