When it comes to protecting you, your family and your property, there is no room for error in a life or death situation. We’re fortunate that citizens in our country have the undeniable right to defend themselves and their property through the 2nd Amendment. It states that citizens have the “right to keep and bear arms,” and many exercise that right by being firearm owners. 

While many people hunt and compete in competitions, we’re of the opinion self-defense is by far the most important and popular reason that individuals purchase firearms. 

When making the decision on what type of firearm to purchase for self- or home-defense, there are several factors to take into consideration, including:

  • Your comfort level with firearms
  • Setting – home vs. apartment
  • Your physical size and strength
  • Budget

Overall, shotguns are among the most popular choices for home-defense firearms and rightfully so. Their ease of use and extreme effectiveness make an appealing case to a wide range of firearm owners, from beginners to veterans. 

Self-defense shotguns come in all shapes and sizes, but the most important variable is the gauge or the ammunition size. Unlike other firearms that are measured in caliber, the way shotguns are differentiated is by gauges. The way the “gauge” of a shotgun is measured is by the number of lead balls that are equal to the diameter of the barrel it takes to make one pound. For example, a 12-gauge shotgun has a barrel diameter of 18.5mm, so it takes 12 lead balls with that same diameter to equal one pound. So, with that, the higher the number of the gauge, the smaller the projectile that is fired. 

The most popular or best self-defense shotgun gauge is easily the 12-gauge. When trying to decide what the best shotgun is for your needs, think about the stature and strength of the user as well as the stopping power desired. There are several gauges that range from 4-gauge (which is the largest) all the way to the .410 gauge. 

There are many proponents that believe even a 20-gauge shotgun is more than enough power to effectively defend yourself and your family. While it can be comforting knowing that the firearm is capable of much more than what is needed, the only thing more important than the stopping power of the firearm wielded by a defendant is being proficient in the use of the firearm. Even a well-placed .22 LR round (very small caliber round) can be enough to put down a threat. 

There are numerous companies that produce reliable shotguns and the decision to pick one for your purchase ultimately comes down to a few factors:

  • Budget
  • Style
  • Gauge

Some of the most popular shotgun brands include:

  • Benelli
  • Browning
  • Mossberg
  • Redington

best shotgun shell for home defense

Now that the brief discussion on home-defense shotguns has been addressed, the next important discussion on home-defense is about the type of ammunition. There are several options to choose from and they include slugs, buckshot, birdshot. 

  • Slugs – typically used for harvesting big game, like deer, bear, hogs, etc., and are comprised of one solid piece of lead. The placement needs to be very accurate because there is no spread of pellets like other types of ammunition.
  • Buckshot – fewer and larger pellets than birdshot, used for hunting larger game up to deer-size and also used in home-defense situations. Accuracy does not have to be perfect due to the spread of the pellets, which is why they are appealing for home defense situations. More pellets give you a better chance of hitting a vital organ, which helps neutralize a threat.
  • Birdshot – used to target small to medium game for hunting due to the smaller sized pellets and larger spread. Accuracy is least important, but the stopping power of these shells do not make them appealing for home defense situations. 

The best shotgun shell for home defense is buckshot because of its combination of stopping power and the need for accuracy. Let’s look at some of the best home-defense shotgun rounds on the market today.

  • Winchester Super-X #1 Buckshot – this is one of the all-around best rounds on the market. From being budget-friendly, Winchester has earned the trust of many self-defense shotgun owners. The penetration of this round is enough to put down any threats while not having to worry about what is behind the target or missed shot placement.
  • Federal LE Tactical #00– for those that demand stopping power that is unparalleled and capable of putting down any threat in any situation, Federal has the perfect round. With 8 pellets, the spread and penetration are optimal for being effective protective rounds. 
  • Remington #00 12ga 8 Pellet – the power behind this round has made it a favorite among hunters and personal defense shotgun owners alike. Unlike 9 pellet shells, the 8-pellet design allows for the grouping to remain in pattern all the way to the target. 
  • Hornady Critical Defense #00 – Hornady has earned their place to be named one of the most reliable names in home defense. With 1600 fps muzzle velocity, the stopping power is enough to eliminate any threats. 

popular shotgun brands

All of these 12 gauge rounds plus so many more can be found on our website. We carry an expansive selection of not only shotgun rounds, but also pistol and rifle rounds as well. Whether you are looking for target rounds, hunting or home defense ammunition, check out our selection and incredible prices!