I Found The Best Shot Size For Home Defense

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What's the best 12 gauge shot size for home defense? Let's find out through a series of tests.
Patreon Video: / bananaballistics (Visible to Yellow Bananas)
OpticsPlanet "BANANA" = 7%
Thanks to OpticsPlanet for supplying the slugs.
I tried my best to make the loads as fair as possible (all 2-3/4"):
Win AA Target 9 Shot: 1-1/8 oz 1,300 fps
Fed High Overall 8.5 Shot: 1 oz 1,290 fps
Win AA Super-Handicap 8 Shot: 1-1/8 oz 1,250 fps
Fed Top Gun 7.5 Shot: 1-1/8 oz 1,200 fps
Fiocchi Steel Target 7 Shot: 1-1/8 oz 1,375 fps
Fed Game Load 6 Shot: 1-1/8 oz 1,255 fps
Fed Game Load 5 Shot: 1-1/4 oz 1,220 fps
Fed Game Load 4 Shot: 1-1/8 oz 1,255 fps
Fed Speed Shok 3 Shot: 1-1/8 oz 1,500 fps
Fed Speed Shok 2 Shot: 1-1/8 oz 1,500 fps
Fed Speed Shok BB Shot: 1-1/8 oz 1,500 fps
Rem Magnum Steel T Shot: 1-1/4 oz (Old - No Velocity)
Fiocchi Field Dynamics #4 Buck: 27 pellet 1,325 fps
Fed Power Shok #1 Buck: 16 Pellet 1,325 fps
Aguila 0 Buck: 1-3/8 oz 1,275 fps
Suprema 00 Buck: 9 Pellet 1,315 fps
Rem 000 Buck: 8 Pellet 1,325 fps
Fed Truball Low Recoil Rifled Slug: 1 oz 1,300 fps
*These tests are meant for entertainment and educational purposes only. Do not try any of these tests at home! Every ammo type tested can be lethal and should never be used against anything you do not intend to destroy. Always verify your firearm is rated for and can safely fire any ammunition that you intend to use. Always follow standard safety procedures when handling Any firearm.

[@Diemerstein]

As an Emergency Dept. Physician of too many years at a Level One Trauma Center, I have seen and treated all sorts of GSW's(Gun shot wound) and nothing at close engagement(inside a home or building) is a devastating as a shotgun wound. Mt last GSW was the result of a 7.5 bird shot volley to the upper thigh from about 15 feet away and here is a brief description of how that went. The GSW was a home invasion of a drug addict who was warned to leave, he didn't, so the home owner let one round loose aiming at the leg. It blew a giant hole in the suspect shredding the femoral artery and shattering the femur. Had the home owner not provided aid, he would have died right there before any help would have arrived. He was brought into our trauma bay with two tourniquets and was still bleeding, it took us 30 minutes with a mass infusion protocol to stabilize the suspect enough to go to surgery. Bottom line, bird shots into a gel block doesn't tell you what it will to a human body, no it will not blow a hole big enough to stick your head through, but it will stop anyone stupid enough to enter a home and doesn't leave when ordered to do so.

[@markc6207]

Thank you that should shut some people up.

[@kmom777]

that's reassuring I was worried my 04 for ducks is not good enough and I have to use only slugs from now looking the gel test but if 7.5 is doing that with number 4 there is no point doing first aid.

[@adamlucas4753]

I was going to say that we needed a different term than 'self-defense' in this case. More like "If you need to use/employ dedicated lethal force at range." If you've ever shot a duck or a pheasant too close, you just get a wet sock of meat. Anyone still attacking after having that done to their hand or arm or leg wasn't A) wasn't going to be stopped by putting an 'actual self defense' round in the same spot and B) isn't going to be stopped without physically being incapacitated or killed anyway.

[@cartoonraccoon2078]

@@markc6207 You'd hope so, but this is the internet, so already someone's snorting, adjusting their band-aided glasses, and typing, "Actually...".

[@davidr7333]

Thank you so much for what you do and sharing this example. But it is only one example, and I've spoken to so many involved with shotguns and from that, I understand know that bird-shot is at best "iffy" in stopping the threat, especially depending on clothing.

[@xxn0thing]

"This shotgun round is too extreme for KZbin" ---- **Taofledermaus utters a derisive chuckle**

[@sloanmagnum5009]

He's just trying to funnel people into his paid for content. I don't know why he's lying about it tho

[@JasonHolloman-n9l]

I was thinking the same thing.

[@cat192]

Apparently, some people have gotten account strikes for dragon's breath videos, which is odd because there are still a ton of them. I guess the justification was that they are banned in several states and are incendiary, which still doesn't make sense.

[@imdeplorable2241]

​@@cat192 I guess it all depends on which KZbin Liberal is CENSORING content on a particular day.

[@e-legalcanadian]

Yeah... nothing extreme going on there...

