Back in the late 1980's, I was working part-time with an EMS, and on one Saturday afternoon, we received a call to respond to a shooting at a private residence. Upon arrival and after entering the home via the side kitchen door, we saw blood on the kitchen floor that led us into the near adjacent utility/laundry room. There we found the GSW victim lying on the floor with a golf ball sized hole in his right upper quadrant. While the patient was barely awake and in severe pain, he was very delirious and had bled out copious amounts. After we rolled him over, we could see several small exit wounds from his right shoulder blade. Though we knew this patient was not going to make it, we began applying treatments for a sucking chest wound and back shoulder, IV's, pressure shock splints, etc, etc. Turns out, this patient had been shot at about 20-21 feet via 12 gauge with a full choke using a load of #6 shot "Duck and Pheasant" 2-3/4" shell load, 3 3/4 - 1 1/4 load. Investigation revealed he had illegally entered the shooter's home via the side kitchen door, with a 38 pistol in hand, he confronted the home owner who ran down the hallway and into the master bedroom. In the process, the intruder fired 2 shots at the homeowner but missed, but suddenly, the homeowner stepped back into the hallway with shotgun in hand and with one round, he sent the intruder falling backwards into the utility room and his death. During my life, I've seen a fair amount of GSW's, an except for a high powered deer rifle to the head at point blank, I have never seen a more devastating body impact than that load of #6 high power from a full choke. The x-rays revealed incredible damage to the top of the lungs, ribs, shoulder, etc with numerous shot ricocheting throughout the right chest cavity.
High-powered bird shot with greater shot-weight can be very different from low-powered #7.5. With a 3 3/4 magnum shell I can imagine almost every shot size down to #8 would be absolutely devastating at close range inside a house. But there's even 2.75 inch shells with high-powered loads and 34 to 36 grams of #5 shot that I think would instantly kill a person inside a 15 yards radius.
@@maximilianmustermann5763 I had a friend who killed a nice 10 point Eastern Whitetail with a "Field Load", 3 1/4 - 1 1/8, #6 shot while rabbit hunting. Deer came out of the thicket about 5-6 yards away.
Thats interesting because we had a call with an attempted self deletion where the kid leaned over the muzzle of his shotgun in his ex gfs from yard and pulled thr trigger. He had heavy duck load and it didnt reach any vital organs. The wound was down right nasty, but he survived waiting as we staged for law enforcment to clear the scene, then the time it took to stabalize him and get to the hospital. He made a full recovery. Birdshot seems to be a roll of the dice, sometimes its devastating, sometimes it simply looks gruesome but is superficial. If given the choice, one would be a fool to chose it over buckshot. But pressed into use its nothing to laugh at
I believe every word of this. Years ago I watched a test of different shot sizes and their effectiveness for home defense. They concluded that #4 shot was the sweet spot for this scenario. A couple years back, I saw some #4 shot come up on sale so I bought 3 boxes of 25. In the last couple years I've shot only 10 rounds. Little did I know at that time, that not all #4 is created equal. I bought #4 waterfowl, 3 inch steel shot, 1 1/5oz running at 1550fps. Holy heck, those things kick like full on Zombie slug loads out of my Beretta 1301. It's too light for rounds like that and it punished my shoulder. I can't imagine what it would do to flesh at 15-25 feet away. Gnarly.
@@bunberrier It is not just internet. Guys I worked with thought a .22 would only kill you point blank, and .32 acp would only piss off your attacker if they were on top of you.
A 12 gauge shotgun is deadly, even out to 100 yards with slugs. I used an 870 Remington most of my life. I fired thousands of rounds of various shot sheels and hundreds of slugs. It was totally reliable and very deadly. I love shotguns!
I'm running a Mossberg590 and can confirm, shotguns are easily the most versatile weapons in the world, breaching doors, hunting, home defense, I've also seen buckshot pellets still hit a target with fatal damage all the way out to 100 yards! They're also shining in urban warfare against drones too with wider spread pellets.
Keep in mind that for home defense, most rooms are around 10-15 feet across with a few room going out to 20 feet. So, the majority of encounters will be inside those distances, so birdshot is still going to act a lot like a slug at 7-10 feet.
"You know, if you can't get the job done with five or six rounds of 00 Buck, or #4 Buck, or birdshot, or whatever you're using, you got a problem." -the late, great, Jeff Quinn
....there is a reference in one of Peter Capstick's books about African hunting...where he tells of being surprised by a lioness while out bird hunting. He didn't have time to switch guns...and so the only thing between her and him was a load of #71/2 shot at "tag you're it" distance. He whacked her smack in the nose as she came for him...(Which probably is the distance across most rooms in anything but the largest house)...and he said her head looked like someone stuck a hand grenade in a strawberry jam jar.
If you live in an apartment complex you may have to forego the added power of buckshot and stick with birdshot whether you want to or not. The last thing you want is to add collateral damage to the list of reasons why it was a really bad day for you.
You mentioned something so many people ignore. Just because something doesn't have a lot of "stopping power" does not mean it won't make someone stop what they are doing and run. A face or chest full of #7 shot is going to take the fight out of anyone and make them reevaluate whatever they were doing that got them shot.
Paul Harrell, did a similar vid years ago. using walls of sheetrock spaced to show how far different loads penetrated through walls, using mostly a 12 gauge, loaded with #9 through #8, #6 bird shot. He also set up a meat target, using ribs, over a a heart etc dressed in a shirt wearing a hoodie at reasonable ranges of home defense think it was around 10 yards
Glad others remember that series of vids he did on bird shot. I thought Harrell's vids were pretty convincing that bird shot is not completely ineffective like urban legend would have you believe.
With a full choke, birdshot is deadly at indoor close range and will not over penetrate your walls. #4 buckshot is a step up to increase a longer effective indoor range and generally doesn't over penetrate. If I lived in an apartment complex, I'd be very aware of my background surroundings and probably use 6 or 7 Birdshot for the safety of others. In a house, it depends on your surroundings. I like 2 3/4 12ga #4 buck with an IM choke for inside the home defense.
I gotta believe that 1 1/4-ounce number 4 anywhere in the vicinity of the chin area at standard home hallway distance is going to take away an opponents will to continue fighting.
Garand thumb did a video on this with ballistic torsos, even at 30 yds facial shots caused complete and total blindness ( in other words the eye sockets were completely destroyed) and destroyed the nasal passages. Yes birdshot is absolutely positively effective effective for home defense
I was very glad that you mentioned the part about what your walls are made of it sure does make a big difference when it comes to choosing the shot for your shotgun for home protection.
The longest shot in my house is 7 yards. Plenty of walls. I need something that hits hard enough but does not over penetrate. I am perfectly comfortable with my choice of birdshot.
A Vietnam vet told me of this experience when we were debating bird shit vs 00. On patrol an enemy combatant came out of the brush full speed with a machete. The vet had a 410 fitted with a pistol grip in a hip holster. His father, a WW II vet, had carried that same gun on Okinawa and had sent it to his son. He had a load of bird shot in the single barrel 410 which he fired and knocked the enemy flat. His explanation, bird shot stayed in the body, didn't go through. All that energy stayed. He won the debate.
