20 ga. buckshot for home defense questions

General Firearms Terminal Ballistic Information
1

My son has a 870 “youth” 18" 20 ga and I am considering using it for home defense for him and my wife.
I have a couple questions:

  1. Why does the “big three” ammo companies ALL use # 3 or # 4 buckshot for 20 ga., but almost everyone agrees on 00, or #1 buck for 12 ga? How effective are the 20 pellet #3 buck loads in 2 3/4"?

  2. I found RIO shotshells make a HOT and cheap 00 buck load for 20 ga-has anyone used this load?
    http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/royal-buck-shotshells-rb209-gauge-1345-shot-rdbx-p-125192.html

  3. Lastly what choke tube patterns the best for the 18" 20 ga? Improved Cylinder? No choke at all?
    I am used to having a “smooth” 12 ga riot gun with no tubes

Thanks for the imput!

2

Federal used to make a 00buck load for 20ga with 7-pellets. If you cant find any let me know, theres a hole in the wall type gunshop that had some as a few weeks ago that they’ve for a good while.

3

  1. Because they don’t care. I load #1 buckshot in my 20ga for home defense. The IWBA says #1 buckshot is the best overall so that’s what I load and use.

  2. I’ve never used Rio ammo.

  3. Depends on the load. Some loads like modified and others like IC. You’ll have to pattern some ammo to figure it out.

4

Personally I would get them a carbine,light recoil,fast follow up shots,effective stopper. But,if a 20 is your choice I would go with slugs rather than shot.

5

I have a 20g Mossberg 500 for home defense and I’d recommend AGAINST loading it with slugs for inside the home. The penetration is to much of a risk IMO but I have a full house and this might not be a concern for you. I ultimatly decided on #3 buck as it is shown to provide plenty of penetration at home defense ranges, is milder then 00 buck for faster follow up shots, and it patterns great in my gun with modified choke installed. The fact that it is much more available isn’t a deciding factor but a bonus.

6

So no issues with using a modified choke and buckshot? I am just making sure this will not damage the choke tube.

7

Nope. About the 7th question down mossberg actually recommends full or modified choke tubes for buckshot.

http://mossberg.com/content.asp?ID=508&section=resources

8

Federal makes a #2 buck load, but only in 3", and it kicks pretty hard.

#1 buck would stack well in the 20 gauge, and IMHO, would be the way to go.

I am having a hard time seeing how #00 stacks in a 20 gauge! I wish some one would dissect one of those critters.

9

I have tested some 20 gauge buckshot here: http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot22.htm

I used some #3 buck, and it worked fine. :slight_smile:

10

I remember reading that back when I was doing some initial research. Good stuff :wink: