Revisiting from years ago. This is one of my favorite videos Paul ever did. It dispelled so much just bad information that was being shared amongst people because they heard it from someone else from someone else etc. Going to miss him. One of the best.
So many youtube channels do videos trying to be all tacticool and doing military style shooting scenarios. It's nice to see videos covering realistic practical gun related info for once.
@870 express That's why Paul in many videos clearly states that there is no single gun or ammo that is perfect for everyone all the time, it's all dependant on environment and the home you live in, who lives with you, etc. I've always found this common sense but still. As far as the dude holding your wife/daughter/son/uncle/cousin/grandpa, if you really don't give a shit about overpenetration and there is little chance for someone innocent getting shot, a slug round through the dudes skull still makes for a viable option. And that's if they don't just move away till they reach the door, shove them towards you, then book it.
@ShotgunShell Kinda sounds like you didn't bother to actually watch his video. He spends the first 5 minutes with a disclaimer (and has repeated in numerous other videos) that a shotgun could be a good home defense weapon when nothing else is available (gun laws change from state to state, or country) - he literally says "it's better than nothing" - in fact, he's got a video where he physically compares hitting a target with his hand with shooting it with a shotgun.
@ScoutSniper I drywalled for 25 years. Sheetrock is the same as drywall. Mud and tape are put over sheetrock to seal it and to make it smooth. Sheetrock, that has been tapped and mudded,is drywall.
TAOFLEDERMAUS yeah, he seems to do a great job. Always a comprehensive explanation and demonstration. I think he's one of the best channels, it may not have all the tacticool stuff, but that shit doesn't really matter.
As a kid, hunting rabbits, I was attacked by a large feral dog. A 12 ga. load of low brass 6's at 15 feet put a considerable hole in it's chest, punching through the shoulder blade. DOA. Profound. Thanks Mr. Harrell.
@@ergosum5260 You're not wrong, especially with those nasty 3" turkey loads. I wouldn't trust anything smaller than no. 4 birdshot though. I want to make sure the target has no chance of surviving to at least lower the risk of major legal repercussion.
As with sword wounds, what may drop one person dead on the spot may not do it to somebody else. A head shot with a shotgun would be pretty much guaranteed to end it, but I agree, a load of birdshot, especially #6 or heavier, would almost certainly do the trick.
@@gregorysvitavsky6505 Where do people get this stuff? What you've got, assuming the patient is alive and you are yourself a patient surgeon is a hell of a lot of shot to pull out, if you can find it all.
By far and away you have demonstrated the effects of birdshot better than any video I have seen in the last four years. Better than The FireArm Guy, Hickok45 and multiple others. You explained it quite well and made it clear how birdshot works. Thank You Sir.
Yeah I find it super annoying whenever they use birdshot and then they step all the way back to 30 ft.... We know birdshots not going to be effective that far...
@@joshku7488 there’s a video of a college girl who is unaware of a gunman taking birdshot at close range and walking it off . No video of people getting hit with buckshot even taking a step. Hmm you be the judge
@@Dcm193 typical birdshot denier talking point. Go and look up the full story, she ended up in the hospital with serious injuries. Doesn't sound like "walking it off" to me... Also, you don't know how shock works. Also, that shooter's first victim died on the spot. Again, go look up the actual story.
@@joshku7488 again look at the number of pictures of people with birdshot in them still alive . She lived an oblivious 130 lb girl at 8 feet got i hope you never see what people who are strung out can withstand. Just stop being a pussy and use a proper load . I wonder why leo,swat,doorkickers,ballistics experts all say use buckshot but no no no the real experts that are bill and joe old fuck killed them a deer at 80 yards with one pellet of birdshot . Do you conceal carry?
I have seen a lot of articles about this and they didnt do a very good job of it, pretty much all of them used the smallest birdshot they could find like 8 and 8.5 against ballistics gel and concluded that anything less than 00 was unsuitable , this video actually did it right.
This question was answered over 50 yrs ago by the writers of the gun magazines at the time. They all pretty much recommended a shotgun for home defense, with #4 shot if you had family in the home. I was shocked a few years ago to learn the internet warriors doubted it.
I have a friend who is a retired Marine combat instructor said when they worried about over penetration in their 12ga they loaded #7 birdshot. Thanks for confirming his advice! 👍
Thank you for this. Thank you for the time, energy and resources you've put into it. I have kids. 3 bedrooms 00 buck loaded Since your video I'm going with #8 EYE OPENING!!! Thank you Can't say it enough.... Thank you
Most realistic comment to think about. I saw a real life tv episode where a guy misfired his .270 hunting rifle in his house. It went through his wall, his exterior house walls into the neighbors house and killed a woman that lived there.
#4 buckshot would be a good option. Each pellet has enough mass to penetrate fairly well but is less likely to overpenetrate. You do want enough penetration to hit vital organs.
@@mojomanmurph1925 A friend of mine who comes over to hunt on my property uses a 30-06. I use either a 12 gauge slug or AR15. He always takes the sector in the exact opposite direction of the house. Slugs do have good penetration and the .223 is no slouch, but 30-06 (or any medium bore rifle) can go through a hell of lot more. I had one dude come up to the house and ask for permission to hunt on the mountain. I told him it was fine, but not to use anything bigger than a 30-30, and that shotguns would be a better option. I also said nothing illegal (baiting, which has recently been allowed on private property; it wasn't when he asked, though). He never came back. I wonder what he thought he was going to do before I vetoed it.
I would bet a lot of money that the velocity difference between Any size birdshoot compared with 00 Buck is irrelevant at the distances that are realistic indoors (home defence). This of course asuming same power level, hull size and shot weight. It is the same weight of lead that hits at the same velocity. Only difference is that the smaller pellets will slow down faster due to carrying less energy= Less penetration= safer for family and bystanders.
"One way to see the results is to take a large sized animal, like a deer, get it to smoke meth, then take it outside and shoot it." ::-- Contender for best Paul Harrell line ever. 😁
Howdy Paul, I'm not one to comment on YT videos, but I am compelled to say, thank you for the superb quality of your videos. I greatly appreciate the time and thought that is put into each one of these videos. I have kids at home and the problem of over penetration is big on my mind. You are by far and away one of the most thorough and comprehensive educators on all of RUclips, not just the gun channels. I thank you again sir for this demonstration of the effectiveness of birdshot.
I was just reading a argument on a gun forum where the post was saying birdshot was good for home defense and needless to say it was a s*** show of comments arguing about it I told them to check out this video I think it’s a very realistic demonstration thanks for making such a great video on the subject
I think that Paul was pretty clear on this subject. I've been trying to decide what to use, at home. I have #8 birdshot. One of my experienced friends made a pretty funny comment when we were talking about this. He just said, "nobody wants to get shot." I, of course, want to be the last house that an intruder invades. Everyone tells me, including Paul, that #8 isn't very good for home defense, but I don't consider it useless. It appears to be good enough to potentially end an intruder, but it isn't a sure thing. If I blast an intruder with #8 birdshot, and they die, I can probably use the defense that I wasn't trying to kill them because I used #8. I figure that it could be a pretty convincing argument. Remember, everything depends on shot placement. In a typical hallway, shot placement becomes a whole lot easier.
@@trentwinston2914 I'm not a lawyer but i wouldn't recommend saying that. If the goal was to deter there are a number of "non lethal" shells available, rubber buck, bird, bean bag, rock salt rounds.
@@trentwinston2914 if you are ever in a shooting, strike the word "kill" from your vocabulary entirely - except in the sentence "I thought he was gonna kill ME". You shot to stop the threat and don't even discuss your ammo or gun selection with the cops.