On the RUclips channel "Chuke's Outdoor Adventures," I saw a video from a couple of weeks ago where Chuke mentioned someone out bird hunting in the Alaskan bush with a .410, within the last month (December of 2024 now) who got charged by a grizzly bear. The hunter didn't have a handgun with him ... and as the bear charged him, he shot it in the head with his .410 and birdshot. Two pellets from the load went up the nasal cavities and exited ... into the brain. Grizz dropped dead right there. I don't know how close the hunter was from the bear (5 yards comes to mind), but the bear died instantly ... no word on whether or not the hunter had to change his pants ... but it (shooting a charging bear with a .410) is not something I would CHOOSE to do.
I was 14 home alone. Bird shot out of a .410 pealed the skin back of the face the guy that came threw the window. He left the way he came in. Never heard what became of him. Sheriff asked if I reloaded before he left to look for the guy. Tha was a much more logical time 30++ years ago in CA.
I was 12 years old when my parents taught me Gun Safety and gave me the keys to the gun locker. Being the oldest, I was told to defend my mother and siblings if anything were to happen or an intruder broke in.
My brother did patterning and penetration on ply wood at 70 yards on 3/8 ply wood with his 10 ga. when working up loads for geese. You'd might be surprised how many pellets went through the plywood. I know that was a 10ga, but remember it 70 yrds.
My neighbor growing up was a huge gun aficionado and slept with a sawn off 12ga double barrel greener loaded on both sides with 00 buck under his pillow.
One thing’s for sure with birdshot: The collateral damage out beyond the maximum distance is going to probably becmuch less. Ya never know though, we are responsible for every pellet or bullet. Birdshot is far less likely to inflict fatalities at 70-80 yards than a #4 shot pellet. My little daughter got hit by a single pellet in the temple as we just arrived home from a long trip, and the door to our station wagon was opened on her side of the car. It was a birdshot but I forget what size but the distance was 30 yards, fired by a neighbor who was shooting at a charging enraged big German shepherd. His shot killed the dog but that stray pellet almost killed my daughter. You can’t imagine my feelings as we picked her up crying and bleeding at the temple and rushing her to ER 5 miles away. Fortunately the pellet stopped by the skull bone, thin as it was at that spot. She told me when I picked her up right after it happened, even though she was crying, “Daddy an angel just saved me!” Next day a policeman came to see us and tried his best to get me to swear out charges against the neighbor from up the street, who came to the rescue of our immediate next door neighbor who’s German shepherd was going berserk after killing another neighbor’s lapdog that had wandered into their yard. I told this not informed closed-minded but otherwise good cop that no way was I filing charges against this good man who tried to stop an enraged monster dog. That cop didn’t like it that I refused to go along with him because he obviously wanted to arrest and cuff the man. I said NO. OUR DAUGHTER IS SAVED BY GOD AND HE DID NOT SHOOT AT MY DAUGHTER, HE WAS SHOOTING IN SELF DEFENSE AT A CHARGING ENRAGED DOG AT POINT BLANK RANGE.
Larger bird shot at 20' does not spread all that much. How long a shot are you going inside your home? I guarantee it will do the job. The main advantage is you don't have to worry so much about over penetration.
If you're worried about too much spread, put a choke on the shotgun depending on what distances you're going to need it for. That's what chokes are for.
just had a mild argument on another video with a guy scoffing at birdshot basically calling it less lethal. #6 birdshot @ 10ft or less is utterly devastating.
@@js33456 85% of ALL defense shootings occur at 21 feet (7 yds) or less, and the average in-home defense shootings occur in the 10-15 foot range or less. Again, "stopping" an intruder does not always require one to kill with over penetrating projectiles. Especially with shotguns that create multiple hits causing massive wounds that cause severe trauma to the nervous system and often cause substantial shock to the body with often pain induced coma.
I've got between 15-20 yards from me to a potential bad guy in my house. Id be willing to take my chances even w #8 bird shot. But you're right...the closer you are, the more that swarm of bird shot acts more like a slug.
I was sure that I saw a hostile 2 liter cold drink bottle waiting for an opportunity to do mischief. Always important to call for backup when violent sweetened carbonated drinks are possibly in the area
My Grandpa always kept his pump loaded with birdshot or rock salt and bacon rind for the first round and then double-ought for the rest, he always said they get 1 warning, he never had any problems at the farm growing up. Good video, I pity the fool trying to sneak onto your land with malice in his heart, hickok45.
😂 My grandpa was the same. Back then shot shells were wax coated cardboard. He would unfold the crimp, empty out the lead shot and fill with rock salt. Damn sure no one wanted to get hit with that 😢
I like 00 buckshot 9 pellet shells better. I'd prefer them over a 9mm handgun. I read that one 00 buckshot 9 pellet is like shooting nine 9mm bullets at the same time
Never point a gun at something you don't wish to destroy. Always be sure of your target and what's behind it. These 2 commandments are impossible to obey in an apartment building, but birdshot will mitigate the danger to innocents if you ever fire a weapon therein.
Within 15 yards, birdshot is brutal. If your "home defense" means 40yd shots, then wowza, you rich! If so, then AR all the way. Or 9mm or 45 carbines are good for that stuff for
Very true!, seen a wound from 6 bird shot from 12in barrel 10 to 12 feet right through an interior door and still very tight 2in hole in upper thigh and broke the bone while exit wound was 4x6in chunk,,, very effective
Inside the normal size house birdshot will work just fine. Shots will rarely ever be more than 10 yards and likely half that. Once you step outside and range increases you need something a bit larger. This is why I load my defensive shotgun with #4 Buckshot as a compromise.
My choice for in home was either # 2 or 4 birdshot. At 5 yards it will get the job done. Anything that penetetrates the torso of 3 inches or over is fatal.
Yup, at the distances common inside a home the shot column from even a cylinder bore has so little time to spread out that the impact is devastating. A place I once lived I kept my Mossberg 500 loaded with #4 Buck Shot. Why was because I wanted to reduce the potential of going through walls. Perhaps in that location birdshot would have been better but happily I never had to find out. Then again, when I lived in bear country the shotgun had 00 Buck and slugs, every other shell. That bear gun tho was a Mossberg 590A1. I still own both.
All I have in my KSG is some leftover target load, and I kind of assumed any type of ammo at 10-20ft was going to do enough damage to deal with a home intruder if one decided to choose my house. Good to see that is the case. I live in a condo anyway, so buckshot would give me concerns about over-penetration.
What size of bird shot? I don't imagine anyone but a highly motivated and determined attacker is going to ignore a face full of #2 or BB in the face within 25 yards.
@@seanomeirs8362longest shot in ur house doesnt mean the longest distance ur house have, during an invasion u wont stand in the middle of open space in side ur house u will stand besides a cover not an open space in ur kitchen targetting the suspect at the living room
Birdshot is definetily better than nothing, wouldn't really want to meet neither head on. But when it comes down getting any gun out it's holster, you've already made the decision that the guy or gal you're defending yourself against is not walking away alive from the fight. I've had a police officer tell our group during shooting practice that when you're defending yourself, your firearm should of course be the last thing you use. But when you do, you always want to go for the kill, because god forbid the person you're defending yourself against survives with some sort injury / paralysis, takes you to court and YOU end up having to pay HIM for the rest of his life for the disability you've caused him. It's harsh, but it's the truth, which is why I'd take buckshot for defense any day, every day.
