The best all-purpose round.

[Jay Dubya]

I just ordered a new 870 express combo. I haven't owned a shotgun in over 40 years. I am just curious what is a good all purpose 12 gauge round for a guy that wants the shotgun not only for home defense. But maybe go out and shoot up some plastic jugs. Maybe shoot down a few clays. Just mostly to shoot things up an have a little fun. Have no desire to hunt with it.
Maybe also get into reloading. What shot size, weight and powder?
Thanks

Sorry I didn't see the other thread on the same subject.

[Vitaly]

Jay, the best thing about Remington 870 is that you can choose different ammunition for different purpose.

Buckshot for home defense.
Birdshot for clays.
Slugs for plastic jugs.

[RichNZ]

+1. Yeah, lot of different jobs there for one cartridge.

My go to cartridges are:
7 1/2 shot, 24grams for clays
4 shot, 28grams for bunnies, pheasant, possum etc.
00 Buck and Slugs for fun (Home defense not allowed in NZ), possibly a deer at some point, but I have rifles for that.

Have a look in the reloading section - consensus seems to be that it's only worth it if you're reloading specialist loads that are expensive or hard to get. You don't get the same savings as you do in rifle/pistol reloading. If you're still up for it, please do a lot of reading and research first!

[jpfrog]

I agree with Vitaly and RichNZ...different shells for different jobs, and unless you are reloading 28 gauge or .410 gauge, you won't get much benefit from reloading. I thought about doing it recently for my 20 gauge needs, but even there the cost for factory shells vs. the cost to roll my own is break even at best, and many times factory loads are cheaper (especially when you factor in the up front costs for all the tools/gear you'll need). For 12 gauge, there are so many good low cost rounds out there I'd forget about reloading unless, as mentioned earlier, you need specialized loads.

For dove or quail, I'll use 2-3/4" shells with #8 shot or maybe #7.5, and reduced power loads for the quail, normal loads for the dove...20 gauge is what I usually use on these birds (I would use a 28 on quail if I had one ). For ducks, I use a 3" high velocity load with #3 shot in 12 gauge. I've never hunted geese, but hope to some day. I also haven't used my shotgun for game other than birds...I live in Texas where I usually get long shots with a rifle .

For home defense I have a bunch of buck shot and on the side rail I have more buckshot along with some birdshot and slugs, although if it's real home defense situation, I'll likely not need to take a long distance shot with slugs but I have them on there just in case.

For 3-gun competition, I have birdshot for all my targets (mostly steel plates, but some clays, bowling pins, etc.) except paper targets that usually require slugs.

[Jay Dubya]

Thanks for the reply guys. I went out to Dunham's Sports yesterday to just look around for shotgun ammo. I came to the conclusion that it may not be financially beneficial to reload. It was $6.99 for various loads of 12 gauge. 25 shells per box. That comes to about .28 cents per round. I could probably get tired of, or wear out the shotgun before I could even hit a break even point. Not to mention the time involved.
Looking forward to my new 870 shotgun to arrive.

[Kentactic]

Ya reloading for 12 gauge becomes beneficial at being able to make your own specific loads not much at saving money unless you garage sale it and stuff to find guys getting out of it selling components dirt cheap.