I know people aren't fans of birdshot, but it's quite effective on drones. That will become more important and relevant over the next 5 years. Trust me on that one.
Our local gun shop put out a shit load of 00 buck and slugs today. He also has 9mm. 556. 223. 40 cal. There's a 1 box limit of each per day. But maby just maby it's a start of restocking and getting things back to normal in the ammo shortage
Yeah, my buddy down the road had one that he used to take photos for realtors. He flew over a property that likes privacy. Number 4 shot fixed the problem.
I will guess that less than 1% of readers can't afford a box of shotgun shells. If you can afford a phone and phone service you can afford a good shotgun and good ammo.
I will guess that less than 1% of readers can't afford a box of shotgun shells. If you can afford a phone and phone service you can afford a good shotgun and good ammo!
Whatever ammunition fits your firearm, you can presently locate and afford. One homicide I was on, years ago, the weapon utilized was a .410 with birdshot. Happened inside a residence and victim was found dead in the room where the shooting took place. Like nearly any ammunition; shot placement usually wins over caliber size.
8 shot and 00buck definitely good for anything from small game to home defense here in WV, those are the 2 I keep; plus a cpl boxes of slugs just in case.
Several years ago the Federal Government tested various shotgun loads to determine the "best" load for self defense purposes for Federal agencies to use. Their conclusion, if you think they knew what they were doing, was that in all the various conditions a shotgun could be used in an armed incident was to use a 27-pellet, #4 nickel-plated buckshot at 1325fps. load. Fiocchi makes this exact loading in 10-round boxes if you'd like to get some for use. I've had that load in my SD shotty for a long time. Luckily I've never needed to test its effectiveness, but I feel confident it would easily do the job.
Shotguns are great for senior preppers. Anything busting into your bug in home is confronted with a 12 gauge buck shot or number 2 or 4. The receiving end will respect the owner of the property fast.
For small game and birds #5 birdshot is probably the most versatile. It's not too big for small birds, squirrels or rabbits and it's not too small for larger game like turkeys, ducks, raccoons, etc. So if you stock up on #5 birdshot, 00 buckshot and slugs you should be able to do anything you want.
All you need for whitetail deer to feral dogs to drones to defense to waterfowl to small birds like doves is number 6 tungsten in the heaviest short magnum 2-3/4". Just cut halfway thru deep all around midway right where the shot begins for big critters and it exits like and hits like a frangible slug... Kind of like a giant version of a Magsafe or Glaser pistol bullet
@@BigLittle-nf8tm No, an automatic rifle will put several shots on target with vastly more ft/lbs per seconds then a shotgun would, and can generate more lethality/“knockdown power” (see FBI studies) due to planar tearing and hydrostatic shock.
I keep only three shells for prepping. Cheap birdshot. 000 buck for bear and deer and #2 for rabbit and fowl. Its not perfect but it covers the most applications for my use. I might have a few boxes left over from hunting that are a little more specialized like tungsten duck loads but I don't stack that very deep.
Just stocked up on shotgun ammunition two weeks before Floyd passed away. Best decision I ever did. Buckshot ammo and slugs are getting harder and harder to come by. Just started reloading my own. Even the Lee Loader 2 what's hard-to-come-by at a good price. Best investment I ever did.
Normal target loads are 7.99 to 12.99depending on the brand or store. Heavier Duty special load can be 15 to almost $30 a box. Just saw some Winchester 5-pack Double odd Buck for 7. 99 at Academy. 1350 for velocity. All the buckshots I stocked up on was 1200 fps low velocity. Pretty much what they use for SWAT teams. I found 25lb bags of I was just loose buckshot for $90. And have been loading my own. There's videos on TH-cam how to do it. And for the six months I have been doing it I haven't had any issues with the reshoots.
Load all my own shotgun shells pour my one buckshot and lead round balls. Also if I run out of regular smokeless powder I can reload them easy with black powder have 75 pounds of #4 shot I always pick up the old empty Shell's from the skeet shooting guys so I have hundreds of empty Shell's shotgun is 100% the way to go
I love shotguns for SHTF. In a world without hospitals, ANY lead is sufficient. The more you deliver down range the better. In the absence of antibiotics, any penetration is potentially lethal. Everyone is likely to know this. Don't concern yourselves with delivering instant death. What your delivering is fear of infection. Don't think that an attacker wont retreat unless he's bleeding out. Unlike you in your stationary retreat, an aggressor will have the option of retreat. He will be stricken with panic the instant he feels the burn. He will immediately consider the longer term implications and seek to lesson the odds of infection. Especially if hit in the torso or head. My personal preference is 4/O buckshot in 12 gauge. My second is 00 and thirdly, the dreaded slug. All these are very effective out to about 60-70 yrds. If you live in a wooded retreat, or retreat in a wooded area, you'll probably never be presented with a shot longer than that.
That's a great point, many people invest in long range, and never consider the shots they may encounter. There's nothing over 300 yards close to me ,unless your peer down a state road.
An excellent point. Tetanus and blood poisoning have probably killed more people than all cartridges combined. But that is like why are throwing stars scary, since they have no immediate incapacitation- historically, just let them rust a bit, maybe smear a little horse poo on the edges. But if you need to shoot someone, them dying in a couple days might be more time than you can wait, particularly anyone who's grown up with modern medicine- it will take people a year or two to unlearn the idea of antibiotics.
@@tenchraven same theory as old .31 cal black powder belly guns. A .313 ball with 10gr of fffg behind is by no means is a one shot stopper unless you stuck it into someone's ear. It was just enough to get into you and kill you 2 weeks later while you're laid up wishing you hadn't tried to claim jump that old man
If you can find 1 buckshot I highly recommend it. You can stuff more pellets into a standard or 3 inch Magnum shell than 00 buck. A standard shell will fit 16 pellets vs 9x 00 buckshot. More pellets increases hit probability. The grain weight is decreased from 54 grains (.33 caliber) to 40 grains (.30 caliber) but you get 89% more pellets therefore giving you less holes in the pattern for game or two leggeds on the run. The energy will carry to ~90 yards which is a long shot but a hit is a hit.
I make all my own #4B, #1B, #00B, .35 cal, #000B, slugs and round ball from .562 - .69 cal. #5 Turkey Load is ridiculous not only because it's not NEARLY as lethal as buckshot, but also three times the price. You can buy buckshot and bird shot for the price of Turkey Loads.
For buckshot loads I know reloaders that drop #4 or smaller in the spaces in the shell with the 00 stack. Then cover with buffer. Every space in the shell is used with a decent pattern.
If I HAD to pick one ( for anything other than hunting big game) it would be high powered waterfowl/ turkey loads . .. it'll cover most the bases, especially home defense
Stockpile powder, primers and wads. Anything can be stuffed in a shotgun shell. Rocks, glass, pieces of wire, nails, bearings, etc. Anything hard and heavy. I have used old sewer pipe joint lead melted and poured into a 1/2 inch copper pipe. Reloading can be done with some rudimentary tools and some chunks of wood in an emergency, but get a good reloader. In an emergency, you can do without the wad and it is possible to make powder, but it would be very important to have a large supply of primers.
I personally load 12 gauge shotshells with 6mm daisy bbs using leftover shells found at my local range. Thanks to my grandpa for teaching me how to before his passing! 🙏
For new preppers out there, especially the smaller statured ones (men or women) who are on a budget, also look into 20 gauge. It might not be quite as powerful but will still get the job done and if you HATE shooting your 12 gauge, you’ll never practice with it. The best weapon to have is the one you can afford to buy and afford to practice with. Plus I was seeing shelves and shelves of 20 when 12 was sold out.
Exactly. I started with a 20guage in 7th grade. Now I shoot a 12 but I STILL love my handy little 20 gauge. It’s a relatively short barrel so it’s not a bad choice at all for home defense. PLENTY of knock down with buck
I was thinking this too and the other issue is with a SHTF scenario where you have to bug out with just what you can carry on your back. You can fit 40% more shells in a given space than with 12 gauge.
