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An ethical hunter doesn't "spray and pray". This country was settled wiith single-shot rifles that took 30 seconds to a minute to reload between shots. If you know your weapon and practice with it, one shot is still sufficient. My Ruger #1 in .30-06 I bought in 1985 is still taking deer as fast as they walk in front of me.
Many think an ethical hunter uses a compound bow.
Recurve guys think they are the only ethical hunters and on and on and on.
At close range (less than 15 feet) the pattern on a 12 guage depending on brand of ammo is 1.5 to 4 inches. The recoil is also much worse than an AR. This makes a major difference in a high stress self defense situation.
But 9x .30 cal (sorta, most #00 is .34 in diameter, but we'll say .30 cal for ease of use), 60gr pellets spread over ~3 inches average (at 15 feet) has much better single shot stopping power than an AR, and in stressful situations the first shot matters a ton. Shotguns simply accomplish more with the first shot than any other home defense choice.
And slugs, should you get serious about dropping things with one shot, guaranteed...well, considering a plain jane pump action 12 gauge can deliver ~2600 ft/lb inside 20 yards with a hollow point slug, that starts its wound channel at almost an inch diameter? That's big hurt per shot either way you go. ~300 grain slug, or ~540 gr total weight from the 00 pellets...just a whole lotta close range kickass per trigger pull.
And oh btw, they make semiauto shotguns. For home defense, shotguns are tough to beat.
But 9x .30 cal (sorta, most #00 is .34 in diameter, but we'll say .30 cal for ease of use), 60gr pellets spread over ~3 inches average (at 15 feet) has much better single shot stopping power than an AR, and in stressful situations the first shot matters a ton. Shotguns simply accomplish more with the first shot than any other home defense choice.
And slugs, should you get serious about dropping things with one shot, guaranteed...well, considering a plain jane pump action 12 gauge can deliver ~2600 ft/lb inside 20 yards with a hollow point slug, that starts its wound channel at almost an inch diameter? That's big hurt per shot either way you go. ~300 grain slug, or ~540 gr total weight from the 00 pellets...just a whole lotta close range kickass per trigger pull.
And oh btw, they make semiauto shotguns. For home defense, shotguns are tough to beat.
If you use a rifled barrel those pellets will really disperse nicely. I was getting about a 3 x 3 pattern at 20 yards with the flyers and 3.5 inch magnum 00 buck.
Not something very fun to shoot though with 74 lbs recoil.
But 9x .30 cal (sorta, most #00 is .34 in diameter, but we'll say .30 cal for ease of use), 60gr pellets spread over ~3 inches average (at 15 feet) has much better single shot stopping power than an AR, and in stressful situations the first shot matters a ton. Shotguns simply accomplish more with the first shot than any other home defense choice.
And slugs, should you get serious about dropping things with one shot, guaranteed...well, considering a plain jane pump action 12 gauge can deliver ~2600 ft/lb inside 20 yards with a hollow point slug, that starts its wound channel at almost an inch diameter? That's big hurt per shot either way you go. ~300 grain slug, or ~540 gr total weight from the 00 pellets...just a whole lotta close range kickass per trigger pull.
And oh btw, they make semiauto shotguns. For home defense, shotguns are tough to beat.
The problem with shotguns is the recoil....... For people who are not "shooters" this is a problem. I personally prefer a handgun in close quarters, but that is what I train with most often. For most people the ability to put many rounds downrange with minimum recoil is paramount.
The problem with shotguns is the recoil....... For people who are not "shooters" this is a problem. I personally prefer a handgun in close quarters, but that is what I train with most often. For most people the ability to put many rounds downrange with minimum recoil is paramount.
In a home defense situation, you aren't putting tons of ammo down range. You fire once, maybe twice. And that recoil on your end means something a whole lot worse is coming out of the other end.
Personally, I have a 9mm Beretta with proper ammunition for nightstand defense. My other firearms, including my shotgun, are for hunting and range practice. I have the shotgun available, it's in a ready state for me to sweep the house, but I choose my handgun as my weapon of choice for middle of the night WTF? scenarios. Recoil from shotguns never bugged me much. Once you learn how to absorb it, the effect is minimal.
An ethical hunter doesn't "spray and pray". This country was settled wiith single-shot rifles that took 30 seconds to a minute to reload between shots. If you know your weapon and practice with it, one shot is still sufficient. My Ruger #1 in .30-06 I bought in 1985 is still taking deer as fast as they walk in front of me.
A semi auto is much better for rabbits, squirrels and feral hogs.
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