@@trentwinston2914 I think thats a mistake. What i've read from people taking CCW classes, if you shoot someone it needs to be because of a justifiable fear for your life or the life of people with you. Shooting to wound is used in court to make the CCW holder out to not be in fear for his life because he had the time to go for something other than a center of mass shot. I'm worried they'd to that to you if you used it in court. Shoot till they quit moving, tell the cops you don't know how many shots you fired you just kept shooting till the threat stopped and you were no longer scared. Only safe thing to say other than I want my lawyer.
Yeah, at close range against a soft target it will do as good as anything; which is arguably the most relevant scenario for home defence. But it would have been interesting to see how the bird shot would hold up at longer ranges. If you have a 50m driveway where you expect to be having regular shootouts, id imagine the buckshot might be a meaningful upgrade.
@Gappie Al Kebabiis that all you got you, keyboard cowboy. I know now who will not be surviving very long.. After a guy broke into both of my cars and almost got in my house and yes he robbed 2 7/11 before he got to my house. I would have Double tapped his stupid ass and both of his friends that were with him. But hey your a keyboard cowboy you know all and can do all right. Your nothing but a joke
Paul thanks for the video and to piggyback onto your information as a former homicide investigator I can tell you birdshot does a wonderful job in home protection
Paul, this is the video that convinced me to subscribe. This is about as close to a real world test that an average person can do. Your audience is fortunate that you take the time, effort and expense to do tests like this. Thank you. As always, I didn't have to try this at home because you are what we call a professional.
This debate has been going on for years. I recently read an article by a man who said 4 buckshot was not good for defense. This video shows pretty much anything coming out of a 12 gauge at a short distance will offer protection, especially if you have the opportunity to fire more than one shot.
I'm still laughing about the meth smokin' deer. Meth seems to be a fairly popular drug in my geographical area based on the frequency of trailer explosions. We also have a lot of deer...
He’s right. People always underestimate the power of firearms. I had a reasonably intelligent buddy claim a .22 LR would not penetrate a phone book. I showed him it would easily go through three. Beyond scientific, or pseudoscientific, penetration tests, let’s consider reality. You’re a home invader and a homeowner draws down on you with a 12 Gauge. Are you gonna tell the difference between #8 shot and 00 buck as it flies into your face? No, you are not. Definitively, yes, birdshot, in any loading, is effective as a home defense weapon.
@@luisjorgeruizreyes1897 Rambos will argue they won't so just keep pumping slugs through them and clear into your neighbor's house 3 streets over. You're right though. The vast majority of burglaries are crimes of opportunity. Bird shot is not the path of least resistance and they'll get your message. Anything beyond crime of opportunity...obviously subject to argument and opinion. The constant pros/cons running the gamut from "slugs or GTFO" to "bird shot at home defense range will still stop brain function."
@D Brown, we had a .22 when I was a kid. I handled it correctly, as one does, but thought of it as little more than a toy - little noise, no recoil, adorable tiny little bullets. Then we went to a friend's farm to help him slaughter and butcher a steer. I believe it weighed 2200 lbs, and a single 22LR between the eyes, it dropped to its knees and fell over dead. Changed my perception in a hurry.
Solo Burglar: Don't break into his house Burglar Duo: Don't break into his house Burglar Trio: Ditto Half a Dozen Burglars: Is better not to find out Dozen Burglars: TBA
tha josh I(unfortunately)Live in California,and I mean firearms wise,9mm was gone but all other kinds of handgun ammo was available,still plenty of 5.55/223/7.62x39.Shotgun ammo was low as in buckshot.By local ammo store(does not sell firearms)Only really sells(00-Buck,number-1,number-4,and obviously Foster Slugs.But you could still get it,(No Price Gouging)But they were limiting amount as in how many boxes.I only really needed number-4,bought 50 rounds,and the maximum they would sell 00,200-rounds,but even retail stores like Dicks were in general not in short supply.
Birdshot is better than nothing. I have the same problem. But it’s not something someone will shrug off. If someone is threatening you. A close range shot will definitely stun them if not seriously hurt them
Walmart was sold out of everything a week ago. I went in last night and they had a ton of birdshot. I bought 4 boxes, cause id rather have more of something than nothing like someone else said.
Excellent presentation: simple, but not patronising; entertaining, but not silly; and most important of all, you asked good questions and gave a definitive answer to each - unlike others, who leave it to us to decide. Not much wrong with that, my friend. I'll keep an eye out for more of your stuff.
One reason to choose birdshot is that during a state of emergency or like the current pandemic, you cannot find buckshot. The Stones sang “You can’t always get what you want...”
I've been able to find Aguilla mini shells with buckshot pretty reliably during pandemic. My Shockwave with the mini shell adapter is not my primary HD gun, but it's nice to know I have 9 shells of buck in the tube in case I need it.
As a big proponent of number 4 bird shot for home defense (to reduce over-penetration out into the neighborhood), I've gotten into scores of arguments over whether it's even a viable option. Guess this video is just gonna have to get a few more views to get the point across ^^ Thanks for the demo!
Tell me about it! I've had some people say you need something like an AK47 or some sort of extremely high capacity rifle/pistol hybrid to do the job effectively. Ya, maybe if you are involved in some huge multi attacker situation in which several people are breaking into your home we with multiple Mac 10's, Uzi's etc. Lol! But in the typical break in, a shotgun and maybe a handgun should work just fine. Oh, I forgot, you'll need all that extreme extra firepower if the zombie's come attacking at the same time too. Lol! You have a good day, take care. ☺
newhuskytwenty What you said could very well happen. Id hate to see that kind of stuff, but you're correct. It's getting to the point too, that many governments won't allow you to protect yourself and family; and that's a shame. I was definitely teasing about the zombie stuff...I'm more worried about the hordes of people during an aftermath, like you. I wish you all the best! Take care. 😀 The Rev.
Yeah sorry but if you are getting attacked in your home by more than 3 people with automatic weapons that is a shit show that you are probably not getting out of. From what I have read of police reports, most break ins involve these scenarios: 1 robber with maybe a pistol and something to break in with (crowbar/hammer) maybe a knife instead of a gun. 2 robbers with the previous weapons. 2 one or both with shotguns. 3 with any of the previous but the third is in the vehicle or stayed outside to keep watch. Hardly any involved automatics (or even rifles of any kind) unless it was the homeowner with the automatic.
I did my own similar test (ribs, with boneless loin behind) and found that 20ga turkey loads were about perfect in regards to target penetration without going too deep into the rest of the house. that makes it easier, since my wife is more comfortable with her 20.
Don Hoggard there have been quite a few studies in the use of "dead" tissue or meat for ballistic study, all pretty much confirmed it's pretty useless. Going way back the military determined the same thing in testing with cadavers. Dead flesh acts nothing like living tissue as it lacks the elasticity, fluid content, etc., etc.... Ballistic gelatin has so far been the only means to closely mimic shooting living tissue and only true 10% FBI gel and not the "cool looking" clear gel. Sadly after this same discussion with an immoral, POS I am acquainted with, he tried proving us wrong by shooting one of his hogs with birdshot. It didn't work! The animal only suffered in agony after TWO shots, until fully dispatched with a suitable caliber. I guess to each his own but I will stick with #4 buck at a minimum.
Wait for his supply to run out. Steadily bleed him dry of his life savings with your meth trade. Eventually convince him to steal for you in order to fuel his meth addiction. Increase the severity of petty crimes and boom now you have a meth fueled attack deer.