Yup I started rolling my own about 3 years ago...some of my coworkers thought I was nuts..."shotgun shells are so cheap" even back then buckshot was like $1/round... I cast my own buckshot and round balls... So the savings really do add up
Dont forget about DIY "cut shell slugs". You can make slugs out of typically useless bird shot by simply cutting the shell. Also 12 guage is the easiest bullet to field reload by hand using black powder and a few simple hand tools & primers. Hell, Even primers can be made from very easily obtainable ordinary materials. Remember everyone when you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
Buy yourself a hand shotgun primer tool. Instead of cut shells, you should try making Flex-Seal slugs. Better than wax slugs because Flex Seal won't melt in your truck. I make them out of cheap bird shot and they are super hard hitters.
Cut shells are ok, but break action only. I would never run wax, glue or flex seal slugs through an autoloader, but they are fine for a pump. But I agree, so long as you have primers you can load with black powder, but while reloading primers isn't hard making the priming compound and having ten fingers is a bit more of a trick.
I actually have #2 goose loads for home defense, works at home defense distances, won't go through exterior walls. A slug is a poor man's anti-materiel round, we can't all buy a Barrett. Good for an engine of a threatening vehicle.
I've always preached that if u can only have or afford one weapon it should be a reliable 12 ga for the reason of versatility, the ability to perform big game small game and defense is a all in one , bird shot ,buck shot, rifled slug, less than lethal and exotic like dragonbreath or bird bombs, truly do all platform!!! Great video n keep up the good content!!!
If I lived in the mountains or some remote place, yes a 12 gauge for me too. But give the state of mankind in these darkening days, if I lived in an city/semi-urban place, I would choose for my only gun a semi-automatic rifle like an AR that would give me more rounds and be very quick to reload.
Completely agree with the general "do all" round. It was exactly what I was thinking and is a more middle of the road shell that would apply to many situations.
Good point on the number 5s. They're easier to pick out of rabbits and squirrels than 8 shot. At point blank range, there's not much difference between any load. They all leave a massive hole under 5 yards.
My first firearm was a Mossberg 500 w/bird, rifled deer, and 18” smoothbore barrels. Stocked ammo for it cheap and deep. I don’t shoot it often, but it is an extremely versatile tool, and if I could only have one gun, I think that would be it.
Exact same way I tried to store mine. Variety is the spice of life. Wouldn't want to shoot a squirrel with 00? But wouldn't want to try to open a door with birdshot either. Then deer hunting is a whole nother story you better have a slug
@@curbcreeper7012 I keep more birdshot than any other round just because I think it’s more versatile. It’s also the cheapest thing I can find right now and I’d rather eat 1200 squirrels than 100 deer
@ Ben Haynes I started stocking up on ammo before the shortages started and the price went up. Wasn't able to do so with my rifle rounds and my handguns as much as I would like, but I have a decent Supply as long as I don't practice like I used to. Using more dry fire simulations than actual range time. I agree prices are crazy right now. Couldn't stock up the same if I was just now starting.
@@curbcreeper7012 I’m just starting and I was very lucky to get 1000 rounds of brass 5.56 for $450, I have that and carry ammo for my handgun but otherwise I’m fairly limited rn just trying to shoot .25 cent birdshot till my shoulder gives out
I stock 00,#1, and #4 buckshot, #4 heavy birdshot, and #7 1/2 birdshot. I agree with the heavy birdshot loads being great all around. Put it through a hunting length barrel with a tighter choke and you can get some series range out of it.
I thought about it but, I didn't want to get too confusing for newer gun owners out there. Although it can make a huge difference for the effectiveness for certain loads so in hindsight I probably should've at least mentioned it.
You both have great points. Different chokes are definitely part of the equation, but would have been a lot to add to the topic of ammo. Choke, among others would be a great topic for a subsequent video on the shotgun for SHTF. 👍
One thing you have left out, is cut shells, basically you take your pocket knife cut around the shell all the way through except for one spot, and basically what you Have is a homemade slug, was very popular during the great depression era, when you could not buy slugs, Another popular load if you reload for shotgun shells, is ball and buck, basically two or three double 00 buck balls and one large round ball, very popular during the Civil War
Best do all...2¾", 1oz of 7½shot, loaded to 1350fps. Very economical to buy even today. Allows you to put food on the table, devastating for self-defense at close range w/o over penetration, and thanks to the "old timer" practice of "cut shells" can quickly be converted to a slug capable of reaching out and touching someone or something at distance. Oh and 12ga bird shot range on dove is out to about 40yrds for average shooter. And, a rifled slug is a 100 yard round.
I must respectfully disagree. I find the performance of 7.5 is lacking on a woodchuck at 25 yards (for those not familiar, a large ground squirrel like critter between five and ten pounds in weight). It will kill them, sure, but not quickly. If you want to smell it rotting in it's hole, 7.5 will work but if you want to eat it, pellet mass equal penetration which means getting to the organs and breaking bones. #4 on the other hand does just fine for them.
@@tenchraven I would argue that 7½ is the middle ground shot size for putting food on the table. It is not perfect for every small game and bird but it is the one that will work for every small game and bird in my experience. It also is very effective on pest control from snake to skunk to coyote to intruder. Earlier this year while quail hunting, I happened on to some wild pigs. I pulled out my knife and made the necessary modification to all the shells I had in the shotgun plus a couple more for good measure and went to work. When the shooting stopped 3 dead pigs lay ready to process, from 25 yards to 60 yards, before me. Plus, I limited out on quail that day...all with the same shell.
Maybe have 2 shotguns? One for 2-legged threats that is loaded appropriately and one for game. Less ammo for the slim possibility of 2-legs, more for the need to eat.
The 12 ga shotgun has become my overall truck gun in Non-SHTF life. The versatility can't be beat. As you said I can deal with two-legged threats, 4 legged threats(I spend time in bear country) and I keep bird shot shells on my sling, which holds shells. Those are good for emergency survival. Yes, it has limitations and if the grid goes down with anarchy in the streets, the shotgun would get moved to a secondary role. But under normal conditions the shotgun is perfect.
I did not read ALL the comments so some one may have brought this up. You forgot about the mini shells, sure they wont cycle and auto. but single shot no prob. and pumps like the Mosburg 500 series needs a rubber block installed to reliably feed the mini shells. only con is there is not many offerings is this size. mainly Aguila . buck and slugs. plus you can fit about 15 in a unpluged standard length mag tube. and can be shot one handed , IE; very little recoil. great for the youngins and newbys.
When you mentioned ranges of the various types of shells you didn't mention the shot spread as the pellets travel farther from the end of the barrel. Lighter pellets will spread out father than the heavier pellets, but all will spread. So at the close to maximum range for the load you're using the spread could be large enough that most or all your pellets will miss the target, even when your point of aim is correct. I'd suggest that you spend a couple of each weight pellets you're using to see what the spread is at that range. It could mean eating that night or not. Or worse case scenario if you make it back to your retreat location or not. And even at close range, when the spread is minimal, the shotgun must be aimed like a rifle so you don't miss the target with the same results possibly occurring that I mentioned above.
Thanks for a well thought out video. The case you show at the end is the same as what I keep in my truck. Very handy. One thing I also carry a handful of is 12 ga marine flares that would be useful for signaling if needs be.
Buy Benelli Nova shotguns, they can shoot up to 3 & 1/2 shells factory built. #2 and 00buck shot seem like the all around go to shells. How accurate are basic slugs out of a smoothbore shotgun. We typically just buy #2 and #6 bird shot and 00buck, I know my pop bought some sabot rounds years ago that he's only used, and I haven't seen slugs in my area in a long time.
I think the best thing to have is a good variety. If your space or budget is limiting you to a few, you need to choose the most important. I would have said 00 buck shot before he mentioned turkey shot. Magic Prepper is right on with his priorities: turkey shot, buck shot, slugs (in that order). I disagree with what he said about not wanting too many types laying around; my policy is the more the merrier. I have one of those 'ammo crates', and when I see something novel at the gun store I often add it. I stock a lot of different types of shells, but mostly bird shot, buck shot, and slugs.
