Which Brand of Buckshot to Buy for most Spread at Short Dist

[mfriend]

Hi Folks:

After doing some researching, I purchased a Remington 870 yesterday.

I'm having a harder time deciding on which BRAND of Buckshot to purchase.

Info:

1. The Buckshot/load is only going to be used for in-home self-defense.
2. The largest room in my house is about 21 feet across.

Many of the sites where I tried to find information already posted seemed more aimed at folks wanting to shoot at longer distances.

For example, One brand (Federal Premium I Think) uses a special shot cup to keep all the buckshot close together.

I want just the opposite: Which brand of Buckshot will SPREAD out the most? Which Brand is going to give me the largest pattern at say 6 or 7 yards (I know most are still going to be pretty tight at that distance). If I can choose between a Brand that has a 4 inch spread or one still in the 'shotcup' at 7 yards, I want the larger spread.

Thanks for any help,
Matthew

P.S. I've already decided on the size of buckshot...

[jimkim]

If you want spread then bank it off the floor into them. I still like #4 for home defense. Inside the house you have to worry about over penetration. Keep a box of 000 on the side in case they run behind a wall or something. I use
Winchester-Western.

[samuel]

Inside a house the range is so short the shot never gets a chance to spread virtually eleminating the reason for buckshot.If you want maximum power I advise slugs.There is no difference in being able to hit a target because there is little difference in width of projectile at that range.If you are afraid of penetrating walls and causing harm beyond the intended area,use birdshot,preferably #6,s.At that range birdshot is just as deadly as slugs or buckshot. sam.

[mfriend]

Thanks for the responses. This is my first time visiting this forum... and maybe my last. I don't want to be mean ... but my responses are below:

Originally Posted by jimkim

If you want spread then bank it off the floor into them....

What? So you say as an intruder is coming at me to kill me.... I should quickly shoot at the floor after estimating the angle I need for the shot to 'reflect' off of the carpeted floor and hit him in the chest? IF the shot 'bounced' off the floor (I think the vast majority of the shot would penetrate the floor...) I would only succeed in damaging his shins. I wouldn't be firing on him if he weren't armed... The angle I would have to fire at in order for it to actually hit a 'vital' area like his chest would result not in the buckshot bouncing but penetrating the floor.

I agree. Use #4, 5, or 6 shot.

None of the studies I spent (hours) researching suggest that birdshot is the best to use indoors (not enough penetration to reach vital organs or to penetrate clothing, etc. Not one study I looked at showed or suggested that Birdshot was anywhere near as effective as Buckshot at penetrating and stopping an attacker.

Please remember I stated that I already knew what size of buckshot I wanted to use. I just wanted to know if anyone here had any experience with different brands and which had the widest 'spread' at close range (for example... if Brand X has an average spread of 3 " while Brand Y has a spread of 4.5" I would go with Y.

Thanks, Matthew

[mfriend]

Originally Posted by feralchild v 3

If you research as much as you said then you ought to know that it's the barrel that chokes the load. It doesn't matter what brand you get it's going to be about the same spread. That is generally 1 inch per yard with an open choke.

Ok, my shotgun is open choke. So 1 inch per yard sounds good. Other than Federals Premium, are there other loads I should avoid that use special "shotcups" designed to keep the shot from spreading? I guess I just need to spend more time visiting the various ammo manufacturers and choose ammo that does Not have components designed to tighten shot patterns.

At any rate, have fun blowing out your drywall....

First... again I specifically said in my first post I was not asking for recommendations on shot size. If you must know... I live in a single occupancy home.. my neighbors are pretty far away... and I care more about surviving an encounter than I do about putting some buckshot through the dry wall. The drywall can be replaced... my life can't.

Does anyone know of ANY tests/studies/personal experience that will give an idea of either which brands to avoid (patter is tighter than normal...) or which have the most 'open' pattern? (i.e. some brands may be designed too hold the shot close together to increase its effective range...the opposite of what I want.)