[@itatane]

“Pistols put holes in people. Rifles put holes through people. Shotguns, the right load at the right range will physically remove a chunk from your opponent and throw it on the floor behind him, and you will have to get someone to come clean it up with a shovel.” - Clint Smith

[@rebel1670]

inside of 12 feet most rifles will also

[@ArmedAndIndigenous]

oh god if i had a dollar for everytime i seen someone use this qoute.

[@14goldmedals]

@@rebel167012? 1200+ son and way more. Rifles are on their own level. Can you explain your 12’ comment, never heard anything like it.

[@EsyuDach]

power is not everything stopped is stopped. The longarm has to BE there and it wont be. You IMAGINE that you'l have 5+ seconds to run and get it but in actuaality, you have ONE second before LUCK becommes the main determinant of the outcome. My openly worn pistol can be drawn and get TWO hits in 1 second.

[@ArmedAndIndigenous]

@@EsyuDach why isn't your shotgun next to your bed. And are you seriously owb carrying at all times at home🤣 sure bud

[@kyleeames8229]

After seeing these demos, I’d say I’m partial to the #4 buck. Looks like it maximizes pellet count/surface area for energy transfer while still having acceptable penetration.

[@mungtor]

the other thing about #4 (that I have not tested, admittedly) is that it shouldn't penetrate 2 layers of drywall. So if you do have a home defense situation, you don't have to worry about over-penetration and collateral damage.

[@sluttybutt]

I've been a #4/#1 buck enjoyer for a while now. There is no be-all-end-all for shotguns and patterning according to your intended range, choke selection and use case is the only important thing when selecting a load. Only you know how big your home is, how it's constructed and how your gun sends certain loads downrange.

[@davidr7333]

A lot of knowledgeable people agree with you!

[@sexystealthninja]

Paul Harrell's video on this subject brought me to the same conclusion

[@ripvanwinkle2002]

me as well, for home defense no 4 is the way to go.. the battlefield is a different animal

[@woodlanditguy2951]

For the record, BEFORE I watch the results for #4 Buck, this is what I use for home defense. I like it because it is large enough to do critical damage to an intruder, but small enough that it doesn't blast through several layers of drywall. I hand load mine and sometimes mix it with 00 Buck for plinking at my range. I mold my own shot from old lead wheel weights and it's cheap and easy to make. Edit: #4 blew right through the drywall.... I guess that isn't a very safe round to use for home defense. I will still use it because I also like the dispersal pattern but ALWAYS be aware of your target's backstop or what is beyond your target.

[@chrisbayus5189]

#4 buckshot is my go to boom stick ammo. Best compromise of penetration, energy on target and pellet count IMHO

[@Bacteriophagebs]

#4 buck will go through 6 layers of drywall, as the Box o' Truth proved over 10 years ago. Don't expect interior walls to stop anything. #4 buck is still the best because it won't go through two _exterior_ walls, so your neighbors won't get hit by stray pellets, which is what matters.

[@pimpovic2]

My kids are more important to me than any neighbor​@@Bacteriophagebs

[@SeattleJeffin]

My Grandad always called 0 buckshot, "single ought buckshot"

[@hedge7743]

He wasn't wrong!

[@theprojectproject01]

That's a holdover from Elizabethan English, where "Aught" was a variation of "Nought," meaning Zero-- The Nothing That Is.

[@14goldmedals]

@@theprojectproject01 If you grew up watching the Beverly Hillbillies, then you’ve learned about “nought” watching Jethro do math.

[@chrisdaniel1339]

He is 100% correct. Just like we call 00 double aught buckshot or the 30-06 thirty aught six

[@mikecook317]

He was right! He was old school

[@randyhymas9013]

Thank you for all of the testing you do. Very informative. Years ago, I did some testing on drywall simulating the interior walls in a house. I settled on #4 buck. In my testing, I found that #4 buck will go through two pieces of drywall (one wall both sides) but didn't completely penetrate a third layer of drywall located 10 feet from the first two pieces. So in my opinion, #4 buck is the best compromise between performance, and over penetration.

[@44R0Ndin]

For what it's worth, studies have been done on 8 pellet vs 9 pellet 00 Buckshot, and 8 pellet 00 buck seems to pattern a lot better no matter if there's a choke involved or not. The 9 pellet 00 Buck seems to reliably have one "flier" and the 8 pellet does not, so you have to ask yourself if the extra pellet is worth it. Law enforcement agencies seem to think the juice is not worth the squeeze, and have largely settled on 8 pellet 00 buck when they reach for a shotgun in a lethal role with buckshot instead of (lethal or otherwise) slugs (with 12g lead slugs usually being used for things such as disabling vehicles, since there is no doubt that a 12g lead slug will overpen a single unarmored human being sized target, and police ARE trying to minimize casualties while still neutralizing threats).

[@chrisdaniel1339]

Just go with the high velocity 12 ga, 12 pellet 00 buckshot

[@artiomvv569]

This was something I always wanted to see tested, nice you had this idea. I've loaded my home defense loads myself, i use no 2 buckshot, 21 of them at 600 grains. Getting shot by this load would be like getting shot by 21, high velocity 22 short bullets at the same time, except they go faster.