You're forgetting an important aspect of the shotgun which is choke tubes. I have a simple Mossberg 500 with a 20 inch barrel with screw-in choke tubes. I purchased a special choke tube for shooting steel shot and let me tell you steel shot can open a car door like a can opener. Therefore it has no trouble with softer tissue targets out to 40 yards with a full choke. And as for Slugs you can get a screw in chokes tube that is rifle that is capable of extending your range how to 200 yards. But no matter what you have if you're not proficient with it it doesn't matter
I bought the Black Aces Tactical FD-12 Semi auto bullpup shotgun last summer. Its the greatest shotgun I've ever fired. I love it. I purchased several 10 round mags and 1 20 round drum mag. Imsane mag capacity for a shotgun.
Lotsa' info without a lot of personal BS . Thank you . Have always been a fan of "SMOOTH BORES" . If I had to leave the house with one choice , it'd probably be this . ALTHOUGH ! a 410 was probably my FIRST LOVE and STILL like them .
My Winchester 1200 pump shotguns has never let me down. Definitely my go to gun . For SHTF. 12gauge fighting house to house is devastating. Both buckshot and slug .
12 gauge is one of the best guns if you ask me my go to is 2 3/4 3' buckshot or slug either depending on what you're hunting or doing you will have no problem taking down any game. As far as self-defense 12 gauge and 9 mm pistol is going to give you that universal movement capability...
thumbs up as always, checked still subscribed, great job as always. im retired p d and police academy instructor. reduced recoil 12 gauge, 00 buck and #4 buck shot, for 20 gauge what i been using since 1990 for self defense shotgun loads. good luck.
I've bought a lot of everything common. I bought 8 boxes of 100 rounds of bird shot for like $25 a box, 40 or so boxes of 20 round 2 3/4 00 buck 9 pellets (says military use only green cased) for about $11 a box and 30 boxes of 20 round boxed 2 3/4 slugs for $9 a piece just 3 years ago, with great timing before the whole pandemic happened. I thought I was made an unwise choice at the time bc I don't shoot my shotgun that often but now I'm wishing I had bought more.
if you only have birdshoot you can uncrimp the shells and fill the shoot cup with elmers glue to bind the shoot into slugs just allow to fully cure before recrimping.
Stockpile 12ga brass hulls, black powder (or equivalent), and various shot sizes. Reloadable in camp or the field and can reloaded many times each. Also, simplicity! A single shot or side by side.
4 shot because it is heavy enough at short range for big targets and is very strong and can be used to spread on small game .I been at this for about 5 decades and its a real killer it can punch a hole in a wall as well . 4 Shot high brass is the best but slugs are king as well If I were buying 7 1/2 shot 4 shot 00 buck and then slugs .Keep it simple .There will be no game laws and you will need power in SHTF . Also the gun its self should be a Smooth bore in a modified choke with about a 20 inch barrel. It can fire accurately all the above shot shells and also place a slug down range on target as well. Buy your shells 100 at a time its manageable in price and many shells come in that number per case.
when it comes to 12 gauge, i will buy just about anything available, especially during shortage, box of #8 birdshot, i take it, 00 buck, i take it, if its on the shelf, i will take it i dont care what it is as long fits lol. there is no such thing as useless ammo in a pump shotgun. even the cheapest #8 bird / skeet rounds are very effective for home defense at close range, even if dude has a vest he will be knocked to the ground probably if he is just 5 or 6 feet away, stunned for sure, if no vest.... he done at that range..... will keep eyes out for #5, that i do not have, sounds like a decent one, where i live we do not have turkeys or anything to hunt that is proper for..... here birdshot and buckshot is most common, because all the hunting at all around here is either deer or quail and such, .... and one or 2 skeet/trap ranges around the city... (btw skeet and trap is how i learned to shoot as a kid also) back when you could still take a 10 year old to a gun range..... another good reason to stock the cheap birdshot, at least last i bought some, was it was CHEAP.... but... the purpose is not for defense and such, the purpose for that.... is you CAN trade it if need be without hurting your real ammo stocks, someone without any ammo at all will be happy to have it and trade well for it, but more importantly.... shtf happens, things settle down a little, or you at your remote location etc. you have as you said a way to teach newbies that MIGHT end up in your group, plus you can spend 4 or 5 rounds here and there for fun once you have your reloading stuff set up.... fun will be very hard to come by in those days, and expensive to do, such as a thanksgiving dinner may be out of the question, cooking a weeks worth of food for one night? nope.... and just because you have all you need to reload, including primers, do not forget that the shells can only be used so many times, and not all kinds can be reused.
The Federal 12 gauge 2 3/4” 00 buck load with the Flitecontrol wad is the best overall buckshot round I have found. I have shot it out of a number of different models of shotguns with different chokes and it does really well. I have not had very many flyers at all. Of course it has been hard to find with the ammo shortage, but if you can find it buy it. It’s awesome stuff!!
I agree. Cylider bore or modified give me very tight groups, even at 25 yards. I could do a head shot at 30 yards, with a 14" SBS. But, inside the house, I keep #4 buck. I want the spread at those closer distances.
Good stuff, I don’t even own a shotgun yet but definitely need one. Figured it’s going to be the last thing Biden bans...he literally told us to buy a shotgun 😝
I love the Mossburg shockwave ..I wish we could own them here in England as easy as you guys can ... 0/0 or number 4 seems the best shell for home defense from all the you tube videos I have sat through daydreaming
Hi my friend. Another great video. Believe it or not I do not own a shotgun yet, however I like Your choices.Great minds think alike.......my all around 12 gauge load would be 2 3/4 #4. I do love Your Turkey load though. The ONE area I MIGHT suggest something a bit different would be 12 gauge Buckshot. I would go with 2 3/4 #1 Buck. The reason? Measure the surface area of the Pellets between #1 and 00 and You are in for a shock! Finally You are dead on when You mention versatility! back in ancient times in Michigan, Farmers always had a shotgun (usually a pump 12 gauge) for most purposes. Add to taht any .22 Rifle and IF the Farmer was "well to do" He usually had a .38 Revolver likely a 4 inch Barrel. Where the Shotgun really shines in Defense (home) is area saturation say a hallway against intruders (think home invasion). Again a GREAT and informative video My hats off to You!
Unless I catch the mother of all sales on shot gun ammo I load all my own, cast my own 00-Buck and Slugs. A couple of things I have noticed over the last couple of decades on a consistent basis. 1. Reduced loads are nice and make for quick follow up shots if your not using an autoloader. Less fliers. They pattern a bit tighter due to less deformation on ignition and becuase of the milder velocities, they penetrate deeper. 2. For a humane kill on an animal, I have found that once things start to exceed about 500-600 lbs it wont go down quite as quickly before bleeding out when using slugs. Deer and Hogs drop like hit by lightening, Steers that need to be put down over 600 lbs, not so much, although they will go down, just maybe not before they spend a few seconds putting the "Thrill back in Death"!
Shotguns are just plain awesome. I have several of different styles, break action singl shots, pumps, semis, double barrels. The most versatile is the single barrel, break action. You can shoot litterly anything out of it, especially with chamber adapters. If you run out of ammo, but have primers and powder, you can turn a single shot gun into a muzzle loader
Be aware, if your shotgun has SCREW IN CHOKE TUBES use the correct tube for the type and size shot ! Ex. Usually not recommended to use a FULL CHOKE TUBE when shooting STEEL SHOT or SLUGS.
Stocking up on different types of shotgun loads (Birdshot, Buckshot, and Slugs) is WHAT any shotgun owner should do. As many different sizes of Buckshot as you can afford and find will increase the effectiveness of your shotgun. Same with Slugs. Not just the foster style "Rifled" variety but the Brenneke types along with the BRI (Ballistic Research Institute) style slugs.
Bird shot is the best hands down. its still cheap you can do a cut shell and make a slug. you can make a wax slug, you can melt the birdshot and cast into slugs. small game and big game its the most versitile on a budget.
I think the idea of #4 or #5 turkey loads isn't bad if you could only have one. But shotguns are flexible, and IMO the best options, plural, OO buck, #4 birdshot, and non-saboted slugs. If you have a 3.5" 12ga, the Winchester 4 Buck is amazing (54 pellets, at 50 yrds the pattern is the size of table but doesnt really have holes), and #2 or BB birdshot for longer range hunting and small apartments, but that is a specialty item. For 20ga, whatever buckshot you can find, high brass #4 birdshot, but sadly the 20ga is so ignored. But if your first shotgun is a 12ga pump and your second a five or six pound 20ga single, add 410 and 28ga adapters, and all the bases are covered. For organizing, many years ago Plano made a box made to hold 4 25-shell boxes, but I haven't seen it around. Which is a pity because they are my personal favorites for the grab-and-go. 50 #4, 24 OOB, and a dozen each of 4B and slug, all in one convent little package.