[blaster]

I think most all modern buckshot loads and birdshot loads come with a shot cup wad which is supposed to decrase shot deformation. I have some old WW 00buck 2.75 shells that have a plastic pellet buffering that is supposed to help keep the pattern tight. never tried it but I've heard that if you empty the buffering out your pattern will open up. I know the loaded shells I have are always leaking the plastic powder out the small hole in the crimp. I suppose if you worked at it you could empty it all out. deformed shot flies wild, bad for hunting or longer range but fine for real close quarters. maybe some brands still use that type of buffering

[samuel]

Originally Posted by mfriend

Thanks for the responses. This is my first time visiting this forum... and maybe my last. I don't want to be mean ... but my responses are below:


What? So you say as an intruder is coming at me to kill me.... I should quickly shoot at the floor after estimating the angle I need for the shot to 'reflect' off of the carpeted floor and hit him in the chest? IF the shot 'bounced' off the floor (I think the vast majority of the shot would penetrate the floor...) I would only succeed in damaging his shins. I wouldn't be firing on him if he weren't armed... The angle I would have to fire at in order for it to actually hit a 'vital' area like his chest would result not in the buckshot bouncing but penetrating the floor.
None of the studies I spent (hours) researching suggest that birdshot is the best to use indoors (not enough penetration to reach vital organs or to penetrate clothing, etc. Not one study I looked at showed or suggested that Birdshot was anywhere near as effective as Buckshot at penetrating and stopping an attacker.

Please remember I stated that I already knew what size of buckshot I wanted to use. I just wanted to know if anyone here had any experience with different brands and which had the widest 'spread' at close range (for example... if Brand X has an average spread of 3 " while Brand Y has a spread of 4.5" I would go with Y.

Thanks, Matthew

Since you already know birdshot will not kill anyone don't use it.I only wish I could tell a dear friend of mine that was shot by accident at 10yds with a field load of 1 1/4oz of #6 shot that he really didnt die and it didnt penetrate clear to the back side of his body.I am glad to hear that you already knew the answer and were just funning with us that only have experience to base our judgement on.By the way my friend was shot in a duck blind from a duck blind beside his.They were a little ways apart.The shooter never recovered completely. sam.

[mfriend]

Originally Posted by blaster

... I've heard that if you empty the buffering out your pattern will open up. I know the loaded shells I have are always leaking the plastic powder out the small hole in the crimp. I suppose if you worked at it you could empty it all out. deformed shot flies wild, bad for hunting or longer range but fine for real close quarters. maybe some brands still use that type of buffering

Thanks Blaster for the idea, I appreciate it.

Since you already know birdshot will not kill anyone don't use it.

Hmm... Sam... did I ever say that birdshot could not kill someone? In fact... once again let me add that I never asked about what size shot to use. Any gun in the right circumstances (or wrong in your friends case) can kill. I'm sure you would agree that if someone was trying to kill you, you'd rather have a .45 or a shotgun than a .22 LR right? The .22 LR can kill but its not the best round for the job. Birdshot can kill... but its not the best for the job. (Why am I discussing this... it does not pertain to my original question...).

I am glad to hear that you already knew the answer and were just funning with us that only have experience to base our judgement on.

What are you talking about? I never asked for your answer on what size shot to use. How could I be "funning" you when I specifically said in my first post that I already knew what size buckshot I was going to use. My question for this whole discussion had nothing to do with shot size, but shot spread.

If anyone is interested (and again.. this is not the original question for my post...) one of the sites I liked that had interesting data/tests regarding shot size and penetration is: tacticalworks.ca!

[Romey]

#4 birdshot will stop anyone at from coming forward as stated and there is less chance of legal implications that loading 00buck COULD have in the arms of a frisky prosecuting attorney.Samuel ,very sorry to hear about your friend.

[mfriend]

Originally Posted by blaster

... I've heard that if you empty the buffering out your pattern will open up. I know the loaded shells I have are always leaking the plastic powder out the small hole in the crimp. I suppose if you worked at it you could empty it all out. deformed shot flies wild, bad for hunting or longer range but fine for real close quarters. maybe some brands still use that type of buffering

Thanks Blaster for the idea, I appreciate it.

Since you already know birdshot will not kill anyone don't use it.

Hmm... Sam... did I ever say that birdshot could not kill someone? In fact... once again let me add that I never asked about what size shot to use. Any gun in the right circumstances (or wrong in your friends case) can kill. I'm sure you would agree that if someone was trying to kill you, you'd rather have a .45 or a shotgun than a .22 LR right? The .22 LR can kill but its not the best round for the job. Birdshot can kill... but its not the best for the job. (Why am I discussing this... it does not pertain to my original question...).

I am glad to hear that you already knew the answer and were just funning with us that only have experience to base our judgement on.

What are you talking about? I never asked for your answer on what size shot to use. How could I be "funning" you when I specifically said in my first post that I already knew what size buckshot I was going to use. My question for this whole discussion had nothing to do with shot size, but shot spread.

If anyone is interested (and again.. this is not the original question for my post...) one of the sites I liked that had interesting data/tests regarding shot size and penetration is: tacticalworks.ca!

See especially the tests with #4 birdshot:

Originally Posted by blaster

... I've heard that if you empty the buffering out your pattern will open up. I know the loaded shells I have are always leaking the plastic powder out the small hole in the crimp. I suppose if you worked at it you could empty it all out. deformed shot flies wild, bad for hunting or longer range but fine for real close quarters. maybe some brands still use that type of buffering

Thanks Blaster for the idea, I appreciate it.

Since you already know birdshot will not kill anyone don't use it.

Hmm... Sam... did I ever say that birdshot could not kill someone? In fact... once again let me add that I never asked about what size shot to use. Any gun in the right circumstances (or wrong in your friends case) can kill. I'm sure you would agree that if someone was trying to kill you, you'd rather have a .45 or a shotgun than a .22 LR right? The .22 LR can kill but its not the best round for the job. Birdshot can kill... but its not the best for the job. (Why am I discussing this... it does not pertain to my original question...).

I am glad to hear that you already knew the answer and were just funning with us that only have experience to base our judgement on.

What are you talking about? I never asked for your answer on what size shot to use. How could I be "funning" you when I specifically said in my first post that I already knew what size buckshot I was going to use. My question for this whole discussion had nothing to do with shot size, but shot spread.

If anyone is interested (and again.. this is not the original question for my post...) one of the sites I liked that had interesting data/tests regarding shot size and penetration is: tacticalshotgun.ca/ballistics_shotgun.html
See especially their tests with #4 Birdshot: tacticalshotgun.ca/content_nonsub/gelatin_testing/bird_4_rem_heavy_dove/gelatin_shot_4.html

[mfriend]

Originally Posted by Romey

#4 birdshot will stop anyone at from coming forward as stated and there is less chance of legal implications that loading 00buck COULD have in the arms of a frisky prosecuting attorney.Samuel ,very sorry to hear about your friend.

Hi Romey:

I discussed the #4 birdshot in a previous post (but I put a link in it so I guess it has to be approved by an admin first?).

I am happy to say that Ohio has finally passed what they call the "Castle Doctrine" so I'm not concerned about using a larger size buckshot (but again.... My question is not/was not/will not be about/ what size shot to use. It was about if anyone in this forum has any experience (or knows of any sites) regarding which particular 'makes' of shotgun shells are likely to open up the shot pattern faster.

