Is a #8 birdshot load through a full choke suitable for home defense? 

Full choke + birdshot = Rathole effect   




Your thoughts?

People always do these videos with paper and cardboard.  I want to see these same videos done with clothes.  Maybe a vest and t-shirt.  With all of those little holes, I wonder how many would still punch through the cardboard.  I guess I could just look it up on my own on YouTube.

Yeah,  I have been present when a bird hunter got shot and his hide was saved by a set of Carhart's.  I know a few people that happened to and have heard many more stories.  Sufficient that when I was still tramping the fields, I always wore my Carhart overalls and coat.

People always do these videos with paper and cardboard.  I want to see these same videos done with clothes.  Maybe a vest and t-shirt.  With all of those little holes, I wonder how many would still punch through the cardboard.  I guess I could just look it up on my own on YouTube.

Shop for and buy a home defense handgun.  Easier to secure in an accessible location, far easier to carry about on your person.  And a great option to have with you while you go grab a patrol rifle or shotgun, properly loaded.

Most people won't carry a handgun either.     My opinion a shotgun is a better choice for the rare/occasional shooter that wouldn't pack a handgun, simply because a shotgun is easier, and more effective when not being in-practice.   If you're going to pack a handgun around the house you probably already have a CWP and handgun for the job.

 

Yeah,  I have been present when a bird hunter got shot and his hide was saved by a set of Carhart's.  I know a few people that happened to and have heard many more stories.  Sufficient that when I was still tramping the fields, I always wore my Carhart overalls and coat.

 How far was the shot?  I am just curious.

  In my opinion the old "birdshot is better because it won't kill your kids in the next room" is right up there with "Rack it and scare em off".

  All that said, I believe 95% of people who get shot with birdshot will be incapacitated, heavily wounded, or at the very least, flee the residence.   Also, full-choke bird gun will do better with birdshot than a 18" cylinder bored shotgun.

 
   I am in a heavily rural area....NO neighbors.   I have both a rifle and shotgun for self-defence under my bed.     My shotgun is loaded with either of two loads, both Nobelsport, one is a 12 pellet 00 buck load, one is the 27 pellet #4 buck load.     I feell confidant with either one.  The 00 load groups spectactularly well for me and is usually in the shotgun.  the #4 buck is only loaded when we're having a lot of 4-legged predator problems and I need extra pellet count.   Also my shotgun is a 20" barrel with modified choke.

I think it enhances it to some degree but it still isn't something I'd load in a dedicated home defense gun.  Beyond the muzzle bird shot begins to string out along its flight path as well as spread out into a pattern so it really doesn't have the impact and penetration of buck shot even at relatively close range.  Yes, it beats the hell out of harsh language and no, I won't volunteer to test the theory but I've hunted enough game over the years to understand the difference between bird shot, buck shot and slugs. 

Most people won't carry a handgun either.     My opinion a shotgun is a better choice for the rare/occasional shooter that wouldn't pack a handgun, simply because a shotgun is easier, and more effective when not being in-practice.   If you're going to pack a handgun around the house you probably already have a CWP and handgun for the job.

yeah, I get that.  But there are a lot more places I can put a small handgun safe that would make it both secure and reasonably accessible than places I can lock up a shotgun.

I've seen Jeff's video before - kudos to him for actually using meat to test with but its not the same thing as shooting something alive and kicking with bones and sinews and an a nasty attitude.  Adrenaline is a pretty powerful drug - ask anybody that has wounded a game animal - maybe mortally - but not in such a way as to prevent it from running over the next ridge line.  Tracking wounded game is one of my least favorite things to do - ever. 

 I'm not saying bird shot cannot be used successfully in a self defense situation - just that the number of variables involved are too great for it to be the best choice in most cases. 

What is a constant point of amazement to me is the number of people who own a shotgun but have never put a load on a pattern board to actually see where it shoots.  Bird, buck, slug - doesn't matter if you don't hit what you're shooting at.  I think these must be the people who are counting on the sound of the slide racking a round into the chamber to cause anyone or anything in front of them to lose control of their bowels and run at the very sound of it.