I guess I have carried a sidearm since Moby Dick was a minnow. I am by no means old, but when I was a boy the Dead Sea was just "tragically ill"!
After spending 10 years in Kentucky, we moved to Madison IN 3-1/2 years ago to be close to our only child, her husband, and out 5 grandsons. I had to sell 19 guns in order to move.......it was painful, like selling children! It's been 3+ years and I still have not secured a CCL. What I have gotten accustomed to is a shotgun for home defense. I chose a pump over an auto for the simple reason is that they are fail safe, and the sound of a shotgun being "racked" is unmistakable.....especially in the dark.
The purpose of this post is to talk about the ammo for my pumps. I know that many will talk about "#2 buck" to "00 buck" for home defense. The problem with these rounds is that the cylindrical pellets over penetrate sheet rock. In other words, there is an opportunity to hit a family member by accident in an adjacent room when shooting at a perpetrator. PROBLEM SOLVED. I found a manufacturer that makes a nifty high brass round that has (40) teardrop shaped projectiles that run out at 1,800 fps. The projectiles tumble. It is tough on flesh, but on sheet rock they will penetrate one layer without passing through the second layer and entering the adjacent room. Good to know if your primary is a shotgun!

I guess I have carried a sidearm since Moby Dick was a minnow. I am by no means old, but when I was a boy the Dead Sea was just "tragically ill"!
After spending 10 years in Kentucky, we moved to Madison IN 3-1/2 years ago to be close to our only child, her husband, and out 5 grandsons. I had to sell 19 guns in order to move.......it was painful, like selling children! It's been 3+ years and I still have not secured a CCL. What I have gotten accustomed to is a shotgun for home defense. I chose a pump over an auto for the simple reason is that they are fail safe, and the sound of a shotgun being "racked" is unmistakable.....especially in the dark.
The purpose of this post is to talk about the ammo for my pumps. I know that many will talk about "#2 buck" to "00 buck" for home defense. The problem with these rounds is that the cylindrical pellets over penetrate sheet rock. In other words, there is an opportunity to hit a family member by accident in an adjacent room when shooting at a perpetrator. PROBLEM SOLVED. I found a manufacturer that makes a nifty high brass round that has (40) teardrop shaped projectiles that run out at 1,800 fps. The projectiles tumble. It is tough on flesh, but on sheet rock they will penetrate one layer without passing through the second layer and entering the adjacent room. Good to know if your primary is a shotgun!

Interesting thinking of getting a shotgun. What is the name of the manufacturer of your ammo?

You should always know what is in front of AND BEYOND your target.

If there are places where people sleep, maybe positioning yourself where they are not behind your target is a good option?  Depends on the floor plan, construction of the walls, and cover zones in the home.  Right now, I'm the only one living on the 1st floor.  Three live above me.  I'm not that concerned about them getting hit by mine or an intruder's rounds in normal circumstances.  I have a room light on a timer that's on all night in the center of the downstairs -- kitchen, living room & dining room are all lit enough to see into them.  Need to be able to identify your target.

The best solution is to avoid putting places people might be sleeping in the line of fire.  That includes neighbors.  I have single-wall construction on the exterior walls.  There's a vinyl fence between my home and both side-neighbors' homes.  There's a 7' retaining wall to the back, and a road and 2 concrete block walls with fence insets before my neighbors in front.  If I hit anyone unintentionally, it'll be a fluke -- just bad luck.

If I can be upstairs shooting down as someone climbs the stairs, that is my ideal situation.  They can't move left or right once they are on the stairs, I have the high ground, and only the floor behind them to catch rounds that miss or pass through.  I have a short wall at the top of the landing as well as the wall next to the landing for cover.

Sounds like this round you described is similar to some sizes of birdshot.  40 pellets must mean they are much smaller than 8 - 12 #00 buck pellets depending on shell length.  I'd be concerned about its effectiveness stopping a threat if the person has on thick clothing or if enough projectiles miss.

My HD shotgun is a Keltec KSG 12 I keep loaded with #00 Buck in one mag tube and slugs in the other.  #00 buck is chambered.  I prefer having a round chambered for quick use rather than having an empty chamber.  Racking the slide might make an intruder pause, but it also gives away your position, and it takes time to rack and aim.  Personal choice, but there are pros and cons to both ready conditions.

When I only had my Mossberg 590, I alternated rounds: Birdshot, #00, #00, Slug, #00, Slug, ...  This gave me a "weaker" round in the chamber just in case I did hit a wall I didn't want to over-penetrate.  I could quickly eject that 1st rd if I thought #00 was needed.  I figured if 2 rds of #00 wasn't enough, then try a slug.  I like having options.  in a tight spot, I might not remember which round I just fired, but at least I know they all have significant stopping power after the first.