I'm so glad i found this channel! Great, realistic, scientific tests dealing with subjects I've wondered about for a long time, but didn't have the time or resources to, say, build 3 walls and shoot them with different shotgun loads, haha. My father told me to load my shotgun so it fires 2 bird shot, then 2 buck shot, then 2 slugs for home defense. I think I'll stick with 6 bird shot.
I really cannot express how appreciative I am for these videos. Im looking to buy a gun (i haven’t decided yet what kind) but this giys common sense approach to guns has helped me tremendously. Keep up the good work sir!
Buy a Glock 19 9mm (its proven reliable and inexpensive to shoot). Buy a Mossberg 88 12 ga. (affordable & good for indoor defense) And look to buy an AR-15 (Smith & Wesson makes a good inexpensive one) just in case the Zombie apocalypse or what we just witnessed these past few weeks with all the riots and looting.
Paul, I am not new to researching and writing on these subjects. I am writing a book along these lines. You sir are excellent at teaching this information. I always look forward to your videos. Keep doing what you do so well. We are all better off because of your work. Thank you Mr Herrell. Cheers, Trent Schultz
Fantastic video! I have always used bird shot in my home defense shotgun for these very reasons. Very informative. Can’t wait to show this to my Tacticool friends and family who swear if you’re not using 00 buckshot your wasting your time.
I have always loaded my home defense shotgun in a tiered way. The first two rounds down range are light bird shot. The next two rounds are medium bird shot. The last two rounds are 00buck shot.
40 some years ago when I went through hunters safety in Missoula, Montana, we were shown a picture of a person who took a round in the head while bird hunting. Ummmm....bird shot will stop an intruder.
Hell yes it will. With a cylinder choke your pattern expands at about one inch per yard. So at 5 yard you have a 5 inch lead (or steel) slug. Will damn near cut anything in half.
Friend of mine told me about someone who shot someone that was robbing a store with bird shot . They said and 12 feet it basically made one big jagged hole in there chest size of a fist the person died on the spot from that they said . At defense ranges it will its definitely lethal. Just 1 pellet in the right spot could kill you actually.
Awesome video - I live 8 miles south of Boston & the houses are just a few feet from each other. Out of concern for my aye whole liberal neighbors I use #8 birdshot in a Mossberg 500 for my home protection. This video shows #8 birdshot is fairly effective & safe.
It took 4yrs but after popping up on my Recommended feed today, this video has gotten you a new sub. Thank you for the video. Been wondering this for 13years in the back of my mind.
See, that's my concern. I hate cleaning up after other people and reckon i would hate cleaning up other people period just as much. Thanks for the demo.
Everyone else: "Lolol birdshot won't stop a determined attacker. You better use 000 buck or you're gonna be sleeping with the fishes. Hell, I just use an AR with incendiary rounds." Paul Harrell: *Powerful birdshot makes hearts go splodie-splode.*
There's another way to verify the effectiveness of birdshot in home defense, and that's looking at real world results. There have been some compilations of incident reports that looked at this, and they're especially nice because it adds the element of people being freaked out and perhaps not hitting their target perfectly and the target perhaps not being absolutely dead on, etc. There's little doubt that birdshot (especailly smaller shot) is not AS lethal as buckshot. However - turns out it's a very serious show stopper, even with lighter loads. It does enough damage in most cases with lighter loads that even if it's not lethal, it's debilitating and tends to end the fight with just one shot (provided the range is short, such as in the home). I can't recall a single case where birdshot was used, a hit was scored and the bad guy continued the fight. Not saying its not possible, but there you go. When you start getting up to #4 birdshot it's pretty damn lethal. Of course it does penetrate a little more. So - if over penetration is a big concern you CAN use birdshot and expect to be able to protect your home, provided you've given some thought to the balance between lower penetration and higher lethality that fits your circumstances. But that's the joy of shotguns, you can literally tune your load to be that perfect balance for you.
Foxer604: Your comment shows that you have a huge amount of understanding that, sadly, most people do not have. Just getting shot with a single BB from a 12 ga. in my back during a winter rabbit hunt was debilitating.
I agree with you. Also, in the case, something goes sideways and you have to answer the question of a judge, it sounds more "human" when you used smaller Birdshots . . . .
Well, I went to #4's in a 3" magnum turkey load, but I'm rethinking that now. Have you ever fired a 12 gauge 3" magnum in a small enclosed room like, say, your bedroom? That shit hurts!! I'm gonna have to do some scientific investigations on powder load vs projectile load vs the 'oh, shit, if I pull this trigger it's gonna ruin my chances at fatherhood' factor.
@@leslieb6881 you gotta be kidding right, sarcasm doesn't read sometimes, just making sure...a single BB? That was likely BBB size, but anyways you'll change your mind once someone who is alot tougher than you kills you while your good heart peppered them, that's awful advice for anyone in a home defense situation...please don't listen to that, also it gets into law as well you don't need that IF you live through the encounter.
Alfons you laugh but as a country boy growing up hunting squirrels and rabbits with small shot in shotguns you ran across the occasional BB in your pot pie. Lol That's why now that I'm older and smarter I use a .22 for squirrels.
@@cfltitan We ate our our pheasant/quail the day it was taken, dad would say chew it slowly & carefully in case he missed some shot, said he didn't want to take anyone to the dentist with a broken tooth, I only got one & no damage lol
Thanks for this video, it's very informative! New shotgun owner here and I think I made the right choice of ammo with 12 Gauge 3in #4 1-1/8oz birdshot.
Excellent video. I load #6 shot in a coach gun and figured it would perform. This seems to support what I was thinking. The danger to innocents needs to be part of the calculus which is a point you made well.
Too funny! The only (and hopefully the last time ever) I've ever had to pull a shot gun out was on three meth heads at like 4:30am and it sobered them up immediately! They were going after my wife threatening to hurt her cause she politely asked them to quite down cause people were trying to sleep. Imagine that, people trying to sleep in the dead of night. Lol! My main point is that they didn't care which types of rounds were pointed at their heads, they simply saw a shotgun and hit their knee's saying they were sorry and begged me to spare their lives. So, the shotgun works for great home defense in my opinion. And Paul is correct on this issue. Funny thing I've noticed too, is that a lot of women I've talked to actually prefer a shotgun for home defense too. They say that they feel as though there's less controls to fool with, they don't have to aim as well and feel more confident while using them. This is just what I've heard from a lot of women in my area. Take care guys!
+tim fey yep, the wife will shoot a 12ga but doesn't like a pistol! It's the control of having that third point of contact and the muzzle farther away from them.
+morris4069 Thanks for the comment. My moms like that too. She's more comfortable with a shotgun than anything else. My wife though, will shoot anything except the big 50 Cal rifle. It's all too funny. Take care! ☺
My wife shoots anything, but like all knowledgeable people, she prefers a shotgun for home defense because she wants to see body parts turn into red haze.
Hey Sir , thanks for this great video for newbie shotgunners which are a whole lot different than the Vietnam era M16 I used in BCT. You're the man, Hooah!
Geese are birds. Shot size for geese starts at #4 and goes to T, about 0.20" in diameter. Typical payloads are large, pattern density at in home use would make dreadful wounds as shot string (distance between first and last pellets) is long, making for deeper penetration. Any load from 10 feet is almost certainly lethal.
A good combo, for me, 20 gauge pump (870) with improved choke. Loaded with #6 shot. If the sound of an 870 action being pumped don't encourage said bad guys from leaving post haste, this load/gun combo will.
