Federal offers 00 buck in a low recoil load that drops the muzzle velocity by around 200fps, which significantly reduces kick to allow for faster follow up shots. Firearmstactical.com reviewed the best load for HD and found that the #1 has the best potential for wound trauma. However, #1 is not, to my knowledge, offered in a low recoil load like the 00. With 00 in a 2 3/4" shell, it's like getting hit with a 9-round burst from a .32ACP...it'll drop you in your tracks. Don't bother with 3" or 3 1/2" loads for HD...they don't offer any better stopping power than the tactical 2 3/4" loads, and they kick a lot harder.
Birdshot at very close distances will produce a pretty nasty wound, but in gelatin tests even at point blank range, birdshot did not penetrate more than 6", so it's not the best choice if you're deterring a violent attacker. Slugs are a bad choice as well as shot placement becomes the key factor, and they overpenetrate. Keep in mind even with a cylinder bore the shot will only spread out around 1" for every yard it covers, at least at HD distances. So you still need to aim carefully.
Just load it up with Federal 00 buck LR loads for HD and you'll be fine. Odds are, if you ever heard a bump in the night and crank a shell into the chamber, the sound will send the perp running home with a load in his pants.
...and that would be mean. funny, but mean. :lol:
