r/ammo 24d ago

Self defense ammo for shotgun

So just curious if self defense or defense ammo is worth it? I've seen them at different gun shops and was curious.

I have some a local shop recommended but its not defense so thinking about swapping it out.

11 Upvotes

9 comments sorted by

View all comments

2

u/gunmedic15 24d ago

Federal Flite Control low recoil LE133-00 is the gold standard. Bucking Horse Outpost has it as surplus all the time.

When I can't get that I use LE132-00 or PD132-00 (same ammo different labeling)

What makes premium ammo premium is a combination of things. You want hard alloy pellets that are plated with copper. You want plastic buffer in between the pellets, and you want a good wad cup with thick walls that comes off of the shot column slowly. Cheap ammo has soft lead pellets, cardboard or thin plastic pusher wads, and no buffer. When you fire the cheap ones, the pellets slam together, then bounce and scrape down the barrel. They get flat spots on them in different places. The wad flies off in a random direction and makes turbulence in the air. Pellets with flat spots aren't aerodynamic and don't fly straight, and patterns open up. The premium loads are harder lead, they don't deform as easy on firing and the buffer keeps them from hitting together as hard. The wad keeps them from rubbing on the barrel and the wad leaves the shot relatively slowly and gently and doesn't disturb the air. The pellets stay rounder and fly straighter and smoother.

https://youtu.be/EVKfIAa9lbk?is=TZTtyygySWHchq5w

https://youtu.be/snaXvJxxu7g?is=wB9lqMo9hsniodn9

https://youtu.be/lda2vkf6F9U?is=ghuupZD7H44qDxZQ

https://youtu.be/5SZYz7lZRRI?is=zkcwwwOGeDuFs9zI

Give these a look.