Buckshot: #1 vs. #00

[ipser]

I recently acquired and upgraded a Remington 870, primarily for home defense. I was about to buy some #00 buckshot but I did a little research first and, according to a couple sites at least, #1 is actually recommended over #00. More pellets, less risk of overpenetration.

http://www.prep-blog.com/2012/11/09/top ... gun-loads/

https://www.pewpewtactical.com/best-sho ... -shooting/

What are your thoughts on #1 vs. #00?

#00 seems far more commonly available.

[Striker753]

I use #00 for home defense, but that's because houses in my country are built in a much, much more solid way than the average American houses. Everything is at least 2 layers of big bricks thick, if not more. I'm fairly sure that you should only care about overpenetration there if you're shooting .308!
But it's true that for American houses, #1 could be a good idea; it isn't as lightweight as birdshot, it will still mess up the one at the wrong end of the barrel. Plus, you'll be shooting from a very close distance at someone wearing a T-shirt or hoodie, it isn't as if you were shooting from 150ft away at some guy wearing a flak vest.

[Hoosier USMC]

I'm so glad you asked this question. I have been a huge fan of #1 buckshot over 00 buckshot for a very long time. I have tested the differences between the two in many different ways, distances, and shotguns. #1 buckshot always seems to come out on top. HOWEVER, I will say this: Federal Vital Shok with "flight control wad" is a game changer for 00 buckshot. The special wad really keeps the pattern tight and vastly increases the range of the 00 buckshot. Now, if you don't believe what I say about #1 buckshot, please check out this video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ny67ZNy4zwQ

Paul Harrell really knows his stuff. His channel is one of my favorites on YouTube. Check it out.

Semper Fi.