[@spencereagle1118]

The British SAS used to use something very similar, Browning A5's loaded with AAA 2-3/4" cartridges fighting in the jungles of Borneo and Malaya. AAA shot size being just under 22 in diameter (29 of them). They were found to be very effective, plenty of poke and just enough spread at close range.

[@johnhoyle6390]

This guy is cool personified.

[@klyekyle]

Dude is confidently himself, being you to the best of your ability is cool 😎

[@goldenegg1063]

His voice is almost as deep as those crazy men who wear dresses and get angry at anyone who doesnt call them a woman 😅

[@anthonyanglim7147]

Awesome Demonstration! I thought it was Very interesting to see how as the shot size gradually increased you could see almost a "Gradient" of increase of depth of average penetration across the range of 12 gauge shot shells.

[@davidjernigan8161]

Steel shot is significantly lighter than lead which is reason for the high velocity. TSS shot might penetrate deeper than lead or steel for the same shot size.

[@shelbyoffrink4424]

I came to say the same thing

[@baccable]

The steel shot, usually for waterfowl, tend to be loaded hot to account for the loss of mass over lead. Resulting in similar results because they lose velocity faster, especially once they hit a soft target (including gel).

[@knotengajin7359]

Steel sucks for damage. Literally watched a mallard drake get pushed upwards 9 times only to still manage to fly/glide out of sight.

[@hunterman600cc]

Reduced recoil slugs (I've tried) stayed together and penetrated better. Full velocity seemed to split into 2-3 pieces and dumped energy faster. Your mileage may vary.

[@lukeonderko8696]

Lead highbase game loads with #4 or #6 bird shot is absolutely devastating at close range to soft tissue

[@dennisyoung4631]

1 1/4 oz of #4 bird is ….. on small animals if you’re close.

[@yourmomma2995]

pass on using that. 00 buck at minimum. bird shot is for SMALL birds only.

[@ryewaldman2214]

Try #8 birdshot in gel at 3 yards and report back with the penetration. Also, i think Paul Harrel did a video on cut shells. I think no Banana Ballistics "using 12 ga for HD" video would be complete without the FUDD classic of birdshot cut shells = the slug we have at home. Also, here is some education on shot penetration basics: The "rule of thumb" for steel shot "lethality" (lethality as a hunting load for harvesting game animals) is that the steel pellet size needs to be two shot sizes larger than the equivalent lead shot. This is largely based on the external and terminal ballistics associated with the lighter density steel slowing down faster in air and penetrating less than lead because of (again lower density) the lower sectional density. For example, if you would normally choose #5 lead as the ideal "lethality" for a particular application, then you should choose #3 steel as the non-toxic replacement. For hunting, lethality is based on sufficient penetration to reach the vitals of the game animal, and having sufficient pellet density on target to get 1-5 pellets hitting vitals (depends on particular game animal). Lethality is limited by the range at which either the pellets slow down from drag such that they no longer penetrate sufficiently AND limited by the range where that particular load's pellet count and choke result in the space between pellets becoming too broad to guarantee enough pellet hits in the vitals. Typical steel shot sizes vs game animals are tabulated in tables given by each state's department of natural resources/game,fish&parks, etc. Here is a link to one such table: gfp.sd.gov/UserDocs/nav/NontoxicShotLethality_TRoster.pdf Federal cartridge company has a similar table that shows lead shot sizes www.federalpremium.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-VistaFederalSharedLibrary/default/ve1ee04a44271d744373155c0b4d7e4c993afc242/contentDocuments/catalog/2019/Federal2019-Shotshell.pdf

[@thisismagacountry1318]

Rest in Peace, Paul Harrell

[@knotengajin7359]

Steel shot is less lethal because it’s so hard it passes through without the shock damage of lead. Which probably cripples and kills as many or more ducks than the accidental consumption of some lead shot.

[@CTCDetroit]

Smaller shot is the gift that keeps on giving!

[@bt7843]

A 6" penetrating wound that’s also 6" wide? Nobody is going to walk that off, and it will never stop bleeding-well, it will eventually stop 😆

[@yourmomma2995]

flesh wounds are not what we want.

[@ryanwhite2436]

Always appreciate the content. Really liking the real-life application testing! Keep up the good work Mr. Banana!!

[@allenl9031]

You created banana pellet plaid ballistic gel, so artistic.

[@akapanky]

I commend you for being able to differentiate all that shot. And I wanna thank Banana Ballistics mom for buying him where's Waldo books in his youth

[@michaelgisi5959]

Appreciate the amount of time this took you great work!

[@cessanterationelegiscessat4322]

Soaking your hardware from all those big ball shots just shows the sheer dedication you have to share with us those money shots.

[@CountGold]

This video is exactly what I wanted.

[@life_with_bernie]

Say what you will about birdshot not having "stopping power" but your average bad guy busting into your house who takes a load of #7.5 to the face or nads at typical house interior distances is going to seriously reconsider their life choices. Stopping power isn't and shouldn't be counted just as lethality.

