SD Shotgun Load Pattern Preference

[Mudinyeri]

So, I got drug into one of those highly productive e-arguments. This one was a little different from your typical Glock vs. The World, 9mm vs. .40, .45 or .44 Magnum vs. The World arguments. It was a "tight vs. loose" argument. No, it wasn't about women!

Here's the question: For your self-defense/home-defense shotgun, would you rather shoot a load that has a very tight, predictable pattern (maybe 1" at 10 yards) or a larger (looser), less predictable pattern (maybe 6-8" at 10 yards with 'flyers' that occasionally hit outside the 6-8" pattern)?

Argue away (after answering the poll)!

[Gozuki]

1" at ten yards is going to be a slug. I'd like a 4" pattern of buckshot (at your proposed 30').

[Mudinyeri]

Originally Posted by Gozuki

1" at ten yards is going to be a slug.

Wanna bet?

For purposes of the poll, feel free to comment on your definition of a tight pattern.

[jensenkennels]

Inside my house loose, the perimeter around my house tight.

[joblo]

i load an 8 for the first shot (warning) then buck or slugs.

[Gozuki]

The warning you get at my house is the sound of a Saiga 12 polished trigger hook sliding against a polished hammer.

[Protecsafari]

2 3/4" field load of #6, after that 3" mag #4 turkey loads.
I got bunches of both for critters, figure around the house they'll work for 2 legged varmints.

I do run an Imp Cyl choketube for HD.

[Protecsafari]

Originally Posted by Gozuki

The warning you get at my house is the sound of a Saiga 12 polished trigger hook sliding against a polished hammer.

That I like!


(hate it when folks talk about racking a pump to offer some "warning".....I wouldn't engage trouble unless I had a round ready to go and sure as fork wouldn't take one from the go position and or mess things up. I tell folks why not have the gun ready and issue a verbal warning, that way the gun is always ready.............they all just stand there like deer in the headlights).

Same dicks proly voted for Obi.

[85f150dsel]

Originally Posted by Mudinyeri

Wanna bet?

Yea I have some black cloud flight control wad loads I did myself


The smaller the count, the tighter the group I want. I use 00 or 0, whichever I find in stock in 5lb bags at the local outdoor place. So at 9 or so pellets depending how I stack them, I will take the tight. I've shot clays with these loads out of an 18.5" 870, challenging and fun.

[cjw2006]

Show me a shotgun/load combination, besides a slug, that shoots 1" at 30 feet. The smallest group out of any shotgun is probably going to be around 4-6" at 30 feet. The average home invasion shot is probably going to be around 15 feet. Slugs have too much penetration. No.4 buck for summer and 00 or 000 for winter with whatever choke is in there. If they're wearing body armor, rare, shoot them in the face. Or just go with the face in the first place.

The truth is that one shot should do it with either load. Wether it hits someone or not. If after the first shot they're not smart enough to run away or they're still shooting back, rare, shoot them again.


Link the argument. I always like to read those threads for a good laugh.

[cjw2006]

Originally Posted by Protecsafari

2 3/4" field load of #6, after that 3" mag #4 turkey loads.
I got bunches of both for critters, figure around the house they'll work for 2 legged varmints.

I do run an Imp Cyl choketube for HD.

I wouldn't be so sure about that. You will put the hurt on someone but if you're going to shoot someone in your house you might as well make it lethal. I've read several accounts of people being shot with small bird shot and it lacks penetration to be lethal even at HD ranges. One account was of police finding a man sitting on the front steps of the house he just tried to rob. He had been shot with bird shot in the chest and the skin was torn off of his rib cage but he was still able to sit up and speak. If I'm shooting at someone it's because I suspect them of wanting to do bodily harm to me. If that's the case I want to put them down for good. Makes it better for your safety and in court. Turkey loads would be better but I go for penetration over mass impact. It's nothing bigger shot can't cure.

[Mudinyeri]

Originally Posted by cjw2006

Show me a shotgun/load combination, besides a slug, that shoots 1" at 30 feet. The smallest group out of any shotgun is probably going to be around 4-6" at 30 feet.

You asked for it. You got it.

Federal Premium 00 Buck with FliteControl Wad at 10 yards out of a Mossberg 500 with 18.5" barrel, cylinder bore, bead sight.

[southern k5]

Originally Posted by cjw2006

Show me a shotgun/load combination, besides a slug, that shoots 1" at 30 feet. The smallest group out of any shotgun is probably going to be around 4-6" at 30 feet. The average home invasion shot is probably going to be around 15 feet. Slugs have too much penetration. No.4 buck for summer and 00 or 000 for winter with whatever choke is in there. If they're wearing body armor, rare, shoot them in the face. Or just go with the face in the first place.

The truth is that one shot should do it with either load. Wether it hits someone or not. If after the first shot they're not smart enough to run away or they're still shooting back, rare, shoot them again.


Link the argument. I always like to read those threads for a good laugh.

Depending on my choke selection, my turkey gun can do that. I use that choke for field hunting were Im shooting at 40-50yrds, I forgot to change it out once and shot at a bird at about 7yrds and completely messed it.

[redpitbull44]

Originally Posted by Mudinyeri

Federal Premium 00 Buck with FliteControl Wad.

This. That FliteControl wad is really something. I wish they would make a 2 3/4" #1 buck 16 pellet FC load. Heck, I might even settle for 12 pellet if it was FC.

I will take the TIGHTEST pattern from a shotgun that I can get. But then again, I understand fully that you have to AIM with a shotgun.

Although, for Zombies, Dragon's Breath would be perfect. Decap and torch 'em in one shot!

[Mudinyeri]

Originally Posted by southern k5

Depending on my choke selection, my turkey gun can do that. I use that choke for field hunting were Im shooting at 40-50yrds, I forgot to change it out once and shot at a bird at about 7yrds and completely messed it.

Messed it ... or missed it?

[TheRedHorseman]

I like a single .224" hole per shot.

[Mudinyeri]

Originally Posted by TheRedHorseman

I like a single .224" hole per shot.

I dunno ... the 1" hole is kinda nice.

[ShaggyAnt]

I run an 18.5" barrel with a modified choke and #4 buck in my 870 as home defense. It gives a nice tight pattern at 10 yards, about the size of a softball.
So I vote tighter is better

[02-150]

Extra full choke, 3 1/2 inch winchester double B 1 1/4 6 rounds of it

[Todd W]

Originally Posted by Mudinyeri

You asked for it. You got it.

Federal Premium 00 Buck with FliteControl Wad at 10 yards out of a Mossberg 500 with 18.5" barrel, cylinder bore, bead sight.

AWESOME!

I use the 3" Federal 00 going to have to snag some FliteControl now!

[BigGreenMonster]

Originally Posted by 02-150

Extra full choke, 3 1/2 inch winchester double B 1 1/4 6 rounds of it

lets see... change xtra full to full, go plated OO and add 2 more shells and you have a winner. not sure what it does at 30' but at 30 yds all 15 are in a pie plate. it kills shit dead at 75. i do not want to get hit at 10 with it, that is for show!

[02-150]

Big green you not think the goose load will do the job lol?

[aloharover]

Originally Posted by joblo

i load an 8 for the first shot (warning) then buck or slugs.

You're an idiot.

[02-150]

Originally Posted by aloharover

you're an idiot.

x2

[BigGreenMonster]

Originally Posted by 02-150

Big green you not think the goose load will do the job lol?

i think it would do right nice... i know i would not like to get hit with either. i just save my bb's for the feathers