5 million first time gun owners this year alone. Shotguns are the top seller right now due to price and ease of use and effectiveness. AR 15 up there as well.
My (previously) anti-gun mother in law asked me about gun buying advice about six months ago, and ended up buying a Glock 19 as her first gun last month. She asked me recently what my opinion was on a Colt Delta Elite in 10mm and my eyeballs about popped out of my head and rolled across the dinner table. We spent 10 years very pointedly NOT talking about guns, and now this. Times are changing, I think.
@@mouthboehm Mr. Harrell does very thorough, very knowledgeable presentations, and we can only hope that those rushing into guns and shooting take heed.
Yep! Newbie right here! I bought a Rock Island VR60 two days ago and I don’t know what ammunition to buy. It’s 25 feet from our bedroom door to our front door BUT we have children in bedrooms. I’m worried about over penetrating. What exact bird shot should I buy? I mean, what words and numbers should be on the box? Thank you for your help.
8:58 What he greatly demonstrated here is that bird shot doesnt need to penetrate the ribs. The pellets are so small, that even with just one shot 8 pellets penetrated between the ribs and made it to the heart.
9:36. Heart literally fell out of the sphincter. Full power 12G will teleport the target straight to hell. Great video. All content, with zero filler. A+.
Paul, I appreciate the effort and approach you took to make this video. Solid and useful information for those who want to protect their castles and have the least amount of home repair to do when the threat has been neutralized.
Grandma uses 000 buck shot.. I said "what about the neighbors, grandma?" She said, "Well who the hell do you think I am shootin at?"
Dude you got me rolling in my house in the middle of the night that is funny as hell.
Grandma must have had a steel shoulder replacement to handle that load!
@@bobjones2460 Grandma has a 4.10. Not so hard on the shoulder.
@@timhallas4275 Haha, makes sense. It'll get the job done!
@@bobjones2460 She used to have a 12 gauge. When it got too heavy for her to lift, I gave her my .410. She still shoots 000 buck.
RIP Paul! You're sorely missed.
Any time Paul says "Absolutely" instead of "You be the Judge" you can take it to the bank.
@Dogman tossed my salad Absolutely!
damn straight
Fucking facts
I almost pissed myself laughing at this
...The blood bank
So if you select a bird shot load capable of taking out a turkey in the woods, it can also take out a turkey breaking into your home.
I wouldn't eat the one shot at home....
udmbfck x I wouldn’t either, I don’t like dark meat
LMAO
@@udmbfckx2916 That is called "cannibalism", which is frowned upon in most societies. :-)
DaddyBeanDaddyBean not America elites..
Pizzagate is real.
Revisiting from years ago. This is one of my favorite videos Paul ever did. It dispelled so much just bad information that was being shared amongst people because they heard it from someone else from someone else etc. Going to miss him.
One of the best.
It is amazing how clear and concise you speak. Never a 'uh' or any pause whatsoever in your speech. Very rare in my opinion.
I tangentially owe you thanks for reminding me why I never tried to be in law enforcement, I would buy you 2 beers and God bless 🍺
Happens when you have experience in your craft and know what you're talking about, you can do it too
i guess when youre confident/knowledgeable in what you are saying there is no need for pauses or the like.
That's because he knows exactly everything he is going to say long before he starts talking and yes very rare
So many youtube channels do videos trying to be all tacticool and doing military style shooting scenarios. It's nice to see videos covering realistic practical gun related info for once.
Express sheetrock is drywall.
@870 express That's why Paul in many videos clearly states that there is no single gun or ammo that is perfect for everyone all the time, it's all dependant on environment and the home you live in, who lives with you, etc. I've always found this common sense but still.
As far as the dude holding your wife/daughter/son/uncle/cousin/grandpa, if you really don't give a shit about overpenetration and there is little chance for someone innocent getting shot, a slug round through the dudes skull still makes for a viable option. And that's if they don't just move away till they reach the door, shove them towards you, then book it.
@ShotgunShell He's had a 20-year long career as a marine shooting instructor
@ShotgunShell Kinda sounds like you didn't bother to actually watch his video. He spends the first 5 minutes with a disclaimer (and has repeated in numerous other videos) that a shotgun could be a good home defense weapon when nothing else is available (gun laws change from state to state, or country) - he literally says "it's better than nothing" - in fact, he's got a video where he physically compares hitting a target with his hand with shooting it with a shotgun.
@ScoutSniper I drywalled for 25 years. Sheetrock is the same as drywall. Mud and tape are put over sheetrock to seal it and to make it smooth. Sheetrock, that has been tapped and mudded,is drywall.
You went all out on this one! Very good information
TAOFLEDERMAUS yeah, he seems to do a great job. Always a comprehensive explanation and demonstration. I think he's one of the best channels, it may not have all the tacticool stuff, but that shit doesn't really matter.
TAOFLEDERMAUS z
TAOFLEDERMAUS, surprised no one has donated a cadaver to you guy's yet.
TAOFLEDERMAUS agreed
You guys should do a collaboration
"8 pellets in the heart". I can't imagine it would continue to work normally.
Ulp0
I was gonna give another like but it's now at 88 and I'd hate to ruin it so I'll just put a thumbs-up here (y)
@@famousamos778now's your chance
Sounds like something my grandmother would have said.
"This will simulate that fat layer we all claim we don't have". LMAO!!!
after this video i immediatly watched Fat Sick and nearly Dead (part one)
i cry a single tear every time someone shoots pork ribs instead of barbecuing them
You can eat them afterwards. Don´t be a pussay!
el bandito...smoked 'em
just tell yourself they were expired......
afaik, Paul eats the meat afterwards as long as its not minced
Swine is disgusting anyway,
Help. Need bail money.
Police caught me loading meth into my deer feeder and didnt believe me when I said it was for a Paul Harrell test.
As a kid, hunting rabbits, I was attacked by a large feral dog. A 12 ga. load of low brass 6's at 15 feet put a considerable hole in it's chest, punching through the shoulder blade. DOA. Profound.
Thanks Mr. Harrell.
It's not a deer on meth but it's a better example than most commenters can offer.
I would like to think a home invader taking a load of birdshot at close range would be fairly discouraging.
And then he recovers and sues you...
Dead men tell no tales.
tough to recover from a few pellets to the heart, lungs, or brain
@@ergosum5260 You're not wrong, especially with those nasty 3" turkey loads. I wouldn't trust anything smaller than no. 4 birdshot though. I want to make sure the target has no chance of surviving to at least lower the risk of major legal repercussion.
As with sword wounds, what may drop one person dead on the spot may not do it to somebody else. A head shot with a shotgun would be pretty much guaranteed to end it, but I agree, a load of birdshot, especially #6 or heavier, would almost certainly do the trick.
@@mr.techaky7655 castle doctrine
Having seen the effects of birdshot on a human being at close range I can assure you that the effect is devastating.
Yes, no matter the load, nobody wants to get shot
It's a surgeon worst nightmare. When it enters the skin it bounces around
@@gregorysvitavsky6505 Where do people get this stuff? What you've got, assuming the patient is alive and you are yourself a patient surgeon is a hell of a lot of shot to pull out, if you can find it all.
Homer Simpson
If the gun goes bang and the bullet pokes a hole in the opposition you're on a winner.
@@Fudmottin I'll make sure to use steel bird shot so the patient surgeon can use a metal detector. ;)
By far and away you have demonstrated the effects of birdshot better than any video I have seen in the last four years. Better than The FireArm Guy, Hickok45 and multiple others. You explained it quite well and made it clear how birdshot works. Thank You Sir.
