Question Duck and Turkey Loads for self defense?

[Neko456]

Question Duck and Turkey Loads for self defense? I know most believe that double odd buck or Slug are the only acceptable rounds for HD or SD in a shotgun, but I believe some bird shots like these big boys will penetrate coats and do lots of damage.

Anybody other then me experimented with other loads determining there SD worthiness?

[Former_Marine99]

Im having a difficult time finding the site right now. But a while back there was some testing done that pretty much answers this question. In short they found that anything smaller than #4 buck did not reliably penetrate deep enough to be considered an effective round at normal in home distances.

[jcabin]

We just had a 25 page thread on this 2 weeks ago. To sum it up, keep the bird loads for birds. Bird loads are better than nothing, just like carrying a .22lr mouse gun is better than nothing. It's at the extreme bottom of the self defense list for anyone with common sense. If you choose to ignore what is sensible self defense ammo, then it's you and your family on the line, not mine. good luck and think about the children

[knight0334]

While game loads can kill(lost a friend to a 20ga 7-1/2 shot blast in high school), they usually only make a shallow mess at ranges beyond 10-15ft. At up close like short hallway distances, that shot hasn't spread much and will "plow"(lack of a better word) through making a big gaping hole.

A 5rnd box of 0, 00, or 000 is only $3-5 at Wally World or any gun shop.. No reason not to get one.

[Neko456]

Im having a difficult time finding the site right now. But a while back there was some testing done that pretty much answers this question. In short they found that anything smaller than #4 buck did not reliably penetrate deep enough to be considered an effective round at normal in home distances.

Isn't Turkey and Duck load 4 or 8 shot? I could see bird loads not working but Turkey load that a tough ass bird.

[Karl/PA]

4s are duck/goose loads. 8s are for quail

[Neko456]

Ok 1 out of two is not bad I'm assuming Turkey load is triple or dbl odd buck.

[TXDMERC73]

there is a turkey load with dram equiv MAGNUM- they kick like the devil! at 10 feet they should do the job i used 2-3/4 #5 Magnum loads on a couple of wet phone books and they penetrated pretty deep, alot deeper then the ordinary shotgun loads.

Again i wouldnt use turkey loads for self defense , double 00 buck or 1 oz slug is way better unless you run out of those and all u have left is the turkey load -then thats better then the regular shotgun loads.

[Neko456]

So absolutely No Bird Shot no matter how powerful is recommend for HD or SD the Duck shot and Turkey load leaves a big hole in 1/4" plywood.
Dbl odd buck does it better but not much.

The slug is the best penetratetor in Shot Gun but I like multiple hits with one trigger pull.

[41 Redhawk]

Ok 1 out of two is not bad I'm assuming Turkey load is triple or dbl odd buck.

Turkey loads are generally 4 to 6 shot. It doesn't take alot to penetrate a Turkey's head plus larger shot leaves enough holes in the pattern at longer ranges that the vitals (head and neck) could be missed completely.

This is from the PA hunting digest and refers to spring season

Fine shot no larger than No. 4 lead, bismuth-tin and tungsten-iron, or No. 2 steel. Rifle/shotgun combination guns may be used if ammunition is limited to shotgun shells. Carrying or using single projectile ammunition, rifles or handguns is unlawful