[@disbeafakename167]

Most people react poorly to their face suddenly being the consistency of cottage cheese.

[@life_with_bernie]

@@disbeafakename167 They generally cease and desist what they'd been doing.

[@markc6207]

I agree but I have a case of BB

[@edgarcornette6387]

WOW Thank You so much for doing this test. It gives everyone the info they need to choose the load they want. Remember you only want one story for the cops and the DA. So make sure its your story thats told... Love ya brother !!

[@DMWatson-qc6mz]

...I got all I needed to know about bird shot's effectiveness from one of Peter Capstick's books....where he was hunting small birds for camp meat in Africa. He was wandering around the bush with 71/2 shot (Low brass) and a lioness boiled out of the shrubbery and decided to see if she could subdivide his posterior. The only chance he had was to paste her square in the face at as he puts it..."tag-you're-it" distance. Most likely no more than 10-15 feet away (The average distance across a room inside your house). He said she did a complete back flip...and her head looked like someone stuck a hand grenade in a strawberry jam jar. It's nothin' to sneeze at when shooting at self defense range....we tend to forget, distance inside a house is a lot different than distance outside in the street.

[@mikemurr536]

As always, another great video. Very informative. You're saving the rest of us a lot of money in ammo testing

[@efraingallego-ortega-ny9xl]

Thanks for all the time and effort 😊

[@jimmieburleigh9549]

#4 buck is the best all around buck factoring in quantity and quality... it's my go to in self defense and when I was in law enforcement and alot of law enforcement uses it.

[@dennisyoung4631]

So I recalled reading in the very late eighties. I was looking for #4B in the early nineties, but could not find it in the local stores. Was able to find a single box of old *Pb* #BB. I lived in an apartment then…

[@JasonHolloman-n9l]

#1 Buck is the smallest pellet to consistently meet FBI minimums, which includes specific barriers. In the Federal flight control, it is absolutely amazing. While I have not needed to use it on 2 legged critters, at home or on duty, I have used it on feral hogs. Hogs from 120lb to 250lb have all fallen DRT from vitals hits, not head shots. And before you ask, yes I've tried #4, 00, and 000. 00 and 000 are most definitely lethal, I have to track them more often than with #1, which I never have to track. #4 however, while it too is lethal, I ALWAYS had to track them. Admittedly, only the #1 was in flight control. Our agency recently decided to drop shotguns, unfortunately. But my home scattergun is full of #1, with 1oz full power truball slugs on the side.

[@SA12String]

Interesting test. Needless to say, it's best not to be on the other side of a wall when someone is blasting away with ANY of those rounds. How about doing a similar test with those "mini" shells?

[@TROOPERfarcry]

I like #4 buck and 000 the most. But the benefit of 00 is that it's three per layer when stacked in the shell, whereas 000 is only two per layer. In a hunting situation 8 pellet 000 is overall better than 9 pellet 00 in my opinion.... but I also doubt that the difference is worth the hassle of specifically seeking out 000 instead of the far, _FAR_ more common 00.... which is the other reason to go 00 - it's so easy to find. Having said that, when I hunted feral hogs, I _THINK_ the 000 was slightly better... but I also don't have large amounts of carefully measured data to support that.

[@anangryranger]

Yes sir, I'm real fond of #4 buck. Used 00 buck on patrol as a peace officer long ago. Now long retired and living in the woods of E Texas, I'm surrounded by feral hogs and coyotes. Those are my "Test media". And I've settled using Federal Shorty's. Easier on an old man's shoulder.

[@rdgray169]

The difference in pellets becomes bigger if you use 3in or 3.5in shells though

[@TROOPERfarcry]

@@rdgray169 All true. I don't know if I'm a big baby or what, but 3-inch shells are a bit too much for me. One? Ok... two? I'm not excited, but... ok. _THREE_ shots of magnum shells? Come on, dude, I don't have a season-pass to a chiropractor.

[@jarink1]

Now do the same with the mini shells! There's a lot of interest in these rounds since you can stuff a couple extra in that shotty you keep next to the bed. Recoil and blast are reduced, too, which can be important when using indoors.

[@chrisdaniel1339]

2-3/4 are mini shells when compared to 3" and 3.5". Unnecessary, no home invader is sticking around after you hit them with a standard 2-3/4 shotgun blast. If 1 in the chamber and 5 in the pipe are not enough for you there is a problem...

[@boilabum]

Lol I love this channel so much. Thank you Mr Banana. I don't know what I would do without your videos. Laugh less I guess. I can't get over all the goofy sh!t you have stuck in those gel blocks. Do I see pennies and marbles in there? This guy knows how to have fun.

[@RAWBOT301]

Havent watched the video yet, but Im going to guess #4 buck. Lets see how I did!

[@RAWBOT301]

I like #4 because it has good penetration but wont go through walls as much. Also common in mini shells for less recoil.

[@Tony-jy2nb]

I'm going to guess that too.

[@acars9999]

I agree.