We hear about how poorly birdshot would do on an intruder. The problem is every single test I have seen done has been with loads for small birds. Such as #9, #7, #6 etcetera. I have never seen testing done with goose loads with larger pellet sizes. The two buckshot loads we always hear about are 00 and #4 buck, but size F birdshot is almost the same size as the #4 buck. The F shot is .22 cal and the #4 is .24 cal. I would be great to see how some of the larger bird shot works on gelatin blocks, and on walls. Maybe there is a size of goose loads that would be better for apartments or densely populated city homes
He’ll yes close range or even moderate range birdshot preferably duck loads #6 high brass inside a home will hit like a slug from inside to backyard fence may allow it spread even to remove an attackers stomach from ever being useful in processing the targets meals that’s only if they survive the initial shot full of # 6 duck or Turkey load. The spread insures a hit whereas shooting with a slug or even 00 might miss entirely at close range if off by an inch or so will the slug or Double Aught
I load two bird shot folled by the third shot as 00 Buck. I know what the various shot does, being an advanced trauma paramedic trained as a SWAT medic. I used to hunt with a 20 gauge double barrel for small game. Nothing got away. And everything was cleaned, cooked, and eaten.
The smallest shot size I would ever use inside my home is Lead #BB shot. I’ve done extensive testing and the #BB size shot gets an average of 6-12 inches in ballistics gelatin. That’s pushing it IMO for an intruder who’s probably looking to end your life inside your home. Great video Hickok 😊
Great video, as usual. Would be neat to see what happens after hitting a target like the jug or the trash can, with a piece of standard drywall behind it. My concern with all rounds for home defense is how many walls they are going to go through.
As someone who prefers 00, 9 pellet, it's worth noting not all birdshot is created equal. Everyone seems to demonstrate with #7 1/2 or #8 shot. It's a little hard to find factory shells due to water foul hunting requiring steel, but I have a supply of #2 lead shot I used to load for 2 and 3 gun competition, and shooting bowling pins. Big difference, without going all the way to buckshot sizes. Choices are good. 12 gage offers lots of choices. Life is good.
I agree. Anything larger then #4 lead or #2 steel should do everything you need to in a close range situation and not have a lot of excess penetration. Probably the best weapon for thin walled construction in apartments.
There's also a big difference with shot weight and powder loads. There are devastating #5 high velocity hunting loads with 34 or 36 grams of shot. They are very different from bog standard 28 grams #7.5
The old Remington lead "Nitro Mag" #2 shot 2 3/4" mags were awesome for ducks. I always thought they would make an excellent self defense round. Fast and hard hitting . Buffered shot for a nice round pattern
These tests kinda only make sense for 7-1/2 or 8, since those are commonly used on clay targets. If you keep 6 shot, you probably have bigger stuff around.
@@nickolasthefrog if you live in an apartment and want something that is effective from 10 feet away and won’t go through two walls separated by 6 feet (hallway), then you really want something like #2 or #4 “bird shot”. When people test 7.5 at 20+ feet and say that it only makes a 2” wood cavity, they are doing a disservice to their viewers.
@@RockStorePhotos ~ Way too tight of a pattern, but rather instead also take a look at “Birdshot” in #2 and BB shot sizes with a cylinder or improved cylinder choke.
Work in a level one trauma hospital’s OR. Had a guy who was shot unintentionally by a ‘friend’ from behind with bird shot at five feet while hunting. His right hip joint including the femoral head was completely pulverized as shown on X-ray. Nothing definable left from the impact.
Yep, the first two rounds in my Beretta 1301 are Winchester defender #2 copper plated BB shot. Then OO buck, then slug! Fisrst 2 shots wont over penetrate but make em reconsider. If they choose poorly, I'll have a lot of mopping to do.
I was just debating this with a friend while we were out shooting. Short distance anything will work, but 00 has the tendency to over penetrate. Know what’s behind your target. #4 in this household, but make sure you hit your primary target.
When I had the kids living with me (they're all grown up now) I used bird-shot in the shotgun. A lot of the misunderstanding comes from a video that was circulating on the internet a few years ago, pertaining to a school shooting and a girl getting shot "up close" with bird-shot. That one video is what makes people think there's no damage up close with bird shot. Yet, there's also no sign of recoil on the shooter... I can only assume it was a squib. At distances inside a home, birdshot IS effective! I'm not going to say that it's "ideal," but it's still damned deadly! A shotgun is one of, if not arguably the MOST versatile of firearms! They key though, is understanding the appropriate combinations of distance, load, choke and intended target. When I'm being told what I fool I am to think bird-shot could be effective for home defense, I usually keep my mouth shut and let the "expert" ramble on... then, I mentally call-up my decades of first-hand experience with bird-shot, skeet loads, buck shot, rifled and un-rifled slugs, chokes and barrels, geese, turkey, grouse, squirrels, deer, trap, skeet, and even a little 3-gun.... and I just grin...
What does bird shot even mean when people say it? Is it 28 grams of #8 or is it 36 grams of #5 with a high velocity powder load? There's a huge difference.
I have been shot with #8 at 60 yards. I'm glad I wasn't any closer and that there was foliage between my position and the shooter. At 20 yards or less, I don't think I would be here.
@@maximilianmustermann5763 That's part of the point. To universally dismiss "bird shot" as a viable defense load is simply a regurgitation of some keyboard expert. It's like finding the "perfect" defense gun (for all defense environments). No such thing.
Someone I knew years back got shot accidentally !! point blank with a 20 inch barrel 12 gauge birdshot in the stomach and it blew a big hole but did not go very deep . He was a chubby guy but not real fat. He passed out from the shot seconds later and was hospitalized with what the doctor said was 5% chance of survival. He survived ! Had it been buckshot or heaven forbid a slug , he definitely would have not made it.
I was in Utah back in 73'. One feller jumped out of the truck with a 12 gauge bird shot and blew his leg off damn near the doctors had to amputate from the knee down. Don't underestimate 7 1/2 bird shot close up..
Awesome shotgun you have. Beretta makes the best (in my opinion) semiautomatic hunting/sporting shotguns that are traditional non magazine feed systems. Beretta shotguns👍! Thanks for the video.
37 years of law enforcement for me means 00 buckshot in my defense shotguns but in the Remington TAC 14 shorty No4 Buck little less recoil. Want to stop a fight right now 00 buck does just that from my experiences.
And you have the Cop card liability coverage ,when it over penetrates and kills the neighbors ,we peasant don't have that ! We go to jail for manslaughter.
Back bedroom only accessible by a 12 foot hallway. The 12 gauge pump is loaded with 3 7.5 rounds out first and the rest are slugs for a finish. The bird shot probably won't kill someone, but they will spend some time in the ER getting it picked out.
