Survival 12 gauge question.

I try to keep my "stock" of ammo for my .12 fairly simple.

00 Buck
Slugs
#6 Game loads

Can't really see what I couldn't kill in my part of the country with one of those choices.
 
I'd agree, although #6 is a bit light for turkey. #4 seems to be as small as I can go and penetrate the feathers well enough for a high kill probability at the ranges I normally shoot.

In fact, I'm thinking about switching to stocking #6 and BB instead of #7 1/2 and #4.
 
Thanks for all of the replies, and more specifically why you chose them.


Plainsman said:
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.
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The problem is that I used to hunt with whatever shells were here from what my grand/parents left behind so I don't know what I have used in the past, and my "range time" is limited so I like the baseline to see what I should start playing with.
 
All ammo 2 3/4 for safety reasons. Non-negotiable.

250 each BB's, #4, #6, #7 1/2

500 slugs, 500 OO buck.

*CHOKE TUBES* or change guns to one that takes them.

This was what I did, for an H&R Pardner Pump, a semi-clone of the 870. ($213 OTD w sling & case). I intended to be stockpiled for 5 years of necessary shooting, with leftovers.

Shotgun ammo is heavy.
 
Cpl Punishment said:
I'd agree, although #6 is a bit light for turkey. #4 seems to be as small as I can go and penetrate the feathers well enough for a high kill probability at the ranges I normally shoot.

In fact, I'm thinking about switching to stocking #6 and BB instead of #7 1/2 and #4.
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One reason I stock the 7.5 or 8 and 5 or 4 (depending on ga.)- the 7.5/8 is so cheap to buy in federal bulk boxes that it makes no sense not to have it on hand, and that lets me choose between 6,5,4 for the heavier load.

I haven't really looked, but is there a good source of lead BB size 2 3/4 12 ga shells? I'd definitely pick some of that up. (I'd prefer T, but I haven't found any at all)

FWIW, the brush gun has 2x#8, 2x00, and 1xslug on the ammo carrier with a shoulder bag containing another 10x#8, 10x#4 pheasant, 10x00 and 4xslug right next to it.
 
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koyote said:
FWIW, the brush gun has 2x#8, 2x00, and 1xslug on the ammo carrier with a shoulder bag containing another 10x#8, 10x#4 pheasant, 10x00 and 4xslug right next to it.
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That's a great mixed load...not much you couldn't handle with that!

ROCK6
 
koyote said:
One reason I stock the 7.5 or 8 and 5 or 4 (depending on ga.)- the 7.5/8 is so cheap to buy in federal bulk boxes that it makes no sense not to have it on hand, and that lets me choose between 6,5,4 for the heavier load.

I haven't really looked, but is there a good source of lead BB size 2 3/4 12 ga shells? I'd definitely pick some of that up. (I'd prefer T, but I haven't found any at all)

FWIW, the brush gun has 2x#8, 2x00, and 1xslug on the ammo carrier with a shoulder bag containing another 10x#8, 10x#4 pheasant, 10x00 and 4xslug right next to it.
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Think most shotgun shells with those loads have disappeared with the mandate to use steel or bismuth shells for waterfowl.

Just a guess, though.
 
Me: 2x#8, 2x00, and 1xslug on the ammo carrier with a shoulder bag containing another 10x#8, 10x#4 pheasant, 10x00 and 4xslug right next to it.

ROCK6 said:
That's a great mixed load...not much you couldn't handle with that!

ROCK6
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Thanks! I think it's a decent just in case camping setup. If I blow through more than 30 rounds in any sort of situation I probably have other things to worry about. Or should be bringing the 870!

The shoulder bag also has a cleaning kit and some game bags. But it's a lot to carry around for casual woodsbumming. I mostly set it up to toss in the van for camping or as a bug out add on for whoever gets that piece in the event of. (I'm taking the 20ga 870 and my K frame by preference.)

I'm considering looking at making a clip on leather belt pouch with just 5 extra rounds. I know it's nitpicking to make specific choices like that, but I think if I do that I'll add a single #8, 2 #5, a 00 and another slug.
 
agree with most advice given so far. i have to say with so many references to 00b why ? and have you actually tried it ? i have done a lot of pattern and penetration tests with 12 ga . found 00b to generaly useless . w/o a special choke it USUALY opens up so fast that hitting a 12 "x12" target @ 50' is chancey . i find that
# 4 buck to be about the largest pellet i can use . if i need bigger ill use a slug . before stocking up on any ammo buy 1 box and try it . set up a piece of news paper or sim @ whatever range you expect to encounter and shoot it that way youll know what to expect.
 
My defensive shotgun holds an acceptable 00 pattern at fifty feet or 16.7 yards. If one is talking about fifty yards, I'd agree that's a range at which a cylinder bore defensive shotgun is going to have a hard time holding a tight 00 buck pattern.

But you can't argue with the "buy and box and try it in your gun" advice!:D

DancesWithKnives
 
OOB is an excellent defensive load, that's why most people stock it, not for hunting.
Also, I find that the larger buckshot (and slugs) pattern better from Improved Cylinder choke rather than a cylinder bore -- which is why the 870 Police have their barrels fixed with an IC choke, unlike most others.

Also, if your gun doesn't pattern well, try other brands of buckshot. Mine seem to like the (somewhat hard to find) Remington 2 3/4" 12-pellet load.
 
ROCK6 said:
Not quite an A.O., but the Saiga-12 (slightly modified:D) with a 20rd drum is nothing to sneeze at:D Shooting high-brass birdshot reminds me of a handheld claymore...even if it's just semi-auto:eek: :thumbup:

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ROCK6
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I gotta do omething similar to my Saiga. Its all stock right now but I wanna SBS it. Tromix is too darn expensive though, so I'm trying to find someone local that can do it.
 
From only a bit of experimenting and a lot of reading I am a fan of 2 3/4 BB shot.
For defense from 2 legged predators, buckshot is king, for 4 legged beasts I wouldn't mind a few slugs or maybe some larger buckshot.
This table might help you out.
shot_sizes.jpg


What is your survival shotgun? For packability I have a nice old Rossi single shot.
 
Liam Ryan said:
What is your survival shotgun? For packability I have a nice old Rossi single shot.
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NEF Pardner Protector, fairly lightweight with the synthetic stock, but built like a tank where it counts!

NEFPadnerProtector.jpg


After sitting without power for 4.5 days back in May due to what they are calling a "inland hurricane", I decided to add this one to the gun gang. I have a typical "hunting" wood stocked .20 gauge, but wanted something with more "black gun" fear factor and power than a .20. :D
 
2 3/4" #6 High Brass: Squirrel, Rabbit, Pheasant, etc.

3" #2 Federal BlackCloud, Remington HD: Ducks, Geese

2 3/4" #4 Buck: Home Defense(also good for coyote & other medium sized predators)

2 3/4" & 3" Slugs: Whitetail deer
 
For home defense I just load up with No. 8 shot, 2 3/4 inch, I want total control of the gun and we are talking shots at 10-12 feet almost any shell would work but light shot won't travel through walls as bad. As far as outdoors, For one gun I would much prefer the .22
 
udtjim said:
For home defense I just load up with No. 8 shot, 2 3/4 inch, I want total control of the gun and we are talking shots at 10-12 feet almost any shell would work but light shot won't travel through walls as bad.
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Any round that meets the minimum for defensive purposes (at least 12" of penetration in ballistics gel) is going to make swiss cheese out of walls. Advocating an unreliable round is not a suitable alternative IMO. Hitting what you aim at is.
 
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