[@rbhe357]

I came right to the comments first to see if anyone else prefers #4 buck. 👆🏼 Top comment did not disappoint.

[@bryce4359]

That's my favorite too

[@44R0Ndin]

The reason the #7 Steel shot penetrated less than the #7.5 Lead shot is pretty much down to exactly one variable that had a significant change. Density! Sectional density specifically. Sure, Lead's a more ductile metal than Steel, softer, but it's also much, much heavier for the same volume, and #7.5 shot isn't anywhere close to half the size of #7 shot, so you can pretty much call them identical for the purposes of figuring out penetration. Penetration in ballistics gel is not strongly influenced by how ductile any given metallic projectile is, only it's sectional density and velocity on impact. Since the pellets are nearly the same size, their frontal area is likewise nearly the same, meaning that the chief influence on sectional density is regular density, and with lead being so much more dense than steel, I'm really not at all surprised to see that the steel shot didn't penetrate as well. On the plus side, it doesn't pollute the environment! Some states mandate it, which is rather unfortunate. If you live in such a state, instead of trying to make do with the same size shot but just in steel instead of lead, try to figure out what size of steel shot will have pellets the same mass as the pellets of lead shot you wish you could be using, see if that's legal to use on the game you want to hunt, and then give it a try out in the field. Chances are you'll find your range is lower, but your effect on target is at least comparable. The math works out in any case....

[@callawayken650]

Yesterday, I was thinking that I would like to see BB do a 12 GA slug into ballistic gel. Then, being on the same wave length, he uploads a shotgun video. Nice.

[@jaedonhaskins9917]

I watched a Montana FWP game control officer drop a large black bear with 1 shot of #4 at about 20 yards. I've been sold on it since. I haven't watched the video yet, but I'm really interested in seeing the results.

[@jeffmueller9059]

#4 shot or #4 buck

[@BB-is5qv]

Seeing new uploads from you makes me smile.

[@John-ir2zf]

Moral of the story isssss...if it's your kids on the other side of the wall ? #4 or less ! If it's your mother in law ? 000 minimum 😂😂😂

[@404nitro]

That's funny because it is generally true LOL

[@DAH1020]

The plaster blaster, the Banna pulls it off again. Great fab skills ,you have High regard for your Subs.

[@michaelbaker713]

Can you do a 9mm ammo comparison like you did for 22lr, it doesn't have to be 50 different ammo brands like the 22 video but any would be awesome to see.

[@Renegade20071975]

Plaster Blaster 3000 ROCKS!!!!

[@EdWolfram]

Copper coated #4's have always been my in the house round. I may not shoot through them but 50 holes in the old airbags isn't going to leave the lights on long.

[@jeremystyron9721]

Great vedio, my friend. Their is a way to make bird shot leathel . It's called cut shells . Basically, what you're doing is making them homemade slugs with one simple step that requires something sharp that will cut the plastic hull. I use them a lot for practice and fun because a box or bird shot you get #25 rounds for $3-5 vs. A box of slugs or buck shot you get #5 for $9-15 . They also work great for hunting . They are very accurate and sometimes they hit harder than Foster slugs from my experience. Their's a huge difference with cut shells between low brass and high brass. Maybe you can show a vedio with cut shells that would be awesome. God bless you and your family.God bless America 🇺🇸🇨🇱 🇺🇲 🇨🇱🇺🇲🇨🇱🇺🇲🇨🇱.

[@rogerwood5228]

#1 buck is probably my overall favorite do it all loading. I wish there was more of it out there.

[@thomasburch1260]

Rifled shotgun barrels have super wide spread patterns due to the centripical force pushing them out. I'd love to see another video of you pattering both a rifled vs smoothe barrels with all these loads

[@paulmaul2186]

You have no idea how long I've been waiting for this.

[@MS-vp8pw]

Thanks for making this video. Informative/revealing. It held my interest for the duration of the video. Well done.

[@rjstewart]

A case a few years ago involved a self defense shooting at 4 yards with turkey load. According to the coroner the criminal was dead from the first shot before he hit the ground. I know a lot of people who flat out refuse to believe that birdshot is dangerous but if you live with people or jn an apartment birdshot will still do the job inside your home with much less danger of killing someone in another room or nearby house. That said, you need to make your own choices when deciding when and how to defend yourself and your family.

[@shred1894]

I run high brass #4 shot. It isn't buckshot, but it's powerful enough considering my engagement distance is less than 15 feet. It's also nice knowing that it won't ding my neighbor across the hall through two walls.

[@marcjampolsky5280]

Especially at home defence ranges... You're not in the middle of a field

[@davidr7333]

@@marcjampolsky5280 But what if I am "outstanding in my Field?" :)

[@patrickdixon505]

The point is thst birdshot is unreliable. It might perform like that, it might not. When your life or loved ones lives are on the line, you want the most consistent performing ammo you can get. So anecdotes of the times birdshot did stop someone prove nothing considering you are leaving out all the times it failed. And yes, birdshot has a higher failure rate than buckshot. Period.

