Buckshot for the Home Defense Shotgun

Buckshot can be an excellent choice for a home defense shotgun, but not all buckshot is created equal. Here are a few tips on how to choose the right buckshot for personal protection inside your home.
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[@edisonduque9496]

You have the most illustrative, professional and easy to understand channel in this subject. Congratulations

[@LuckyGunner]

+edison duque Thanks!

[@TREAL406]

+Lucky Gunner Ammo I Like The Twenty Gauge Because Holds More Shells. Does The Twenty Gauge Have Birdshots Shotgun Buckshots And Slugs Like The Twelve Gauge Shotgun?

[@texmex8220]

TREAL406 Yes it does, if it is made to go in a "shotgun" whatever gauge preference, it has at least those main three

[@nineinchrails3361]

edison duque he does. Check out GY6vids. His channel is very professional as well. He really gets into details and jumps right into the subject at hand.

[@BobC59]

100% agree. Been going thru these LG vids and one is as clear and useful as the other. Top shelf stuff.

[@RobertSmith-le8wp]

I love the affordability aspect of it as well. I have a Maverick 88 18.5" with 5+1 capacity I bought for $189. It's loaded with S&B 00 Buckshot I bought for $69.99 as case or $.28 a round. That's cheaper than any defensive pistol round, almost all rifle rounds and most FMJ as well. It's cheap enough that I can shoot all day for not much money, or at least until my shoulder is sore. Try doing that with an AR15, you'll go broke. Also, no magazines to buy and the gun is perfect right out of the box. It's amazing that it's been 100% reliable and the fit and finish is fantastic. It looks more well finished than some $1000 guns I've owned.

[@calebnation7797]

Robert Smith i got a $199 Maverick and 2 100rd ammo cans of the federal black pack 00buck (blue box power shok) for $30 each. I don’t think you can get a better HD setup for the same money

[@pat2430]

I just got home with my Maverick, 172$ new.

[@FootmasterSeattle]

200$+ a case now. Welcome to 2021

[@ShellShock794]

This comment did not age well

[@cameronnorton5898]

This hurts to read in 2021... try 2 bucks a round for the cheapest buckshot now

[@mr.45glockowner73]

We use the Federal Tactical Flight Control 00 buckshot at my department. I was so impressed with the load I bought a case and keep them in my two home defense shotguns.

[@Brandonp728]

8 or 9 pellet?

[@828enigma6]

I , too, discovered the tight groups the Federal 12ga reduced recoil LE loads provide. The Winchester or Remington 9 pellet standard loads we formerly used would always put one or more pellets out at 25 yards. The 8 pellet Flight Control consistently placed all 8 inside a ten inch circle at that range.

[@ShredderSensei]

Me too. I can't get over how good this load is

[@whomagoose6897]

FlightControl gets you tight spreads even through a cylinder choke barrel. Don't need a full choke. Best to use cylinder or modified chokes. Most tactical style shotguns have cylinder chokes any way. I heard the wading rips to pieces when going through a full choke.

[@SaftonYT]

@@828enigma6 Have you tried the FliteControl 9-pellet load by chance?

[@peelreg]

I loved the sample groups of different ammo and different distances. It makes it clear you still have to aim the gun.

[@shellcracker18]

#4 buck. Just the right amount of power

[@wc7102]

My fellow Paul Harrell fan lol

[@MiamiVice.]

How dare you upload such a down to earth, simple, reasonable and enjoyable video on KZbin? Where are the expensive tactical exotic loads or the custom "super hot reloaded ammo" that your buddy makes in his basement? I can't watch anymore.

[@joeyduese6638]

Miami Vice hahaha

[@jamiesloan5902]

Miami Vice Bubba Roundtree shows off his reloads, in pretty much every one of his videos. LOL. There are a few videos where he shoots standard loads, tho. If he is trying to demonstrate a particular choke tube.

[@crafty714]

I love shotguns and buckshot!