If anyone is interested, (off topic...) below is a quote regarding the Castle Doctrine that was passed in Ohio:

COLUMBUS - Gov. Ted Strickland yesterday bucked some law enforcement organizations by signing a bill giving would-be victims the benefit of the legal doubt when they harm or kill someone illegally entering their homes or vehicles. "What this bill does is attempt to say clearly that an individual does have the right to protect themselves, and I think that's the way it ought to be," he said. The new law takes effect in 90 days. The measure reverses current law, shifting the burden away from a would-be victim to prosecutors to prove by the preponderance of the evidence that he was not in reasonable fear of bodily harm when he used deadly force inside his home or vehicle. A legal resident of a home would no longer have a duty to retreat in such a situation."

Originally Posted by feralchild v 3

S&B doesn't use a shot cup. I haven't noticed that they spred any better, though. I still think the spread is strictly because of the choke, not the shell.

Thanks for the input Feralchild.

It sounds like I just need to pick a "standard"/regular shell (as opposed to being sure Not to pick one that is designed to hold the shot pattern closer together). I'm going to the range this weekend so I think I'll pick up several different makes/brands and see which does the best with my shotgun.

Thanks again,
Matthew

[jimkim]

Originally Posted by mfriend

Thanks for the responses. This is my first time visiting this forum... and maybe my last. I don't want to be mean ... but my responses are below:


What? So you say as an intruder is coming at me to kill me.... I should quickly shoot at the floor after estimating the angle I need for the shot to 'reflect' off of the carpeted floor and hit him in the chest? IF the shot 'bounced' off the floor (I think the vast majority of the shot would penetrate the floor...) I would only succeed in damaging his shins. I wouldn't be firing on him if he weren't armed... The angle I would have to fire at in order for it to actually hit a 'vital' area like his chest would result not in the buckshot bouncing but penetrating the floor.
None of the studies I spent (hours) researching suggest that birdshot is the best to use indoors (not enough penetration to reach vital organs or to penetrate clothing, etc. Not one study I looked at showed or suggested that Birdshot was anywhere near as effective as Buckshot at penetrating and stopping an attacker.

Please remember I stated that I already knew what size of buckshot I wanted to use. I just wanted to know if anyone here had any experience with different brands and which had the widest 'spread' at close range (for example... if Brand X has an average spread of 3 " while Brand Y has a spread of 4.5" I would go with Y.

Thanks, Matthew

What I said is if you want spread then bank it off the floor. Im sorry this confused you. I guess after Ive thought about it it doesn't make sense if you have never done it. It also appears that you already know everything there is to know on this subject I'm sorry those of us who have training in this area weren't able to help. Why dont you do some more research instead of posting questions and then back biting the people who are actually trying to help you.

[mfriend]

Originally Posted by feralchild v 3

S&B doesn't use a shot cup. I haven't noticed that they spred any better, though. I still think the spread is strictly because of the choke, not the shell.

I found an example of what I mean by 'specially designed for tight patterns'. Here is a quote from federalpremiumDOTcom/feature.asp?menu=1&id=43

Explain the main differences between the FLITECONTROL wad and a conventional wad.
“In a conventional wad, as soon as the wad leaves the barrel, it has petals that open up in the front and dispense the shot into a cloud so that the shot isn’t protected in any way. With the FLITECONTROL wad, as soon as it exits the barrel, the shot is kept inside the wad. There are no slits in the shot cup portion and the shot is contained in the wad for an extended period of time, say anywhere up to 10 yards, depending on the configuration of the wad. What happens is the slitting in the overpowder [rear] section opens up and starts slowing the wad down. Instead of releasing the shot in a cloud, it starts slowly backing away from the tight shot string sitting inside the wad, and releases the shot that way. The biggest difference is that the FC wad is a rear-braking wad that pulls itself off the shot and conventional wads kind of “throw” the shot out there. This is how we get such tight patterns.”

[Mike Franklin]

To answer your question, none of'm.
I've used a shotgun for work about 30 years. I was the shotgun guy on a Narcotics Raid Team for 5 years. We did extensive testing on everything from living animals to car bodies. I know shotguns. What you're asking for doesn't exist. At 21 feet you might as well shoot a round ball.