Well, depends on your definition of 'pause' lol Even Paul jokes about his long pauses. He is a great communicator though.
Yeah I find it super annoying whenever they use birdshot and then they step all the way back to 30 ft.... We know birdshots not going to be effective that far...
@@joshku7488 there’s a video of a college girl who is unaware of a gunman taking birdshot at close range and walking it off . No video of people getting hit with buckshot even taking a step. Hmm you be the judge
@@Dcm193 typical birdshot denier talking point. Go and look up the full story, she ended up in the hospital with serious injuries. Doesn't sound like "walking it off" to me... Also, you don't know how shock works. Also, that shooter's first victim died on the spot. Again, go look up the actual story.
@@joshku7488 again look at the number of pictures of people with birdshot in them still alive . She lived an oblivious 130 lb girl at 8 feet got i hope you never see what people who are strung out can withstand. Just stop being a pussy and use a proper load . I wonder why leo,swat,doorkickers,ballistics experts all say use buckshot but no no no the real experts that are bill and joe old fuck killed them a deer at 80 yards with one pellet of birdshot . Do you conceal carry?
as someone who lives in a apartment complex this really was informative. thank you. i would never want to cause excess damage to my neighbors
This video perfectly answered all my questions about bird shot for home defense. Thank you.
This is exactly why I love Paul Harrell.
@@iPsychlops Me too. Simple and understandable explanations from Paul.
I have seen a lot of articles about this and they didnt do a very good job of it, pretty much all of them used the smallest birdshot they could find like 8 and 8.5 against ballistics gel and concluded that anything less than 00 was unsuitable , this video actually did it right.
This question was answered over 50 yrs ago by the writers of the gun magazines at the time.
They all pretty much recommended a shotgun for home defense, with #4 shot if you had family in the home.
I was shocked a few years ago to learn the internet warriors doubted it.
@@lescook9021 #4 birdshot you mean or buckshot?
I love having a firearms question and seeing Paul Harrell covered it years ago.
in a world of youtube nonsense this is a great channel. Thanks.
Little bit of nonsense for levity.
among the very best!
I have a friend who is a retired Marine combat instructor said when they worried about over penetration in their 12ga they loaded #7 birdshot. Thanks for confirming his advice! 👍
Thank you for this.
Thank you for the time, energy and resources you've put into it.
I have kids.
3 bedrooms
00 buck loaded
Since your video
I'm going with #8
EYE OPENING!!!
Thank you
Can't say it enough....
Thank you
Agree. Though I have #6 birdshot. Once you see that drywall penetration it sobers you right up.
Most realistic comment to think about. I saw a real life tv episode where a guy misfired his .270 hunting rifle in his house. It went through his wall, his exterior house walls into the neighbors house and killed a woman that lived there.
#4 buckshot would be a good option. Each pellet has enough mass to penetrate fairly well but is less likely to overpenetrate. You do want enough penetration to hit vital organs.
@@mojomanmurph1925 A friend of mine who comes over to hunt on my property uses a 30-06. I use either a 12 gauge slug or AR15. He always takes the sector in the exact opposite direction of the house. Slugs do have good penetration and the .223 is no slouch, but 30-06 (or any medium bore rifle) can go through a hell of lot more.
I had one dude come up to the house and ask for permission to hunt on the mountain. I told him it was fine, but not to use anything bigger than a 30-30, and that shotguns would be a better option. I also said nothing illegal (baiting, which has recently been allowed on private property; it wasn't when he asked, though). He never came back. I wonder what he thought he was going to do before I vetoed it.
I would bet a lot of money that the velocity difference between Any size birdshoot compared with 00 Buck is irrelevant at the distances that are realistic indoors (home defence). This of course asuming same power level, hull size and shot weight. It is the same weight of lead that hits at the same velocity. Only difference is that the smaller pellets will slow down faster due to carrying less energy= Less penetration= safer for family and bystanders.
"One way to see the results is to take a large sized animal, like a deer, get it to smoke meth, then take it outside and shoot it." ::-- Contender for best Paul Harrell line ever. 😁
Too funny! Methed out deer. Priceless! Take care. ☺
And says it with a straight face!!!
I didn't even realize what all he said on that!!
The video is over, and I'm still laughing at this line :D
lol tis the only whhhay
PartTimeJedi yea but were not gonna do that....was the aecond funniest i was like ya think??lmao
Howdy Paul, I'm not one to comment on YT videos, but I am compelled to say, thank you for the superb quality of your videos. I greatly appreciate the time and thought that is put into each one of these videos. I have kids at home and the problem of over penetration is big on my mind. You are by far and away one of the most thorough and comprehensive educators on all of RUclips, not just the gun channels.
I thank you again sir for this demonstration of the effectiveness of birdshot.
iuseoobuckshot
I was just reading a argument on a gun forum where the post was saying birdshot was good for home defense and needless to say it was a s*** show of comments arguing about it I told them to check out this video I think it’s a very realistic demonstration thanks for making such a great video on the subject
I think that Paul was pretty clear on this subject. I've been trying to decide what to use, at home. I have #8 birdshot. One of my experienced friends made a pretty funny comment when we were talking about this. He just said, "nobody wants to get shot." I, of course, want to be the last house that an intruder invades. Everyone tells me, including Paul, that #8 isn't very good for home defense, but I don't consider it useless. It appears to be good enough to potentially end an intruder, but it isn't a sure thing. If I blast an intruder with #8 birdshot, and they die, I can probably use the defense that I wasn't trying to kill them because I used #8. I figure that it could be a pretty convincing argument. Remember, everything depends on shot placement. In a typical hallway, shot placement becomes a whole lot easier.
@@trentwinston2914 I'm not a lawyer but i wouldn't recommend saying that. If the goal was to deter there are a number of "non lethal" shells available, rubber buck, bird, bean bag, rock salt rounds.
@@trentwinston2914 if you are ever in a shooting, strike the word "kill" from your vocabulary entirely - except in the sentence "I thought he was gonna kill ME". You shot to stop the threat and don't even discuss your ammo or gun selection with the cops.
@@trentwinston2914 I think thats a mistake. What i've read from people taking CCW classes, if you shoot someone it needs to be because of a justifiable fear for your life or the life of people with you. Shooting to wound is used in court to make the CCW holder out to not be in fear for his life because he had the time to go for something other than a center of mass shot. I'm worried they'd to that to you if you used it in court. Shoot till they quit moving, tell the cops you don't know how many shots you fired you just kept shooting till the threat stopped and you were no longer scared. Only safe thing to say other than I want my lawyer.
Yeah, at close range against a soft target it will do as good as anything; which is arguably the most relevant scenario for home defence. But it would have been interesting to see how the bird shot would hold up at longer ranges. If you have a 50m driveway where you expect to be having regular shootouts, id imagine the buckshot might be a meaningful upgrade.
The deer we have up here are cooking meth and selling it to local coyotes
Most coyotes I've seen were clearly speed freaks.
Well, they have to catch a really fast bird.....that paints fake tunnels on rocks.
Thank God for the ACME company!
They don't hold a candle to our local Jackalope population!
50 Ducks In A Hot Tub That's nothing. In Australia we have koalas cooking crank to sell to transvestite dingos who steal babies.
Because of current events, birdshot is all I have for home defense since every single store is sold out -_-
got to order it online
@Gappie Al Kebabiis that all you got you, keyboard cowboy. I know now who will not be surviving very long.. After a guy broke into both of my cars and almost got in my house and yes he robbed 2 7/11 before he got to my house. I would have Double tapped his stupid ass and both of his friends that were with him. But hey your a keyboard cowboy you know all and can do all right. Your nothing but a joke
Get #2 turkey shot or slugs. I see lots of slugs especially online still. $1 each but hey.