[@garyminn]

Great review -- intelligent, articulate, substantive. You are obviously very knowledgeable and take firearms (appropriately) very seriously. Thank you for your reviews and your great site.

[@bobby398]

Great video! Thanks for putting this out there, so many myths on the interwebs about shotguns.

[@martyedmondson8548]

Explains why I have all that Fed flight control 00. Groups the best with my 870. Thank you, great info on shot in general and specific. Much appreciated!

[@Chinyai]

Nice presentation as usual with your channel, huge supporter of your content, it’s delivery and the fact that it isn’t loaded with bias and all talk. Keep up the good work!

[@TheNativeFloridian]

Thank you so much for posting! I took your advice and ordered a few different types of rounds from Lucky Gunner and tried them with my new Remington 870. I was astonished at the spread of the non-flight controlled rounds at short distances. Definitely not safe in a real world environment. Thanks again and keep making your videos!

[@jamesswitzerjr336]

Winchester 00 buck. 2.75 inch. 9pellets. Remington 870. 18.5 inch barrel. Modified choke. 10 yards. Spread

[@crafty714]

Love, love, love a 12ga. At the age of 10 years old, I've been shooting a 12ga. I know what my shotgun will do 0-15 yards, with the Federal FCW. Although, my department has moved to the rifle, I still believe the 12ga, is an awesome fight stopper!

[@slaughterhound8793]

What is best it seems is a load that spreads, but it needs to do so only to a moderate degree to keep the energy in the load from being too dispersed. Glad that you are encouraging the viewers to get out & test things out for themselves. It's the only way to really know for sure how your weapon will operate, & I don't believe there is such thing as getting too much practice when it comes to guns.

[@smgoeller]

High quality video as usual. Keep up the good work!

[@wesszczerba4696]

Excellent, professional video and very valuable information and instructions.Thank you !

[@howie6393]

I'm a newbie at this and really enjoy your video tutorials!

[@tzinoc]

sorry you are right..ln my place overpenetration is not a problem cause all the walls are made of bricks and centerblocks coated with a layer of white marble sand mixed with white cement

[@The22v10]

Great channel, Best delivery and production about Guns'n Amo ;-) on KZbin. No. BS. just the straight 411. Really liking the whole ShotGun for home defence Series. Great Job.. I'm telling anyone of my friends who will listen to check it out. (all CC holders) Also I like your Remington 870 that thing is sweet. :-) Thanks for taking the time to do these videos, I was anti gun for a long time but I'm slowly coming around... we'll and the times they are A changing ;-/ your POV is very sensible. TIA.

[@Bend-Oregon]

Such a great presentation, as all of your firearm and ammo videos are. Well done!

[@SnowDeemy]

This video literally help me make a decision on my first pump action and ammo combo.

[@visible2anyoneonyoutube]

I'd recommend BIRDSHOT instead of buckshot. kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJK1YniMrseIncU

[@mattwalters6834]

@@visible2anyoneonyoutube I’ve seen that video before at it makes some good points for lower number birdshot, wouldn’t be my first choice but in a pinch I’d say it’s doable.

[@davidorlin3499]

@@visible2anyoneonyoutube I agree with you! If there are multiple people in your house that are threatening you I would shoot them with what ever you had.

[@cdb5662]

Always great video content from Lucky Gunner.

[@mcburcke]

Few years ago, the US gummint tasked all federal law enforcement agencies with testing various buckshot loads to find what they felt was the best. They settled on using 12ga. #4 buck nickel-plated loads. Apparently they liked the patterning, power, and penetration characteristics better than other loads, although #1buck was close, if you can find any with nickel plating (good luck)...just FYI. Personally, I use Fiocchi 21-pellet #4 buck nickel-plated in mine.

[@Phoros]

Do you know what they liked about the penetration characteristics? I know the gubment likes rounds that punch through a lot of material whereas home defense oriented citizens might prefer a bit less so they don’t schwack granny alongside the intended target. My knowledge in terminal ballistics is towards rifle rounds so shotguns are new to me

[@mattwalters6834]

@@Phoros I’m guessing that they actually liked that wouldn’t over penetrate as much.