[@marcjampolsky5280]

Ha... That's not what I picture when I think of home defence just because I'm in Canada... Our law specifies it must be REASONABLE force and it's hard to justify your life being in danger when you need a scope to take someone out lol

[@keyfitter]

Very informative video! I've had a lot of experience with shotguns since the 1960's and I'm here to say that light bird shot loads like #7 1/2 or 8 shot may not penetrate well but at close range they will make holes that duct tape isn't going to fix. I've killed deer with 00 buckshot and slugs. They don't go very far, if anywhere with either one. One word of advice to new shotgun users. Do not use a full choke barrel for slugs. Improved Cylinder or Modified choke is best. I can hold within a four inch group at 50 yards with slugs out of a smoothbore shotgun with a modified choke. For longer ranges, go get a rifle.

[@georgiabowhunter]

I wish #1 buck was more popular. I have it loaded up in my home defense shotgun but it's hard to find.

[@rogerwood5228]

Same. Whenever I see it in the store, I buy it up.

[@Sethemiah]

Fantastic video! If i had to shoot through my walls though, i would have to move out for a couple weeks because they are all plaster and lath, with horse hair. Dont know why horse hair was the binder of choice for houses 100 years ago, but its torture trying to do any work on the house. However, i can attest that plaster walls will stop a 9mm compacted copper dust round. Whatever they call those. Apx copper, opposite of hollowpoint. Whatever that is. 😊

[@Wvpes]

Another interesting result (if you're not worried about people on the other side of the drywall) is that the buckshot leaves easier to repair damage in the drywall itself.

[@andrewgarrison3485]

Best is always subjective. For many, it's balancing the affectinveness of the load (penitration) with over penitration of same. Cheap construction tends to be the limiting factor. I'm lucky enough that my old farmhouse is built with plaster latthe walls and hardwood studs. I also have two brick chimnelies running up interior walls. I'll go on to say so many are hung up on equipment and forget tactics. With the idea of just blasting'em or worse "raking the slide will scare them off." Zones of fire play an important in any defensive shooting, hell anytime you pull the trigger. I have long considered the shotgun as artillery, and it's used to defend a fixed position. As for me, my preferred defensive shotgun load in 12 gauge is platted #1 buckshot.

[@VolkerHett]

Whatever load, it will hurt! And to quote my small arms instructor in the navy in a galaxy far far away: "Always aim for the belt buckle!"

[@FullBattleRattleTrap]

Personally I prefer 12 pellet 00 buck, but you have shown there are plenty of others that get the job done.

[@brittakriep2938]

In Germany, i am german, selfdefence, especially with weapons, is unwanted. Criminals could be hurt. Gunlaw doesn' t allow a legal gunowner to train selfdefence shooting , and every weapon, including edged weapons or batons must be locked away. My pure theoretic oppinion about shotgun ammunition for selfdefence/ homedefence: In case of semiautomatic or Slide action shotguns, load magazine with a cartridge of Schrot ( shot for for hare/rabbit/ fox/ dove/ pidgeon/ pheasant) followed by a cartridge of Posten ( buckshot), not largest diameter of buckshot and fire a doublette. I also would load a pistol with a full Metal ball, followed by an expandable ball. Reason: You never know, whom you face. Excuse my bad english and my autism.

[@CarnivoreRonin]

Such a great comparison video!

[@Jeff84004]

you should try a cut-shell with 8 or 9 shot and see how deep it penetrates.

[@marcrud1250]

😂🎉

[@rxotmfrxotmf8208]

Much respect for you testing all those shotgun rounds. After an afternoon of clay pigeon shooting, my shoulder really hurts and the skin is mostly blue, green, and black.

[@BigHarryBalzac]

High brass and low brass have nothing to do with velocity or energy, unless that's how the manufacturer chooses to load their ammo. They can load anything of any power in low brass or high brass, and some low brass loads are more powerful than some high brass loads. I have 12 gauge shells with at least 4 or 5 different heights of brass. And the brass on shotgun shells isn't brass. It's steel. I have some plastic shotgun shells that aren't high brass or low brass. There's no brass at all, in standard or maximum loads. Even what most people would expect to be high brass doesn't have a brass head, just a thin steel washer molded into the plastic around the primer pocket. Back when shotgun shells were all made of paper instead of plastic, they used high brass when they loaded more powder, so the paper hulls wouldn't burn through from the powder being above the brass. As soon as plastic hulls came out they made separate high and low brass shells obsolete. But people were used to high brass having more powder, and more power, so most ammo companies continue to load most of their ammo that way, because that's what people expect. It's a completely useless practice, but a century of tradition outweighs common sense. I've had slugs with low brass shells that were way more powerful than other shells with high brass. So any time a person chambers a high brass shell and think it's going to kick worse than the low brass shells they were shooting, It might, or it might not. It depends on how the shells were loaded, not on the height of the brass.

[@TylerGamer765]

Loved the .22 video! Been waiting for a shotgun version! I’m curious!