Bird shot is for when you live in the city and wanting your projectiles to have less ability to penetrate through walls whereby injuring or killing those who live next to, above, or below you
There's so many types of birdshot. It's not only about the shot size, but also shot weight and powder load. I have some Rottweil high velocity crow loads that are 34 grams of #5 bird shot and they kick like a mule. They almost got me kicked off an indoor range once because they sparked so much on steel plates at 15 yards that they wouldn't believe me it was lead shot until they put a magnet to the rounds.
If you're going to need to use it at medium to long range, stick with buckshot. In most homes, unless you live in an airplane hanger, heavier birdshot will DO THE JOB. Once put a fist sized hole in an old refridgerator with #7 1/2 bird shot. I don't want to get hit with it. Add to that, if you have close neighbors, it'll save you a some worries about liability.
We had a big debate about this at my local pawnshop. Everyone tended to agree on bird shot because of dry wall penetration. I'm sticking with buck. I live in old house. No drywall. Stiff wood and bricks. Be aware of who's in rooms and stuff. Main thing hit your target. We overthink things.
You can also load your pump shot fun with 1 round of #8 birdshot, 1 round of #6,1 round of #4 etc, or what ever you prefer if that 1st shot doesn't quite do the job.
For those of you that don’t know, the loads he was using are not powerful even for birdshot standards. Load up some six shot high brass, and you’re doing a lot more damage. Either way, at room length ranges, against a home invasion, what he’s using will end the fight.
Back in the early 80s, I read a magazine that took the time to build some walls with 2x4s and sheetrock to make a couple of fake children's bedrooms... They test fired several shotgun rounds, including #6 and 00 Buck and #4 Buck. In the end, they demonstrated that #6 was able to take down an assailant, and not blow a hole through your kids in the other room. The tests were done at, I think, 10 feet and 30 feet. With that in mind, I'm fine with #6 for home defense.
I've had the dubious distinction of being shot with 12 ga. #8 bird shot from a distance of about 60 yards. Was working at a sporting clays facility. First day on the job and followed a co-worker into a field to work on a machine. Had no idea that he had not shut down the station next to us. We both got peppered. He was larger than I am, and mostly between the shooter and me. That was not a good day. At all. I know what close range birdshot can do to wood, metal signs, and animals. It will be a huge mistake to underestimate the potential for destruction it can cause within the length of a typical room.
Back in the late 1980's, I was working part-time with an EMS, and on one Saturday afternoon, we received a call to respond to a shooting at a private residence. Upon arrival and after entering the home via the side kitchen door, we saw blood on the kitchen floor that led us into the near adjacent utility/laundry room. There we found the GSW victim lying on the floor with a golf ball sized hole in his right upper quadrant. While the patient was barely awake and in severe pain, he was very delirious and had bled out copious amounts.
After we rolled him over, we could see several small exit wounds from his right shoulder blade. Though we knew this patient was not going to make it, we began applying treatments for a sucking chest wound and back shoulder, IV's, pressure shock splints, etc, etc.
Turns out, this patient had been shot at about 20-21 feet via 12 gauge with a full choke using a load of #6 shot "Duck and Pheasant" 2-3/4" shell load, 3 3/4 - 1 1/4 load. Investigation revealed he had illegally entered the shooter's home via the side kitchen door, with a 38 pistol in hand, he confronted the home owner who ran down the hallway and into the master bedroom. In the process, the intruder fired 2 shots at the homeowner but missed, but suddenly, the homeowner stepped back into the hallway with shotgun in hand and with one round, he sent the intruder falling backwards into the utility room and his death.
During my life, I've seen a fair amount of GSW's, an except for a high powered deer rifle to the head at point blank, I have never seen a more devastating body impact than that load of #6 high power from a full choke. The x-rays revealed incredible damage to the top of the lungs, ribs, shoulder, etc with numerous shot ricocheting throughout the right chest cavity.
High-powered bird shot with greater shot-weight can be very different from low-powered #7.5. With a 3 3/4 magnum shell I can imagine almost every shot size down to #8 would be absolutely devastating at close range inside a house. But there's even 2.75 inch shells with high-powered loads and 34 to 36 grams of #5 shot that I think would instantly kill a person inside a 15 yards radius.
@@maximilianmustermann5763 I had a friend who killed a nice 10 point Eastern Whitetail with a "Field Load", 3 1/4 - 1 1/8, #6 shot while rabbit hunting. Deer came out of the thicket about 5-6 yards away.
Thats interesting because we had a call with an attempted self deletion where the kid leaned over the muzzle of his shotgun in his ex gfs from yard and pulled thr trigger. He had heavy duck load and it didnt reach any vital organs. The wound was down right nasty, but he survived waiting as we staged for law enforcment to clear the scene, then the time it took to stabalize him and get to the hospital. He made a full recovery.
Birdshot seems to be a roll of the dice, sometimes its devastating, sometimes it simply looks gruesome but is superficial.
If given the choice, one would be a fool to chose it over buckshot. But pressed into use its nothing to laugh at
I believe every word of this. Years ago I watched a test of different shot sizes and their effectiveness for home defense. They concluded that #4 shot was the sweet spot for this scenario.
A couple years back, I saw some #4 shot come up on sale so I bought 3 boxes of 25. In the last couple years I've shot only 10 rounds. Little did I know at that time, that not all #4 is created equal. I bought #4 waterfowl, 3 inch steel shot, 1 1/5oz running at 1550fps. Holy heck, those things kick like full on Zombie slug loads out of my Beretta 1301. It's too light for rounds like that and it punished my shoulder. I can't imagine what it would do to flesh at 15-25 feet away. Gnarly.
That's a story of "fuck around and find out" if I've ever heard one.
Anyone who thinks birdshot would not be effective for home defense has no idea what they are talking about.
Exactly…the average home invading thug won’t be wearing body armor or a ballistic mask lol😊
Really don’t think a criminal is too worried about the size of the lead. ANY lead is gonna hurt.
Agreed. A lot of this kind of talk on the internet borders on ridiculous. Arguing about which sledgehammer is better for cracking peanut shells.
@@bunberrier It is not just internet. Guys I worked with thought a .22 would only kill you point blank, and .32 acp would only piss off your attacker if they were on top of you.
I wonder tho, if the perp is wearing a large down-filled coat being winter and all/ That may slow the pellets at all?
Inside 10 yards you could be shooting gummy bears out of a shotgun and it'd still be effective.
Best close quarters defensive weapon ever created. Just point and fire. Accuracy is secondary.
Cool comment
Get the dollar store ones, they're harder than Haribo 😅
A 12 gauge shotgun is deadly, even out to 100 yards with slugs. I used an 870 Remington most of my life. I fired thousands of rounds of various shot sheels and hundreds of slugs. It was totally reliable and very deadly. I love shotguns!
The 870 Remington is a nice shot gun.
I'm running a Mossberg590 and can confirm, shotguns are easily the most versatile weapons in the world, breaching doors, hunting, home defense, I've also seen buckshot pellets still hit a target with fatal damage all the way out to 100 yards! They're also shining in urban warfare against drones too with wider spread pellets.