[mfriend]

Originally Posted by jimkim

What I said is if you want spread then bank it off the floor. Im sorry this confused you. I guess after Ive thought about it it doesn't make sense if you have never done it.

Can you explain to me what it means... to bank it 'off the floor.' From the tone, I assume you have done it.

It also appears that you already know everything there is to know on this subject

I'll be honest... I know absolutely nothing about what you mean by "banking if off the floor." If the subject your talking about is shot size... Once again I never asked about that.

Why dont you do some more research instead of posting questions...

I did do research on what size buckshot to use (believe it or not, there are actually sites on the internet that have actually conducted tests to determine penetration, etc.).

I was not able to find information relating to the shot spread of specific brands/makes of shotgun shells which is why I came here.

and then back biting the people who are actually trying to help you.

How is it backbiting to point out I disagree with someone? First (once again) I never asked about what size shot to use. Secondly, I'm told to "bank" the shot off the floor?

I would agree with you that if I had asked about what size shot to use and then argued with everyone that would be "back biting." (or at least not nice). I never asked that.

Ok... since you all seem to insist on using birdshot (and there is some fixation on something I never asked - shot size) ... I'll try to be open minded. Can you please show me a couple of sites that conducted testing and have determined that # 4, 5, or 6 Birdshot will reliably penetrate to an acceptable depth.Ok, what is acceptable? The FBI says at least 12 inches and no more than 18 inches for a handgun round to ensure hitting a vital organ.

Ammunition is considered acceptable if it demonstrates a ten shot sampling average of between 12.5 and 14 inches penetration depth,...

Originally Posted by Mike Franklin

To answer your question, none of'm.
I've used a shotgun for work about 30 years. I was the shotgun guy on a Narcotics Raid Team for 5 years. We did extensive testing on everything from living animals to car bodies. I know shotguns. What you're asking for doesn't exist. At 21 feet you might as well shoot a round ball.

Thanks Mike for the Info.
I had thought (I guess wrongly now) that if they had specifically designed some shotshells to hold a tighter pattern out to a longer distance that maybe there was a brand/make purposefully designed to 'open' faster at shorter ranges.

It makes me wonder why a manufacturer has not designed a wad that would 'force' the shot pattern further apart. Thanks for the info, I guess I'll just try out several different brands/makes of shells this weekend and see which I like best.

[Mooseman684]

Welcome Mfriend to G&G...
When you ask a Question, you will get all sorts of responses...Some of them will be Jokingly done...
What you did not tell us was barrel length of your shotgun which has more to do with how fast the shot spreads when it leaves the barrel in conjunction with the choke size...
In reality, you want as many pellets to hit what you are shooting at for MAXIMUM stopping power. Most encounters will be within 7 yards or less.
To want your shot to spread that wide at close range is NOT gonna happen, and if it did, you risk more Collateral damage, and a chance of minor damage to an attacking intruder wearing Heavy Clothes...
Rich

[mfriend]

Originally Posted by Mooseman684

Welcome Mfriend to G&G...
When you ask a Question, you will get all sorts of responses...Some of them will be Jokingly done...

I'm guessing then that the "bank it off the floor" was a joke? It confused me because it didn't make any sense to me.

What you did not tell us was barrel length of your shotgun which has more to do with how fast the shot spreads when it leaves the barrel in conjunction with the choke size...

The shotgun is a 12 guage Remington 870 with an 18" barrel, cylinder (open) bored. I got it specifically for in-home protection. At some point in the future I'll probably get a different barrel to swap out when I go hunting.

Thanks again for the Welcome Mooseman

Matthew

[Mike Franklin]

JSYK, the Army did all kinds of testing with shotguns during 'Nam. They wanted a load that spread out close up but stayed together at 100 yards. They pretty much gave up and when with what we have now.
Try finding some of the old Army testing results.
I haven't thought about this but, I wonder what is used in shotguns in the Middle East now?

