1951 posts · Joined 2012. #17 · Feb 28, 2013. I use 2&3/4" 00 buck shot. 1. the reason for 3" (or longer shells) is to get more shot in them for denser patterns at distance when hunting. Home defense isn't hunting or longer ranges. 2. 2&3/4" shells won't kick quite as much (faster back on target) if you need to be.Birdshot vs. Buckshot – Best Home Defense Option. 32 ACP for Self-Defense. Jacketed Hollow Point Bullets. 22LR for Home …Nov 14, 2021 ... Took my SBS out to the range to pattern various shotgun HD loads.What is the best home defense shotgun ammo? We’ll give you the answer and more. Let’s look at some of the factors for choosing a shotgun and the right …Some people use mini shells for certain types of hunting and even home defense. But in most cases, you should probably stick to your standard shells. Did any of ...6 days ago · 1 Mossberg 500 Tactical. This the best tactical shotgun. This is the best balance of battle proven features, customization options, and budget. It is liked as it strikes the balance for being affordable and still deliver on performance. This gun is the best on the market looking for the best tactical shotgun for home defense. Oct 6, 2020 · 1. Shotgun Light. All home defense weapons need a light. It’s an absolute requirement, not an option. Streamlight Mag Tube Rail TL & Streamlight TLR RM2. I understand wanting to save money by foregoing accessories for a weapon that is purely for home defense. If you’re lucky, you may never even need to use it. Best 12 Gauge Shotgun Ammo Types. YAF 1-1/5 ounce 00 Buckshot – Best 12ga Home Defense Shells. Winchester Long Beard XR #6 – Best 12ga Turkey Load. Fiocchi Shooting Dynamics Target Loads – Best 12ga Upland and Target Shells. Winchester Super-X Xpert Hi-Velocity Steel – Best 12ga Shotshells for Duck Hunting. …What shotgun gauge is best for home defense? 12 gauge is the best and most popular gauge of shotgun. 20 gauge can also work well, providing a lightweight alternative with lighter recoil than 12 gauge. 12 gauge 2 ¾-inch #00 buckshot loads generally contain eight or nine .33 caliber pellets per shell, providing excellent range and firepower.We bought this for $10.63/5 at CheaperThanDirt.com. This slug maintained a good portion of its advertised velocity of 1560 fps in the Remington riot gun, breaking 1470 fps. Accuracy was excellent, better than the shotgun would do justice to. All loads tested are more than accurate enough for defense or hunting use.The Best Home Defense Shotgun Ammo: Winchester Super-X #1 Buck (12 Gauge) Federal Power Shok #4 Buck (12 Gauge) Winchester Super-X 00 Buck (12 Gauge) Winchester Super-X #3 Buck (20 Gauge) Federal Premium #4 Buck (20 Gauge) Mossberg's Defensive .410 Shotguns. Among available sporting .410 shotguns, it's not hard to find quality models with 18.5" to 20" barrels that can be pressed into service for self defense. These ...My preference for shotgun ammo for home defense is #1 buckshot, which can deliver 16 pellets to your attacker at over 1000 feet per second. As ballistic gel tests show, this …Jun 5, 2012 ... Jeff Quinn ( http://www.gunblast.com ) debunks the myths surrounding the use of bird shot for home defense.Dec 28, 2023 · Federal .45 ACP 230 gr HST. Penetration depth is right in the 12 to 18-inch sweet zone, with great expansion on all five rounds, and good velocity for a shorter barrel. Since the penetration is an average of 14 inches, this round would likely be fine (no over-penetration) in longer barrels as well. For $20 off your next ammo purchase, go to https://ammo.com/youtube (a special deal for our viewers)! The shotgun is perhaps one of the most versatile shooti... Popular Ammo Calibers and Brands. 223 Ammo 7.62x39 Ammo 9mm Ammo 45 ACP Ammo 22 LR Ammo 12 Gauge Ammo 5.56x45 Ammo 308 Win Ammo 40 S&W Ammo 380 ACP Ammo 38 Spl Ammo 357 Mag Ammo. The best handgun ammo must cycle cleanly and have excellent stopping power without too much recoil. Discover which ammo does all this the best. Well, each load from 7 1/2 shot to the mighty shotgun slug has a purpose in home defense. Birdshot is a favorite of many home defenders. From close range, the blast of these lightweight small pellets hit like a solid fist. People call shotguns "scatterguns" for a reason. The shot fans out quickly.Russ Chastain 08.16.19. Aguila’s stumpy little Minishell shotgun shells are a mere 1.75 inches long, but they work pretty well. Back at the 2017 SHOT Show, I fired several and hit more clay targets than I missed with them. Also nice was the reduced recoil and report. This leads some folks to wonder how well they would work in a home defense ...Feb 8, 2024 · Best Overall: Remington 870 Tactical. Best Pump: Vang Comp Systems Model 077 Remington 870 Tactical. Best Semi-Auto: Beretta 1301 Tactical. Most Versatile: Mossberg 590 12 Gauge 3-inch Pump Action 20-inch. Author’s Choice: Benelli M4. How We Chose the Best Home Defense Shotguns. Mar 23, 2023 ... Defensive shotshell ammunition like Winchester's Defender and Federal's Force X2 is designed and tested to perform in self-defense situations, ...Mossberg. Though the Remington 870 is the best-selling shotgun of all time, the Mossberg 500 series is a close second and is also an excellent tactical shotgun. In fact, the Mossberg 590A1 Tactical is built to mil-spec requirements and is currently in use by the U.S. Army because of its rugged durability and reliability.It turns what is essentially a 22-yard gun into a 40-yard gun. Modified shotgun chokes split the difference. It delivered all nine pellets in the kill zone out to about 34 yards. On the short end ...So all of the firearm industry’s research and new technology for fighting shotguns has been devoted to the 12 gauge, not 20 gauge. It’s not really all that popular in the general consumer market, either. Here at Lucky Gunner, we sell about 10 times more 12 gauge shells than 20 gauge. It might be the second most common size of shotgun shell ...Nov 10, 2012 ... I am changing my opinion of the best shell for home defense to #4 buckshot. The video explains this reason well.They have some hefty recoil and tend to be avoided for home defense and tactical use. 2.75-inches: These are the most popular shells and are a good compromise of both load and recoil. 2.75-inch shells are the most common choice for home defense and tactical use. Almost all shotguns have 2.75-inch shells.Shirts and patches from Tristar Trading Co: https://alnk.to/6bSTELxOther platforms:Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/PaulHarrellOdysee: https://odysee.com/@paul_H...Jul 3, 2023 ... Which Handgun Rounds Will DEFEAT Body Armor??? (It Might Surprise You) · 262K views ; Communion ; 12 Gauge SLUGFEST! Which Shotgun Slug Is BEST???Mossberg 500 and Mossberg 590. As is the case with Remington, Mossberg holds a large percentage of the law enforcement pump shotgun market. The Mossberg 500, 590 and 590A1 are somewhere between decent and excellent choices for defense; respectively. The 590 has an upgraded magazine tube which allows for additional …7. Peak Case Remington Tac-14 DM Home Defense Violin Case. Ideal for safe and convenient storage of home defense firearms. Buy On Amazon. 8. Peak Case Mossberg 590 Shockwave or Tac-14. Ideal for those who need a compact and powerful firearm for home defense or personal protection.Aug 14, 2011 · Mossberg 702 .22lr (wifes) NEF Pardner Pump 12ga (wifes) Remington 870 12ga. H&R Topper JR 20ga. Mossberg 500 Slugmaster 12ga. Winchester Model 190 .22lr. Thompson Center Grey Hawk .54. Norinco SKS 7.62x39. 1860 Remington New Army .44. Birdshot is a favorite of many home defenders. At close range, the blast of these lightweight small pellets hit like a solid fist. The thug in the picture on the right caught a blast at close range. Certainly, this is a postmortem image. Now, a shotgun is called a scattergun by many for a reason. The shot fans out quickly.See 3,000+ New Gun Deals HERE. The best 12-gauge ammo for self-defense is typically considered to be buckshot. Buckshot consists of multiple pellets, providing a wide spread pattern that increases the chances of hitting a target in high-stress close-quarters situations. Contents [ show]4 buck is generally regarded as the best all around shotgun load for home defense. It strikes a good balance between penetration and affected surface area. The downside is it can be hard to find. 00 buck is probably the most common and very easy to buy anywhere, but it has overpenetration issues. 