Survival 12 gauge question.

[CUTS LIKE A KRIS]

It seems that the 12 gauge is the fall back as the #1 gun "if you could only have one". So that leads to "what types of shells would you have and what would you use them on?"

I have forgotten nearly all of my shotgun knowledge and would like the users input as to what you use, so I have a better idea about what to stock up on.
Thanks

 

[jca21]

3 inch slugs,
00 buck shot,
#8 bird shot,

also, other types of shells to consider,

flare rounds,
rock salt,
frag 12 rounds,
roll of quarters

if you like 12 gauge then heres something to consider:

 

[6shooter]

Buckshot, any size will do, figure out what you like in terms of penetration vs. pellet count etc. for people, critter control, and medium game hunting.

Slugs for medium/big game/longer distance hunting, people, hard targets.

Small birdshot(#7 1/2, 8 shot) for clay busting, small game(squirrels, grouse, etc.)

Bigger birdshot(BB-#6 or so) for "bigger small game", IE large rabbits, as well as bird hunting. If penetration is an issue for home defense, weigh out the pros and cons of potential over-penetration with buckshot vs. a potential lack of stopping power using larger birdshot. If you simply can't have over-penetration due to neighbours and whatnot, buckshot isn't really an option.


For stocking up, I don't find it financially reasonable to stock up on slugs and buckshot. The bulk packs of 7 1/2 shot clay busting rounds are much more feasible in terms of the amount of rounds you can buy for the money. Of course, having some buck and slug rounds is a good idea, and more if you can afford it, but it'll get expensive trying to stock up hundreds of rounds of them.

 

[Cpl Punishment]

Just buy a box or two when you can. If you don't shoot all the time you'll have quite a stockpile in no time.

That said, I stock up on:
3" Slugs
OO Buck
#4 Bird shot
#7 1/2 bird shot

Try to get out and shoot several brands of each. See which slugs are most accurate and see which brands of each type of shot pattern the best at the ranges you intend to use them at, and stock up on those sizes and brands.

 

[gadgetgeek]

Low brass trap loads can be had for really cheap, especially group buy though a skeet club, and that will do most small birds really easily. Personally I'd be going for everything in the range of gun you have (don't forget chamber length) even if you find that the more expensive stuff shoots better, you can still use the cheap stuff for practice. Some of the newer steel shot looks pretty cool, can't remember the brand, but one of the newer ones has an odd shaped pellet that is supposed to fly as good, but do much more damage.

another + for super light loads, lighter is quieter, and have you ever shot a squirrel with a 12?

 

[fishiker]

Just buy a box or two when you can. If you don't shoot all the time you'll have quite a stockpile in no time.

That said, I stock up on:
3" Slugs
OO Buck
#4 Bird shot
#7 1/2 bird shot

Try to get out and shoot several brands of each. See which slugs are most accurate and see which brands of each type of shot pattern the best at the ranges you intend to use them at, and stock up on those sizes and brands.

+1 :thumbup:

 

[ROCK6]

Just buy a box or two when you can. If you don't shoot all the time you'll have quite a stockpile in no time.

That said, I stock up on:
3" Slugs
OO Buck
#4 Bird shot
#7 1/2 bird shot

Try to get out and shoot several brands of each. See which slugs are most accurate and see which brands of each type of shot pattern the best at the ranges you intend to use them at, and stock up on those sizes and brands.

That's what I stock...but some mixed in #6 shot and some No4 Buck for good measure. I stay away from 3" slugs...they do more damage to the shooter I think than the target (or I'm just admitting I'm a woosie).

ROCK6

 

[Rupestris]

Just what I tend to keep on hand:

Reduced-Recoil 00 Buck (8 pellet Hornady TAP) for two legged critters.
2 3/4" 1oz slugs (Federal, Rottweil or Brenneke) for deer
2 3/4" #6 or #7 1/2 for small game.
3" #5 shot for Wild Turkey

 

[Raisedby wolves]

I shoot 2 3/4" for everything, EXCEPT waterfowl. Then I use 3" #4


Shooting 2 3/4" will also allow you to carry a few more shells for the weight.

I vote similar to the rest.

Good quantity of 2 3/4" # 4 or # 6 for all small game and maybe even turkey.

Some 2 3/4" OO or O buckshot for Turkey and bigger critters as well as defense

Some 2 3/4" rifled slugs to reach out and touch something.

Smooth (not rifled) short barrel with scope and rifle sights as a backup.

Carl-

 

[Cpl Punishment]

That's what I stock...but some mixed in #6 shot and some No4 Buck for good measure. I stay away from 3" slugs...they do more damage to the shooter I think than the target (or I'm just admitting I'm a woosie).

ROCK6

I work with 3" slugs because of the slightly flatter trajectory, I can hit out to 150 yards fairly well with them, and I'm fairly limited to 100 with 2 3/4" slugs.

 

[ROCK6]

I work with 3" slugs because of the slightly flatter trajectory, I can hit out to 150 yards fairly well with them, and I'm fairly limited to 100 with 2 3/4" slugs.

