Need Advice for Home Defense

by **coolram04** » Mon Feb 22, 2010 1:12 pm

You pepper someone with 2 rounds of bird load, they will die, but then you have a better chance just not hitting anyone else. The intruder would have to be wear swat gear to have a chance of survival.

Could you post a link to the info about the bird load for home defense.

by **beltbuckle** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 10:42 am

Coolram04, I used to agree with you, but I've since changed my mind when it comes to using bird shot for defense after researching this very question. Sure the assailant may later die from his injuries but bird shot is not sufficient to incapacitate a determined bad guy with the intent of physical harm.

This wasn't the game changer but was definitely a dose of reality. Shooting pumpkins at 10 yards and the #7shot 2 3/4" 12ga. failed to sufficiently penetrate it. It took multiple shots to simply pass thru a pumpkin even with a great entrance pattern. This with your everyday standard pumpkin. about a 12" or so...

by **coolram04** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 12:57 pm

Then its good that I have my Mossberg with 3.5" turkey shells.

But real quick, what choke did you have in your shotgun?

by **beltbuckle** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 1:57 pm

I was also shooting skeet that day so it only had a modified or improved; I dont honestly remember. At 10 yards I know a full choke would likely have allowed it to make an exit but even then the energy is still near the same and at that range so is the pattern.

by **tigwelder56** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 3:19 pm

Here's one of the best reviews of the different 12ga. loads currently considered for SD applications. Make your own conclusions!

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtopic.php?t=109958&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

http://www.firearmstactical.com/briefs10.htm

by **coolram04** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 3:49 pm

tigwelder56,

I couldn't get your link to work. I understand what you are saying about the bird load shells, but whatever of the shot gets past the perp won't make it through the wall behind them. You keep your eye on the downed person and if he tries to move just give him another one.

The biggest thing is that the law bidding person should try and make sure that only person that gets injured or killed is the intruder. If you don't have kids or neighbors then fire away, but if you do have either. You should try and keep their safety in mind also. I know that we can't control everything, but knowledge is the key that can help.

I believe that everyone, who owns a firearm could benefit from a Certified Home Defense Course.

by **tigwelder56** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 4:10 pm

Since we're on the subject, here's some other interesting comparisons:

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot17.htm

http://www.learnaboutguns.com/2008/05/10/pros-and-cons-of-using-birdshot-for-self-defense/

by **tigwelder56** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 4:16 pm

Copy and paste:

http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewtop ... sc&start=0

by **ShootSS** » Wed Feb 24, 2010 8:49 pm

The .380 is about half the stopping power as the 9mm even though they are both .355 caliber bullets. The .380 has a 17mm case the 9mm has a 19mm case so there is room for more powder (more horsepower). The weight of the 9mm projectile is also heavier than the .380, so the advantage again goes to the 9mm.