Home defense calibers

[sacklunch]

Not hunting related, but I’d bet the majority of us have debated the best caliber for home defense…over penetration being the concern.

Just bored browsing YouTube and found this interesting/entertaining. Spoiler alert…5.56 and .22 actually may be the only rounds that won’t end up 4 rooms over.

 

[KenLee]

20 gauge pump shotgun with #3 or #4 shot size

 

[North Idaho Stickbow]

What he said

A pistol-caliber carbine would be my second choice.

 

[sbaker0029]

Howdah .410 with Winchester PDX

 

[7mm-08]

A reliable short barreled 20 gauge with a larger shot would be tough to beat.

 

[rileybassman]

I've seen similar tests before... Truthfully a AR with a frangible bullet is probably one of the better options for home defense. They won't over penetrate as much as many handgun or shotgun loads and will put a bad guy down fast.

Pure stoping power, shotgun with 00 - pretty much no doubt - but generally it will over penetrate more then an AR.

Handguns are most convenient, concealable, and accessible. Just be aware of where your kids and neighbors etc are... Drywall is not a great barrier.



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[sacklunch]

Only took 3 posts to turn into the standard rockslide “I don’t care what the data says, i’ll just post what I own”

 

[sacklunch]

A reliable short barreled 20 gauge with a larger shot would be tough to beat.

Couldn’t agree more…if the intruder is a green-winged teal.

 

[sbaker0029]

Very interesting test. I'd like to see them put one of the ballistic dummies in front of the wall and see how far a bullet would go after going through a body, granted you're really hoping not to miss when firing on an intruder.
The low velocity of three disc and twelve pellets coming out of a pistol with hope that there is greater chance for a hit on the intruder and subdue the bad guy without having to fire more the one shot is appealing.
Having never seen data of penetration through dry wall on the pdx, I would only be assuming and guessing that at least the pellets would hopefully be stopped.

 

[*zap*]

6.5 Creedmoor

 

[Antares]

Same as every bear defense question… the answer is always a short barrel 12 ga.

 

[Marble]

It doesn’t really matter. Just make it go bang and the problem will be solved.

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[Yarak]

12ga with 7.5's will get you no arguments from any intruder
At 20' this combo will separate meat from bone

 

[Yoder]

Try shooting any rifle or shotgun inside your house with no hearing protection. Also, long guns are hard to maneuver in tight spots.

 

[cnelk]

Some good info here

 

[Yarak]

Try shooting any rifle or shotgun inside your house with no hearing protection. Also, long guns are hard to maneuver in tight spots.

Would anyone really stop to put on hearing protection when someone is breaking in their home
Home defense shotguns are short enough to maneuver in most any room

 

[sacklunch]

Try shooting any rifle or shotgun inside your house with no hearing protection. Also, long guns are hard to maneuver in tight spots.

That’s why god created suppressed SBRs.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Currently a 12ga. stuffed with #4 Hevi Shot.
And my SW442.

 

[sacklunch]

12ga with 7.5's will get you no arguments from any intruder
At 20' this combo will separate meat from bone

on a human, fully clothed, no it will not

 

[Desk Jockey]

years ago in New Orleans a neighbor had a break in. He decided to crack off 4-5 rounds through his bedroom door with a 9mm toward the noises he hears in the hall. No hits on the bad guys, who ran off with haste, but 3 of the rounds zip through his place and made it through the neighbors house across the street To punch interior walls. No injuries, but I recall it was a legal mess. Across the street neighbor won both property damages ansd some kind of award for endangerment As I recall.