Yeah, I could see that...I've just figured I keep my slug range to about 75 yards, so 2 3/4" works for me and is less punishing.

ROCK6

 

[Happy Joe]

I favor the #4 buckshot over 0 or 00 (more pellets per round).
the bird shot and slug categories have been covered.

IMO, while the shotgun has a place in the armory, when operating from a fixed point of resupply, it is a relatively poor "go" weapon as the shells are unrealistically heavy and bulky. (Stick 30 to 50 in a pouch or butt pack and carry them around for a few days, if you don't believe me).

Enjoy!

 

[333rm]

3 inch slugs,
00 buck shot,
#8 bird shot,

also, other types of shells to consider,

flare rounds,
rock salt,
frag 12 rounds,
roll of quarters

if you like 12 gauge then heres something to consider:

A.O. 12 guage w/ drum, i.e. The Street Sweeper. Semper Fi Brother!

 

[DWK2]

www.dixieslugs.com I used to shoot Brennekes but the Dixies are hardened lead that penetrates better. I use the Tuskers in my smoothbore 590 and friends say the Terminators out of a rifled barrel are even more accurate.

Dixie also makes a Tri-Ball load that is a really devastating multiple projectile round. Check the energy numbers and wound photos compared with buckshot.

I have been impressed with the quality of what I've received from Dixie. They are a small manufacturer that produces a consistent product.

DancesWithKnives

 

[koyote]

2.75 inch all around. If you really want a combat load, then get 50 rounds or so of 3 inch 000. otherwise:

7.5 or 8 shot, that's your main practice load, too and 100 round boxes at discount stores are usually about $20. So I keep around 200 12ga rounds on hand. (400 20ga minimum, but the household has 2 20ga guns and 2 shooters)

#5, pheasant load (12ga, 40)
#4, pheasant load (20ga, 80)
4buck (12ga, 40 or so)
3buck (20ga, 100 or so)
00buck (12ga, 50ish)
slugger(tm) rifled slugs (12ga, 15)
brenneke heavy short mag (20ga, 15)
brenneke 3" 'silver slug' (20ga, 10)

I put all the info for the 20ga in because, IMO, it's a better choice as a one-gun answer. Availability of ammo in 20ga is just fine, and while it isn't usually any different in price from 12ga, I see no sense in increasing portion size at a restaurant 'just because'- same applies to shotguns.

I did a fair amount of research on the 20, and with brenneke slugs you are good on any game animals short of possibly moose out to 50-75 yards (depends on some stuff, like how accurate reports are). Anything in North America- including grizzly- will come down at under 25 yards, though with grizzly it's iffy, even with a 12ga brenneke hard cast. I only bring this up, because even if all you want is a bird gun, the grizzly bear in WSS is like Hitler in a political forum Not terribly relevant, but alwasy becomes the main topic.

edit-
oh, and 20ga is noticeably less bulky to carry around!

 

[ROCK6]

A.O. 12 guage w/ drum, i.e. The Street Sweeper. Semper Fi Brother!

Not quite an A.O., but the Saiga-12 (slightly modified) with a 20rd drum is nothing to sneeze at Shooting high-brass birdshot reminds me of a handheld claymore...even if it's just semi-auto :thumbup:

ROCK6

 

[6shooter]

Not quite an A.O., but the Saiga-12 (slightly modified) with a 20rd drum is nothing to sneeze at Shooting high-brass birdshot reminds me of a handheld claymore...even if it's just semi-auto :thumbup:



ROCK6

Ohhhh man the things I would do to be allowed one of those in Canada.....



Absolutely awesome:thumbup:

 

[ROCK6]

Ohhhh man the things I would do to be allowed one of those in Canada.....

Absolutely awesome:thumbup:

I really like the Saiga...my "version" really doesn't have much utility beyond range enjoyment and fantasies of post-apocolyptic road warrior use, but it is a 12 gauage, it's reliable and did I mention a blast to shoot?

ROCK6

 

[Plainsman]

If you hunt with your shotgun now, just stock up on LOTS more of what you currently use!

Then add some loads that you plan on using for things that you don't commonly use it for now.

Let's say all you do is hunt upland now so you probably have have some 4-8 shot around the place. Then that means you'll want more heavy loads for things like waterfowl and medium size game animals. You'll want some type of defensive loads for close range, like #4 Buck and you'll probably want some type of longer range defensive/hunting loads like Slugs.

I tend to hunt upland and waterfowl from doves to Canadian Honkers, so I mainly needed to add defensive type loads and big game loads, i.e. #4 Buckshot and Slugs. I also find that the majority of rounds fired are at smaller targets than large targets, therefore stock accordingly!

 

[go2ndAmend]

The 12 gauge is certainly one of the most versatile firearms to own. I agree with the above posts regarding what type of shells to "stockpile". But if I had to rely on a single type of round for all uses from home defense, quail, waterfowl, rabbit, turkey, and larger game like coyotes I would choose High Base lead #6 shot. It will do a good job on all of the above and a great job on most.