There was a recent thread in a FB group asking if folks preferred Buckshot or Slugs for their HD shotguns. The answers were, for the most part not based on sound theory by those who provided their reasoning (even if their choice was a good one). The shotgun is certainly a multi-dimensional power tool. I have shot a lot of things with shotguns, from an Elk with a slug at 80 yards, through medium size game to Doves with .410s. I continue to see threads that propagate urban legends related to shotguns, both pro and con. But there are several things that fans of the shotgun who actually have some training on the platform understand. First, except for denial of approach, aiming is still needed to deliver rounds on target. Second, Slugs maintain a significant power advantage over pistols at all distances and buckshot at some distance. Third, at some point (lots of factors to consider) buckshot falls behind slugs (and pistols) in terms of delivering effective rounds on target. Where that occurs is up for debate and the general scope of this post. Historically, many have said (and trained) buckshot to 25 yards, slugs beyond. That brings up two issues. First, is 25 yards the right distance? Second, select loading is a high skill endeavor both from a functional and mental perspective. So from contact to 25 yards, any reason to use buckshot over slugs?
There are nuances and each specific case is different, but for me, I prefer a slug over buckshot to stop a single threat at any distance. Indiscriminate homicidal mob, probably buckshot. Denial of approach, buckshot for sure.
I will present why I have come to these preferences. I have investigated (professionally) several shootings with shotguns as well as conducted a survey of deer hunters who have used buck and slugs (5 to 75 yards). I have also reviewed case files of a few high profile cases where buckshot was used and some uses of buckshot by LEOs in the 1970s through the 1990s (Scattered events since 2000) including department reports on efficacy. Working with the Marines who used M4s to guard US Embassies gave me another data point to consider. I have been involved in a few live fire tests with various ammunition as well. One was a pig eradication hunt I did and we shot some coyotes as well. I used a shotgun with slugs, buck and 9mm and .45 pistols from 10 feet to about 150 feet. With this in mind and realizing we want to stop the threat NOW, as opposed to 10 minutes from now, I am adamant that slugs are significantly better than buckshot overall, and distinctly so at further distances. Not a single case with buckshot on game was there a DRT shot past 10 yards. Almost all had to be tracked for a decent distance. On humans shot with buckshot with a full pattern at distances inside of 10 yards, I found most were DRT, but some who survived. In the Aurora Theater shooting, 6 rounds of buckshot were fired at victims at relatively close distances (all under 25 yards, some under 10 yards)...none of those victims died from buckshot and most were ambulatory after being shot. From the work I have reviewed and done, 9mm is more effective than buckshot at stopping the threat NOW from 10 yards out and further. Slugs on the other hand rank right up there with .223 and .308 in terms of stopping the threat now at distances from contact to at least 100 yards. The number of shootings with slugs and buck is very low compared to other common defensive munitions, so some will dismiss this as anecdotal. Others will take it and do their own research. Most will just ignore it and go with what they have always done and "feel" is right. That is not me though. Testing and proof of theory or concept is a huge part of my professional work and I intend to keep my excellent track record going up against other experts in tact. That often requires research and analysis in addition to my specific case work. Before I went to slugs, from Buck, I used #1 buck, which (again limited data) does show to be better than 00 or #4. #1 Buck in a shotgun in relatively tight spaces with structure penetration concerns, like hotels and apartments, does make sense, so do not think I am discounting that at all. But, past 10 yards (yes, a generality) buckshot starts to fall behind slugs (and pistol rounds) for stopping the threat right now. So for "most" HD shootings, the shotgun with 1 round of buckshot will certainly stop the threat right now. Hope this helps some make a more informed choice that works for them and their environment.
Caveat: Shotguns certainly offer some cost benefit and overall, some people feel better learning the shotgun over the pistol. But, the pistol and shotgun are tools that take more time and dedication to achieve shooting (disregarding tactics) than the more expensive semi-auto rifle platforms. Given a scenario ahead of time, a person skilled with the rifle, pistol and shotgun would be able to pick the best solution. Suppressors, rate of fire, skill level all having an impact. Don't misunderstand, as I am sure some will, I am not discounting the shotgun, or buckshot at all. For some, best bet, for others, maybe not, that is all. Your budget, training and environment are all factors each person much consider for themselves.
There are nuances and each specific case is different, but for me, I prefer a slug over buckshot to stop a single threat at any distance. Indiscriminate homicidal mob, probably buckshot. Denial of approach, buckshot for sure.
I will present why I have come to these preferences. I have investigated (professionally) several shootings with shotguns as well as conducted a survey of deer hunters who have used buck and slugs (5 to 75 yards). I have also reviewed case files of a few high profile cases where buckshot was used and some uses of buckshot by LEOs in the 1970s through the 1990s (Scattered events since 2000) including department reports on efficacy. Working with the Marines who used M4s to guard US Embassies gave me another data point to consider. I have been involved in a few live fire tests with various ammunition as well. One was a pig eradication hunt I did and we shot some coyotes as well. I used a shotgun with slugs, buck and 9mm and .45 pistols from 10 feet to about 150 feet. With this in mind and realizing we want to stop the threat NOW, as opposed to 10 minutes from now, I am adamant that slugs are significantly better than buckshot overall, and distinctly so at further distances. Not a single case with buckshot on game was there a DRT shot past 10 yards. Almost all had to be tracked for a decent distance. On humans shot with buckshot with a full pattern at distances inside of 10 yards, I found most were DRT, but some who survived. In the Aurora Theater shooting, 6 rounds of buckshot were fired at victims at relatively close distances (all under 25 yards, some under 10 yards)...none of those victims died from buckshot and most were ambulatory after being shot. From the work I have reviewed and done, 9mm is more effective than buckshot at stopping the threat NOW from 10 yards out and further. Slugs on the other hand rank right up there with .223 and .308 in terms of stopping the threat now at distances from contact to at least 100 yards. The number of shootings with slugs and buck is very low compared to other common defensive munitions, so some will dismiss this as anecdotal. Others will take it and do their own research. Most will just ignore it and go with what they have always done and "feel" is right. That is not me though. Testing and proof of theory or concept is a huge part of my professional work and I intend to keep my excellent track record going up against other experts in tact. That often requires research and analysis in addition to my specific case work. Before I went to slugs, from Buck, I used #1 buck, which (again limited data) does show to be better than 00 or #4. #1 Buck in a shotgun in relatively tight spaces with structure penetration concerns, like hotels and apartments, does make sense, so do not think I am discounting that at all. But, past 10 yards (yes, a generality) buckshot starts to fall behind slugs (and pistol rounds) for stopping the threat right now. So for "most" HD shootings, the shotgun with 1 round of buckshot will certainly stop the threat right now. Hope this helps some make a more informed choice that works for them and their environment.
Caveat: Shotguns certainly offer some cost benefit and overall, some people feel better learning the shotgun over the pistol. But, the pistol and shotgun are tools that take more time and dedication to achieve shooting (disregarding tactics) than the more expensive semi-auto rifle platforms. Given a scenario ahead of time, a person skilled with the rifle, pistol and shotgun would be able to pick the best solution. Suppressors, rate of fire, skill level all having an impact. Don't misunderstand, as I am sure some will, I am not discounting the shotgun, or buckshot at all. For some, best bet, for others, maybe not, that is all. Your budget, training and environment are all factors each person much consider for themselves.