Great video MP! I like to stock 00 & slugs and have several hundred rounds of bird shot. My M1 super 90 is a little unreliable with certain bird shot, but a semi-auto shotgun is a must have shtf weapon.
My "just about anything" shell is a quality 2 3/4 inch #6 lead. It's good most game. A little course for doves and quail, but it will work. A little fine for large ducks and geese. It's actually good for turkeys, as you call them into range and head shoot them. The next shell I would say is rifled slugs. No problems on deer out to 60 yards with smooth bore and modified choke. I really am neutral with buck shot. It's ok for coyote control, but not my first choice for deer, but I can see it as a defensive load. My Ideal shotgun for all purpose use, hunting and defense, is a 12 or 20 gauge pump action with a modified choke. Don't get one of those cheap chinese or turkish shotguns for $200 or less. If you want a budget shotgun go with the Maverick 88 from Mossberg.
I grabbed a Benelli m4 this winter and I’m stocking any single and 00 buck I can get my hands on. Remington, Winchester, herters, even off brands. Not terribly concerned about shot pattern. Primary guns are AR-15s. The Benelli is my last ditch effort gun for if I should run empty and need to retreat because of an angry heard ( deer, mountain lions, Buffalo, chickens... you name it)
I reload my own between .31cal=0bk .36cal=00bk .69 cal =slug you can meltdown any birdshot and cast it into any outher round you need. Also works with my .50 muzzle loader black powder Or buck and ball
As far as the pdx12 shell with the slug and buckshot in 1, they aren't very common now, but once were. A number of revolutionary war Era references talk about loading their guns similarly. Nicholas Cresswell in 1775 wrote of encountering Indians while traveling via canoe: "...out of 12 guns five were rendered unfit for present use by the wet, mine happened to be in good order and I loaded her with an ounce bullet and seven swan shot..." our SHTF may end up looking somewhat like day to day life in 1775, could be a lot to learn there.
Supposedly Gen George Washington use to recommend his troops load "buck and ball" with 1 large projectile and 3 buck shots, seems to be basically a modern version of that
My go to are Remington slugs. Winchester segmenting slugs Critical defense 8 pellet buck shot. And any birds shot I can find 2 3/4 only. 3 inches are powerful but after seeing what 2 3/4 does to a 10inch plate at 20yrds It is more than enough for any thing that walks or crawls in North America
Good video on a tough topic. I say it's a tough topic because we all have our own situations and preferences. And by situations I mean the area and subsequent game where we live, our household situation such as distance, overpenetration concerns, etc. Understanding that a wider variety is preferable, I think you called it pretty well on your recommendations if one was to stock only two loads. Some may disagree, but I doubt it would be by much if they do.
Buy a ton of #7 or #8 target loads (cheapest 12ga). Buy a slug mold and a 00 buck mold and a crimper also. If needed, open the target loads and dump the shot out. Melt it and pour it into the desired mold. Re-insert the slug or buckshot back into the shell and crimp. Don't forget the cut shell option.
#5 up to small game I can see, up to medium small mammals, but #4 an up buckshot for defense, slugs for larger game. Just for the record tho, so you know, a breaching round is sintered metal, think like powdered metal compressed into a slug, the reason for it is no back blast of shot to the breacher or others in the stack on the entry team, an no harm to anybody on the other side of the door, or it at least limits any harm to others, accidents can still happen tho, when the lock or doorknob comes flying apart. Thx for the vid.
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I know people aren't fans of birdshot, but it's quite effective on drones. That will become more important and relevant over the next 5 years. Trust me on that one.
That's all I can find in town now a days. Those magnum turkey loads are pretty decent
Agreed
Our local gun shop put out a shit load of 00 buck and slugs today. He also has 9mm. 556. 223. 40 cal. There's a 1 box limit of each per day. But maby just maby it's a start of restocking and getting things back to normal in the ammo shortage
@@ernestwalden3894 zerohedge had an acrticle today I think it was Winchester ceo talking about ammo shortages. Take a read
Yeah, my buddy down the road had one that he used to take photos for realtors. He flew over a property that likes privacy. Number 4 shot fixed the problem.
It's simple, 1thru 4 buckshot inside. 00 outside out to 35 yards. And slugs out to 55 to 60 yards. Go. To your rifle after that. Old marine.
Any is better than none, buy what you can when you can...not everyone can afford some of this. Be blessed and run the good race.GOD bless
Facts
You might have the most sensible comment I have seen in quite a while
www.lionarray.org/vaccines.html
I will guess that less than 1% of readers can't afford a box of shotgun shells.
If you can afford a phone and phone service you can afford a good shotgun and good ammo.
I will guess that less than 1% of readers can't afford a box of shotgun shells.
If you can afford a phone and phone service you can afford a good shotgun and good ammo!
Whatever ammunition fits your firearm, you can presently locate and afford. One homicide I was on, years ago, the weapon utilized was a .410 with birdshot. Happened inside a residence and victim was found dead in the room where the shooting took place. Like nearly any ammunition; shot placement usually wins over caliber size.
I stocked up on 00buck and slugs and #5 and 8 shot. I feel that should cover anything in a Kentucky shtf situation.
Similar. 6-shot, 00 buck, and slugs. Enough to last a lifetime in... Kentucky.
@@aarond1622 yes sir. Chance favors the prepared mind. What part of ky you in? I'm West kentucky 15 miniuts From land between the lakes. AKA LBL
8 shot and 00buck definitely good for anything from small game to home defense here in WV, those are the 2 I keep; plus a cpl boxes of slugs just in case.
Stockpile Slugs, 00, #2, #4, #5 .... shoot/train with target loads .
Yep pretty much.
Several years ago the Federal Government tested various shotgun loads to determine the "best" load for self defense purposes for Federal agencies to use. Their conclusion, if you think they knew what they were doing, was that in all the various conditions a shotgun could be used in an armed incident was to use a 27-pellet, #4 nickel-plated buckshot at 1325fps. load. Fiocchi makes this exact loading in 10-round boxes if you'd like to get some for use. I've had that load in my SD shotty for a long time. Luckily I've never needed to test its effectiveness, but I feel confident it would easily do the job.
Shotguns are great for senior preppers. Anything busting into your bug in home is confronted with a 12 gauge buck shot or number 2 or 4. The receiving end will respect the owner of the property fast.
how do you respect when your dead?
@@Impossibly-Possiblepeople write “respect ____” on the memorial shirts
For small game and birds #5 birdshot is probably the most versatile. It's not too big for small birds, squirrels or rabbits and it's not too small for larger game like turkeys, ducks, raccoons, etc. So if you stock up on #5 birdshot, 00 buckshot and slugs you should be able to do anything you want.
I should have waited because you basically said the same thing in the video.
All you need for whitetail deer to feral dogs to drones to defense to waterfowl to small birds like doves is number 6 tungsten in the heaviest short magnum 2-3/4". Just cut halfway thru deep all around midway right where the shot begins for big critters and it exits like and hits like a frangible slug... Kind of like a giant version of a Magsafe or Glaser pistol bullet
@melaninsupergurl-vu4uv not reliable for self defense though as cut shells cannot cycle reliably
@@The_real_onefs That's why I said, " if you stock up on #5 birdshot, 00 buckshot and slugs you should be able to do anything you want."
@@melaninsupergurl-vu4uvGood luck using cut shells on anything further than spitting distance.
Shotguns are just good all around weapons. Worth it
Nothing beats the knock down power of a Shotgun at close range.
Fact
A rifle.
@@linkl_6641no
@@linkl_6641nah. A rifle will put a hole in ya. A shotgun takes a chunk out of you
@@BigLittle-nf8tm No, an automatic rifle will put several shots on target with vastly more ft/lbs per seconds then a shotgun would, and can generate more lethality/“knockdown power” (see FBI studies) due to planar tearing and hydrostatic shock.
stockpiling different kinds of ammo for 1 gun is easier and cheaper than stock piling for multiple firearms types.
