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Every household must have some sort of weapon in their home, so that they can counter-attack an evil intruder and defend themselves. However, shotgun is not a deadly weapon, as its main aim is just to injure a person, and not to kill someone.
So, there are special ammunitions that are designed for the purpose. If you have a home defense shotgun and you are looking for the best home defense shotgun ammo, then this quick guide will introduce you to some of the best options available out there.
This article will guide you with reviews of the ten best home defense shotgun ammo, followed by a brief buying guide and a few frequently asked questions for your convenience.
Top 10 Best Home Defense Shotgun Ammo 2020
1. Fiocchi 12 Gauge – 2-3/4″ 1oz. #7.5 Shot
With thousands of regular buyers, Fiocchi’s 12 gauge – 2-¾” 1 oz. is undoubtedly one of the most potent ammo options available in the market. It has the power to burst a clay in such a manner that a viewer has no option other than applauding the shot.
It has a column of shot that weighs 1/8 ounce lighter than the heaviest shells. Because of its 12-gauge shotshell, the recoil is very gentle. As it is made of lead, the muzzle velocity reaches a supersonic level, thereby making it an excellent choice for home defense shotgun ammo.
Pros
- An excellent option to teach shooting to your infant
- #7.5 shot, one of the most popular
- Doesn’t attract magnets
Cons
- Has a range of only 35 to 50 yards
2. PMC One Shot High Velocity 12 Gauge – 3″ 1-1/4oz. BB Steel Shot
Do you have a knack for hunting geese? Are you thinking of going for a hunt with your friends this weekend? Or you are just keeping a shotgun at home for defense purposes? If yes, then look no further than the 12 gauge – 3” 1-1 /4oz by BB. These bullets are made from steel and come with a 3” shotshell. It is capable of holding 1 – 1/ 4 ounces of shot.
Produced from prime quality raw materials, it fits into the bullet chamber neatly. Though this gun is suitable for hunting, you can surely use it as a home defense shotgun. Just be sure that while you are showering shots, the target doesn’t have a chance, whether it is a bird or an intruder.
Pros
- Also suitable for hunting large birds
- Easy to load and extract
- Right choice for home defense shotgun
Cons
- Attracts magnets
3. Fiocchi Crusher 12 Gauge – 2-3/4″ – 1 oz – #8 Lead Shots
Fiocchi Crusher’s #8 lead shot is primarily aimed for competitions that use sporting clays or skeets. It has an incredibly destructive power that can fire bullets at the rate of 1300 feet per second, making it one of the best home defense shotgun ammos.
It can disburse one ounce of #8 bullets, which can decimate a skeet easily. Although these bullets are very powerful, firing these won’t hurt your shoulder because of its smoother recoil.
It is available in 25 rounds per box, and each case has ten boxes. So, if you are scheduled to engage in a competition, take one or two of these cases and get started. They serve as a good ammo for home defense shotgun purposes as well.
Pros
- Very powerful
- Smooth at loading and extracting
- Excellent choice for both home defense and shooting competitions
Cons
- A little bit on the costly side
4. Fiocchi Target Shooting Dynamics 12 Gauge – 2-3/4″ 1-1/8 oz. #7.5 Shot
As the name suggests, these #7-1/2 shot bullets are ideal for target shooting. Fiocchi’s Target Shooting Dynamics are made of premium quality raw materials, and its shell length is 2-¾”. With a muzzle velocity of 1200 feet per second, this 12-gauge ammo is an excellent option for home defense as well as for the trap, sporting clays, and shooting skeets. The primary material used to make this bullet is lead.
Fiocchi is a household name in ammunition, and this product is another proof of their consistency in providing the utmost quality.
