20 gauge HD?

**Abrams.357** · September 3rd, 2007, 05:37 PM

I have a remmy 870 magnum 20 gauge and i was wondering if if would work for HD? if so what shells should i use?

**WMG** · September 3rd, 2007, 05:55 PM

in my wifes 20ga it is number 3 buck from rem , I am not a fan of bird shot for defense but that is another story , and as memeory serves that gives her 20 pellets of .25 cal , and 20 ga buckshot is not as easy to come by of course as for the 12ga , I think number 2 buck in 20ga may be the biggest

**MarcS** · September 3rd, 2007, 08:15 PM

#1 buckshot is the minimum for self defense in the 12ga. since that's not available, get as close as you can. since only smaller shot sizes are available, see if they have plated shot for extra penetration

**Abrams.357** · September 3rd, 2007, 09:01 PM

Originally Posted by MarcS

see if they have plated shot for extra penetration

sorry but what is plated shot?

**WMG** · September 4th, 2007, 12:48 AM

They will sometimes do this with shot either copper or nickel plate it , it is just as the name implies , think of it as FMJ for shot , this helps to reduce the pellets from deforming while goin down the barrel and more important from deforming when impacting the target giving you better penetration then soft lead

**32 Magnum** · September 7th, 2007, 05:09 PM

Nothing wrong with using a 20 gauge for home defense. I and several people I know use 20s as first line - because of the handling characteristics and lowered muzzle blast and recoil vs a 12 gauge. Most commonly found buckshot round is the 2 3/4" #3 buck, 20 pellets, I use Remington. Slugs make a nice impact also - I use Win. SuperX rifled hollow point - 2 3/4", 3/4 oz (328 gr.), rated at 1600 fps out of a 20" barrel = 1865 ft/lb. I keep an older, smooth as silk and utterly reliable H&R Model 400 pump close to the front door for those uninvited guests, 4 or 2 legged (living out in the country doesn't give you the luxury of depending on the big city police for rescue). Here's a picture of my 1st line piece, followed by the upstairs backups.
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/20...p5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/3d...p5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg
http://links.pictures.aol.com/pic/0c...p5Fd3Ig=_l.jpg