When we talk about self-defense guns, few firearms have the near-mythical presence of authority that the shotgun has. While its mere appearance can deter potential threats, the true potency lies in the ammunition it's loaded with. Selecting the right ammunition for defensive shotguns is an important choice that underscores the delicate balance between stopping power and mitigating overpenetration. As we dive into this topic, we'll explore the nuances of different shotshell types, their terminal ballistics, and the factors that guide your selection. So let’s get to it.
[Intro]
Before we launch into today’s topic, I want to give a shout out to a gunshop I was made aware of a couple weeks ago. Jaeden Guns and Ammo is a veteran-owned business, operated by Jaeden Carter, who proudly served in the Marine Corps. (Links to their website and Facebook page are in the show notes.) They get a special mention because of their gold standard customer service. I ordered some nine-millimeter ammunition from them, and got it in less than two weeks. So what, you may be saying. Well, my order was processed and delivered while Jaeden was having a technological battle. Seems someone in New Zealand got control of Jaeden’s website, which included his ecommerce system and email. He was forced to re-establish his web presence and dig order info out to keep the ammo flowing. If you’ve ever had to spin up a website, you can appreciate the hassle that can be. But Jaeden pulled it off, and personally sent email checking on the delivery status of my order. Believe me, when you’re used to dealing with the apathy online companies normally extend, having a business owner that truly cares about his clientele is beyond awesome. Not a lot of good, happy things in the world, so when there is one I enjoy bringing it to you.
Now, it’s no secret that I like shotguns. When it comes to selecting a close combat arm for home defense, I will take a shotgun each and every time. Call me a Fudd if you want, but I’m going to opt for the most devastating weapon system I can lay my hands on for things that go bump in the night. When I worked vice-narcotics I had a pistol-gripped Mossberg 500 that was my go-to for search warrants. You never knew what you were going to have to deal with when you kicked in the door; would there be violent resistance, or would you have to go room to room waking the occupants up? One thing you could count on; at night when you were navigating through a backyard full of discarded needles and helium tanks, you weren’t going to be searching a diabetic clown.
We’re going to focus primarily on 12-gauge shotguns and ammunition in this. Choosing between a 12-gauge and 20-gauge shotgun involves a trade-off between raw power and maneuverability. A 12-gauge offers greater stopping power but generates more recoil. A 20-gauge, while slightly less potent, is easier to handle, making it suitable for those with limited firearm experience. Reduced recoil loads mitigate the shotgun's notorious kick, allowing for quicker follow-up shots. These loads are particularly useful for those looking to maintain accuracy during high-stress situations or for shooters sensitive to recoil. There’s also a much better selection of ammunition available for the 12-gauge guns.
So a shotgun is, in my opinion, the way to go. A good twelve gauge, (or if you’re of smaller stature or recoil sensitive, a twenty gauge), will serve you well provided you load it with the right stuff. When you feed the beast you want to give it what is going to work best for its intended use.
Defensive shotgun ammo essentially falls into one of three categories; birdshot, buckshot, and slugs. Now, before one of the keyboard warriors jump up exclaiming that there is a lot more in the way of shotgun ammo choices, yes, I know. As long as the shotgun has been around people have been trying various projectiles to launch out of them with the intent of turning someone into a sack of wet bone splinters. Because that’s just what people do. From combinations of pellet sizes, finishing nails, fishhooks, and whatever else could be fit on top of a powder charge shotshells firing them have been made. And, while not discounting the fact that some of these concoctions are effective, we’re going to stick with the loads that have endured because they have proven effective. But for those of you who have your shotguns loaded with alternate rounds of flechettes and dragon’s breath well, you do you.
For defensive use, shotgun ammunition has to be able to do several things. Ultimately, it has to deliver projectiles into the vital organs of an opponent with sufficient energy to cause enough damage and disruption to convince your opponent to stop trying to harm you or others. Out of all the stuff that has been fired out of shotguns the only things that consistently do that convincing are buckshot and slugs. While other projectiles may inflict horrific wounds, those wounds are usually superficial and not fight stoppers.
In order for shotgun ammunition to attain its ultimate goal, it may have to defeat cover of some type. This may be something as inconsequential as clothing or something a little more substantive, like walls or vehicles. Defensive scenarios rarely involve ideal conditions. Understanding how different shot sizes interact with clothing, glass, or other barriers can influence your choice. Larger pellets may better overcome such obstacles, ensuring the round reaches the intended target. Additionally, what started as a gunfight at knife-fighting distance may devolve into something longer ranged. While you’re not going to find ammunition that will be perfect for any circumstance, there is a way to be prepared for any contingency which we’ll discuss later.
Having established all that, let’s take the loads in order mentioned. Birdshot is a contentious choice for self-defense due to misconceptions about its lethality. While it offers reduced penetration and is less likely to pass through walls, its stopping power is limited, particularly at longer distances. Once the pattern opens up even a little, birdshot inflicts less of an incapacitating hit and more of a rat hole injury that is bloody and a doctors nightmare. In typical home room size distances I wouldn’t feel entirely uncomfortable using birdshot loads as at that range the shot charge would still likely be contained by the wad, making a kind of faux frangible slug out of the thing. So if there was nothing else available, yeah, I’d go with a birdshot load.