[@marshalljones8840]

I'd say #6 shot at 10 yards modified choke 20 or 12 gauge is good enough. Blew plenty of woodchucks almost in half inside the shed with that load

[@MrOldclunker]

Great review on the loads. This is the first of it's kind I have ever seen on the net. Thanks

[@JasonHolloman-n9l]

BTW Banana, thank you for another great video. Your effort does not go unnoticed. I often wonder about range cleanup....

[@scottleggejr]

So a couple thoughts here as I'm an avid shotgunner and blow through about 10k rounds per year shooting clays, upland, and ducks and turkeys... 1) You're not complaining about recoil shooting loads like this through any 5.56 or 9mm and don't have the oprtions... Maybe if you went up to extreme loads on .300+ or 50 cal space? 2) BC is BC so 1.25oz of #5,6,7,8,9 is going to be the same because 1oz @ 1500fps = 1oz @ 1500 fps to matter what with nominal mass changes on the size of the pellet. At distances, you'll see separation, but that's what you tune for and why we select different chokes. The mass and density (steel vs lead vs bismuth vs flower seeds or sand) are the key factor.

[@gregv123]

Holy guacamole, this is the end all shotgun load video, except experimental ones like toefladermous , thank you sir 🇺🇲 sometimes there is collateral damage 😂

[@MxMe-su1ch]

00 buck steel split shot in a flite control wad. The split makes them break in two, preventing overpenetration and dumping all the energy into the target.

[@jamesgloriod7195]

IDK how you read my mind to come up with this video... it is exactly what I've wanted someone to do for a long time.

[@yeayeasautoadventures]

7 yards in a house? even 9 shot is going to stop an intruder unless he has armor,maybe

[@funwithballistics1016]

Thank you very much for doing this. Steel shot all the way! More pellets for the same weight, higher velocity, higher energy, and tighter spread!

[@redfaux74]

Those are good tests. ❤ Great job Double B. 🎈🥳🎈 For home I'm using 2 to 00. Imagine what that does to the knee. Or shoulder. 😢

[@EsyuDach]

me too. It's 9mm and the advantage is that it's never more than 1/2 second from being poitined at an invader. I dont have to absorb 4 bullets per second for 5 seconds, while I run and get a longarm. It's secure, too, cause it's on my hip. When I leave home, all I have to do is drape my shirt over it.

[@PaulGriffin-ox1gp]

I found that #2 or #BB size shot because its lethal at 25 yards and yet isn't as likely to over penetrate in the home versus out in the open. I know it will even work for as small a shotgun as a 3" inch 28 gauge shotgun load. Steel shot wont penetrate as deep as lead or tungsten shot. It has to do with weight of the shot pellets individually.

[@charlesreediii5083]

You need a lead sled for this shooting. Great video.

[@T-thug_69]

I personally use my 26” barreled 870 with an extra full choke shooting 3 1/2” Federal tss

[@MrOldclunker]

Actually full choke is not ideal in close quarters. Improved cylinder or straight cylinder is best for short range fast assault. I have a 12 gauge with improved and 16" barrel. Trust me it handles a lot faster and coverage is better at close range.

[@T-thug_69]

@ I was joking, my actual home defense gun is a semiautomatic 12 gauge with I believe a 18.5” barrel and a modified duckbill style choke, I run 00buck and if I run out of that it’s a 9mm with Norma MHP.

[@erniedesantis597]

When I lived in an Apartment I used high brass #4 shot for defense. For the ranges found inside my apartment (20 feet) it was more than adequate.

[@KTMS4420]

I thought youtube threw me into a Fat Electrician video toward the end. Great video!

[@Oldsoldiersays]

we use #4 buck for coyotes. Works great

[@TROOPERfarcry]

Two things: 1 - It may have been said, but "4 shot" and "#4 buckshot" are _NOT_ the same thing. 2 - What if the correct answer is buck-and-ball? I have some Rio shells with a .69 lead ball, and six pellets of 00 on top of that ball. I also have some Winchester PDX defender which is a slug + 3 00 copper pellets. The Winchester always prints with a slug-hole in the middle of a nearly flawless triangle. made by the pellets. I don't know at what distance the pellets would no longer be a factor as the 'triangle' would be too big, but inside of a typical house a center-of-mass shot will get the whole triangle.

[@HAL_9001]

@27:15 "That is not a bystander anymore..." That is a bylaydowner.

[@BeoZard]

When I was a kid in the 60's one of the teachers at my elementary school was a deer hunter with her husband. Since my state was a shotgun only state they only had a couple of shotguns. Her husband was working nights and she heard someone breaking into the house, so she gets a shotgun out of the gun case in their bedroom and the first shells she can grab, slugs. She goes downstairs and is met by the intruder. She fires a slug into him from less than ten feet away. Part of the guy ended up splattered on the living room wall.

[@garycornelisse9228]

That was interesting. Good knowledge to have, relative to where you might have a gun fight.