[@mariomarez2223]

I learned so much from this. I never knew how different the loads were and very informative. Thank you for these videos again! If I had to get hit by either a single trigger pull by a 3 round burst of a subgun vs a single trigger pull of a shotgun, I would take the sub gun any day!

[@northshores7319]

I did not know this about #00 loads so thanks for learning me.

[@austinpangcog4747]

Ok thank you! Your video is really informative and helpful

[@Front-Toward-Enemy]

Federal powershok seemed to have the over-all best performance for the giving purpose. It wasnt as wide a pattern as the s&B but not as tight as the Federal flight control-wad

[@MichaelClaudio13]

Always love your videos so informative.

[@robertmefford274]

Good explanation of buckshot and how it works. Typical spread of one inch per yard of distance. The flight control and similar clones really tighten it up, some guns almost like a slug at close to intermediate range. It not hard to hit your target w buck but easy to miss under pressure lol. Look up push pull technique to enhance the shooting ability of the gauge. It coupled with good patterned buck for your individual gun will deliver the best “portion size” to make your problem go away.

[@wizardofahhhs759]

No one ever mentions or tests the 24 pellet #1 buckshot. I think #1 with a modified or improved cylinder would be one devastating combo. Can you imagine what kind of damage 24 30cal. pellets would do to a person?

[@babyb4306]

Great points, thank you for doing it and sharing the results.

[@randallkelley3599]

You guys make outstanding vids, thank you!

[@johnwolfen4243]

Thanks much for the information. I'm going to be changing out my buck shot ammo soon and the Hornady looks good but I'll need to go to the range. I prefer to treat a shotgun as a shotgun and not just some large rifle. I do have some slugs but those are for more specialized events. I much prefer a plain bead sight for I shoot shotguns by mount and point to shoot, very similar to the way I shoot game birds. Which is one of the big advantages to a shotgun, it works well on moving targets.

[@Wedelj]

Great video. You are really putting out quality stuff.

[@jason1984731]

Love you guys shotgun videos, keep them coming

[@donschlonski2936]

Great video. I will be using 7.5 shot Target ammo in my Remington Police Magnum. Big pattern, very plentiful as I have it around for clay shooting, and plenty powerful at 30 ft let alone 10

[@DasGoodSoup]

Not advised man atleast use #2 or BB shot

[@jayman1338]

Oh yeah I shot buck shot out of my 12 gauge at 15 years out and it spread out nicely but definitely would have taken a man out had I had to defend myself. Also the shot holes on the target were actually larger by just a bit than the 9mm shot holes. So I was impressed to say the least.

[@BLACKNIGHT8990]

thank you for the video, I just bought an 870 wingmaster from a law enforcement DNR agency 18 inch barrel. Cant wait to shoot it.

[@BoopSnoot]

Have you shot it in an indoor bedroom hallway without hearing protection yet? That's why I don't believe in shotguns for home defense, and recommend a suppressed 9mm.

[@adnan9520]

@@BoopSnoot use an Anton Chigurh suppressor on your shotty

[@BoopSnoot]

@@adnan9520 Movie magic vs real world...

[@jeramyw]

@@BoopSnoot I've shot a 3030, sks, and 12 gauge in the house. Never bothered me

[@GreenCanvasInteriorscape]

@@BoopSnoot Please elaborate, I live in a quiet suburb in Minnesota and in the last week we've had two burglary attempts on my street, tell me more as to why you say what you say, is it deafening/disorienting to shoot a shotgun in indoor environments

[@nazimL1011]

Excellent video...simple to understand.

[@johnnydiamondsmusic1673]

I've used AAA Alphamax 00 Buck on Canada geese worked pretty good. Always have a supply of them.

[@vetlevalsgard5590]

You make the BEST gun videos!

[@hughjair133]

Great vid, subbed! I am really starting to like my p226, just gotta train that double action pull!!!

[@picotnator]

very informative, and a very high quality video.