@@Thenatureboy801 i agree, people underestimate shotguns, especially bird and buckshots.
@@stephenzen7247yes it’s the absolute BEST IMO. Especially vintage wingmasters. 😊
Keep in mind that for home defense, most rooms are around 10-15 feet across with a few room going out to 20 feet. So, the majority of encounters will be inside those distances, so birdshot is still going to act a lot like a slug at 7-10 feet.
Exactly and will not go thru the perpetrator and the sheetrock wall killing or injuring grandma in her rocker in the adjoining Room !
@@jimb96828 but then the perp gets to make a teary-eyed testimony to a jury, landing you in prison
Agree 💯%
I guarantee you take a face full of birdshot and your gonna lose all the fight you had in you.
If you have something like a shockwave....I feel like that would improve spray pattern at 10 ft ish.
Right?
in most home disturbances birdshot will "stop" someone from whatever they're doing. Buckshot will cancel their Christmas
What about Thanksgiving? 🤔
@@MilitaryFusion thanks will be given to the homeowner for unburdening the tax payer
Well put
Dont forget the slug to bring in the no year 😅
You also need to consider friendlies in the next room.
The late Jeff Quinn also advocated birdshot for across the room distances. He also said if the bad guy survives he can learn to read braille in jail.
That video convinced me, birdshot.
His vid with the pork meat target sealed the deal for me. Really appreciated his laid back sense of humor too. RIP
depends where you're aiming
"You know, if you can't get the job done with five or six rounds of 00 Buck, or #4 Buck, or birdshot, or whatever you're using, you got a problem."
-the late, great, Jeff Quinn
I think he even came up with real meet target before Paul.
RIP Paul Harrell. You proved to us that there is more then one kinda of birdshot. And it can be affective.
Conclusion: don’t use a trash can lid to shield yourself against shotgun fire.
I recommend a 33 gallon yard waste bag for full body protection.
Fuck, need to rethink My kit.
You’re a national treasure. Thank you for the education and entertainment!
I do love stories with happy endings.
Loved the way you created a new colander out of that lid for Italian nights! 😮
....there is a reference in one of Peter Capstick's books about African hunting...where he tells of being surprised by a lioness while out bird hunting. He didn't have time to switch guns...and so the only thing between her and him was a load of #71/2 shot at "tag you're it" distance. He whacked her smack in the nose as she came for him...(Which probably is the distance across most rooms in anything but the largest house)...and he said her head looked like someone stuck a hand grenade in a strawberry jam jar.
The advantage of birdshot vs buck is it being less likely to ruin your neighbors day.
Yep. About the only reason to recommend birdshot is for scenarios like apartment living.
An less sheetrock to repair
If you live in an apartment complex you may have to forego the added power of buckshot and stick with birdshot whether you want to or not. The last thing you want is to add collateral damage to the list of reasons why it was a really bad day for you.
@@craigerickson6308 eh, I never liked my neighbor anyway…
(Yes, I’m kidding. I agree with the poster.)
Stop the threat. I’m stacking the odds in my favor.
You mentioned something so many people ignore. Just because something doesn't have a lot of "stopping power" does not mean it won't make someone stop what they are doing and run. A face or chest full of #7 shot is going to take the fight out of anyone and make them reevaluate whatever they were doing that got them shot.
Exactly, and if an aggressor can take a face full of birdshot and still keep coming? Maybe he does need my stuff more then i do lol
Paul Harrell, did a similar vid years ago. using walls of sheetrock spaced to show how far different loads penetrated through walls, using mostly a 12 gauge, loaded with #9 through #8, #6 bird shot. He also set up a meat target, using ribs, over a a heart etc dressed in a shirt wearing a hoodie at reasonable ranges of home defense think it was around 10 yards
The "You be the judge" statements sprinkled throughout reminded me of him. RIP, Paul.
Glad others remember that series of vids he did on bird shot. I thought Harrell's vids were pretty convincing that bird shot is not completely ineffective like urban legend would have you believe.
That series convinced me birdshot will do more than enough. Go for the groin the arteries are less protected from other tissue.
Oh I remember that video!
But that only works in American cardboard houses
You guys are the GOAT! Been here from the very beginning. Keep pumping out content!
With a full choke, birdshot is deadly at indoor close range and will not over penetrate your walls. #4 buckshot is a step up to increase a longer effective indoor range and generally doesn't over penetrate. If I lived in an apartment complex, I'd be very aware of my background surroundings and probably use 6 or 7 Birdshot for the safety of others. In a house, it depends on your surroundings. I like 2 3/4 12ga #4 buck with an IM choke for inside the home defense.
I gotta believe that 1 1/4-ounce number 4 anywhere in the vicinity of the chin area at standard home hallway distance is going to take away an opponents will to continue fighting.
Garand thumb did a video on this with ballistic torsos, even at 30 yds facial shots caused complete and total blindness ( in other words the eye sockets were completely destroyed) and destroyed the nasal passages.
Yes birdshot is absolutely positively effective effective for home defense
I was very glad that you mentioned the part about what your walls are made of it sure does make a big difference when it comes to choosing the shot for your shotgun for home protection.
The longest shot in my house is 7 yards. Plenty of walls. I need something that hits hard enough but does not over penetrate. I am perfectly comfortable with my choice of birdshot.
A Vietnam vet told me of this experience when we were debating bird shit vs 00.
On patrol an enemy combatant came out of the brush full speed with a machete. The vet had a 410 fitted with a pistol grip in a hip holster. His father, a WW II vet, had carried that same gun on Okinawa and had sent it to his son.
He had a load of bird shot in the single barrel 410 which he fired and knocked the enemy flat. His explanation, bird shot stayed in the body, didn't go through. All that energy stayed. He won the debate.
Lmao fuck that rather have the 00 but 3" 4 buck is ideal to me like 42 pellet
vet? you mean rpist?
On the RUclips channel "Chuke's Outdoor Adventures," I saw a video from a couple of weeks ago where Chuke mentioned someone out bird hunting in the Alaskan bush with a .410, within the last month (December of 2024 now) who got charged by a grizzly bear. The hunter didn't have a handgun with him ... and as the bear charged him, he shot it in the head with his .410 and birdshot. Two pellets from the load went up the nasal cavities and exited ... into the brain. Grizz dropped dead right there. I don't know how close the hunter was from the bear (5 yards comes to mind), but the bear died instantly ... no word on whether or not the hunter had to change his pants ... but it (shooting a charging bear with a .410) is not something I would CHOOSE to do.
@@erikwaters4672I hope he changed his pants AND his underwear too! That would be gross and disgusting if he didn't 😂
I was 14 home alone. Bird shot out of a .410 pealed the skin back of the face the guy that came threw the window.
He left the way he came in.
Never heard what became of him. Sheriff asked if I reloaded before he left to look for the guy. Tha was a much more logical time 30++ years ago in CA.
I was 12 years old when my parents taught me Gun Safety and gave me the keys to the gun locker. Being the oldest, I was told to defend my mother and siblings if anything were to happen or an intruder broke in.