[jimkim]

What I was trying to point out by saying if you want spread then bank it off the floor is "at that range it wont spread". I was serious about the "didn't mean to confuse you". I picked the wrong example it was confusing. But instead of saying this you decided to quickly dismiss what I said. There is a technique for doing this. When I answer a post I'm trying to help. Lately it is a waste of time. Instead of asking questions if they don't understand my answers I get wise cracks. Some of what you ask can be found in a book, but in the real world experience counts more than the book. We were all trying to help. I know you have your heart set on using buckshot to kill people(if you think about it this is what you are talking about) but at that range it all goes in as one big glob of lead. What ever weight the shot is will be for all intents and purposes the weight of the projectile. Re-read this Home-Defense Shotguns look at what he says about shot size.

look here too
Ammunition For The Self-Defense Firearm
Selecting home defense ammo: how to select what's best for you | Guns Magazine | Find Articles at BNET.com
Shotgun Home Defense Ammunition, .357 SIG -- A Solution in Search of a Problem?

You probably allready looked at them some times it helps if you re-read stuff.

[mfriend]

Thanks Jim for the articles/links. Some I had read in the last week and some I hadn't.

Originally Posted by jimkim

What I was trying to point out by saying if you want spread then bank it off the floor is "at that range it wont spread". I was serious about the "didn't mean to confuse you". I picked the wrong example it was confusing. But instead of saying this you decided to quickly dismiss what I said. ... When I answer a post I'm trying to help. Lately it is a waste of time. Instead of asking questions if they don't understand my answers I get wise cracks.

Maybe if you answered their questions instead of giving "wise cracks" yourself? If I'm used to a forum and know the kind of jokes that 'go on' I don't mind at all. I am new to this forum though, didn't know you, and thought you were either really confused or were a wise $%^ (cracker)

I guess since my question regarding shot spread has been answered, I'll look at the articles/links you gave:

gunsandammomag

I had read this article previously. It was one of the articles I read that recommended the Remington 870.

The author doesn't really go into any depth discussing which shot size to chose. At one point he says:

"Let's consider pellet size. Regular shot runs from No. 12 all the way up to 000 buckshot. The odds-on favorite for combat (read: anti-personnel) use is 00 buck."

The author states that shot size at close range doesn't matter. He doesn't state his favorite in this article though. He just says The "odds-on-favorite." He also gives no evidence or data to back up his views (actually none of the articles did).


------------------------------------------------


chuckhawks

The writer has makes several statements throughout his article.

His first mention of ammo and shotguns states:

Shotguns

Use buckshot. Slugs and birdshot are useful in some limited and uncommon situations.

He later says:

"12 Gauge

If you simply want to know the best defense load, go out and buy: 12 gauge 2 3/4" shell 00 buckshot. You shall live happily ever after, as this is the most effective man-stopping firearm cartridge yet devised by man. I recommend the Federal "Classic" (F127-00), Winchester Super-X (X12RB5) or Remington Buckshot (SP12BK-5PK00) as the best double-ought buckshot defense rounds. One of these rounds is virtually equal to a nine-round burst from a submachine gun, with every round hitting."

The author agrees that 00 buckshot is the best "man stopper."

The author suggests the idea that in an apartment situation, it might be best to have bird shot for the first two rounds, followed by buckshot. The author though admits that if he lived in a house without neighbors close by, he would DEFINITELY choose buckshot.

and "The second thing is that birdshot makes a lot of sense for home defense. I keep my home-defense 12 gauge loaded with two #4 birdshot rounds followed by 00 buck. Birdshot is much less likely to penetrate thin interior walls and kill innocent people on the other side, and has lower recoil than buckshot for faster follow-up shots (I live in a thin-walled apartment house, however - if I lived in a solid house with a lot of land around, I would definitely choose buckshot instead)."

---------------------------------------------------------
The following quote actually applies to the original intent of my first post: Shot Spread.