I keep only three shells for prepping. Cheap birdshot. 000 buck for bear and deer and #2 for rabbit and fowl. Its not perfect but it covers the most applications for my use. I might have a few boxes left over from hunting that are a little more specialized like tungsten duck loads but I don't stack that very deep.
Just stocked up on shotgun ammunition two weeks before Floyd passed away. Best decision I ever did. Buckshot ammo and slugs are getting harder and harder to come by. Just started reloading my own. Even the Lee Loader 2 what's hard-to-come-by at a good price. Best investment I ever did.
That was my question - are they hard to find? And what should we expect to pay for them (such as the recommended Turkey shot)?
Normal target loads are 7.99 to 12.99depending on the brand or store. Heavier Duty special load can be 15 to almost $30 a box. Just saw some Winchester 5-pack Double odd Buck for 7. 99 at Academy. 1350 for velocity. All the buckshots I stocked up on was 1200 fps low velocity. Pretty much what they use for SWAT teams. I found 25lb bags of I was just loose buckshot for $90. And have been loading my own. There's videos on TH-cam how to do it. And for the six months I have been doing it I haven't had any issues with the reshoots.
Load all my own shotgun shells pour my one buckshot and lead round balls. Also if I run out of regular smokeless powder I can reload them easy with black powder have 75 pounds of #4 shot I always pick up the old empty Shell's from the skeet shooting guys so I have hundreds of empty Shell's shotgun is 100% the way to go
@@commonmanhomestead didn't say how much black powder I have only said I had 75 pounds of #4 lead shot
@@commonmanhomestead no problem. Stay safe
@@commonmanhomestead
75# of lead balls...
NOT black lives matter powder
Show me the wayyy
I love shotguns for SHTF. In a world without hospitals, ANY lead is sufficient. The more you deliver down range the better. In the absence of antibiotics, any penetration is potentially lethal. Everyone is likely to know this. Don't concern yourselves with delivering instant death. What your delivering is fear of infection. Don't think that an attacker wont retreat unless he's bleeding out. Unlike you in your stationary retreat, an aggressor will have the option of retreat. He will be stricken with panic the instant he feels the burn. He will immediately consider the longer term implications and seek to lesson the odds of infection. Especially if hit in the torso or head.
My personal preference is 4/O buckshot in 12 gauge. My second is 00 and thirdly, the dreaded slug. All these are very effective out to about 60-70 yrds. If you live in a wooded retreat, or retreat in a wooded area, you'll probably never be presented with a shot longer than that.
Thats a good ass point. A chest and face sprayed with bbs with the gid down will cause a hell of a mess for that person in a few weeks.
That's a great point, many people invest in long range, and never consider the shots they may encounter. There's nothing over 300 yards close to me ,unless your peer down a state road.
An excellent point. Tetanus and blood poisoning have probably killed more people than all cartridges combined. But that is like why are throwing stars scary, since they have no immediate incapacitation- historically, just let them rust a bit, maybe smear a little horse poo on the edges. But if you need to shoot someone, them dying in a couple days might be more time than you can wait, particularly anyone who's grown up with modern medicine- it will take people a year or two to unlearn the idea of antibiotics.
@@tenchraven same theory as old .31 cal black powder belly guns. A .313 ball with 10gr of fffg behind is by no means is a one shot stopper unless you stuck it into someone's ear. It was just enough to get into you and kill you 2 weeks later while you're laid up wishing you hadn't tried to claim jump that old man
Perfectly said bug out Bubba
I'm a big fan of #4 buck. Gets it done on just about anything.
The British used #4 during the guerrilla war in Malaysia in the 1950'worked quite wel. In the jungle.
Also my favorite.
27 pellet #4Buckshot is grossly underated
I think the police use number 4.
@@Xonid1 cops still use 00 in the US. Federal flite control usually.
If you can find 1 buckshot I highly recommend it. You can stuff more pellets into a standard or 3 inch Magnum shell than 00 buck. A standard shell will fit 16 pellets vs 9x 00 buckshot. More pellets increases hit probability. The grain weight is decreased from 54 grains (.33 caliber) to 40 grains (.30 caliber) but you get 89% more pellets therefore giving you less holes in the pattern for game or two leggeds on the run. The energy will carry to ~90 yards which is a long shot but a hit is a hit.
I make all my own #4B, #1B, #00B, .35 cal, #000B, slugs and round ball from .562 - .69 cal. #5 Turkey Load is ridiculous not only because it's not NEARLY as lethal as buckshot, but also three times the price. You can buy buckshot and bird shot for the price of Turkey Loads.
For buckshot loads I know reloaders that drop #4 or smaller in the spaces in the shell with the 00 stack. Then cover with buffer. Every space in the shell is used with a decent pattern.
If I HAD to pick one ( for anything other than hunting big game) it would be high powered waterfowl/ turkey loads . .. it'll cover most the bases, especially home defense
They are pretty impressive as an all around choice.
A good shoty with a selection of different ammo paired with a handgun would be a very effective defensive plan. I couldn't agree more with your video.
Stockpile powder, primers and wads. Anything can be stuffed in a shotgun shell. Rocks, glass, pieces of wire, nails, bearings, etc. Anything hard and heavy. I have used old sewer pipe joint lead melted and poured into a 1/2 inch copper pipe.
Reloading can be done with some rudimentary tools and some chunks of wood in an emergency, but get a good reloader.
In an emergency, you can do without the wad and it is possible to make powder, but it would be very important to have a large supply of primers.
I call my shotgun “Hall Cleaner”
Love it
Ironically, it makes a big mess
boom stick
My thought EXACTLY!
@@commiesnzombies 'shop smart, shop S-mart'. 😁
I personally load 12 gauge shotshells with 6mm daisy bbs using leftover shells found at my local range. Thanks to my grandpa for teaching me how to before his passing! 🙏
Do you save $?? About how much does it cost to refill a cartridge as compared as to buying one?
You're saving a good amount of money and you're recycling which is very cost efficient
Because of the weight of a steel bb compared to a lead shot you’ll lose some range . But cheap is good . The plastic wad will protect your barrel.
Steel BBs are hard enough to score a barrel. Steel shot is annealed to the softest possible stage. The wads are also tougher than lead shot wads.
For new preppers out there, especially the smaller statured ones (men or women) who are on a budget, also look into 20 gauge. It might not be quite as powerful but will still get the job done and if you HATE shooting your 12 gauge, you’ll never practice with it.
The best weapon to have is the one you can afford to buy and afford to practice with. Plus I was seeing shelves and shelves of 20 when 12 was sold out.
Exactly. I started with a 20guage in 7th grade. Now I shoot a 12 but I STILL love my handy little 20 gauge.
It’s a relatively short barrel so it’s not a bad choice at all for home defense. PLENTY of knock down with buck
I was thinking this too and the other issue is with a SHTF scenario where you have to bug out with just what you can carry on your back. You can fit 40% more shells in a given space than with 12 gauge.
i feel lucky having a shotshell reloader when 2 years ago i thought it was my most useless reloader
so true!!!
I bought a MeC 9000 for my son’s Trap and Skeet shell reloads. I can turnout 1 case in like 45minutes to an 1 Hr
I still don't have one. For some reason I decided to focus on reloading 460 S&W all last year ha!
Pick up empties at the range.
No one else does.
Yup I started rolling my own about 3 years ago...some of my coworkers thought I was nuts..."shotgun shells are so cheap" even back then buckshot was like $1/round... I cast my own buckshot and round balls... So the savings really do add up
One type only? Heavy load of #4 birdshot. Small game, birds, deer out to 25 yards and defense to at least that distance. But, of course, have it all.
that was my choice as well.
Agreed!!
1990 started academy instructor job till retirement. 410 load 000 buck 2 1/2 inch 4 pellets mossberg pump shotgun in a pinch all you got.
Dont forget about DIY "cut shell slugs".
You can make slugs out of typically useless bird shot by simply cutting the shell.