Hey John, would you be willing to let me interview you about this story? I will compensate you for your time.
My brother did patterning and penetration on ply wood at 70 yards on 3/8 ply wood with his 10 ga. when working up loads for geese. You'd might be surprised how many pellets went through the plywood. I know that was a 10ga, but remember it 70 yrds.
I wouldn't want to get hit by it
My neighbor growing up was a huge gun aficionado and slept with a sawn off 12ga double barrel greener loaded on both sides with 00 buck under his pillow.
I like that guy already! 😊
One thing’s for sure with birdshot: The collateral damage out beyond the maximum distance is going to probably becmuch less. Ya never know though, we are responsible for every pellet or bullet. Birdshot is far less likely to inflict fatalities at 70-80 yards than a #4 shot pellet. My little daughter got hit by a single pellet in the temple as we just arrived home from a long trip, and the door to our station wagon was opened on her side of the car. It was a birdshot but I forget what size but the distance was 30 yards, fired by a neighbor who was shooting at a charging enraged big German shepherd. His shot killed the dog but that stray pellet almost killed my daughter. You can’t imagine my feelings as we picked her up crying and bleeding at the temple and rushing her to ER 5 miles away. Fortunately the pellet stopped by the skull bone, thin as it was at that spot. She told me when I picked her up right after it happened, even though she was crying, “Daddy an angel just saved me!” Next day a policeman came to see us and tried his best to get me to swear out charges against the neighbor from up the street, who came to the rescue of our immediate next door neighbor who’s German shepherd was going berserk after killing another neighbor’s lapdog that had wandered into their yard. I told this not informed closed-minded but otherwise good cop that no way was I filing charges against this good man who tried to stop an enraged monster dog. That cop didn’t like it that I refused to go along with him because he obviously wanted to arrest and cuff the man. I said NO. OUR DAUGHTER IS SAVED BY GOD AND HE DID NOT SHOOT AT MY DAUGHTER, HE WAS SHOOTING IN SELF DEFENSE AT A CHARGING ENRAGED DOG AT POINT BLANK RANGE.
God bless you.
God is merciful, and so are you. 👍✝️
Interesting that you would have to press charges against someone for a felony. Here in CA, there is no need for a person to “press charges”.
IMO you did right by your neighbor and your conscience. God bless you and I’m grateful your sweetheart is safe and home with you. 🙏🏻
@@BeadsbyNicoleuh, we understand sir. We expected no more.
@@BeadsbyNicoleThere has to be a victim, for there to be a crime!
Larger bird shot at 20' does not spread all that much. How long a shot are you going inside your home? I guarantee it will do the job. The main advantage is you don't have to worry so much about over penetration.
If you're worried about too much spread, put a choke on the shotgun depending on what distances you're going to need it for. That's what chokes are for.
just had a mild argument on another video with a guy scoffing at birdshot basically calling it less lethal. #6 birdshot @ 10ft or less is utterly devastating.
Exactly! Read my post below.
This is true but it would be less than ideal to have to be 10ft away from an individual for it to be an effective stopping force.
@@js33456 85% of ALL defense shootings occur at 21 feet (7 yds) or less, and the average in-home defense shootings occur in the 10-15 foot range or less. Again, "stopping" an intruder does not always require one to kill with over penetrating projectiles. Especially with shotguns that create multiple hits causing massive wounds that cause severe trauma to the nervous system and often cause substantial shock to the body with often pain induced coma.
@@js33456I agree. If anything move up to lead BB shot. Penetration is much better.
Close enough any shell will work
I've got between 15-20 yards from me to a potential bad guy in my house. Id be willing to take my chances even w #8 bird shot. But you're right...the closer you are, the more that swarm of bird shot acts more like a slug.
Sea shell?
@@seeharvester By the sea shore.
4 shot for me, 3 inch turkey load don't play at that range
Double Aught Buckshot.
For when life presents an issue that just has to be remedied
I was sure that I saw a hostile
2 liter cold drink bottle waiting
for an opportunity to do mischief. Always important
to call for backup when violent
sweetened carbonated drinks
are possibly in the area
My Grandpa always kept his pump loaded with birdshot or rock salt and bacon rind for the first round and then double-ought for the rest, he always said they get 1 warning, he never had any problems at the farm growing up. Good video, I pity the fool trying to sneak onto your land with malice in his heart, hickok45.
😂 My grandpa was the same. Back then shot shells were wax coated cardboard. He would unfold the crimp, empty out the lead shot and fill with rock salt. Damn sure no one wanted to get hit with that 😢
that's what I do
@@SlickCat Back when i was a kid a guy down the road used that for kids taking water melons from the farm . .
@@larrymills8527 my butt got peppered with rock salt one time! Never again! You can't pick that stuff out, it burns like fire for a very long time!
I get the salt, but what was the function of the bacon rind?
Cut shells work well
How about #4 bucksot……
That’s what I’m running.
That's one of MY preferences.
Same here, i also have some old but well kept 3" lead BB 2 ouncers running in some things. I believe they were goose loads from the days of Yor.
I like 00 buckshot 9 pellet shells better. I'd prefer them over a 9mm handgun. I read that one 00 buckshot 9 pellet is like shooting nine 9mm bullets at the same time
I have 000 buck 2 3/4 shells
12 pellet #00
I still listen your nice video from Berthierville Canada thank you hickok 45❤
I swear these videos never get old, every video is awesome
You’re the best, Big Guy !!! Watching you for over 10 years 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Never point a gun at something you don't wish to destroy. Always be sure of your target and what's behind it. These 2 commandments are impossible to obey in an apartment building, but birdshot will mitigate the danger to innocents if you ever fire a weapon therein.
#4 turkey shot is my choice.....Thank You Hickok 45, and John!!!!
>Birdshot ❌
>Custom shell packed with screws and other random trash ✅✅✅
You need a Junk Jet from the game Fallout...
Or as Dave Chappelle loads his 12 gauge: birdshot, buckshot, birdshot, buckshot, buckshot, buckshot.
The judge ain't gonna like that.
Thx for mentioning the “wad”, I was a bit confused on the single large hole
Within 15 yards, birdshot is brutal. If your "home defense" means 40yd shots, then wowza, you rich! If so, then AR all the way. Or 9mm or 45 carbines are good for that stuff for
Very true!, seen a wound from 6 bird shot from 12in barrel 10 to 12 feet right through an interior door and still very tight 2in hole in upper thigh and broke the bone while exit wound was 4x6in chunk,,, very effective
Inside the normal size house birdshot will work just fine. Shots will rarely ever be more than 10 yards and likely half that. Once you step outside and range increases you need something a bit larger. This is why I load my defensive shotgun with #4 Buckshot as a compromise.
Thanks for mentioning the #4. I was wondering what #3 or #4 would do. Birdshot will certainly get your attention.
My choice for in home was either # 2 or 4 birdshot. At 5 yards it will get the job done. Anything that penetetrates the torso of 3 inches or over is fatal.
