12 pellet 12GA 00 BK for self-defense round?

[sar]

My local local shop had only the above in 12 Ga. Any opinions on its use for self-defense?

[Dave McC]

00 is almost always a good answer for Self Defense questions. However...

Standard 9 pellet buck is a better choice for inside. Faster recovery for followup shots, still plenty of moxie. R/R 8 pellet is too.

Get some of this if it's all you can find. Look for 9 pellets loads, and then test some when you find it. Go with the tightest patterning brand.

[Syntax360]

And even better than any of the aforementioned choices, you should pick up some #1 buck (16 pellet). It seems 00 buck is the most common defense load, but #1 will cause 30% more wound trauma and is the smallest shot that will reliably penetrate deep enough to hit the vitals.

[sar]

Thanks guys.

[buckster]

Good info, I hear that 2 3/4" inch shells travel faster than 3".