Shotgun Question?

[Badlands Walker]

Howdy pards!  I've owned many a gun in my time, but this is my first purchase of a shotgun.  I bought an EAA Bounty Hunter II SxS in 12 ga. with exposed hammers.  Now, I'm not all that familiar with shotguns... yeah, I've actually fired a few now & again, but never had a need to own one.  With all this CAS stuff goin' on, I figured it was time!  Here's my question?

What is the best ammo to get for it & why?  What would I buy for CAS & then what do you recommend for self protection?

Much obliged!

[Badlands Walker]

C'mon!  Somebody got's to know this?  It ain't like given away trade secrets!

[tarheel mac]

Badlands, I'm pretty new at this, so keep that in mind...but basically to compete, you want relatively light loads...say 1 oz. of shot in the 12, 2  3/4 drams powder charge...(or at least that is what I am using right now..just checked the box..)  the club I shoot at requires #8 shot or smaller, but I think the SASS max size is bigger..(71/2 maybe? not much difference I know)  I have never had any body open a shotgun load I was carrying to see what size shot I had in it though...

For defense, you are talking about a whole 'nother thing...but for shooting a bad guy inside house, and those kinda ranges, I'd say any heavy load of number 4s on up will work...mind I said HEAVY!! My personal choice for anything that qualifes as "have-to-shooting" is number 1 buck...(yeah I know the "classic load" is 00, but trust me on this, #1 is better..) Idea here of course, is to put the bad guy down with the rest of load carrying over to the next house...the smaller the shot size, the faster it sheds velocity..
And for this, although I am a big, big fan of the side by side, I suggest a pump!  Slapping that forearm down and back is like a rattlesnake...it is a sound that just chills you to the bone to begin...nobody but a idiot would go up against that noise...(We've had more than a few idiots here in NC of late though..)


Hope all this helps..

[Four-Eyed Buck]

Definately nothing more chilling than that " Ka-Chik" on a pump. For CAS, light loads AA low noise-low recoil or light trap. For SD, yeah the buck loads..........Buck

[Danny Bear Claw]

My CAS shotgun is a Stoeger SXS in 20 guage.  For CAS targets I use low brass light target loads, #6 shot.  For home defense full power #3 buck shot.   

[Badlands Walker]

Damn!  That little Bounty Hunter gots quite a kick to er'!

[Prof. Bullspit]

Try to find the "Low Recoil Low Noise" Winchesters. These used to be called "Featherlight". The box will indicate Minimum Dram Equivilent and the shot wieght is usually listed in grams instead of ounces. I think I once saw a box that indicated 7/8 ounce. These are the sweetest shooting shells. These will take down knockdowns, especially if you are careful to put the pattern on the target.

I prefer the Remington STS Light Target as I prefer a bit more shot to help me take the knockdowns when my aim is sloppy, and I like the green shell.

[Badlands Walker]

Thanks Prof.  I'll check on them!