The sound of a shotgun blast will likely send anyone still on his feet running, too.  I doubt I'll ever need the KSG's 13 rounds, but better to have and not need...

When I only had my Mossberg 590, I alternated rounds: Birdshot, #00, #00, Slug, #00, Slug, ...  This gave me a "weaker" round in the chamber just in case I did hit a wall I didn't want to over-penetrate.  I could quickly eject that 1st rd if I thought #00 was needed.

Fortuitous thoughts on shot loading, was just thinking of that.

Fortuitous thoughts on shot loading, was just thinking of that.

I went with the "What is my most likely scenario" sequence.

Bird shot -- Someone needs coaxing to drop a weapon, leave the premises, etc., the birdshot avoids the aftermath of killing (at least to some degree of certainty) someone who just made a really bad decision. Also, it gives me a little "slop" in case I'm experiencing tunnel vision and forget I'm risking someone sleeping in the next room or next door.  This was when I had kids sleeping downstairs, as opposed to now.

#00 Buck -- Second round means #1 was not convincing enough.  Things just got serious-er.

#00 Buck #2 -- Because I trust #00 Buck to be more likely to hit my target than a slug.  If I need a round after my first #00, let's see if seconds are sufficient.

Slug -- because 2 rounds of #00 Buck didn't work, time to get more serious-er!  Maybe there's armor in play.  Or drugs keeping him on his feet.  Maybe I need to make a hole in  the wall they are using for cover.  No matter what, this round is going to destroy whatever it touches.  By the time I get to this round, I'm well on target -- hopefully.

#00 and Slugs alternating -- At this stage, it's probably multiple threats.  If #00 isn't optimal, the next slug might be.

Anyway, it's all theoretical for me, but I do feel more confident with an array of rounds versus one type.  As I said, it's personal choice.

Maybe there's armor in play. 

That had occured to me, was wondering where it the chain of exiting events to need that.

Slugs, need to crank off a few, $$ buggers that they are, just to not be overtaken by the recoil.

50 years or so ago, a RVN buddy had invited me to spend some time in NC.  He had a double barrel set up with rifle sights intending it for slug use  Looked weird, but it was his gun.  (Why, who knows why 20-soemthing vets do stuff?)  he was also a .444 marlin guy, liked recoil I guess.

Do not recall just how bad the slugs recoiled, but do need some familiarization fire, as we used to call it.

Another sneaky buddy in Ojai Calif had a double.  Had loaded a light birdshot in one barrel and 3" something in the other.   Go ahead, he said, though i caught him giving the wink to someone.

A tight hold made it fun, much to his disappointment.

The thought that the sound of racking a slide will someone think twice and possibly flee is a fallacy, but a hit from a 12 gauge will.

The thought that the sound of racking a slide will someone think twice and possibly flee is a fallacy, but a hit from a 12 gauge will.

Yep.  Too much is depending on the good judgment of the perp.  He's there in your house.  Not much good to say about his judgment already.

Anyone used a SRM 1216 12GA?  Tempted to buy one....

I always think about what is in front and beyond my intended target when it comes to my home defense.

If the intruder comes in from the back, no problem I can blast away.  From the sides too.  What will be behind them is solid 8" masonry block walls filled with grout in every cell.

Breaking in from the front will pose a problem.  My walls are only 30" high and across the street is my neighbors house with the living room and master in my line of vision.

I was thinking of putting a sign on the front door asking the intruders to use the sides or back....

I always think about what is in front and beyond my intended target when it comes to my home defense.

If the intruder comes in from the back, no problem I can blast away.  From the sides too.  What will be behind them is solid 8" masonry block walls filled with grout in every cell.

Breaking in from the front will pose a problem.  My walls are only 30" high and across the street is my neighbors house with the living room and master in my line of vision.

I was thinking of putting a sign on the front door asking the intruders to use the sides or back....

Just post a sign in front:

Please come around back.  Door is unlocked.

 

AR15's are better at defense vs shotguns nowadays.  Though shotguns are a still a good option for a person low on cash as a decent one can be bought for $200.

AR15's are better at defense vs shotguns nowadays.  Though shotguns are a still a good option for a person low on cash as a decent one can be bought for $200.

But, you can't hear the scary rifle's looks like you can the scary racking of a shotgun round!   

I keep #4 shot high brass for my HD.
Hoping someone who gets shot doesn’t want to be shot again.
And it’s gonna be at short range in my house and our Houses are close together.

What is the name and brand of that ammo as it sounds like something to check out.
Especially in Hawaii with close houses and apartments.