Anon Doe thanks, I’ll look into it!
Youll be fine
You have to be the best gun channel on youtube for accurate advice and deadpan humor.... :D
Paul thanks for the video and to piggyback onto your information as a former homicide investigator I can tell you birdshot does a wonderful job in home protection
This guy is first pick during a zombie outbreak.
Move next door to him
Who knew zombies would be called antifa?
dnt 4get mr fps russia
Paul, this is the video that convinced me to subscribe. This is about as close to a real world test that an average person can do. Your audience is fortunate that you take the time, effort and expense to do tests like this. Thank you.
As always, I didn't have to try this at home because you are what we call a professional.
This debate has been going on for years. I recently read an article by a man who said 4 buckshot was not good for defense. This video shows pretty much anything coming out of a 12 gauge at a short distance will offer protection, especially if you have the opportunity to fire more than one shot.
I'm still laughing about the meth smokin' deer. Meth seems to be a fairly popular drug in my geographical area based on the frequency of trailer explosions. We also have a lot of deer...
I'd hate to be in Florida and deal with methed up gators.
He’s right. People always underestimate the power of firearms. I had a reasonably intelligent buddy claim a .22 LR would not penetrate a phone book. I showed him it would easily go through three. Beyond scientific, or pseudoscientific, penetration tests, let’s consider reality. You’re a home invader and a homeowner draws down on you with a 12 Gauge. Are you gonna tell the difference between #8 shot and 00 buck as it flies into your face? No, you are not. Definitively, yes, birdshot, in any loading, is effective as a home defense weapon.
You are a burglar, you hear something go BANG and probably just go ahead and run like hell tbh
@@luisjorgeruizreyes1897 Rambos will argue they won't so just keep pumping slugs through them and clear into your neighbor's house 3 streets over.
You're right though. The vast majority of burglaries are crimes of opportunity. Bird shot is not the path of least resistance and they'll get your message.
Anything beyond crime of opportunity...obviously subject to argument and opinion. The constant pros/cons running the gamut from "slugs or GTFO" to "bird shot at home defense range will still stop brain function."
I’m still using buckshot
@@luisjorgeruizreyes1897 You just hear the ratchety sound of a pump action being cycled, yes, most will go running already.
@D Brown, we had a .22 when I was a kid. I handled it correctly, as one does, but thought of it as little more than a toy - little noise, no recoil, adorable tiny little bullets. Then we went to a friend's farm to help him slaughter and butcher a steer. I believe it weighed 2200 lbs, and a single 22LR between the eyes, it dropped to its knees and fell over dead. Changed my perception in a hurry.
Shoots 5 soda bottles:
"Well, we proved that that was fun, but..." 😂
Solo Burglar: Don't break into his house
Burglar Duo: Don't break into his house
Burglar Trio: Ditto
Half a Dozen Burglars: Is better not to find out
Dozen Burglars: TBA
He was quick too.
Woah! Was this the birth of the fabled Meat Target!?!?!
'Meat' Cleetus. The guy in the hoodie
That’s what I’m wondering! History in the making!!
watching this because i have plenty of birdshot and now all the buckshot in stores is gone :/
Dude seriously lol I have been making a stock pile my most power shell is 3 in birdshot 20 gauge
tha josh I(unfortunately)Live in California,and I mean firearms wise,9mm was gone but all other kinds of handgun ammo was available,still plenty of 5.55/223/7.62x39.Shotgun ammo was low as in buckshot.By local ammo store(does not sell firearms)Only really sells(00-Buck,number-1,number-4,and obviously Foster Slugs.But you could still get it,(No Price Gouging)But they were limiting amount as in how many boxes.I only really needed number-4,bought 50 rounds,and the maximum they would sell 00,200-rounds,but even retail stores like Dicks were in general not in short supply.
Birdshot is better than nothing. I have the same problem. But it’s not something someone will shrug off. If someone is threatening you. A close range shot will definitely stun them if not seriously hurt them
Walmart was sold out of everything a week ago. I went in last night and they had a ton of birdshot. I bought 4 boxes, cause id rather have more of something than nothing like someone else said.
Me too, but also some slugs. I have never bought buck shot , oops
Excellent presentation: simple, but not patronising; entertaining, but not silly; and most important of all, you asked good questions and gave a definitive answer to each - unlike others, who leave it to us to decide. Not much wrong with that, my friend. I'll keep an eye out for more of your stuff.
One reason to choose birdshot is that during a state of emergency or like the current pandemic, you cannot find buckshot.
The Stones sang “You can’t always get what you want...”
I've been able to find Aguilla mini shells with buckshot pretty reliably during pandemic. My Shockwave with the mini shell adapter is not my primary HD gun, but it's nice to know I have 9 shells of buck in the tube in case I need it.
As a big proponent of number 4 bird shot for home defense (to reduce over-penetration out into the neighborhood), I've gotten into scores of arguments over whether it's even a viable option.
Guess this video is just gonna have to get a few more views to get the point across ^^
Thanks for the demo!
Tell me about it! I've had some people say you need something like an AK47 or some sort of extremely high capacity rifle/pistol hybrid to do the job effectively. Ya, maybe if you are involved in some huge multi attacker situation in which several people are breaking into your home we with multiple Mac 10's, Uzi's etc. Lol! But in the typical break in, a shotgun and maybe a handgun should work just fine. Oh, I forgot, you'll need all that extreme extra firepower if the zombie's come attacking at the same time too. Lol! You have a good day, take care. ☺
newhuskytwenty
What you said could very well happen. Id hate to see that kind of stuff, but you're correct. It's getting to the point too, that many governments won't allow you to protect yourself and family; and that's a shame. I was definitely teasing about the zombie stuff...I'm more worried about the hordes of people during an aftermath, like you. I wish you all the best! Take care. 😀
The Rev.
Yeah sorry but if you are getting attacked in your home by more than 3 people with automatic weapons that is a shit show that you are probably not getting out of.
From what I have read of police reports, most break ins involve these scenarios: 1 robber with maybe a pistol and something to break in with (crowbar/hammer) maybe a knife instead of a gun. 2 robbers with the previous weapons. 2 one or both with shotguns. 3 with any of the previous but the third is in the vehicle or stayed outside to keep watch.
Hardly any involved automatics (or even rifles of any kind) unless it was the homeowner with the automatic.
I did my own similar test (ribs, with boneless loin behind) and found that 20ga turkey loads were about perfect in regards to target penetration without going too deep into the rest of the house. that makes it easier, since my wife is more comfortable with her 20.
Don Hoggard there have been quite a few studies in the use of "dead" tissue or meat for ballistic study, all pretty much confirmed it's pretty useless. Going way back the military determined the same thing in testing with cadavers. Dead flesh acts nothing like living tissue as it lacks the elasticity, fluid content, etc., etc.... Ballistic gelatin has so far been the only means to closely mimic shooting living tissue and only true 10% FBI gel and not the "cool looking" clear gel.
Sadly after this same discussion with an immoral, POS I am acquainted with, he tried proving us wrong by shooting one of his hogs with birdshot. It didn't work! The animal only suffered in agony after TWO shots, until fully dispatched with a suitable caliber. I guess to each his own but I will stick with #4 buck at a minimum.
I let the deer smoke meth and he now has my shotgun... help what do I do
Run
turn your guns over to govt. and expect them to keep you safe.... good luck.
