Lose the elastic butt cuff and go for Velcro shell cards like the ones from Esstac. For lights, you can’t go wrong with Streamlight or Surefire.
Federal FliteControl LE133 00 buckshot is top-tier, but every shotgun is different, so you’ll need to test it and see how it patterns. Hornady also makes excellent buckshot. Military buckshot is effective but has a lot of kick and may not pattern as tightly. Premium loads are better because they prevent pellet deformation, which means tighter and more consistent patterns.
Eventually, upgrade to a Mossberg or Remington shotgun. Even if your current shotgun works fine, the aftermarket options for these brands make them worth the investment.
@Skyler
Thanks for the advice! I’ll order some shell cards this week. I have Federal FliteControl Wad ammo—same thing or different? Better or worse? I keep hearing about testing patterns and how the gun ‘likes’ certain ammo. Is it something you can tell intuitively? My shotgun cycles buckshot well but hasn’t been tested live yet. Can’t wait to try it at the range. Appreciate the help, especially on understanding patterns. Looking forward to learning more!
@Kingsley
FliteControl is Federal’s patented wad design, so not all Federal ammo has it. Look for it specifically on the box.
Patterns refer to how the pellets spread when fired. You want them to spread evenly and consistently so you know where every pellet will go. Big patterns or stray pellets (‘fliers’) can be dangerous if they miss your target. Testing patterns involves firing at paper targets at various distances to see how your ammo performs with your shotgun.
Here’s a video that explains it well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5Za7tfzJcw.
Slugs are overkill unless you’re worried about someone hiding behind your fridge. For lights, there are plenty of mounts available depending on your gun.
I can’t see your shotgun clearly from the picture, but let me just say: stick to pump-actions like the Remington 870 or Mossberg 500/590, or high-quality semi-autos from Benelli or Beretta. Budget-friendly semi-autos (especially imports) can work but might not be as reliable or have good aftermarket support.
Test your shotgun hard at the range with the ammo you plan to use for home defense. Pattern it to make sure it works reliably and spreads effectively. Most buckshot spreads about 1 inch per yard from the muzzle, so at close range, you might only get a dinner-plate-sized spread. Here’s an article on patterning shotguns.
@Jordan
It’s a Turkish budget shotgun. It’s decent from what I’ve read and watched. Planning to hit the range soon to test it with the ammo I have. I’ll upgrade to a higher-quality semi-auto later, but I like starting with budget models. It helps me appreciate the higher-end ones more when I get them. Definitely looking into the Benelli and the other models you mentioned. Thanks for the info on buckshot patterns—reading that article now. Super helpful!
@Kingsley
If you’re building a collection, consider making your next shotgun a pump-action. Used Remington 870s can go for around $200, and they’re a solid investment. I grabbed one with multiple barrels for $299 at a local range, and it’s been fantastic. Pump guns are simpler, reliable, and give you more options for ammo, like low-recoil or mini-shells that might not cycle well in semi-autos. Keep an eye out for deals—you might be surprised what you find.
@Jordan
Thanks for the tip. I’ll look into pump-actions next!
@Jordan
Upvoted you! Don’t worry about the haters.
Some people debate weapon-mounted lights. Do you really want to point a shotgun at someone just to see if it’s grandma grabbing a midnight snack?
As for budget guns, nothing wrong with them if they’ve been tested and work well. If it gets confiscated after an incident, you’ll be glad it wasn’t your $1000+ Benelli. I use a budget Turkish shotgun for this reason and keep my nicer guns locked up.
@Hero
Weapon-mounted lights are optional for pistols, but for long guns, they’re almost a necessity. If you ID a bad guy with a handheld flashlight, how do you plan to use your shotgun one-handed? With a mounted light, you can see and shoot at the same time.
@Tatum
You’ve got a valid point. I use lights too, but in some cases, a handheld flashlight can freeze someone long enough to let you act. Everyone’s home situation is different.
@Hero
Agree with you 100%. Everyone’s setup is different, and there’s no wrong way as long as it works for you.
Kingsley said:
@Hero
Agree with you 100%. Everyone’s setup is different, and there’s no wrong way as long as it works for you.
Appreciate that. Thanks!
When I had a pump-action shotgun, I ran it as an NFA item with a 13" barrel and a weapon-mounted light at 9:00. I used #8 shot. Eventually switched to a rifle—found it easier to use overall—but the shorter barrel was a game changer compared to my old 20".
@Teo
Why the downvotes? People on forums cry for no reason.
Kingsley said:
@Teo
Why the downvotes? People on forums cry for no reason.
Who knows? I don’t post for approval. Any short-barreled 12-gauge is good for home defense, though.