Pros
- Muzzle speed at 1200 feet per second
- Made of premium quality lead
- One of the best home defense shotgun ammos
Cons
- Mainly ideal for target shooting
5. Fiocchi Target Shooting Dynamics 12 Gauge – 2 3/4″ 1 oz. #7.5 Shot
This product from the Italian ammunition manufacturer is the first pick when it comes to trap or skeet shooting, dove hunting, as well as home defense. This 12-gauge ammo is packed with powerful 2-3/4’’ inch shells and has 1 ounce of load. It is the perfect ammo for target shooting, as it can destroy any clay or skeet instantly upon hitting.
This product can carry out both bird hunting and home defense jobs correctly due to its robust shell. Thus, a buyer can enjoy an economic benefit from its multipurpose usage.
Pros
- Multipurpose use
- Budget-friendly
- Manufacturers are the govt. ammo supplier in Europe
Cons
- Its muzzle speed is only 1170 feet per second
6. Nobel Sport Nobel Speed 12 Gauge – 2-3/4″ 1 oz. #7-1/2 Shot
For the use of close-range combats, the 12 gauge is the prime choice all over the world since the early 1870s. This 12-gauge possesses a vast payload and massive firepower. It could be of great use if you want to defend your household. This 2¾’’, one ounce, #7 ½ shotshells will slam your target quite easily. So, using them for hunting or a sports practice with your friends is also an option.
This product has a proof quality after various usage in military, law, and civilian services. The 12-gauge’s close-range power is second to none, making it one of the best home defense shotgun ammos.
Pros
- Ideal for hunting big animals
- Has an FPS of 1300
- Proven quality
- Popular in home-defense ammunition
Cons
- Tight recoil
7. Fiocchi 12 Gauge – 2-3/4″ 1-1/8oz. #9 Shot
Forget those days when people used to feel guilty for accidentally preying on pigeons while hunting. Nowadays, we have pigeons made of clay, and cracking one of those may win you gold!
This ammo serves as the best shotgun ammo for home defense. It has an astonishing 12-gauge shotshell, which is loaded with 1-1/8 ounces of shot. The material is lead. Pulling the trigger will result in the disbursement of 658 lead ball clouds. It has a muzzle speed of 1165 fps.
Pros
- Built from high-quality material
- Has #9 shot
- Has got a muzzle speed of 1165 fps
- Does not attract magnets
Cons
- Not that effective for serious injury
8. Challenger 12 Gauge – 2-3/4″ 1-1/8oz. #8 Shot
Challenger is amongst the leading names creating the best shotgun ammo for home defense since 1983. Their new 12-gauge offering is packed with high caliber 1-1/8 ounces of #8 lead shot.
This bullet serves home defense purposes well with its muzzle velocity of 1200 fps. This shotgun ammo has a round shot and a consistently performing wad made with original Canadian plastic. The gun’s shell consists of a non-corrosive shotgun primer and a clean burning-dust.
Pros
- Has a good muzzle velocity
- Great quality
- Insane damage
Cons
- Price is on the higher side
9. Fiocchi 12 Gauge – 2-3/4″ 1oz. #9 Shot
This product is one of the best when considering the best home defense shotgun ammos. This 12-gauge shotshell has 585 shot pellets in it. Its diameter is 0.08 inches and is packed onto a 2¾” shell using a #9 shot.
Fiocchi has enhanced the performance of this ammo in several ways. It doesn’t cause much damage because the shotshell of this pellet can only put 2 ft. pounds of energy in the muzzle. It has a muzzle velocity of 1200 feet per second.
Pros
- High quality
- High performance
- Great for home use
Cons
- Not for multipurpose use
10. Fiocchi 28 Gauge – 2-3/4″ 3/4oz. #7.5 Shot
Fiocchi has produced many excellent target shooting ammos for shotgun, but these 28 Gauge ones are among the best. This ammo has 2-3/4 ounces of #7.5 lead shot.
Despite carrying a muzzle speed of 1300 feet per second, Fiocchi’s technique while building this one soaks up the excessive recoil. They always provide reliable and durable primers. Their powders don’t leave a large amount of junk. Each shell can be reloaded due to the brass plated head and plastic tube.