Wait for his supply to run out. Steadily bleed him dry of his life savings with your meth trade. Eventually convince him to steal for you in order to fuel his meth addiction. Increase the severity of petty crimes and boom now you have a meth fueled attack deer.
Shine a flashlight in his face and take it back.
Get to your car and start driving.the deer has an involuntary reflex to jump out in front of your vehicle, problem solved.
I'm so glad i found this channel! Great, realistic, scientific tests dealing with subjects I've wondered about for a long time, but didn't have the time or resources to, say, build 3 walls and shoot them with different shotgun loads, haha. My father told me to load my shotgun so it fires 2 bird shot, then 2 buck shot, then 2 slugs for home defense. I think I'll stick with 6 bird shot.
I really cannot express how appreciative I am for these videos. Im looking to buy a gun (i haven’t decided yet what kind) but this giys common sense approach to guns has helped me tremendously. Keep up the good work sir!
Buy a Glock 19 9mm (its proven reliable and inexpensive to shoot). Buy a Mossberg 88 12 ga. (affordable & good for indoor defense) And look to buy an AR-15 (Smith & Wesson makes a good inexpensive one) just in case the Zombie apocalypse or what we just witnessed these past few weeks with all the riots and looting.
Paul, I am not new to researching and writing on these subjects. I am writing a book along these lines. You sir are excellent at teaching this information. I always look forward to your videos. Keep doing what you do so well. We are all better off because of your work. Thank you Mr Herrell. Cheers, Trent Schultz
No shame in my purchase of birdshot recommended by the same person who sold me my first shotgun. Thank you for the unbiased information.
Fantastic video! I have always used bird shot in my home defense shotgun for these very reasons. Very informative. Can’t wait to show this to my Tacticool friends and family who swear if you’re not using 00 buckshot your wasting your time.
Instructions unclear.. Smoked meth, drank shots with deer.
Drank deer, shot smoke with meth
Smoked meth, shot by deer
Deer smoked meth and shot me
Hey! I drank shots and smoked meth with deer. We should hang, Yo!
What the hell you did with Buck?
I have always loaded my home defense shotgun in a tiered way. The first two rounds down range are light bird shot. The next two rounds are medium bird shot. The last two rounds are 00buck shot.
Hoodie/margarine/steak/ribs/heart...smart. Most realistic "gelatin" test yet
That was not the correct list of items. It was Hoodie/Marg/steak/sausage.
CR Rains no it was an exact antifa dummy.
CR Rains don't forget the crowbar, hi point pistol, and bag of weed.
Dis my Glock Fouty.
40 some years ago when I went through hunters safety in Missoula, Montana, we were shown a picture of a person who took a round in the head while bird hunting. Ummmm....bird shot will stop an intruder.
Good nuff.
Easy. No. 4 would destroy someone coming into your home, no problem. I load no. 5 or 6 and sleep like a baby.
I saw something similar in Arkansas. The photos were of a guy who got peppered with a turkey load from about 30 yards. Ouch.
I just came across this oldie. The origin of the meat target!! This is an important piece of RUclips history!
Best part is 6:40 where he describes the alternative option...
I love the approach to making these videos. I do wish they were in higher resolution, but as they say, beggars can't be choosers! Thank you Paul.
Thanks. Our newer videos are shot with a go pro so the resolution is a little better.
Paul, Thank you. Your approach is no nonsense and the tongue in cheek comments are hilarious. I really appreciate these!
HD is cool but Content is King. This video is a member of that royal family ...
“I got’em from the butcher not the coroner!”
Anyone with any common sense who has ever shot targets with bird shot has to know it would seriously fuck someone up.
Hell yes it will. With a cylinder choke your pattern expands at about one inch per yard. So at 5 yard you have a 5 inch lead (or steel) slug. Will damn near cut anything in half.
TheBenjammin5150 I’ve shot someone using 7 1/2 birdshot. You are right. It fucked them up.
Friend of mine told me about someone who shot someone that was robbing a store with bird shot . They said and 12 feet it basically made one big jagged hole in there chest size of a fist the person died on the spot from that they said .
At defense ranges it will its definitely lethal. Just 1 pellet in the right spot could kill you actually.
@@aguynamedscott11 did they even get back up??
oldford71 actually they did. It was about a month later with a nurses help though.
Awesome video - I live 8 miles south of Boston & the houses are just a few feet from each other. Out of concern for my aye whole liberal neighbors I use #8 birdshot in a Mossberg 500 for my home protection. This video shows #8 birdshot is fairly effective & safe.
I agree with you. With #8 bidshot hit from 20 feet and in they’re dead if they get hit in the vitals
It took 4yrs but after popping up on my Recommended feed today, this video has gotten you a new sub. Thank you for the video. Been wondering this for 13years in the back of my mind.
I would have to call this the most factual and informative video I've seen to date!!! Nice job Paul.
Best gun demonstrations on RUclips. Thank you Paul! Keep em coming. I appreciate your effort!!
The question is: Do you want to stop a burgler in his tracks or do you want to scrap his pieces from the ceiling and buy a new home interior?
The pieces can be cleaned and pan fried.....
That's when you call in the "cleaner" lol.
It puts texturing on the walls instead of having them be smooth and flat.
Does home owner insurance cover that? Got to check my policy.
See, that's my concern. I hate cleaning up after other people and reckon i would hate cleaning up other people period just as much. Thanks for the demo.
"Hearts? Yeah I got em from the butcher shop, not the coroner." Lol!
Everyone else:
"Lolol birdshot won't stop a determined attacker. You better use 000 buck or you're gonna be sleeping with the fishes. Hell, I just use an AR with incendiary rounds."
Paul Harrell:
*Powerful birdshot makes hearts go splodie-splode.*
There's another way to verify the effectiveness of birdshot in home defense, and that's looking at real world results. There have been some compilations of incident reports that looked at this, and they're especially nice because it adds the element of people being freaked out and perhaps not hitting their target perfectly and the target perhaps not being absolutely dead on, etc. There's little doubt that birdshot (especailly smaller shot) is not AS lethal as buckshot. However - turns out it's a very serious show stopper, even with lighter loads. It does enough damage in most cases with lighter loads that even if it's not lethal, it's debilitating and tends to end the fight with just one shot (provided the range is short, such as in the home). I can't recall a single case where birdshot was used, a hit was scored and the bad guy continued the fight. Not saying its not possible, but there you go. When you start getting up to #4 birdshot it's pretty damn lethal. Of course it does penetrate a little more. So - if over penetration is a big concern you CAN use birdshot and expect to be able to protect your home, provided you've given some thought to the balance between lower penetration and higher lethality that fits your circumstances. But that's the joy of shotguns, you can literally tune your load to be that perfect balance for you.
Foxer604: Your comment shows that you have a huge amount of understanding that, sadly, most people do not have. Just getting shot with a single BB from a 12 ga. in my back during a winter rabbit hunt was debilitating.
Thanks! Can you provide a reference?
I agree with you. Also, in the case, something goes sideways and you have to answer the question of a judge, it sounds more "human" when you used smaller Birdshots . . . .
Well, I went to #4's in a 3" magnum turkey load, but I'm rethinking that now. Have you ever fired a 12 gauge 3" magnum in a small enclosed room like, say, your bedroom? That shit hurts!! I'm gonna have to do some scientific investigations on powder load vs projectile load vs the 'oh, shit, if I pull this trigger it's gonna ruin my chances at fatherhood' factor.