33.With a 2.75-inch round of No.1 buckshot, you get 4X the pellets that can reach the vitals of a threat. On top of the multitude of large pellets ripping through the body all at once, a shotgun round dumps kinetic energy into the threat. Reducing that payload so significantly means reducing your ability to stop a threat.Finding affordable shotgun ammo that you can trust for home defense can be tough. That's why we created a list of the 5 best options for home defense shotgun ammo from top brands like Hornady, Winchester, & …September 4, 2018. When picking a defensive shotgun load, the two most obvious options are buckshot or slugs. Steel F and lead BB shot could be entertained in a pinch, though F and BB shot sizes (0.22 inches and 0.18 inches in diameter, respectively) are smaller than buckshot. If a person wanted to consider a less lethal option, a rubber slug ...TOP 10 Best SHOTGUN For Home Defense For 2024 REVIEWNumber 10. Mossberg 500 Series ($700)If you want one of the longest-serving combat and police shotguns, ...I list the best choices in terms of value, performance, reliability, and cost. Click on the name to head to the product page, read reviews and check prices or skip ahead to the list of shotguns. Name. Selection. Price. Mossberg M590 Tactical. Best …My preference for shotgun ammo for home defense is #1 buckshot, which can deliver 16 pellets to your attacker at over 1000 feet per second. As ballistic gel tests show, this …This load leaves the muzzle of a typical 18”-barreled defensive shotgun at around 1,600 feet per second. For perspective, an average load of 8 pellet 00 buckshot weighs 437 gains. So, moving at around 1,145 fps, Federal’s FliteControl produces about 1,270 foot-pounds of muzzle energy. That’s a lot. 1. Benelli Superova: Best Pump Action. Substantially underrated, the innovative SuperNova is one of the best shotguns available. Check Price. 2. Mossberg 500: Best Multi-Caliber. Available in several calibers, Mossberg 500 models range from tactical to muzzle-loading. Check Price. 3.Jul 10, 2023 ... Comments16 · Ammo For Beginners: Shotshell Basics · What's the BEST 12 gauge SHOTGUN ammo for home-defense · More Stuff You Should Know Ab...6 days ago · 1 Mossberg 500 Tactical. This the best tactical shotgun. This is the best balance of battle proven features, customization options, and budget. It is liked as it strikes the balance for being affordable and still deliver on performance. This gun is the best on the market looking for the best tactical shotgun for home defense. The shotgun has been around for centuries and will continue to thrive because of its versatility. The best shotgun shell types of varying gauges are used for self-defense and hunting purposes. Below you’ll find many recommendations based on personal experience, velocity, stopping power, and price. Let’s get started! Best 12 Gauge …223 Ammo 7.62x39 Ammo 9mm Ammo 45 ACP Ammo 22 LR Ammo 12 Gauge Ammo 5.56x45 Ammo 308 Win Ammo 40 S&W Ammo 380 ACP Ammo 38 Spl Ammo 357 Mag Ammo. We've researched and tested the best 9mm home defense ammo, read this article to learn which 9mm rounds you should load in your self-defense gun.Recommended Ammo For Trap Shooting. Winchester AA Diamond Grade 12 Gauge 1 oz. #7.5 Shot (Copper Plated Lead) - Best 12ga Shells. Federal Top Gun Sporting 20 Gauge 7/8 oz. #7-1/2 Shot - Best 20ga Shells. Winchester AA 28 Gauge 3/4 oz. #7-1/2 Shot - Best 28ga Shells. 5 days ago ... Put a brace on a shockwave and get the adapter so it will work with shorty rounds and you have 10 plus rounds of defense in a small package.September 4, 2018. When picking a defensive shotgun load, the two most obvious options are buckshot or slugs. Steel F and lead BB shot could be entertained in a pinch, though F and BB shot sizes (0.22 inches and 0.18 inches in diameter, respectively) are smaller than buckshot. If a person wanted to consider a less lethal option, a rubber slug ...Winchester's Most Innovative and Comprehensive Line of Ammunition for Personal Defense. Engineered to maximize terminal ballistics, Winchester Defender shotshell ammunition provides maximum stopping power for the ultimate performance in personal defense. Winchester incorporates unique technologies in specific rounds including, slug …From rock salt to flechette rounds, here's the top 10 CRAZIEST loads for home defense shotgun shells. See which bizarre round tops our list. ... Top 10: Worst Home Defense Shotgun Shells. 11/29/2022 03/28/2022 by Jody. What rounds do you load for your home defense shotgun shells? We have some recommendations on that too. …Three inches is more powerful, but produces more recoil. Three inch magnum loads are capable for hunting rounds, but not necessary for self-defense. Let’s look at the three loads that make up the majority of shotgun ammunition: buckshot, birdshot and slugs. Birdshot for self-defense seems awesome, with little to no penetration of walls, and ... Price. The MSRP for the Maverick 88 is about $250. Typically, pump-actions are the cheapest type of shotgun, and this one was manufactured specifically to be a bargain version of the Mossberg 500 ...Jul 30, 2023 · 1. Mossberg 500 Series. If you want one of the longest-serving combat and police shotguns, the Mossberg 500 is for you. Mossberg 500 with Hogue Stock, Surefire Dedicated Shotgun Forend, Side Shotshell Holder, and shotshell bandolier. One of the “Big 2” in the pump shotgun world…the Mossberg 500 is one of our favorites. The Best 7.62x39 Self-Defense Rounds on the Market. Winchester PDX1 Defender 120 gr JHP. Hornady Black 123-grain SST. Federal Power-Shok 123 gr JSP. Prvi Partizan 123 gr JSP. Well, each load from 7 1/2 shot to the mighty shotgun slug has a purpose in home defense. Birdshot is a favorite of many home defenders. From close range, the blast of these lightweight small pellets hit like a solid fist. People call shotguns "scatterguns" for a reason. The shot fans out quickly.posted on September 6, 2022. News, On The Range. DONATE. Earlier this year Henry Repeating Arms released their X series of rifles and shotguns, designed as a tactical alternative to their classic wood-clad cowboy guns. Among initial chamberings sat the .410 bore, and it really got me wondering if that would be enough to stop an intruder.The Charles Daly Honcho is a compact and affordable mini shell compatible shotgun that packs a punch. Its 5+1 round capacity and 14-inch barrel offer a compact and reliable option for home defense. The Honcho's pistol grip and overall length of 27.5 inches make it easy to handle and maneuver in confined spaces.the usual 1250-1350+ or so of "standard" 00 Buck), if this could be considered an effective and somewhat "safer" round for those of us who ...KelTec KS7. This was the second time the KelTec KS7 has made it to Best of the Best’s Tactical Shotguns. To me, this was the perfect backpacker shotgun. I believe it was the smallest, lightest shotgun of the day, but it still holds 7+1 shells. Our tallest shooter felt it was too short.Popular Ammo Calibers and Brands. 223 Ammo 7.62x39 Ammo 9mm Ammo 45 ACP Ammo 22 LR Ammo 12 Gauge Ammo 5.56x45 Ammo 308 Win Ammo 40 S&W Ammo 380 ACP Ammo 38 Spl Ammo 357 Mag Ammo. The best 5.56 ammo for home defense by Ammo.com. Understand the different 556 ammo types and get our top 5 best 556 ammo picks for personal protection. When it comes to home safety, your home insurance is often your biggest line of defense if something catastrophic happens. For this reason, you want to purchase it from a reputable...A Russian citizen can register a US shell company in the name of someone who has no visible stake in the company—but actually owns it via a foreign tax haven. When Mark Zuckerberg ...4) Benelli M2 Tactical Shotgun. Taking price tags out of the equation, Benelli makes the best tactical shotguns for home defense. Though they make some great pump-action shotguns at more affordable price tags, their semi-automatics are what they're known for. The first Benelli semi-auto shotgun on our list is the M2 Tactical. TOP 10 Best SHOTGUN For Home Defense For 2024 REVIEWNumber 10. Mossberg 500 Series ($700)If you want one of the longest-serving combat and police shotguns, ...The IAC Hawk is a cheaper and higher quality version of the 870. Every pump shotgun I've used has been reliable, the biggest factor is going to be ammo selection and training. So if you have a $600 to spend, you're going to be way better off with a $150 or $200 shotgun and $400 spent on ammo and range fees. 2.Russ Chastain 08.16.19. Aguila’s stumpy little Minishell shotgun shells are a mere 1.75 inches long, but they work pretty well. Back at the 2017 SHOT Show, I fired several and hit more clay targets than I missed with them. Also nice was the reduced recoil and report. This leads some folks to wonder how well they would work in a home defense ...12 Gauge Slugs or 00 Buckshot rounds are best for home defense as they are the most effective. The only difference between the two is their size; 12 gauge slugs are around 0.79″ (20 mm) whereas 00 buckshot is 0.33″ (8.32 mm) in diameter. Buckshot contains 8-9 pellets on average within its shell.From rock salt to flechette rounds, here's the top 10 CRAZIEST loads for home defense shotgun shells. See which bizarre round tops our list. ... Top 10: Worst Home Defense Shotgun Shells. 