20 gauge - self defense load

[solrac7]

I know, 20 gauge has limited cartridge availability, but what loads do you all recommend? I found some #4 buck, and some #4 shot turkey loads (1.5 ounce) but what do you guys (and gals) have available/recommend... We just went through this with the 12 gauge loads, and I have a 12 gauge as well, but I also have an older mossie 20 that I would like to have ammo for (nice light gun that works well...)

[gnbrotz]

I use Winchester PDX1 Defender in my home-defense 12 gauge. They have a 'defense' offering for 20 gauge to, but it's a little different load.

https://winchester.com/Products/Ammu...u-s-3%22%5D%7D

[Grizz2720]

I keep a 20 ga sxs hanging to have handy for varmints. I have a bandoleer of 20 ga 00 near the gun or use if needed. The 20 ga 00 came from Cabela's. The price was not bad. I do not remember what it was how ever.

[bamboomaster]

I know, 20 gauge has limited cartridge availability, but what loads do you all recommend? I found some #4 buck, and some #4 shot turkey loads (1.5 ounce) but what do you guys (and gals) have available/recommend... We just went through this with the 12 gauge loads, and I have a 12 gauge as well, but I also have an older mossie 20 that I would like to have ammo for (nice light gun that works well...)

Sounds like it should work - just don't confuse your 20 gauge with your 12 gauge and keep the moss out of the chamber....

[solrac7]

Always a good point - DON'T mix up the 20 and 12 ! I may get rid of the 20 just for that, but resale value is nill ... I figured I'd keep it just in case... I've got an older folding stock and it's kind of a nice emergency gun...

[Hawk]

For "in the house" distances I just use 7 1/2 target loads with slugs in the sidesaddle. Shot spreads approximately 1" for every 1 yard traveled. Which means at the longest distance in my largest room, the spread would only be 3". The slugs are for keeping any wandering zombies off my lawn.

Here's a pretty informative video on using bird shot for home defense: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaR1EVybUgc

[Parrisk]

put some crayons (or wax, but crayons rock) in a pan and warm up to melting point.
open some #6 or 7 1/2 shot loads and mix shot in with the wax
as wax begins to cool carefully load wax/shot mixture back into shell and crimp closed

Keeps the shot together until contact where it transfers most of the energy to the target and the shot disperses with the remaining energy

Can you say HOT DAYUM

[God's Country]

I keep 2 3/4 #3 buck in my 20 gauge. Handles well, 20 pellets, and patterned nicely on a silhouette target @ 15yds.

[solrac7]

For "in the house" distances I just use 7 1/2 target loads with slugs in the sidesaddle. Shot spreads approximately 1" for every 1 yard traveled. Which means at the longest distance in my largest room, the spread would only be 3". The slugs are for keeping any wandering zombies off my lawn.

Here's a pretty informative video on using bird shot for home defense: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaR1EVybUgc

I had seen that before... GREAT VIDEO... When the weather gets nicer, I think I'll give it a try at the farthest distance in my house (probably 10 yards) and see what happens - just for kicks and giggles. Not a lot of rounds to choose from for the 20, I'll choose buck if I can find it, but the turkey loads will probably still be more than enough to do the job. If I do re-enact this, I will take video/photos... Thanks everyone !

[IV_Warrior]

put some crayons (or wax, but crayons rock) in a pan and warm up to melting point.
open some #6 or 7 1/2 shot loads and mix shot in with the wax
as wax begins to cool carefully load wax/shot mixture back into shell and crimp closed

Keeps the shot together until contact where it transfers most of the energy to the target and the shot disperses with the remaining energy

Can you say HOT DAYUM

Seems it'd be a lot damn simpler to just buy some slugs....