Yup, at the distances common inside a home the shot column from even a cylinder bore has so little time to spread out that the impact is devastating. A place I once lived I kept my Mossberg 500 loaded with #4 Buck Shot. Why was because I wanted to reduce the potential of going through walls. Perhaps in that location birdshot would have been better but happily I never had to find out. Then again, when I lived in bear country the shotgun had 00 Buck and slugs, every other shell. That bear gun tho was a Mossberg 590A1. I still own both.
"Birdshot,buckshot,birdshot then buckshot buckshot buckshot."- Dave Chapelle
Thanks Hickock we now know how you fund your project: Your scrap metal business has lots of lead mixed in with the tin and steel.
All I have in my KSG is some leftover target load, and I kind of assumed any type of ammo at 10-20ft was going to do enough damage to deal with a home intruder if one decided to choose my house. Good to see that is the case. I live in a condo anyway, so buckshot would give me concerns about over-penetration.
What size of bird shot? I don't imagine anyone but a highly motivated and determined attacker is going to ignore a face full of #2 or BB in the face within 25 yards.
25yrds?? Is your house a mansion? At inside the house range 5-7 yrds they won't have a face .
@j.robertsergertson4513 The longest shot I would have inside my house is 18 yards. I would like to see a demonstration with some larger bird shot.
@@seanomeirs8362longest shot in ur house doesnt mean the longest distance ur house have, during an invasion u wont stand in the middle of open space in side ur house u will stand besides a cover not an open space in ur kitchen targetting the suspect at the living room
@@MonicaHolly143chill bruh, it’s a hickock video
YES, “Birdshot” in #2 and BB shot sizes with a cylinder or improved cylinder choke.
Great subject. I've been keeping #4 or #6 in my Maverick 88.
Birdshot is definetily better than nothing, wouldn't really want to meet neither head on. But when it comes down getting any gun out it's holster, you've already made the decision that the guy or gal you're defending yourself against is not walking away alive from the fight.
I've had a police officer tell our group during shooting practice that when you're defending yourself, your firearm should of course be the last thing you use. But when you do, you always want to go for the kill, because god forbid the person you're defending yourself against survives with some sort injury / paralysis, takes you to court and YOU end up having to pay HIM for the rest of his life for the disability you've caused him. It's harsh, but it's the truth, which is why I'd take buckshot for defense any day, every day.
👍👍💪💪
Excellent demonstration.
We hear about how poorly birdshot would do on an intruder. The problem is every single test I have seen done has been with loads for small birds. Such as #9, #7, #6 etcetera. I have never seen testing done with goose loads with larger pellet sizes. The two buckshot loads we always hear about are 00 and #4 buck, but size F birdshot is almost the same size as the #4 buck. The F shot is .22 cal and the #4 is .24 cal. I would be great to see how some of the larger bird shot works on gelatin blocks, and on walls.
Maybe there is a size of goose loads that would be better for apartments or densely populated city homes
Watch Gunblast video ""Shotgun Ammo for Home Defense" its very convincing and he even took the small no8.
cannot think of a better man to review any gun ever
He’ll yes close range or even moderate range birdshot preferably duck loads #6 high brass inside a home will hit like a slug from inside to backyard fence may allow it spread even to remove an attackers stomach from ever being useful in processing the targets meals that’s only if they survive the initial shot full of # 6 duck or Turkey load. The spread insures a hit whereas shooting with a slug or even 00 might miss entirely at close range if off by an inch or so will the slug or Double Aught
I load two bird shot folled by the third shot as 00 Buck. I know what the various shot does, being an advanced trauma paramedic trained as a SWAT medic. I used to hunt with a 20 gauge double barrel for small game. Nothing got away. And everything was cleaned, cooked, and eaten.
Love ya, hickok! Happy Halloween!!!
The smallest shot size I would ever use inside my home is Lead #BB shot. I’ve done extensive testing and the #BB size shot gets an average of 6-12 inches in ballistics gelatin. That’s pushing it IMO for an intruder who’s probably looking to end your life inside your home. Great video Hickok 😊
Watch Gunblast video ""Shotgun Ammo for Home Defense" its very convincing and he even took the small no8.
Is the wad more deadly than the birdshot?
For paper, yes it is!
Great video, as usual. Would be neat to see what happens after hitting a target like the jug or the trash can, with a piece of standard drywall behind it. My concern with all rounds for home defense is how many walls they are going to go through.
As someone who prefers 00, 9 pellet, it's worth noting not all birdshot is created equal. Everyone seems to demonstrate with #7 1/2 or #8 shot. It's a little hard to find factory shells due to water foul hunting requiring steel, but I have a supply of #2 lead shot I used to load for 2 and 3 gun competition, and shooting bowling pins. Big difference, without going all the way to buckshot sizes. Choices are good. 12 gage offers lots of choices. Life is good.
I agree. Anything larger then #4 lead or #2 steel should do everything you need to in a close range situation and not have a lot of excess penetration.
Probably the best weapon for thin walled construction in apartments.
There's also a big difference with shot weight and powder loads. There are devastating #5 high velocity hunting loads with 34 or 36 grams of shot. They are very different from bog standard 28 grams #7.5
The old Remington lead "Nitro Mag" #2 shot 2 3/4" mags were awesome for ducks. I always thought they would make an excellent self defense round. Fast and hard hitting . Buffered shot for a nice round pattern
These tests kinda only make sense for 7-1/2 or 8, since those are commonly used on clay targets. If you keep 6 shot, you probably have bigger stuff around.
@@nickolasthefrog if you live in an apartment and want something that is effective from 10 feet away and won’t go through two walls separated by 6 feet (hallway), then you really want something like #2 or #4 “bird shot”.
When people test 7.5 at 20+ feet and say that it only makes a 2” wood cavity, they are doing a disservice to their viewers.
For “the fence” !!! Glad I’m in your family 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Nice shotgun. I like the Fed 00 Flight Control.
Very tight patterns with them. One hole for me at my home interior's max defensive range.
I have taken a full sized buck at 50yds with that load. Excellent patterns at extended range.
What shotgun is he using for this demonstration? I like the way it looks
@@RockStorePhotos ~ Way too tight of a pattern, but rather instead also take a look at “Birdshot” in #2 and BB shot sizes with a cylinder or improved cylinder choke.
@@chubbypuff6644 I would also like to know that?
Work in a level one trauma hospital’s OR. Had a guy who was shot unintentionally by a ‘friend’ from behind with bird shot at five feet while hunting. His right hip joint including the femoral head was completely pulverized as shown on X-ray. Nothing definable left from the impact.
Yep, the first two rounds in my Beretta 1301 are Winchester defender #2 copper plated BB shot. Then OO buck, then slug! Fisrst 2 shots wont over penetrate but make em reconsider. If they choose poorly, I'll have a lot of mopping to do.
The racking should make them reconsider. Unless they're high.
@@MsBleau No racking with the 1301...but i do have a Winchester 1300 defender as backup!
I was just debating this with a friend while we were out shooting. Short distance anything will work, but 00 has the tendency to over penetrate. Know what’s behind your target. #4 in this household, but make sure you hit your primary target.
When I had the kids living with me (they're all grown up now) I used bird-shot in the shotgun.