11/29/2022 03/28/2022 by Jody. What rounds do you load for your home defense shotgun shells? We have some recommendations on that too. …The shotgun has been around for centuries and will continue to thrive because of its versatility. The best shotgun shell types of varying gauges are used for self-defense and hunting purposes. Below you’ll find many recommendations based on personal experience, velocity, stopping power, and price. Let’s get started! Best 12 Gauge …4) Benelli M2 Tactical Shotgun. Taking price tags out of the equation, Benelli makes the best tactical shotguns for home defense. Though they make some great pump-action shotguns at more affordable price tags, their semi-automatics are what they're known for. The first Benelli semi-auto shotgun on our list is the M2 Tactical. A special gauge to many shotgunners, 20 gauge ammo is what many used to take their very first shots. And it remains the choice today for many hunters and competition shooters. The smooth bore cartridge is significantly smaller than the 12 gauge (.615 vs .729), which means it has less recoil, making it the perfect entry-level shotgun shell. My current “Home Defense” shotgun is a short-barrel Mossberg 20 Gauge pump loaded with Federal 2 3/4 inch Buckshot shells. As Mas notes above, these carry 20 #3 Buckshot pellets per shell with a Factory-listed muzzle velocity of 1200 FPS. I figure it will do the job just fine without the blast and fury of a full power 12 gauge load.What shotgun gauge is best for home defense? 12 gauge is the best and most popular gauge of shotgun. 20 gauge can also work well, providing a lightweight alternative with lighter recoil than 12 gauge. 12 gauge 2 ¾-inch #00 buckshot loads generally contain eight or nine .33 caliber pellets per shell, providing excellent range and firepower.Over the years Mossberg has offered more home-defense ready .410 pump-actions than any other American manufacturer. The Model 500 is chambered for 2½” and 3" shells with a 5+1 ammunition capacity. Options have included flexible youth models, like the wood stocked 505 Youth (#57120, MSRP: $473) shown here.The first is buckshot, the second is large bird shot. Either can work in a home defense situation, but #4 Buck is far superior in stopping power to birdshot. For comparison, 00 buckshot is .33" in diameter (.33 caliber). Typically, you'll find 2-3/4" #4 Buck loads contain 27 pellets while the #4 birdshot count is approximately 170.Dec 5, 2023 · December 5, 2023 by Nick Oetken. The best .22LR ammo for self-defense is one that reliably expands upon impact, such as CCI Stinger or Velocitor. These types of ammunition are designed to provide maximum stopping power in a compact and manageable caliber. Contents [ show] 6 days ago · November 5, 2023 by Wayne Fletcher. When it comes to selecting the best shotgun ammo for home defense, experts often recommend using 00 buckshot or slugs. These types of ammunition offer maximum stopping power and are effective at short distances. May 5, 2022 · If you are specifically choosing a 20 gauge for home defense over a 12, you’ll want to select 2.75 inch shells or shorter. Three-inch shells, even in a 20-gauge, can bring a lot of power; combined with a lighter shotgun, this can mean a fierce recoil. You’ll find 20-gauge ammo with 2.5-inch shells and smaller, but you may have trouble ... Aug 1, 2014 ... Testing Birdshot Vs Buckshot Vs Slug For Home Defense SLOW MO & Damage Close Ups This test really opened my eyes ! Also Check Out !Birdshot is the most widely available ammunition in the US. it’s generally used for shooting clays or small game hunting but certainly has a defensive application. the payload of a 12 gauge shotgun with birdshot is one ounce of lead pellets, going 1275 fps, and hitting with a force of 2,000 ft/lbs. Birdshot has been traditionally, very ...Types of 12ga Shotgun Shells (L to R: Bird, Buck, Slug) ... Check out the Best Shotguns for Home Defense and Best Shotgun Ammo. 12ga Shotgun Shells, Opened (L to R: Bird, Buck, Slug) Related topics: Buyer's Guide , Gear , Gear Reviews , Review , Shotgun ; shop products mentioned. Brownells AR-15 .458 SOCOM Barrel …Jul 29, 2021 · Birdshot is the most widely available ammunition in the US. it’s generally used for shooting clays or small game hunting but certainly has a defensive application. the payload of a 12 gauge shotgun with birdshot is one ounce of lead pellets, going 1275 fps, and hitting with a force of 2,000 ft/lbs. Birdshot has been traditionally, very ...