Also 12 guage is the easiest bullet to field reload by hand using black powder and a few simple hand tools & primers.
Hell, Even primers can be made from very easily obtainable ordinary materials.
Remember everyone when you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
Buy yourself a hand shotgun primer tool.
Instead of cut shells, you should try making Flex-Seal slugs. Better than wax slugs because Flex Seal won't melt in your truck. I make them out of cheap bird shot and they are super hard hitters.
Have you ever reloaded 12 guage? It’s easy as hell when primers are a thing you can find or powder
inaccurate, can't use in a pump, may fall apart
however
waxed slugs, cut inside rim, are better :)
You stole my comment.
Cut shells are ok, but break action only. I would never run wax, glue or flex seal slugs through an autoloader, but they are fine for a pump. But I agree, so long as you have primers you can load with black powder, but while reloading primers isn't hard making the priming compound and having ten fingers is a bit more of a trick.
I actually have #2 goose loads for home defense, works at home defense distances, won't go through exterior walls. A slug is a poor man's anti-materiel round, we can't all buy a Barrett. Good for an engine of a threatening vehicle.
That is an EXCELLENT choice!
I've always preached that if u can only have or afford one weapon it should be a reliable 12 ga for the reason of versatility, the ability to perform big game small game and defense is a all in one , bird shot ,buck shot, rifled slug, less than lethal and exotic like dragonbreath or bird bombs, truly do all platform!!! Great video n keep up the good content!!!
If I lived in the mountains or some remote place, yes a 12 gauge for me too. But give the state of mankind in these darkening days, if I lived in an city/semi-urban place, I would choose for my only gun a semi-automatic rifle like an AR that would give me more rounds and be very quick to reload.
Completely agree with the general "do all" round. It was exactly what I was thinking and is a more middle of the road shell that would apply to many situations.
Bird, 6, 4, #4 buck, 00 buck, slug.
Flight control wads changed the game a lot.
Shotguns are a big part of my SHTF plan.
Good point on the number 5s. They're easier to pick out of rabbits and squirrels than 8 shot. At point blank range, there's not much difference between any load. They all leave a massive hole under 5 yards.
Truth , in close they are all slugs
My first firearm was a Mossberg 500 w/bird, rifled deer, and 18” smoothbore barrels. Stocked ammo for it cheap and deep. I don’t shoot it often, but it is an extremely versatile tool, and if I could only have one gun, I think that would be it.
20% BB Shot, 70% OO Buckshot, 10% Slugs. This is what I put away for my Shotguns.
Exact same way I tried to store mine. Variety is the spice of life. Wouldn't want to shoot a squirrel with 00? But wouldn't want to try to open a door with birdshot either. Then deer hunting is a whole nother story you better have a slug
How do you afford that? I can only find bird shot for under a dollar a round
@@curbcreeper7012 I keep more birdshot than any other round just because I think it’s more versatile. It’s also the cheapest thing I can find right now and I’d rather eat 1200 squirrels than 100 deer
@ Ben Haynes I started stocking up on ammo before the shortages started and the price went up. Wasn't able to do so with my rifle rounds and my handguns as much as I would like, but I have a decent Supply as long as I don't practice like I used to. Using more dry fire simulations than actual range time. I agree prices are crazy right now. Couldn't stock up the same if I was just now starting.
@@curbcreeper7012 I’m just starting and I was very lucky to get 1000 rounds of brass 5.56 for $450, I have that and carry ammo for my handgun but otherwise I’m fairly limited rn just trying to shoot .25 cent birdshot till my shoulder gives out
I stock 00,#1, and #4 buckshot, #4 heavy birdshot, and #7 1/2 birdshot. I agree with the heavy birdshot loads being great all around. Put it through a hunting length barrel with a tighter choke and you can get some series range out of it.
I liked everything you said but I wish you would have talked about the different chokes for your shotgun.
I thought about it but, I didn't want to get too confusing for newer gun owners out there. Although it can make a huge difference for the effectiveness for certain loads so in hindsight I probably should've at least mentioned it.
You both have great points. Different chokes are definitely part of the equation, but would have been a lot to add to the topic of ammo.
Choke, among others would be a great topic for a subsequent video on the shotgun for SHTF. 👍
Just get improved cylinder chokes and you can shoot anything out of them
One thing you have left out, is cut shells, basically you take your pocket knife cut around the shell all the way through except for one spot, and basically what you Have is a homemade slug, was very popular during the great depression era, when you could not buy slugs,
Another popular load if you reload for shotgun shells, is ball and buck, basically two or three double 00 buck balls and one large round ball, very popular during the Civil War
Best do all...2¾", 1oz of 7½shot, loaded to 1350fps. Very economical to buy even today. Allows you to put food on the table, devastating for self-defense at close range w/o over penetration, and thanks to the "old timer" practice of "cut shells" can quickly be converted to a slug capable of reaching out and touching someone or something at distance.
Oh and 12ga bird shot range on dove is out to about 40yrds for average shooter. And, a rifled slug is a 100 yard round.
I used to laugh at 7 shot for self defense. Then I realized, there few people who can take small shot to the face and 👀 eyes and keep fighting.
I must respectfully disagree. I find the performance of 7.5 is lacking on a woodchuck at 25 yards (for those not familiar, a large ground squirrel like critter between five and ten pounds in weight). It will kill them, sure, but not quickly. If you want to smell it rotting in it's hole, 7.5 will work but if you want to eat it, pellet mass equal penetration which means getting to the organs and breaking bones. #4 on the other hand does just fine for them.
@@tenchraven I would argue that 7½ is the middle ground shot size for putting food on the table. It is not perfect for every small game and bird but it is the one that will work for every small game and bird in my experience. It also is very effective on pest control from snake to skunk to coyote to intruder.
Earlier this year while quail hunting, I happened on to some wild pigs. I pulled out my knife and made the necessary modification to all the shells I had in the shotgun plus a couple more for good measure and went to work. When the shooting stopped 3 dead pigs lay ready to process, from 25 yards to 60 yards, before me. Plus, I limited out on quail that day...all with the same shell.
Maybe have 2 shotguns? One for 2-legged threats that is loaded appropriately and one for game. Less ammo for the slim possibility of 2-legs, more for the need to eat.
The 12 ga shotgun has become my overall truck gun in Non-SHTF life. The versatility can't be beat. As you said I can deal with two-legged threats, 4 legged threats(I spend time in bear country) and I keep bird shot shells on my sling, which holds shells. Those are good for emergency survival. Yes, it has limitations and if the grid goes down with anarchy in the streets, the shotgun would get moved to a secondary role. But under normal conditions the shotgun is perfect.
And even those supposed limitations are scenarios you will almost never see
U shouldn't be carrying birdshot in bear country
Man those shot shell slings suck lol
@@DLI002He said they’re in his sling, not that those are his primary load in bear country.
If the power is off or not, your shotgun doesn't know. I have been off grid since 1997.
I did not read ALL the comments so some one may have brought this up. You forgot about the mini shells, sure they wont cycle and auto. but single shot no prob. and pumps like the Mosburg 500 series needs a rubber block installed to reliably feed the mini shells. only con is there is not many offerings is this size. mainly Aguila . buck and slugs. plus you can fit about 15 in a unpluged standard length mag tube. and can be shot one handed , IE; very little recoil. great for the youngins and newbys.
When you mentioned ranges of the various types of shells you didn't mention the shot spread as the pellets travel farther from the end of the barrel. Lighter pellets will spread out father than the heavier pellets, but all will spread. So at the close to maximum range for the load you're using the spread could be large enough that most or all your pellets will miss the target, even when your point of aim is correct. I'd suggest that you spend a couple of each weight pellets you're using to see what the spread is at that range. It could mean eating that night or not. Or worse case scenario if you make it back to your retreat location or not. And even at close range, when the spread is minimal, the shotgun must be aimed like a rifle so you don't miss the target with the same results possibly occurring that I mentioned above.
The price of 00 is lower now than it was pre panic buy so that's what I'm buying. Slugs are also back to normal
Not really in my area. A box of 5 shells is 9 when 25 used to be 14. They dont make those no more
I mostly buy 7 1/2 shot and 00Buck so nearly 4000 rounds including a few BB shells 4,5 and 6 shot shells as well to cover pretty much everything !!!