You should always know what is in front of AND BEYOND your target.

If there are places where people sleep, maybe positioning yourself where they are not behind your target is a good option?  Depends on the floor plan, construction of the walls, and cover zones in the home.  Right now, I'm the only one living on the 1st floor.  Three live above me.  I'm not that concerned about them getting hit by mine or an intruder's rounds in normal circumstances.  I have a room light on a timer that's on all night in the center of the downstairs -- kitchen, living room & dining room are all lit enough to see into them.  Need to be able to identify your target.

The best solution is to avoid putting places people might be sleeping in the line of fire.  That includes neighbors.  I have single-wall construction on the exterior walls.  There's a vinyl fence between my home and both side-neighbors' homes.  There's a 7' retaining wall to the back, and a road and 2 concrete block walls with fence insets before my neighbors in front.  If I hit anyone unintentionally, it'll be a fluke -- just bad luck.

If I can be upstairs shooting down as someone climbs the stairs, that is my ideal situation.  They can't move left or right once they are on the stairs, I have the high ground, and only the floor behind them to catch rounds that miss or pass through.  I have a short wall at the top of the landing as well as the wall next to the landing for cover.

Sounds like this round you described is similar to some sizes of birdshot.  40 pellets must mean they are much smaller than 8 - 12 #00 buck pellets depending on shell length.  I'd be concerned about its effectiveness stopping a threat if the person has on thick clothing or if enough projectiles miss.

My HD shotgun is a Keltec KSG 12 I keep loaded with #00 Buck in one mag tube and slugs in the other.  #00 buck is chambered.  I prefer having a round chambered for quick use rather than having an empty chamber.  Racking the slide might make an intruder pause, but it also gives away your position, and it takes time to rack and aim.  Personal choice, but there are pros and cons to both ready conditions.

When I only had my Mossberg 590, I alternated rounds: Birdshot, #00, #00, Slug, #00, Slug, ...  This gave me a "weaker" round in the chamber just in case I did hit a wall I didn't want to over-penetrate.  I could quickly eject that 1st rd if I thought #00 was needed.  I figured if 2 rds of #00 wasn't enough, then try a slug.  I like having options.  in a tight spot, I might not remember which round I just fired, but at least I know they all have significant stopping power after the first.

The sound of a shotgun blast will likely send anyone still on his feet running, too.  I doubt I'll ever need the KSG's 13 rounds, but better to have and not need...

I pretty much did the same load as you but with a Mossberg 88.
I pretty much depend on my 5 doorbells, AKA dogs for warning.
So I'll have time to plan my defense, and where to bury the bodies.
That was a joke for you cops reading this.

AR15's are better at defense vs shotguns nowadays.  Though shotguns are a still a good option for a person low on cash as a decent one can be bought for $200.

That is the same thing Daniel at KGS told me years ago when I was there looking for a HD gun.
Here on the BI , I could fire in any direction and not worry about hitting neighbors, they aren’t any close by and other than the gate, the property is surrounded by dense growth of trees.  I will rack the slide of my Glock if I want to make a racking sound, but then I will have just expended a good round for no good reason.  I rather they hear the sound of gunfire.  They might be hard of earring and not hear the slide.  BTW, I keep a set of ears hanging on the wall next to my bed.

I always think about what is in front and beyond my intended target when it comes to my home defense.

If the intruder comes in from the back, no problem I can blast away.  From the sides too.  What will be behind them is solid 8" masonry block walls filled with grout in every cell.

Breaking in from the front will pose a problem.  My walls are only 30" high and across the street is my neighbors house with the living room and master in my line of vision.

I was thinking of putting a sign on the front door asking the intruders to use the sides or back....

I should put up disclaimer and/or warning type signs on the wall inside my front door.  Sort of like the warnings on the coffee cups at McDonalds now.

"Hi, Welcome to the home of Elmer Fudd.  If you take one more step inside my home, you acknowledge that may be greeted with buck shot, you wascawy wabbit.  Thank you and have a nice day!" 

 

I should put up disclaimer and/or warning type signs on the wall inside my front door.  Sort of like the warnings on the coffee cups at McDonalds now.

"Hi, Welcome to the home of Elmer Fudd.  If you take one more step inside my home, you acknowledge that may be greeted with buck shot, you wascawy wabbit.  Thank you and have a nice day!" 

 

I like:

The door you just kicked in was locked for YOUR protection.

In a typical house in hawaii, birdshot doesn't have time to spread. Ie. It's like a slug at short range.
If you have a large property I would go with conventional #4 buckshot.
Not exotic specialty ammo which could paint you as a bloodthirsty fanatic.