When it comes to buckshot, Double “Ought” (00) is still the king! Though 00 is the most common buckshot used for self-defense, there are several additional options. Knowing these options are important to choose the right buckshot for your unique situation.
There are several different gauges and one caliber that buckshot is usually loaded in. These are 10-gauge, 12-gauge, 20-gauge and .410 bore. The 12-gauge and 20-gauge are the most common. There are also several different sizes of buckshot shells: 3½”, 3”, 2¾”, and 1¾” minishells, also called “shorties.” The 2¾” and 3” are the most common.
If you are using buckshot for personal defense, there are four things you need to know for a complete understanding of the round: sizes, caliber, pellet count, and penetration and distance.
Sizes
When people think of buckshot, the 00 buckshot (pronounced “Double Ought”) is usually the first size that comes to mind. For example, if you ask someone what size buckshot they use for self-defense, the answer is almost always 00 buckshot. If you follow up and ask them in 2¾" or 3", you will usually get a puzzled look.
Most buckshot comes in two sizes in length, 2¾" or 3". Depending on the shotgun, if it has a 2¾" chamber, you are restricted to that size. If your shotgun has a 3" chamber, you have an option of using either 2¾" or 3" shells. It is important to follow the data stamp on the firearm because if you shoot a 3” shell out of a firearm that has a 2¾" chamber it could damage or destroy the gun and could cause serious bodily injury or death to the shooter.
Buckshot not only comes in two lengths, but it also comes in different sizes. Many individuals that opt for a shotgun loaded with buckshot are surprised that there are seven different sizes of buckshot. Though some of the sizes can be hard to find, the options are still there. From smallest to largest, buckshot comes in No. 4, No. 3, No. 2, No. 1, 0 (Ought), 00 (Double Ought), and 000 (Triple Ought).
Calibers
A shotgun loaded with buckshot is very versatile. Because there are so many different sizes, having a shotgun is like having seven firearms due to the fact each size is a different caliber. Imagine having one firearm that shoots projectiles approximately in size of .22 LRs to .38 Special and 9 mm.
Since the size varies in seven calibers, this gives the shooter many options depending on the situation, environment, and proximity of the threat. For example, the situation may be if you are looking for protection within the home or outside the home. The environment might be if you are alone in your home or there are other family members you are protecting. The proximity concern might be if you are protecting yourself down a 12-foot hallway or checking the perimeter of your property where shots might be greater distances.
Typically when individuals think of shotshells, they think of the smaller-size, birdshot. When it comes to buckshot, the calibers are very impressive. From smallest to largest, No.4 shot is .24 caliber, No.3 shot is .25 caliber, No.2 shot is .27 caliber, No.1 shot is .30 caliber, 0 is .32 caliber, 00 is .33 caliber, and 000 is .36 caliber.
Pellet Count
The versatility does not stop at the different calibers. The pellet count multiples a person’s defenses. Because one 000 buckshot shell has 8 pellets within, it would be like firing 8 guns at the same time out of a 2¾" shell, each shooting .36 caliber projectiles. Or imagine firing 24 guns at the same time shooting .24-cal. projectiles using a different 2¾" shell loaded with No.4 buckshot. Additionally, if your shotgun is chambered for 3" shotshells, you could be firing between 10 guns at a time shooting .36-cal. projectiles using a 3" shell loaded with 000 buckshot to 27 guns at a time shooting .24-cal. projectiles using a different 3" shell loaded with No.4 buckshot!
Pellet count is a force multiplier. This is because the more projectiles that you put down range, the greater the chance of hitting your target one or more times. The number of actual projectiles being put down range depends on if the shooter is using a 20-gauge or 12-gauge shotgun and if the firearm is chambered in 2¾" shells or 3" shells.
The most common shotgun used for self-defense is 12-gauge. The average number of pellets fired from a 2¾" shotshell are as follows: No. 4 shot has 24 pellets, No .3 has 20, No. 2 has 14, No. 1 has 12, 0 has 9, 00 has 9, and 000 has 8. The average number of pellets fired from a 3" shotshell are as follows, No. 4 spot has 27 pellets, No.3 has 16, No.2 has 16, No.1 has 15, 0 has 12, 00 has 12, and 000 has 10. These are average numbers so they may vary from different manufacturers.
Penetration and Distance
Penetration and distance usually have a lot to do with projectile weight and velocity. Standard 2¾" shotshell buckshot pellet velocities range from 1,300 — 1,400 feet per second at the muzzle, regardless of size. A 3" magnum shotshell loaded with 00 or 000 could have slightly higher muzzle velocities. This means that the weight is going to be the determining factor in penetration and distance.
This is a concern if a shotgun is loaded with buckshot and if there is a potential of over-penetration and injuring an innocent bystander or family member. For example, if you are using a 12-gauge shotgun loaded for home defense with 3" magnum shells loaded with 000 buckshot, there is a chance that some of the pellets could miss its mark and pass through sheetrock separating rooms and hit an innocent bystander or family member who may be in the next room.
The weights vary depending on the size of the buckshot. The following are weights per pellet, ranging from the smallest to the largest: No. 4 shot weighs 20.7 grains; No. 3 weighs 23.4 grains; No. 2 weighs 29.4 grains; No. 1 weighs 40.5 grains; 0 weighs 49 grains; 00 weighs 53.8 grains; and 000 weighs 70 grains.
When these individual pellet weights are multiplied by the average number of pellets, you get a very impressive total weight. For example, using the numbers of a 12-gauge shotgun chambered in 3" shells, the combined total weight of projectiles are, No. 4 with 558.9 grains; No. 3 with 374.4 grains; No. 2 with 470.4 grains; No. 1 with 607.5 grains; 0 with 588 grains; 00 with 645.6 grains; and 000 with a staggering 700 grains.
Shotguns have been around since the 16th century. Even though there have been many advances in firearms, shotguns have remained relatively the same. Shotguns are still some of the most feared self-defense firearms. From riding “shotgun” on stagecoaches, sweeping the enemy trenches in World War I, to keeping one by the bed in case of an intruder, the shotgun remains the “King” of self-defense weapons!
