Best Shotgun Ammo For Self Defense

We understand Home defense is important but maybe using an AR isn’t the best option. If an AR isn’t the best option then what is? Shotguns! Shotguns are found to be more effective in a home defense situation. The reason the shotgun is best for home defense is that it provides the maximum damage with lower wall penetration and it takes minimal skill to fire the weapon. There’s one important question to ask when using the shotgun for home defense. Whats the best ammo!? From personal uses, I believe that 20 gauge is best but some people prefer 12 or 410 gauge. It all really depends on the person and what results they want when picking the best ammo.

Below I broke down the three most popular shotgun shells

3. 410 gauge

When it comes to .410 the bigging problem is the pattern spray. Since the shell is a long skinny shape the spray pattern is not an oval pattern like the shorter and bulker shells. Due to the shells spray pattern, it would not be ideal to use for home defense.

2.  12 gauge

12-gauge shells are commonly used for bird hunting and occasionally home defense. the 12 gauge is not popular for home defense because of its powerful recoil. with that being said in a defensive situation you should only have to worry about protecting yourself not the shotgun coming back and hitting you.

1. 20 gauge

just like the 12 gauge shell, the 20 gauge is popular for bird hunting. When it comes to home defense the 20 gauge is the most popular. The reason its so popular is because the recoil on a 20 gauge is almost nothing which is why it is used mostly for home defense.