[@ravendon]

Overpenetration of 00 makes it a liability in the home with more than a single occupant. There appears to be a consensus on 12 gauge: standard 2 ¾-inch #4 buckshot and 20 gauge: standard 2 ¾-inch 20-gauge #3 buckshot

[@kingdomHarv2023]

I love this channel. Well done.

[@wayneg.2342]

Excellent video! Thanks for sharing it!

[@nathanscott1315]

What can I say that hasn't been said before? GREAT VIDEO!

[@wildman2012]

As the old saying goes: "nobody bluffs a shotgun". Odds are - hopefully - you won't even have to fire it.

[@rixpix2957]

Excellent work here. Thank you.

[@DWbodhi]

thanks for putting out great videos.

[@richfarfugnuven6308]

8 shot double 00 shotgun holds a pattern very well. I have personally seen a man die at 50 yards from that round. The gun was a Remington 870, only a 18" smooth barrel.

[@rikertvonfulton16]

Can you ad some perspective on the situation? I admit that I am curious.I work in public safety as well as farming.

[@9Escalibore]

Great information and video. Thank you!

[@mariohostios]

👍content and production quality

[@mrgman1326]

Rule of thumb for buckshot is 1” of spread per yard. Anything under that can be considered tight, anything over can be considered loose. So, if your longest distance shot in your house is 10 yards (like my house), then a 10 inch spread is what to expect. At the FBI we used buckshot from 15 yards and in with a 14” barrel. I really liked it for room clearing.

[@EL_SINALOENSE]

WOW‼️ great job...CB😁

[@wasntmeXYZ]

I use either #1 or #4 12ga buckshot in my home defense shotgun. In my 20ga I use #2 or #3 buckshot. The smaller pellets offer less over penetration and better coverage of the target. Just my opinion.

[@ejschrip]

good stuff, man. i'm not a gun nut, matter of fact, i voted for Bernie, but i see a need for some .380 ACP, #00 buck, and 5.56/.223 in my very, VERY near future, and all your videos have been incredibly helpful without being macho and/or condescending. looking forward to doing some business with Lucky Gunner in the very near future. shoot on, brother.

[@WraithChornobyl]

#1 Buck especially with the 3" magnums, is the best man stopper on earth. 24 .30 caliber projectiles. Not a old timer here, just shot a lot of shells in my short time on earth so far... Don't mind the recoil, it makes you sure your alive...

[@henrygreen8088]

Tested facts. Good stuff👍

[@davidchelepyan5233]

Awesome videos... you make them ill watch

[@bigdave4863]

Great video!!

[@donh1572]

Let’s not forget the guys who invented the New York reload. Started all their gunfights with multiple shots from a shotgun and relied on other guns to finish the job

[@dickblackbeard5752]

That rig is badass

[@abcdefg.05]

I loved the opening shots in this video. What FPS did you shoot at? New to the channel, definitely subscribed. 🤙🏻

[@thewrenchmaster122]

Thank you for making this video !

[@Swede109g]

Nice practical video.. What is the optic you are using on your gun?

[@belmont8792]

Can you do a shotgun video on the Benelli Supernova. You'd be amazed at grouping this shotgun deals up to 25 yards. But make sure it's the Tactical version.

[@enoching7]

That S&B ammo is a godsend at 30 cents per round. Makes it economical to shoot my shotgun again

[@xaderalert]

One item of note on the Federal Tactical buckshot. That plastic buffer material WILL leak out of the shell like nobody's business. Not a big deal in the tube, since the brass of one shell (or the follower) will cover the end and keep it from making too much of a mess. But if you carry them in a side saddle, prepare to leave a trail of buffer material in your wake.

[@ZhaoXina888]

+Lucky Gunner Ammo What was the song that you used at the end? Great video by the way!

[@zamhmar3940]

This 1301 tactical should be fantastic.I will try to have my own.