Some type of bird shot so you can have cut shells and make slugs also and its super cheap, I would go with that if I could only have one.
I carry 00 Buck, with 1-2 slugs on my Side saddle on my Mossberg 500. It’s loaded with the Winchester PDX 12g defensive rounds.
@Magic Prepper
A lot of wisdom and knowledge in this video. Thanks for sharing.
Rick
Thanks for a well thought out video. The case you show at the end is the same as what I keep in my truck. Very handy.
One thing I also carry a handful of is 12 ga marine flares that would be useful for signaling if needs be.
my personal fav is the 12 ga #4 steel buck shot! then the buck and ball is cool too!
Buy Benelli Nova shotguns, they can shoot up to 3 & 1/2 shells factory built. #2 and 00buck shot seem like the all around go to shells. How accurate are basic slugs out of a smoothbore shotgun. We typically just buy #2 and #6 bird shot and 00buck, I know my pop bought some sabot rounds years ago that he's only used, and I haven't seen slugs in my area in a long time.
I think the best thing to have is a good variety. If your space or budget is limiting you to a few, you need to choose the most important. I would have said 00 buck shot before he mentioned turkey shot. Magic Prepper is right on with his priorities: turkey shot, buck shot, slugs (in that order). I disagree with what he said about not wanting too many types laying around; my policy is the more the merrier. I have one of those 'ammo crates', and when I see something novel at the gun store I often add it. I stock a lot of different types of shells, but mostly bird shot, buck shot, and slugs.
You're forgetting an important aspect of the shotgun which is choke tubes. I have a simple Mossberg 500 with a 20 inch barrel with screw-in choke tubes. I purchased a special choke tube for shooting steel shot and let me tell you steel shot can open a car door like a can opener. Therefore it has no trouble with softer tissue targets out to 40 yards with a full choke. And as for Slugs you can get a screw in chokes tube that is rifle that is capable of extending your range how to 200 yards. But no matter what you have if you're not proficient with it it doesn't matter
2 3/4 #4 shot is my do-all 12 gage round. I also stock a large variety. I have a soft folding case that holds 35 rounds.
I bought the Black Aces Tactical FD-12 Semi auto bullpup shotgun last summer. Its the greatest shotgun I've ever fired. I love it. I purchased several 10 round mags and 1 20 round drum mag. Imsane mag capacity for a shotgun.
Until it jams and you have no hope of unjamming it
Lotsa' info without a lot of personal BS . Thank you . Have always been a fan of "SMOOTH BORES" . If I had to leave the house with one choice , it'd probably be this . ALTHOUGH ! a 410 was probably my FIRST LOVE and STILL like them .
Rifle slugs from a 20 inch pump 12 gage with a scope can make 2-4 inch groups at 50 yards.
My Winchester 1200 pump shotguns has never let me down. Definitely my go to gun .
For SHTF. 12gauge fighting house to house is devastating.
Both buckshot and slug .
12 gauge is one of the best guns if you ask me my go to is 2 3/4 3' buckshot or slug either depending on what you're hunting or doing you will have no problem taking down any game. As far as self-defense 12 gauge and 9 mm pistol is going to give you that universal movement capability...
thumbs up as always, checked still subscribed, great job as always. im retired p d and police academy instructor. reduced recoil 12 gauge, 00 buck and #4 buck shot, for 20 gauge what i been using since 1990 for self defense shotgun loads. good luck.
I've bought a lot of everything common. I bought 8 boxes of 100 rounds of bird shot for like $25 a box, 40 or so boxes of 20 round 2 3/4 00 buck 9 pellets (says military use only green cased) for about $11 a box and 30 boxes of 20 round boxed 2 3/4 slugs for $9 a piece just 3 years ago, with great timing before the whole pandemic happened. I thought I was made an unwise choice at the time bc I don't shoot my shotgun that often but now I'm wishing I had bought more.
Double OO buck in 8 verses 9 pellets will hold a better pattern with less risk of a flyer that you can’t account for.
if you only have birdshoot you can uncrimp the shells and fill the shoot cup with elmers glue to bind the shoot into slugs just allow to fully cure before recrimping.
Stockpile 12ga brass hulls, black powder (or equivalent), and various shot sizes. Reloadable in camp or the field and can reloaded many times each. Also, simplicity! A single shot or side by side.
Great topic, really needed if you are a new prepper and the budget is tight, cheers
4 shot because it is heavy enough at short range for big targets and is very strong and can be used to spread on small game .I been at this for about 5 decades and its a real killer it can punch a hole in a wall as well . 4 Shot high brass is the best but slugs are king as well If I were buying 7 1/2 shot 4 shot 00 buck and then slugs .Keep it simple .There will be no game laws and you will need power in SHTF . Also the gun its self should be a Smooth bore in a modified choke with about a 20 inch barrel. It can fire accurately all the above shot shells and also place a slug down range on target as well. Buy your shells 100 at a time its manageable in price and many shells come in that number per case.
Waxxers/cut shells are my plan. Slugs and buck shot are too expensive to keep heaps of them on hand.
when it comes to 12 gauge, i will buy just about anything available, especially during shortage, box of #8 birdshot, i take it, 00 buck, i take it, if its on the shelf, i will take it i dont care what it is as long fits lol. there is no such thing as useless ammo in a pump shotgun. even the cheapest #8 bird / skeet rounds are very effective for home defense at close range, even if dude has a vest he will be knocked to the ground probably if he is just 5 or 6 feet away, stunned for sure, if no vest.... he done at that range..... will keep eyes out for #5, that i do not have, sounds like a decent one, where i live we do not have turkeys or anything to hunt that is proper for..... here birdshot and buckshot is most common, because all the hunting at all around here is either deer or quail and such, .... and one or 2 skeet/trap ranges around the city... (btw skeet and trap is how i learned to shoot as a kid also) back when you could still take a 10 year old to a gun range..... another good reason to stock the cheap birdshot, at least last i bought some, was it was CHEAP.... but... the purpose is not for defense and such, the purpose for that.... is you CAN trade it if need be without hurting your real ammo stocks, someone without any ammo at all will be happy to have it and trade well for it, but more importantly.... shtf happens, things settle down a little, or you at your remote location etc. you have as you said a way to teach newbies that MIGHT end up in your group, plus you can spend 4 or 5 rounds here and there for fun once you have your reloading stuff set up.... fun will be very hard to come by in those days, and expensive to do, such as a thanksgiving dinner may be out of the question, cooking a weeks worth of food for one night? nope.... and just because you have all you need to reload, including primers, do not forget that the shells can only be used so many times, and not all kinds can be reused.
Agreed. I have a boom stick and turkey loads. Whew. Glad it was the right choice.. -wisc mom
The Federal 12 gauge 2 3/4” 00 buck load with the Flitecontrol wad is the best overall buckshot round I have found. I have shot it out of a number of different models of shotguns with different chokes and it does really well. I have not had very many flyers at all. Of course it has been hard to find with the ammo shortage, but if you can find it buy it. It’s awesome stuff!!
I agree. Cylider bore or modified give me very tight groups, even at 25 yards. I could do a head shot at 30 yards, with a 14" SBS.
But, inside the house, I keep #4 buck. I want the spread at those closer distances.
Flight Control wad Designed for straight bore
Good stuff, I don’t even own a shotgun yet but definitely need one. Figured it’s going to be the last thing Biden bans...he literally told us to buy a shotgun 😝
He specifically said a double barrel shotgun, so don't think he won't be coming after regular old 5 shot pumps in the near future...
Buy a semi auto shotty while you can
He can’t band crap.
That’s the reason you need an ar
Please don't go by what biden says. He hasn't stopped lying to us since he was elected 47 years ago.
I love the Mossburg shockwave ..I wish we could own them here in England as easy as you guys can ...
0/0 or number 4 seems the best shell for home defense from all the you tube videos I have sat through daydreaming
Defensive loads can be reloaded with simple fishing weights and any birdshot shell if needed.
for your regular smooth bore shotgun, BRENNEKE RIFLED SLUGS work great. people hunt out to 150 yards, elk, deer, hog, etc. all the time!
