12 gauge, Pattern vs. Power?

Robbie

Recently I patterned my shotgun with a bunch of different 00 buck loads. The 2 loads that preformed the best where 1) Federal 3" Magnum 15 pellet "Premium" 00 buck, it had a pattern of 12-13 inches at 15 yards. 2) Federal 2 _" 9 pellet tactical load marked "low Recoil", and that had a pattern of 7-8 inches at 15 yards. They where all shoot threw a Remington 870 18 ?" barrel. Since this is my home defense shotgun I want it to have plenty stopping power. So do you think the reduced recoil will do the trick or stay with 3" Magnum? Thanks For the Help!

nord

My heavens son, are you stopping an intruder or a freight train? Bird shot in close quarters is as good as anything else and doesn't have the unpleasant effect of passing through too many walls.

Once you confront an intruder (And that will be in the 3 yard range, not 10 or 20.), he won't be asking what type of load you'll be tossing in his direction.

Think long and hard about tossing a mass of .30 cal shot around the interior of your home. For that matter, consider the effects of over an ounce of birdshot.

Nord

Iconoclast

Depends on the walls, nord. There are some the 'old style' of wood, plaster & lath. I have this and am not terribly concerned about how far the soft round lead balls will penetrate on them. Jacketed 9mm slugs won't go all the way through. Long story, and no, it wasn't an accident, my house or illegal.

JustC

I would have to say that if you wished to blow the bad guy across the room like hollywood, use the federal 3". If you just want to eliminate the threat, use the lower recoil (less powder) it will do less damage to your ears when you ignite it in a hallway with a roof overhead. Either way, at conversational distance, buckshot is going to do the trick, no matter what brand it is.

A great rifle with a junk scope,....is junk.