@@leslieb6881 you gotta be kidding right, sarcasm doesn't read sometimes, just making sure...a single BB? That was likely BBB size, but anyways you'll change your mind once someone who is alot tougher than you kills you while your good heart peppered them, that's awful advice for anyone in a home defense situation...please don't listen to that, also it gets into law as well you don't need that IF you live through the encounter.
Best HD load I've found is #1 buckshot. I wish they made more of it.
The diameter and number of pellets maximize the lead you're throwing downrange.
Lol I love how this is the prototype version of the meat target 😂
Another presentation from The Master. A master of his subject, and an excellent presenter. Thank you, Sir, and Godspeed.
Paul the professional spending a decade of wasting grocery products for our education and entertainment 😂
and we're glad he did!
"Dad, why is there lead in our sausages?"
Alfons you laugh but as a country boy growing up hunting squirrels and rabbits with small shot in shotguns you ran across the occasional BB in your pot pie. Lol That's why now that I'm older and smarter I use a .22 for squirrels.
It was a Bionic Pig Dear ... .. . Yes Man Made You Like it ...
@@cfltitan We ate our our pheasant/quail the day it was taken, dad would say chew it slowly & carefully in case he missed some shot, said he didn't want to take anyone to the dentist with a broken tooth, I only got one & no damage lol
Mom why did they name that poor kid Fredrik
"Kid, just pick 'em out, and be glad we got food! NO, I didn't hear about the incident at the grocery! Neither did YOU!"
It's always good to have the shotgun part of your home program confirmed by an expert. Yes, Paul, you're an expert! Good job, young man!
Thanks for this video, it's very informative! New shotgun owner here and I think I made the right choice of ammo with 12 Gauge 3in #4 1-1/8oz birdshot.
Excellent video. I load #6 shot in a coach gun and figured it would perform. This seems to support what I was thinking. The danger to innocents needs to be part of the calculus which is a point you made well.
I can't be the only one who was disappointed to not see Paul shoot the meth-ed out deer...
:P
Too funny! The only (and hopefully the last time ever) I've ever had to pull a shot gun out was on three meth heads at like 4:30am and it sobered them up immediately! They were going after my wife threatening to hurt her cause she politely asked them to quite down cause people were trying to sleep. Imagine that, people trying to sleep in the dead of night. Lol! My main point is that they didn't care which types of rounds were pointed at their heads, they simply saw a shotgun and hit their knee's saying they were sorry and begged me to spare their lives. So, the shotgun works for great home defense in my opinion. And Paul is correct on this issue. Funny thing I've noticed too, is that a lot of women I've talked to actually prefer a shotgun for home defense too. They say that they feel as though there's less controls to fool with, they don't have to aim as well and feel more confident while using them. This is just what I've heard from a lot of women in my area. Take care guys!
+tim fey yep, the wife will shoot a 12ga but doesn't like a pistol!
It's the control of having that third point of contact and the muzzle farther away from them.
+morris4069
Thanks for the comment. My moms like that too. She's more comfortable with a shotgun than anything else. My wife though, will shoot anything except the big 50 Cal rifle. It's all too funny. Take care! ☺
My wife shoots anything, but like all knowledgeable people, she prefers a shotgun for home defense because she wants to see body parts turn into red haze.
James Ritchie oh like in that one movie? Yes It is why my wife loves shotguns too.
Hey Sir , thanks for this great video for newbie shotgunners which are a whole lot different than the Vietnam era M16 I used in BCT. You're the man, Hooah!
I've known and advocated this for years! Thanks for demonstrating.
The "deer on meth" line had me laughing so hard I had to rewind a couple minutes of this vid.
Geese are birds. Shot size for geese starts at #4 and goes to T, about 0.20" in diameter. Typical payloads are large, pattern density at in home use would make dreadful wounds as shot string (distance between first and last pellets) is long, making for deeper penetration.
Any load from 10 feet is almost certainly lethal.
My takeaway is: 12 ga birdshot is great inside dwellings and distances of 21 feet of less.
Unrealistic. Needs more margarine. Maybe 4 packs in my case.
What! No French fries!?
Lard more appropriate in my case
Make it 5 for me
Manteca
"I can't believe it's not butter."
Yes #8 BIRDSHOT IS VERY EFFECTIVE FOR 20 yards and under for home protection
Caught the medals at the start of the video. Thanks for your service and you certainly are what a I would call a "professional".
Great video, I guess those 200 rounds of bird shot that I have sitting around is worth it.
Love the humor. Doesn't detract at all. To the point. Fun to watch. Thanks
I've got slugs in my bedside 1897, but I've also got concrete interior walls 😄
I miss my bedside 1897
Nice, you've got the "I can use anything I want for home defense, including grenades" house. :D
🤣🤣 “and of coarse we all know that hoodlums wear hoodies” 🤣😂😂 this guy is awesome!
Severely underrated channel. No gimmicks or overrated intros, blah blah blah.
Right to the point without wasting everyone's time.
A good combo, for me, 20 gauge pump (870) with improved choke. Loaded with #6 shot. If the sound of an 870 action being pumped don't encourage said bad guys from leaving post haste, this load/gun combo will.
You realy think the sound of racking a shotgun is gonna discourage a perp already in your house?
Watch the video where Paul says something to the effect that didn't work and he had to kill the guy.
I bet Paul has been getting a surge in views lately. Many new first time gun owners you say? Imagine that.
I love Paul. Best of the best!
5 million first time gun owners this year alone. Shotguns are the top seller right now due to price and ease of use and effectiveness. AR 15 up there as well.
My (previously) anti-gun mother in law asked me about gun buying advice about six months ago, and ended up buying a Glock 19 as her first gun last month. She asked me recently what my opinion was on a Colt Delta Elite in 10mm and my eyeballs about popped out of my head and rolled across the dinner table. We spent 10 years very pointedly NOT talking about guns, and now this. Times are changing, I think.
@@mouthboehm Mr. Harrell does very thorough, very knowledgeable presentations, and we can only hope that those rushing into guns and shooting take heed.
Yep! Newbie right here! I bought a Rock Island VR60 two days ago and I don’t know what ammunition to buy. It’s 25 feet from our bedroom door to our front door BUT we have children in bedrooms. I’m worried about over penetrating. What exact bird shot should I buy? I mean, what words and numbers should be on the box?
Thank you for your help.
8:58 What he greatly demonstrated here is that bird shot doesnt need to penetrate the ribs. The pellets are so small, that even with just one shot 8 pellets penetrated between the ribs and made it to the heart.
Imagine filming these in 2024 when Soda is $97 a jug
You've answered a lot of questions for people who can't go out and perform the well designed tests that you put together.
A big thank you for sharing.
One of the best shooters on RUclips. No b.s. just logic.
"Well, I've got some bird shot, so lets go shoot it and find out." ..... oh yeah, I'm on the right channel.
This is the type of guy that would lightly pepper his ribs with bird shot before he ate it 🤣
9:36.
Heart literally fell out of the sphincter. Full power 12G will teleport the target straight to hell.
Great video. All content, with zero filler. A+.
Birdshot is used to knock the suspect back or down, so you can keep getting closer and closer and deeper and deeper.
That's why there's 8 rounds in the tube 👍
Paul, I appreciate the effort and approach you took to make this video. Solid and useful information for those who want to protect their castles and have the least amount of home repair to do when the threat has been neutralized.
Best demonstration I have ever seen!
The genesis of the infamous “MEAT TARGET”.
"Well we proved that that was FUN!" Lol
Love your scientific approach to analyzing firearm performance. Thanks for the USEFUL information.