A lot of the misunderstanding comes from a video that was circulating on the internet a few years ago, pertaining to a school shooting and a girl getting shot "up close" with bird-shot. That one video is what makes people think there's no damage up close with bird shot. Yet, there's also no sign of recoil on the shooter... I can only assume it was a squib.
At distances inside a home, birdshot IS effective! I'm not going to say that it's "ideal," but it's still damned deadly!
A shotgun is one of, if not arguably the MOST versatile of firearms!
They key though, is understanding the appropriate combinations of distance, load, choke and intended target.
When I'm being told what I fool I am to think bird-shot could be effective for home defense, I usually keep my mouth shut and let the "expert" ramble on... then, I mentally call-up my decades of first-hand experience with bird-shot, skeet loads, buck shot, rifled and un-rifled slugs, chokes and barrels, geese, turkey, grouse, squirrels, deer, trap, skeet, and even a little 3-gun.... and I just grin...
What does bird shot even mean when people say it? Is it 28 grams of #8 or is it 36 grams of #5 with a high velocity powder load? There's a huge difference.
I have been shot with #8 at 60 yards. I'm glad I wasn't any closer and that there was foliage between my position and the shooter.
At 20 yards or less, I don't think I would be here.
@@maximilianmustermann5763 That's part of the point. To universally dismiss "bird shot" as a viable defense load is simply a regurgitation of some keyboard expert.
It's like finding the "perfect" defense gun (for all defense environments).
No such thing.
I used turkey shot in a 20gauge A5 full choke back in my apartment days.
Someone I knew years back got shot accidentally !! point blank with a 20 inch barrel 12 gauge birdshot in the stomach and it blew a big hole but did not go very deep . He was a chubby guy but not real fat. He passed out from the shot seconds later and was hospitalized with what the doctor said was 5% chance of survival. He survived ! Had it been buckshot or heaven forbid a slug , he definitely would have not made it.
Bet he shits in a bag now ,huh
I was in Utah back in 73'. One feller jumped out of the truck with a 12 gauge bird shot and blew his leg off damn near the doctors had to amputate from the knee down. Don't underestimate 7 1/2 bird shot close up..
Awesome shotgun you have. Beretta makes the best (in my opinion) semiautomatic hunting/sporting shotguns that are traditional non magazine feed systems. Beretta shotguns👍! Thanks for the video.
When concerning shotguns, I always defer to anything Clint Smith has said on the subject.
37 years of law enforcement for me means 00 buckshot in my defense shotguns but in the Remington TAC 14 shorty No4 Buck little less recoil. Want to stop a fight right now 00 buck does just that from my experiences.
And you have the Cop card liability coverage ,when it over penetrates and kills the neighbors ,we peasant don't have that ! We go to jail for manslaughter.
Back bedroom only accessible by a 12 foot hallway. The 12 gauge pump is loaded with 3 7.5 rounds out first and the rest are slugs for a finish. The bird shot probably won't kill someone, but they will spend some time in the ER getting it picked out.
Bird shot is for when you live in the city and wanting your projectiles to have less ability to penetrate through walls whereby injuring or killing those who live next to, above, or below you
There's so many types of birdshot. It's not only about the shot size, but also shot weight and powder load. I have some Rottweil high velocity crow loads that are 34 grams of #5 bird shot and they kick like a mule. They almost got me kicked off an indoor range once because they sparked so much on steel plates at 15 yards that they wouldn't believe me it was lead shot until they put a magnet to the rounds.
If you're going to need to use it at medium to long range, stick with buckshot. In most homes, unless you live in an airplane hanger, heavier birdshot will DO THE JOB.
Once put a fist sized hole in an old refridgerator with #7 1/2 bird shot. I don't want to get hit with it.
Add to that, if you have close neighbors, it'll save you a some worries about liability.
I haven't watched your channel since before the pandemic. I'm glad the presentation is still pretty much the same.
Birdshot cut shells can be quite effective inside 15/20 yrds .😎👍
But they work only for single and double barreled shot guns.
This man should narate kid books. His voice is so great and fatherly.
He is a retired teacher. Would have loved to be in his classroom. Would have hated being in trouble in it though...
No one has talked about 3 1/2 inch turkey magnum # 4’s at defense ranges! Brutal.
I was just about to say this.
Hell yea this is what I run
@@macmacox they are devastating at close range!
@@crjlife_9082 they do crazy damage at defense range.
That's what I have available.
This feller is too cool!
Being Australian all I have is a hammer, a torch and some sharp things. Seems good to me!
Umarex ‘Hammer’ .50 cal PCP AIR RIFLE built in the USA. It is used for hunting big game.
here to push the channel! 💪🏻
I had a friend that compared a 16G to a "soft air gun". In that case you should never handle any firearm. :)
Great demonstrations video hickok!
2 #7’s followed by 3 #4’s here. I’m not trying to remodel the whole damn house. But I will😅.
We had a big debate about this at my local pawnshop. Everyone tended to agree on bird shot because of dry wall penetration. I'm sticking with buck. I live in old house. No drywall. Stiff wood and bricks. Be aware of who's in rooms and stuff. Main thing hit your target. We overthink things.
What kinda shot gun is that I want one now lol
Looks like a Beretta 1301 Tactical
Beretta 1301 Tactical. Very awesome and worth every penny!
@@USAUSAM82 that’s gonna look into getting one looks like it’s shoots smooth for a shot gun
You can also load your pump shot fun with 1 round of #8 birdshot, 1 round of #6,1 round of #4 etc, or what ever you prefer if that 1st shot doesn't quite do the job.
Yes! If it comes out of a shotgun its good for home defense!
Thanks Hickok, after seeing this I just NEEDED to order some #4 buckshot 😅
Pozdrowienia z Polski uwielbiam pana dużo zdrowia
I like the echo of that shotgun through the hills.Sounds better through my old earphones.Powerful gun.
I prefer 00 Buck.
Thanks for the video and chat 😊😊😊
For those of you that don’t know, the loads he was using are not powerful even for birdshot standards. Load up some six shot high brass, and you’re doing a lot more damage. Either way, at room length ranges, against a home invasion, what he’s using will end the fight.
Back in the early 80s, I read a magazine that took the time to build some walls with 2x4s and sheetrock to make a couple of fake children's bedrooms...
They test fired several shotgun rounds, including #6 and 00 Buck and #4 Buck.
In the end, they demonstrated that #6 was able to take down an assailant, and not blow a hole through your kids in the other room. The tests were done at, I think, 10 feet and 30 feet.
With that in mind, I'm fine with #6 for home defense.
I've had the dubious distinction of being shot with 12 ga. #8 bird shot from a distance of about 60 yards.
Was working at a sporting clays facility. First day on the job and followed a co-worker into a field to work on a machine. Had no idea that he had not shut down the station next to us.
We both got peppered. He was larger than I am, and mostly between the shooter and me.
That was not a good day. At all.
I know what close range birdshot can do to wood, metal signs, and animals.
It will be a huge mistake to underestimate the potential for destruction it can cause within the length of a typical room.