Nov 29, 2023 · 8 at BattleHawk Armory. BattleHawk Armory (See Price) Kygunco (See Price) GrabAGun (See Price) The Federal load is a #4 buckshot caliber with 15 pellets traveling at 1,200 feet per second. When fired, Federal’s buckshot loads can cover an 8.5×11 piece of paper at 10 yards, so they are far from FliteControl standards. . Wicu erie news
If you’re looking for the ultimate home defense shotgun, you really can’t go wrong with the Benelli M1014. This shotgun is currently in use by the United States Marine Corps. If it’s tough ...The shot is the same size in both shells. Different shape and composition but both are #4. ... which I agree is a good defense round for 12gauge shotgun. Be careful. It is very easy to mix up #4 Shot (Bird Shot) and #4 buckshot. ... the best home defense weapon is a min length AR15 in 300 blackout shooting subsonic heavy (200+ grain) bullets ...Whether you’re looking for 12-gauge, 20-gauge, .410 Bore or something more specialty, we’ve got you covered with the best ammunition from the most popular manufacturers. We are sure to stock shotgun shells for self-defense, hunting and range use. Cheaper Than Dirt! has a full selection of shotgun shells from birdshot to buckshot — even ...Three inches is more powerful, but produces more recoil. Three inch magnum loads are capable for hunting rounds, but not necessary for self-defense. Let’s look at the three loads that make up the majority of shotgun ammunition: buckshot, birdshot and slugs. Birdshot for self-defense seems awesome, with little to no penetration of walls, and ... In a 410, birdshot pellets are super small and light, so they don’t have much penetrating power. They’ll be painful but not deadly, making the 20-gauge birdshot a better option. Buckshot – As the name suggests, buckshot is designed to take down deer, so the pellets are larger and heavier. Again, a 20-gauge has bigger pellets than a 410 ...Jeremy is also a regular contributor to various firearms publications and websites, including Guns & Ammo. Watch Jeremy Stafford explain the difference in impact between slugs, birdshot, and buckshot while he dispels common myths about each and highlights the best option for home defense.A 12 gauge shotgun fires a bigger cartridge than a 20 gauge shotgun. So you will experience more recoil out of the 12 than the 20. Regardless of gauge, recoil can still be problematic. It can lead to shooting fewer rounds in a given range trip. It can even put off shooting until you’re “up to” dealing with the recoil.Birdshot is the most widely available ammunition in the US. it’s generally used for shooting clays or small game hunting but certainly has a defensive application. the payload of a 12 gauge shotgun with birdshot is one ounce of lead pellets, going 1275 fps, and hitting with a force of 2,000 ft/lbs. Birdshot has been traditionally, very ...Sep 1, 2023 · The Remington Ultimate Defense Shotshell 410 delivers 4 pellets out of the 2.5-inch shell with a muzzle velocity of 1,225 fps. These 000 rounds provide dense, devastating patterns and massive knockdown power. Designed for home and personal defense, the 2.5-inch shells are compatible with a wide variety of shotguns. MSRP: $27.99 / 15 shells. 1 7 Best Home Defense Shotgun Ammo You Need to Invest In. 1.1 1. Winchester Super-X 12 Gauge 00 Buckshot. 1.2 2. Winchester Super-X 12 Gauge #1 Buckshot. 1.3 3. Federal Power Shok 12 Gauge #4 Buckshot. 1.4 4. Federal 5 Rounds 2 ¾ ″ …What ever you shoot inside close range is going down hard regardless if it's a 2-3/4 or 3" 12ga round. Considering the possible short shuck & recoil factor with the 3" shell, I would have to go with the 2-3/4 shells for home defense. I myself have a Hi-Point C9 and a very protective female Akita that doesn't like strangers for home defense.Gunprime (See Price) Guns.com (See Price) 6. CZ-USA All-American Single Trap. CZ-USA is a favorite brand of clay shooters everywhere. All-American Single Trap Shotgun was developed specifically for ATA (Amateur Trapshooting Association) competition. Rugged and reliable, it requires minimal maintenance.The IAC Hawk is a cheaper and higher quality version of the 870. Every pump shotgun I've used has been reliable, the biggest factor is going to be ammo selection and training. So if you have a $600 to spend, you're going to be way better off with a $150 or $200 shotgun and $400 spent on ammo and range fees. 2..