#1 or #4 Buckshot

**Rauswaffen** · July 4th, 2008, 04:31 PM

Which of these two would you use for house defense. Please just give me your opinions on these two shells only. I've ruled out birdshot and slugs. All posts appreciated

**imashooter2** · July 4th, 2008, 09:34 PM

I use Federal 20 pellet #1 buck in my home defense shotgun. From the testing I've read, #4 does not penetrate adequately to satisfy me.

**WVBob** · July 5th, 2008, 12:26 PM

I keep #4. Things I've read say it does fine at short ranges. I tried #4's in a 16 ga on wall board and 1/4 in. ply and I liked the holes it made.

**hdward@verizon.net** · July 5th, 2008, 01:24 PM

The 1st two out would be 7 1/2 then 6 00.

**awkx** · July 5th, 2008, 05:24 PM

For some actual penetration studies: http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/theboxotruth.htm

Keep in mind that at typical self-defense distances, the pellets won't spread out very much, so you'll get better penetration than at longer distances.

**goon** · July 6th, 2008, 03:45 AM

I was a fan of Federal #4 reduced recoil "tactical" buck shot when I had my 12 gauge.
It patterned well and was controllable and posed less danger of overpenetrating my apartment walls and hurting one of my neighbors.