[@mcsupersport]

Things of note.... 1) This was a open choke, ie no choke at all....using a hunting gun or even just a modified barrel would change the dynamics. 2) These shots were at 7 yards, or 21 feet. Now there are places to shoot 21 feet in the average home, but many times, it will be 3-4 yard range....which will also greatly change how all these work. 3) Ballistic Gel is NOT flesh and bone.....there have been several channels showing how different shot such as 4, 6 and 8 shot do against actual meat at 5 yards or less. So honestly, unless I am shooting down long halls, or have HUGE rooms, 4 shot to 7 shot would be my load of choice. Why, because at the 5 yard range most likely in my house, the modified choke on my gun for hunting, and no desire to see a slug/00 buck go through the walls and harm someone else a few walls or houses over....

[@rocksandoil2241]

My 870 16 ga with solid buttplate I inherited from dad used to make tears in my eyes. I got a new pad installed and it helped a lot - Graco company out of Gravette, AR near my hometown. looks good too. 4 buck my pick. Combines penetration and not over-penetration in a house - shouldn't shot thru a decent wall at distance so you don't kill a family member in another room.

[@rangetime6779]

Fantastic video! Thanks for a great test. You can tell it was a lot of work. I'm sure clean up wasn't fun.

[@jesscobb2279]

Always enjoy the Heavy Metal background music!

[@daveleach4357]

I love the video and it really shows the “whole” story. The how many pellets (bullets in each round) and the approximate spread of shot. I believe in the basic rule of “quality V quantity, however I will tip my hat to “quantity V quality.

[@RDPproject]

Im impressed by the resilience of that gel Block

[@calebdoner]

Steel shot will theoretically penetrate less due to lower density.

[@robertborgeson1821]

The length of the brass means nothing. That was only applicable to old turn of the century paper cartridges. Even though it may be advertised on the box as "high brass" its nothing more than a marketing ploy. High brass and low brass can and are loaded just as strong or weak as one another from ammo manufacturers. You can get low brass with 1500fps velocity.

[@deplorableredneck4.02]

Thank you..

[@billmartin5709]

I am sure someone posted it below but lead is a lot denser then steel. I am not even sure where you would go to find anything lead in 3shot and 2 shot or even 1. Maybe some coyote loads. Thanks BANANA Awesome video!! That stock and fore end change looks AMAZING!! I will have to look into those!

[@PaulGriffin-ox1gp]

As far as i know Federal ammo still loads a lead #2 and a lead #BB for 12ga shotgun and its going to out perform steel shot all day long.

[@amalfi460]

#4 buckshot is the perfect home defense round period

[@zanegardner6488]

Buckshot is my favorite shotgun round. Hornady or Federal flight control #9 is the best imo. Slugs are also amazing. They don't OP like people think they do

[@44R0Ndin]

Actually, there IS an "effective" way to use birdshot for self-defense in a pinch, but to do so you have to modify the ammo beforehand. Cut shells! The idea is similar to "wax slugs", it turns a birdshot shell into something that acts more like a slug. To make one, you cut 3/4 of the way around the circumfrence of the shell, but only thru the hull itself, try to not cut the wad in half. This intentionally weakens the shot shell's casing, with the intended effect being that you can still handle the shell mostly normally, but when it is fired, the front half of the hull will remain attached to the shot and wad, holding the shot together as it flies downrange, eliminating any chance of the payload of shot spreading out and diminishing in effectiveness on larger targets such as large animals, both 2 and 4 legged. The velocity and mass are roughly the same on impact as a standard slug, the accuracy is (regrettably, but understandably) poor, and the terminal ballistics aren't nearly as good for penetration as a "proper" slug, but it's a whole heck of a lot better than expecting birdshot to do anything to a large animal other than maybe make it upset and eventually bleed to death after a VERY long time (long enough for it to run away so far that you're not finding it). Plenty of hunters in the Old West used this trick, it's probably still somewhat useful today if you're either too poor to buy more than one kind of ammo, remote enough that nobody sells shotgun slugs, or maybe you just don't have a way to cast your own slugs for reloading. In any case, it's firmly in the realm of "Improvised expedient" type options, it's only viable when there is no practical means for you to go out and get slugs, or if you're out hunting birds and you happen to stumble on a target that's worth more to your dinner table than some number of game birds.

[@abrb1223]

Cut shells fail to eject too often to be considered useful in any situation that isn't hunting, and even then they are a pain in the ass to clean the meat up afterwards. Leaves specs of plastic everywhere and the lead tends to shatter as it's pushed together, causing small lead pieces to go in all directions and wasting good meat.

[@TitaniumDR1]

Not a good idea.

[@stephenfowler4115]

The lower density of steel shot will reduce its penetration significantly. The same will apply for brass or copper. Only bismuth shot will have a similar penetration as lead.

[@JeffandLeslie]

I sure would not want to get hit by birdshot from one side of a room to another. Back when I spent a lot of time hunting, I have seen what a birdshot blast can do at ranges farther away than across a room and the wound to a human at 15-20 feet would be massive. As effective as 00 or a slug? probably not but I sure wouldn't want to be on the receiving end.