Next up is buckshot. Buckshot pellets come in different sizes, each designated by a number. Larger numbers denote smaller pellets. 000 (or triple aught) buckshot consists of larger pellets, fewer in number, providing potent stopping power at close range. 00 (or double aught) buckshot strikes a balance between pellet count and size, while #1 buckshot offers more pellets, albeit smaller, and is suitable for certain applications. Triple aught buckshot is slightly larger than nine millimeter in diameter at 9.14 millimeter, with each pellet weighing almost seventy-three grains. By comparison, double-aught buckshot is 8.38 millimeters in diameter and weighs fifty-four grains. Any serious discussion will be limited to double and triple aught buck.
With heavier pellets, 000 buckshot will penetrate deeper than 00 buckshot due to its heavier mass. This will also make it less susceptible to wind drift at range.
Along with penetration, shot size also affects range and pattern density. Shotgun rounds are not limitless in their effective range. Understanding the distance at which different shot sizes maintain adequate lethality empowers you to make informed decisions when selecting ammunition for varying engagement distances. Shotguns are renowned for their wide patterns, but the size of the pellets and their density within the pattern significantly affect their effectiveness. Finding the sweet spot between spread and pellet count can maximize your chances of hitting your target.
At close range, stopping an assailant with minimal shots is crucial. The balance between pellet size and count dictates how effectively the threat is neutralized. This balance influences the spread and penetration of pellets upon impact. Advancements in ammunition technology have brought about innovations like buffered shotshell loads and FliteControl wads, both available from Federal Cartridge. Buffered loads enhance shot patterns, while FliteControl wads tighten patterns, ensuring more pellets hit the target, especially at longer ranges.
Before we move on to slugs, let me tell you where you need to get your next holster from.
[Parker's Custom Leather Commercial]
Slugs, often viewed as shotgun "bullets," are single, large projectiles designed for precision and power. Slugs for twelve-gauge shotguns are massive, and can weigh between 383 and 492 grains. They offer exceptional accuracy, making them a formidable choice for longer distances or when a high level of accuracy is paramount. Slugs extend the shotgun's capabilities beyond short-range engagements. They can penetrate barriers that might stop buckshot or birdshot. However, the trade-off is increased recoil. Slugs generate a significant amount of recoil. It’s that whole “equal and opposite reaction thing.” When you’re lobbing an ounce or more of lead downrange, you’re going to be paying for it on the back end. The force of recoil can impact your accuracy and follow-up shots, particularly for those newer to firearms. Choosing ammunition that strikes a balance between manageable recoil and stopping power enables more accurate and controlled shooting.
There are several types of slugs, each tailored for specific scenarios. Foster slugs feature rifled exteriors for accuracy and stabilization, while sabot slugs use plastic sleeves to enhance aerodynamics.
The military phrase “mission drives the gear” also applies to ammunition. As I said earlier, you’re not going to find ammunition that will be perfect for any circumstance. You need to assess the environment you’ll be operating in and the target. Distinguishing between home defense and outdoor scenarios is pivotal. In confined spaces, overpenetration is a heightened concern, while outdoor situations may require more reach and barrier penetration capability. Tailoring your ammo choice to the specific environment is vital to ensure the safety of innocent bystanders. Ammunition's behavior upon impact with walls or barriers deserves meticulous attention. In-home scenarios necessitate rounds that reduce the risk of overpenetration through walls, potentially endangering loved ones in adjacent rooms. Exterior threats, on the other hand, may require ammo that can defeat obstacles without losing its stopping power.
There is a way to have it all. My home defense shotgun is a Mossberg 500 12-gauge pump security model. The magazine is loaded with double aught buck. I have a sidesaddle attached that has an additional six rounds of buckshot, as well as two rifled slugs. So I can work effectively from zero to thirty-five yards with the buckshot, and with slugs I can defeat cover and reach out to seventy-five yards.
Defensive situations are rarely one-on-one affairs. Selecting ammunition that offers a balance between spread and pellet count is essential for engaging multiple threats simultaneously. The balance between hitting multiple targets and retaining sufficient stopping power cannot be overlooked.
Not all shotguns are created equal, and ensuring that the selected ammunition is compatible with your firearm is a fundamental safety as well as performance consideration. Chamber length and choke constraints play a role in determining which shotshells your shotgun can safely handle. The brand of ammunition can impact how the round patterns out of your gun. This is where spending some time at the range to determine what ammo does what at given ranges is important.
Ammo reliability is paramount in defensive situations. Testing various brands and loads to ensure consistent feeding, ignition, and performance is essential. Quality control can mean the difference between a reliable defense tool and a potential liability.
Do your research before you spend the money. Gel testing simulates human tissue to provide insights into a projectile's terminal performance. Considering FBI standards for penetration depth and wound channel can guide your ammo selection, providing real-world insights into its effectiveness. While gel testing provides valuable data, real-world performance can differ. Factors such as clothing, bone, and other barriers can influence how a projectile behaves upon impact. Combining gel test results with real-world scenarios enhances your understanding of ammo performance. Get what has been proven to work.
The key to any gunfight is to neutralize the threat as quickly as possible. If you’re trying to keep your friend from being sodomized by an armed, angry clown you don’t want to have to shoot multiple times. Selecting the proper ammunition to do the job is key.
That’s all for today. If you liked what you heard here, go ahead and subscribe to our podcast. We’re on all the podcast directories, or you can listen in on our website. If you know someone who would like to hear what we have to say, let them know about us. Until next time, shoot safe.