Pros
- High caliber bullets
- Less recoil
- Muzzle speed 1300 fps
Cons
- Best suitable for sporting clays and target loads only
Factors To Look For When Buying The Best Home Defense Shotgun Ammo
Are you buying a home defense shotgun ammo for the first time? It would be best if you were a little extra cautious while considering your options. The market has a flood of choices to offer. But the perfect shotgun ammo is the one that fulfills all the below mentioned factors:
1. Gauge
The term gauge means the diameter of the barrel bore of your shotgun. The lower the number of the gauge size, the more impact it will have on the target. A 10-gauge gun is more massive and has a more decisive hit than the 20-gauge variant.
A shotgun gauge can range from 8 gauge to 32 gauge. However, 12-gauge and 20-gauge shotguns are the two most popularly used variants used for home defense purposes.
2. Barrel Length
Shotguns come in various lengths, but only some of them are ideal for home defense. The perfect size of a home-purpose shotgun should be enough to be handled indoors, lightweight to be carried easily, and small enough so that all eligible and trained members of your house can easily handle it.
A gun with a barrel length of 20 inches is considered ideal for maneuvering all over your home and carried out by even the small stature shooters in your house.
3. Pump-Action Vs. Semi-Automatic
The click sound effect of the pump-action shotguns is said to have a significant impact of fear on the intruder, which has no match in its semi-automatic counterpart. Other than that, the pump-action shotgun has a more considerable number of ammo-options and has a lesser possibility of a misfire. They can also get easily fixed if anything goes wrong. In contrast, semi-automatic guns are lighter and easier to operate, but generally come for a higher price.
4. Stock Design And Pistol Grip Shotgun
The pistol-grip shotguns got famous for a short while, but in the real field, it has been noticed that they have a practically poor aiming capability. Besides, they tend to kick back harder than expected.
The pistol grip shotguns can be handled easily with one hand, but they are not considered ideal for home-usage. So, it’s better to avoid them.
Choosing The Best Home Defense Shotgun Ammo Using This Guide
Your home is the abode for the most loved ones you have in your life, your family members. You want to do your best to protect them from all possible dangers. All the information furnished in this article would be helpful for you, and you will be able to understand the basic idea about how to choose the best home defense shotgun ammos.
So, whether you are a first-timer or a seasoned shooter, keep these few factors in mind while buying a new gun ammo next time, as mentioned in the buyers’ guide, and be rest assured to protect your family and your property from any illegal break-ins.
FAQs
Q1. Can You Use A Hunting Shotgun For Home Defense?
Yes. you can use a hunting gun for home defense, as it is appropriate for shooting at short distances. The only problem you might face doing that is because of its bigger size. The larger size of the hunting gun may be an issue to maneuver indoors.
Q2. Which Is Better For Home Defense – A Handgun Or A Shotgun?
Considering the advantages and disadvantages of both guns, we would go for the shotguns. The handguns, like pistols, lack the firepower compared to the shotguns. Although the handguns are smaller in size and are easy to move around within the house, they require proper skill to operate and have greater chances of misfiring than the shotguns.
Q3. What Type Of Shotgun Shell Is Best For Home Defense?
There are three main types of gun shells for shotguns. Experts suggest that the 00 and #1 buck shells with reduced power in 12-gauge barrels are the overall best choice for home defense.
Q4. Can A Shotgun Kill A Person?
If you are using a shotgun for home defense purpose, then your aim would be to counter-attack an intruder so that his malicious activities can be stopped. But you would not want to kill that person at your home. So, the shotgun ammo you choose should just cause some injury to the person, and not kill him. Whether the shotgun can kill a person or not depends on the ammo you choose.
Michael Castaneda is a 45-year old war veteran from Michigan with a deep interest in guns. After the war, Michael took a pledge to never touch a gun except for the purpose of self-defense. He created Machine Gun Books to guide people on self-defense and providing information on guns and accessories.