Hi my friend. Another great video. Believe it or not I do not own a shotgun yet, however I like Your choices.Great minds think alike.......my all around 12 gauge load would be 2 3/4 #4. I do love Your Turkey load though. The ONE area I MIGHT suggest something a bit different would be 12 gauge Buckshot. I would go with 2 3/4 #1 Buck. The reason? Measure the surface area of the Pellets between #1 and 00 and You are in for a shock! Finally You are dead on when You mention versatility! back in ancient times in Michigan, Farmers always had a shotgun (usually a pump 12 gauge) for most purposes. Add to taht any .22 Rifle and IF the Farmer was "well to do" He usually had a .38 Revolver likely a 4 inch Barrel. Where the Shotgun really shines in Defense (home) is area saturation say a hallway against intruders (think home invasion). Again a GREAT and informative video My hats off to You!
Unless I catch the mother of all sales on shot gun ammo I load all my own, cast my own 00-Buck and Slugs. A couple of things I have noticed over the last couple of decades on a consistent basis. 1. Reduced loads are nice and make for quick follow up shots if your not using an autoloader. Less fliers. They pattern a bit tighter due to less deformation on ignition and becuase of the milder velocities, they penetrate deeper. 2. For a humane kill on an animal, I have found that once things start to exceed about 500-600 lbs it wont go down quite as quickly before bleeding out when using slugs. Deer and Hogs drop like hit by lightening, Steers that need to be put down over 600 lbs, not so much, although they will go down, just maybe not before they spend a few seconds putting the "Thrill back in Death"!
I gotta 590 A1 Retrograde and a 590 Shockwave. Both are 12 gauge! Both are Mossberg! Love em!
I got the 590 Retro and a Mossberg 930 JM Pro Tactical, I’m with u bro, love my Mossbergs
@@Sw22944 right on!! they are the best quality shotgun bro!
Shotguns are just plain awesome.
I have several of different styles, break action singl shots, pumps, semis, double barrels.
The most versatile is the single barrel, break action. You can shoot litterly anything out of it, especially with chamber adapters. If you run out of ammo, but have primers and powder, you can turn a single shot gun into a muzzle loader
Be aware, if your shotgun has SCREW IN CHOKE TUBES use the correct tube for the type and size shot ! Ex. Usually not recommended to use a FULL CHOKE TUBE when shooting STEEL SHOT or SLUGS.
Agree 100% on #5 Turkey if you had to pick just one.
Stocking up on different types of shotgun loads (Birdshot, Buckshot, and Slugs) is WHAT any shotgun owner should do. As many different sizes of Buckshot as you can afford and find will increase the effectiveness of your shotgun. Same with Slugs. Not just the foster style "Rifled" variety but the Brenneke types along with the BRI (Ballistic Research Institute) style slugs.
Bird shot is the best hands down. its still cheap you can do a cut shell and make a slug. you can make a wax slug, you can melt the birdshot and cast into slugs. small game and big game its the most versitile on a budget.
Awesome explanation of different shot loads. Thank you.
I think the idea of #4 or #5 turkey loads isn't bad if you could only have one. But shotguns are flexible, and IMO the best options, plural, OO buck, #4 birdshot, and non-saboted slugs. If you have a 3.5" 12ga, the Winchester 4 Buck is amazing (54 pellets, at 50 yrds the pattern is the size of table but doesnt really have holes), and #2 or BB birdshot for longer range hunting and small apartments, but that is a specialty item. For 20ga, whatever buckshot you can find, high brass #4 birdshot, but sadly the 20ga is so ignored. But if your first shotgun is a 12ga pump and your second a five or six pound 20ga single, add 410 and 28ga adapters, and all the bases are covered.
For organizing, many years ago Plano made a box made to hold 4 25-shell boxes, but I haven't seen it around. Which is a pity because they are my personal favorites for the grab-and-go. 50 #4, 24 OOB, and a dozen each of 4B and slug, all in one convent little package.
Great video MP! I like to stock 00 & slugs and have several hundred rounds of bird shot. My M1 super 90 is a little unreliable with certain bird shot, but a semi-auto shotgun is a must have shtf weapon.
The New England Firearms rifled slug barrel shoots 1.5" groups at 100 yards.
Yep, I got one of the heavy barreled Ultra Slug thats fully rifled and out to about 100-125 yards, its surprisingly tight grouping!
My "just about anything" shell is a quality 2 3/4 inch #6 lead. It's good most game.
A little course for doves and quail, but it will work. A little fine for large ducks and geese. It's actually good for turkeys, as you call them into range and head shoot them.
The next shell I would say is rifled slugs. No problems on deer out to 60 yards with smooth bore and modified choke. I really am neutral with buck shot. It's ok for coyote control, but not my first choice for deer, but I can see it as a defensive load.
My Ideal shotgun for all purpose use, hunting and defense, is a 12 or 20 gauge pump action with a modified choke. Don't get one of those cheap chinese or turkish shotguns for $200 or less. If you want a budget shotgun go with the Maverick 88 from Mossberg.
I grabbed a Benelli m4 this winter and I’m stocking any single and 00 buck I can get my hands on. Remington, Winchester, herters, even off brands. Not terribly concerned about shot pattern. Primary guns are AR-15s. The Benelli is my last ditch effort gun for if I should run empty and need to retreat because of an angry heard ( deer, mountain lions, Buffalo, chickens... you name it)
Great video. Just got my first shotgun and was totally overwhelmed when I went to buy ammo.
Them damn geese and hot air balloons that's why I own a shotgun!
I reload my own between
.31cal=0bk
.36cal=00bk
.69 cal =slug you can meltdown any birdshot and cast it into any outher round you need. Also works with my .50 muzzle loader black powder
Or buck and ball
As far as the pdx12 shell with the slug and buckshot in 1, they aren't very common now, but once were. A number of revolutionary war Era references talk about loading their guns similarly. Nicholas Cresswell in 1775 wrote of encountering Indians while traveling via canoe: "...out of 12 guns five were rendered unfit for present use by the wet, mine happened to be in good order and I loaded her with an ounce bullet and seven swan shot..." our SHTF may end up looking somewhat like day to day life in 1775, could be a lot to learn there.
Supposedly Gen George Washington use to recommend his troops load "buck and ball" with 1 large projectile and 3 buck shots, seems to be basically a modern version of that
Slugs and bird shot r my go too !!!!!!
I would recommend #4 over #5. # 5 is far from ideal for deer but #4 will work fine, and will still be fine for birds in any season and any conditions.
I think goose/turkey loads may be best for drones - Maybe 3" #2 - #4 lead.
My favorite overall is number four
My go to are Remington slugs. Winchester segmenting slugs Critical defense 8 pellet buck shot. And any birds shot I can find 2 3/4 only. 3 inches are powerful but after seeing what 2 3/4 does to a 10inch plate at 20yrds It is more than enough for any thing that walks or crawls in North America
Don't think #4 buck spreads more, just more pellets in same pattern (#4 at ~.25 caliber vs. #00 at ~.33 caliber).
Agreed on #5. And if Shit really gets bad, you can also turn them into cut-shells.
Good video on a tough topic. I say it's a tough topic because we all have our own situations and preferences. And by situations I mean the area and subsequent game where we live, our household situation such as distance, overpenetration concerns, etc.
Understanding that a wider variety is preferable, I think you called it pretty well on your recommendations if one was to stock only two loads. Some may disagree, but I doubt it would be by much if they do.
Buy a ton of #7 or #8 target loads (cheapest 12ga). Buy a slug mold and a 00 buck mold and a crimper also.
If needed, open the target loads and dump the shot out. Melt it and pour it into the desired mold. Re-insert the slug or buckshot back into the shell and crimp. Don't forget the cut shell option.
#5 up to small game I can see, up to medium small mammals, but #4 an up buckshot for defense, slugs for larger game. Just for the record tho, so you know, a breaching round is sintered metal, think like powdered metal compressed into a slug, the reason for it is no back blast of shot to the breacher or others in the stack on the entry team, an no harm to anybody on the other side of the door, or it at least limits any harm to others, accidents can still happen tho, when the lock or doorknob comes flying apart. Thx for the vid.