James: Some of your SurvivalBlog.com posts recommend storing 500 rounds per shotgun, but does not mention which types of shells.
How much should I stock of the following: Slugs, 00 Buckshot, #7-1/2 birdshot, #8 birdshot.
How many of each? Any other 12 gauge ammo type? Also, what shotguns do you use? Thanks for publishing a great blog! – Jim B.
JWR Replies: The ratio of shells that you store all depends on where you live. Do you live in duck country? Quail country? Rabbit country? Deer country?
If you live in duck country, then you should buy mostly #2 or #3 birdshot. (I used to use #4 lead shot, until steel or tungsten shot became mandatory.) In grouse country #6 birdshot should be your priority to stock. I like to keep a lot of the #6 size shot on hand because it can also be used to shoot rabbits. The #7-1/2 or #8 birdshot is preferred by most shooters [1] for grouse, doves, ptarmigan, and pigeons, but I generally use #6 birdshot because of its greater versatility. (I’ve also found that my Saiga semi-auto shotguns are not reliable with smaller shot, but they cycle exceptionally well with #6 birdshot when the gas port is set to “1”–wide open.) I do have a couple of cases of #8 shot 1-ounce low base loads that I keep on hand for garden pest shooting, but that is mainly when I don’t have a .22 rimfire handy.
I generally prefer #4 Buckshot for self defense–not 00 or 000 Buck. I only have about 100 rounds of 12 gauge rifled slugs, since rifles are more appropriate than shotguns for deer hunting here in The Un-named Western State. BTW, I’m planning to test the new Hexolit slugs [2], once I find a stocking dealer in my region. That might become my preferred self-defense load, to alternate in my magazines with buckshot.
FWIW, I do not recommend any of the exotic shotshell loads that are heavily marketed at gun shows and in gun publications. “Dragon’s Breath” for example, is just an over-priced novelty item. I do have a few tear gas “Ferret” rounds, but I wonder if a situation that warrants their use will ever arise.
You asked about shotguns. I’m mainly a rifle shooter, so I don’t own many shotguns. Here at the ranch, our family has:
- A Remington Model 870 Marine (corrosion-resistant variant) 12 Gauge with a black fiberglass stock and foreend.
- A Remington Model 1100 “Youth” 20 Gauge.
- Several restored Winchester Model 1897 12 Gauge. All of these are 1898 production, so they are Federally-exempt antiques [3].
- Several Saiga 12 semi-autos. Some of them are waiting for the forthcoming Kushnapup bullpup stocks [4], while one is about to be converted by Tromix Lead Delivery Systems [5] into a folding-stock gun. (Since left-handers cannot use bullpup shotguns.) All of our Saigas will soon be fitted with Monster Brakes [6] that I ordered from Carolina Shooter’s Supply. The barrels will be cut and the brakes will be high temperature silver-soldered on by a gunsmith, yielding a 18.5-inch barrel length when completed.