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mctowalot wrote:I'm wondering what you would prefer - 30 rds. of over penetrating rifle ammo or (the conclusion I'm starting to prefer in my mind at least) say 5 to 8 rounds of 00 buckshot. From the costs I've seen posted you could get a semi-auto 12 ga. for a little less than a AR or Mini 14, spray every foot of a room/door with lethal lead really quickly and not worry about over penetration. What do you think?

You might be surprised at a .223 round's actual penetration in building materials compared to 12ga 00 (or even handgun rounds.)

You may also want to consider patterning your shotgun and ammo of choice at typical indoor distances.

mctowalot wrote:First I'd like to say that it's nice to say a lady being brave and trained in firearms handling. Secondly that video scares the heck out of me, confirming that my worse fears in regards to the real presence of bad guys being more real than not.
That said, I'd like some imput from the rest of you. After reading a bunch of the posts on this board I realized that a high powered rifle might not be the best choice for self defence, not that it would'nt take care of the bad guys, but maybe the neighbors acrosss the street too.
I'm wondering what you would prefer - 30 rds. of over penetrating rifle ammo or (the conclusion I'm starting to prefer in my mind at least) say 5 to 8 rounds of 00 buckshot. From the costs I've seen posted you could get a semi-auto 12 ga. for a little less than a AR or Mini 14, spray every foot of a room/door with lethal lead really quickly and not worry about over penetration. What do you think?

I agree with CBR 600. Eight or nine .33 caliber pellets traveling at 1100 to 1300 FPS will slice right thru sheetrock. Spraying with a shotgun is a bad idea. You need to AIM, and know at what distance your shot will no longer stay inside a human sized target.

Here is a little example for you; http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/theboxotruth.htm

Look at tests one, two and three.

I say shotgun at hand with a pistol as backup. ALso cell phone nearby to call 911 as the thug always cut the phone line.

This brings up a question, but I'm going to ask in a separate thread, because it could start a never ending cycle, even though it's not intended to. What do you PERSONALLY use for home defense? Note that this is not intended to be one of those never ending, "What's the best?" discussions. Just a what's your preference discussion. See you in the next thread.

In following the "10 year old daughter rule" (no foul language) I'll say "Holy Cow!"
I wish you had sent the "box o truth" link prior to my following your advise - my house is fully ventilated now as I tested the range of buckshot vs. .223 ammo at room distance, and boy is my wife mad.
Actually I appreciate your input. I realize now that I might have given the impression that I believed the "Elmer Fud fills air with lead" theory. From what I've read/seen a improved choke short barreled shotgun generally produces "dinner plate size spreads" at 50 feet and I thought that would give a shooter under duress a better chance of a hit. I admit I was thinking better to hurl dinner plates than thimbles at high velocity. What supprises me is that lead shot does not "splatter" and lose it's energy upon impact with sheetrock/walls. I think the new thread suggested is a great idea and look foward to everyones input - and ( I thought you'd never ask) sharing mine. But in closing I'll admit a childhood "secret". By no means am I proud of this but it might save some kids (and parents) some trouble.
When I was around 10 yrs. old my not to supervising dad let me keep my winchester "trapper" 30-30 in my room.
I wasn't supposed to have any ammo for it but of course I did. When he and my mom would go out to dinner or whatever I would take in a little spur of the moment target shooting - in my room - in the burbs of Houston. I would line up my set of encyclopedias back to back, A - Z, take aim and fire! Got some pretty good penetration at 15 feet.
A couple of years latter we moved to a new house and despite all attempts my dad helped me pack the encyclopedias - and it was kind of hard for him to not notice the huge holes that started in the A's and exit "wounds" around the K's.
I remember the look he gave me, and I said something like "can you belive that, they sold us a set of encyclopedias full of bullet holes!" Maybe this is sharing too much. Maybe the moral is check your kids encyclopedias - I know I will.
Had to edit, younger wife just reminded me that I am an old man and apparently there is someting called the "internet" now and kids don't have or know what an encyclopedia is. So I guess we'll have to check any other shooting mediums available to kids.

dihappy wrote:Im not sure if shooting through the door with video of the guy tyring to kick it in wouldnt of been totaly legal??

Well, it was nighttime, and they'd already cut the phone lines, (criminal mischief) and were certainly trying to damage the door, (more criminal mischief) and I doubt even the most anti-gun prosecutor could convince a jury that they weren't planning to commit theft, assault, or any felony (burglary) once the door gave way.

Exactly my thoughts. Not to mention destruction of property :)

I have a couple ARs, shoot and like them a lot. However, I do not use them for a home defense gun. My HD long gun is a Rem 1100 with 18" bbl and extended mag. It is loaded with #4 buckshot .(not #4 birdshot) I also like to keep a few slugs in a nylon shell holder on the stock.

I would probably break out an AR if it were daylight and maybe a Katrina type situation, but at night, I do not think anything would beat a shotgun.

I base this on attending a few IDPA style night shoots. I quickly came to realize a pistol is pretty worthless under low light conditions unless you are really close to the target. I consider myself fairly good with a pistol too. I have shot pistol competitively for over 20 years.
It is very, very hard to pick up handgun sights in the dark. Night sights too if you do not practice regularly in the dark with them.

Just my 2 cents.