[@mikehoward8201]

I enjoyed your video very much....and Even before I watched it, I had spent much of my day looking for some buckshot and no. 4 loads for my 12 gauge in 3 inch shells.....finally found it at Sports Academy, Walmart here has a very sorry selection, mostly in 2 3/4 in. shells!

[@borkwoof696]

Mike Howard What’s wrong with 2 3/4?

[@jamesalles139]

*"#4'"* is ambiguous - game loads or buckshot? yes, 4, 3, 2, and 1 are confusing.

[@glee086able]

Great info.

[@AshGreen359]

#4 buck, more pellets and penetrating fewer walls.

[@bruceharvey200]

Forget about penetrating walls. Any loads that won't penetrate drywall also won't stop a target.

[@bruceharvey200]

@Travis Thacker #8 birdshot doesn't go through even a single layer of drywall. Most #8 birdshot gunshot wounds are not life-threatening. You gave up because your argument is complete and unsubstantiated bullshit.

[@jacqueslefave4296]

Years ago, the us army ran a series of tests, and concluded that #4 buck gave the optimum blend of pellet count and penetration.

[@smokysantana]

Bruce Harvey After it penetrates the perpetrator

[@jacqueslefave4296]

@@bruceharvey200 Even if #8 doesn't penetrate that much flesh, it can maim, disfigure, blind lead to secondary infections. A short distance from the muzzle, it may be in a tight enough bundle to penetrate some, but definitely a poor choice for self defense. It may stun the target long enough to club them over the head with the buttstock...😉

[@myusername3689]

Chokes can further tighten the spread.

[@countryheathen1834]

I like this very informative and made me think. in a ball park estament how much does a box of that Federal Flight control run, that might be ideal for me for how tight quarters I live in

[@LuckyGunner]

+Ut terminus ruina Restituo salus We have some in stock right now. $5.45 for a box of five or $200 for a 250 round case.

[@donprater6944]

Remember way back in the good ole days when ammo was cheap and plentiful? Me too...

[@TommyboyGTP]

From research i've done, #1 buck seems to be the ideal size of choice for self defense. Federal does make it with the Flite Control wad, but it's pretty difficult to find. Winchester makes the Super-X in #1 buck. With #1 buck, they're .30 caliber pellets and you get 15 of them instead of 8 or 9 .33 caliber #00 pellets. This means a larger, heavier shot charge and more pellets on target. #1 buck also gives good penetration depth.

[@meldinssti3311]

Tommy TwoGun or get 3” magnum 00 buck and have 15 .33 caliber pellets

[@adamporter3742]

#4

[@wizardofahhhs759]

The #1 buck I use has 24 30cal. pellets. Why settle for 15?

[@MoshiraMitano]

Great video. I've watched a few videos about 00 bk related to patterns and this one is really good. I noticed the dot sight on your Benelli. I've found the bead sight is best for home defence shooting at least from my practice at the range. I'm wondering if its just bling or what value is it. No offence.

[@jackstoutamore8541]

Red dot vs bead seems somewhat subjective-for many it’s cheaper to go bead, with not enough benefit to go for the red dot, but to each their own.

[@TheStoneBreak]

Have you ever considered reviewing the PDX1 12?

[@redfaux74]

Great video....

[@MDeJo27603]

This video was great! Very informative. Is that a Bushnell TRS25 red dot? I was going to get one gor a shotgun of mine but I was worried about recoil...

[@LuckyGunner]

+MDeJo2010 It's an Aimpoint micro. They have a great track record for enduring shotgun recoil. I'm not sure about any other brands.

[@Dsabre1]

Good video,

[@thephotoyak]

My house is 15 yards from one end of the basement to the other, but realistically the longest shot I would be taking defensively inside would be 9 or so yards. Most likely 2 or 3 yards. I think cheap buckshot is better in these situations. I have patterned different buckshot out of my 20" Maverick 88 and the cheap loads spread a little bit. The expensive buffered loads are pretty much just a slug at realistic home defence range. Maybe if you have a big house with long hallways or law enforcement where you might need more precision.