"A note on shotgun spread: firing your shotgun does not create a diabolical cone of doom destroying all in its path. If you have a typical defense or "riot" gun with an 18"-20" open-choked "cylinder" barrel, the pellets will spread out about 1" for every yard of range. This means that the spread of pellets fired across a large room (18') will be 6" or so, a circle the size of a coffee cup saucer. "

------NEXT ARTICLE------------
Selecting home defense ammo: how to select what's best for you

The following is an interesting article. It again states that if overpenetration is a specific concern, then birdshot could be the way to go. He acknowledges that Police would use buckshot, and his reason for recommending birdshot (only in specific situations) is because of over penetration. Here is my question: Birdshot is being recommended because it won't penetrate a thin plaster wall. At the same time folks are saying that its as deadly as buckshot. I don't see how can be both ways: if it won't penetrate a plaster wall... its not going to penetrate very deeply into a person either. If it will cause a significant wound to an attacker... then it will pass through a wall."

The Shotgun

If fear of overpenetration is a realistic concern in someone's specific situation, there is much to be said for shotguns with relatively small shot. I know most law enforcement shotguns are loaded with 00 buck but those 33 caliber 54-grain balls are not likely to be inconvenienced by some wallboard either, but the average 461 1.1-grain No. 8 pellets in a 1 1/8 ounce 12 gauge will really ruin a dirtbag's day, but are much more likely to be stopped--or at least slowed down a bunch--by a wall.

______NEXT ARTICLE_______

There are some really good articles on the firearmstactical site.

Shotgun Home Defense Ammunition, .357 SIG -- A Solution in Search of a Problem?

The author states that birdshot will not reliably reach the vital areas.

"Birdshot, because of its small size, does not have the mass and sectional density to penetrate deeply enough to reliably reach and damage critical blood distribution organs. Although birdshot can destroy a great volume of tissue at close range, the permanent crush cavity is usually less than 6 inches deep, and this is not deep enough to reliably include the heart or great blood vessels of the abdomen. A gruesome, shallow wound in the torso does not guarantee a quick stop, especially if the bad guy is chemically intoxicated or psychotic. If the tissue crushed by the pellets does not include a vital cardiovascular structure there's no reason for it to be an effective wound.

Most #6 birdshot will only penetrate 4" (and it could be less if they are wearing heavy clothing):

Many people load their shotguns with birdshot, usually #6 shot or smaller, to minimize interior wall penetration. Number 6 lead birdshot, when propelled at 1300 fps, has a maximum penetration depth potential of about 5 inches in standard ordnance gelatin. Not all of the pellets penetrate this deeply however; most of the shot will penetrate about 4 inches."

Buckshot recommended by the IWBA:

"12 Gauge Shotshell Ammunition
For personal defense and law enforcement applications, the International Wound Ballistics Association advocates number 1 buckshot as being superior to all other buckshot sizes.

Number 1 buck is the smallest diameter shot that reliably and consistently penetrates more than 12 inches of standard ordnance gelatin when fired at typical shotgun engagement distances. A standard 2 �-inch 12 gauge shotshell contains 16 pellets of #1 buck. The total combined cross sectional area of the 16 pellets is 1.13 square inches. Compared to the total combined cross sectional area of the nine pellets in a standard #00 (double-aught) buck shotshell (0.77 square inches), the # 1 buck shotshell has the capacity to produce over 30 percent more potentially effective wound trauma."

Conclusion:
birdshot should only be used in circumstance where neighbors or others are close by. The Best round to stop an attacker is Buckshot (if give a choice said one author above).

Also.. you stated

I know you have your heart set on using buckshot to kill people

" So you can read my heart huh? No, I don't want to kill people. The last thing I would ever want to do is kill someone. The only way I would fire on someone is if my life depended on it and they were trying to kill me... in my own house. At that point, I want to end the confrontation quickly, especially if they have a gun. At that point I will not be worrying about whether I put a hole in my wall.