[@timkc1638]

I have the same perspective. I won’t spend the dough for flight control just because the distance benefits aren’t worth it for my shotgun use.

[@pino7887]

NICE VIDEO.

[@GaveMeGrace1]

Thank you

[@castillo2u]

It would have been nice to see an image through he device, does it co-witness?

[@DirtySerb]

First, great video! I've been a customer of Luckygunner for about 4-5 years now and you guys are my Number 1 pick for online ammo dealers. My question is: What's your opinion on the Winchester PDX1 12 Gauge for "Home Defense"? I've had good results on paper targets @5-12 yards and would like your opinion on the ammo. I'm not biased when it comes to specific ammo as I have alternating rounds of PDX1 & 00 Buck in my Mossberg 590. Thanks again for the video and your online prices!

[@LuckyGunner]

+Michael V Thanks! I haven't used the PDX 12 gauge ammo, but I'm not normally a big fan of slugs for home defense purposes. They tend to deliver a lot of recoil and don't do anything at home defense ranges that can't be accomplished by a good load of 00 buckshot. If the pattern of the buckshot in the PDX load isn't too wide, then it might be okay, but I don't know enough about the ballistics of the slug that's in those loads to make a recommendation one way or the other.

[@roberto9787]

Michael V I'd hate to miss with a slug and it travel through a wall and kill/injure the ones I'm trying to protect

[@wigon]

Personally I prefer more spread....and #4 buckshot due to having much less over-penetration while still meeting FBI standards for lethal penetration. It spreads a little more than 00 buckshot usually, but in my opinion that's a good thing. Plus you have a lot more balls going down range increasing hit probability and the number of wound channels in the target. I see #4 buckshot as essentially a comprise between using 00 Buckshot and birdshot for home defense. But...I can see how if someone practices like crazy and is very confident in their shooting abilities and if they prefer greater penetration of 00 buckshot, how they might want a tighter pattern. Still, I'm want maximum spread (at 7 yards) so much that I'm looking into buying a used rifled barrel specifically to saw off down to 18" as a dedicated home defense barrel. This generally takes a fist sized group at 7 yards and makes it into more like a 12" to 15" group giving you more of that "cone of death" effect at close range.

[@craigdamage]

Winchester and Federal 2 3/4" MAGNUM 00buck are best in my opinion. Copper plated and 12 pellets is way better than 9. Does the "magnum" bruise your shoulder? Hell yes it does. If you are a badass you won't mind.

[@KRSBJJVIDS]

Hey Sir, I remember you had made a vid featuring the 1301, but I noticed it's no longer on your channel, why is that?

[@jasonrath5241]

Winchester super-x 00buckshot 9pellet 2 3/4 " 12gauge ammo is a good home defense round my word

[@Maldoror200]

💀..Thx, man ! Appreciate your research..!!

[@tomatero1624]

hey I just got my 12 gauge wanted to ask what type of iron sights are those on your shotgun front looks like A2 ar type

[@sisleymichael]

My only criticism (and believe me it is not really criticism)? I prefer a pump shotgun. I have never used an auto enough to feel like trying it so I stick with my pump Mossberg. Hey, if it works for you, fantastic. Outstanding clarity of message in this video. Not too long, jammed packed with info, excellent.

[@mtm7014]

Chris, I’m somewhat new to shooting. What do you feel is a good balance for a shotgun barrel length to be used for home defense and occasional deer hunting using slugs for distances under 100 yards?

[@whatsunsky4591]

I want to find this man more subs....

[@InkwellFoto]

I'm using a Kel-Tec KSG, I purchased A choke tube adapter for it made of steel; can I use this without a choke? I'm asking because I'm under the impression that it (chokes) will negatively effect the #1 buckshot from federal premium with flitecontrol. It's a winchoke if that matters. Homedefense use only

[@WesleyGospel146]

5:48 - that rapid fire shotgun is awesome - what shotgun make and model is that?

[@1888CHAD8881]

What tube extension is on that 1301? It is the tactical version right? Looking at that shotgun or the 1301 competition version