Home defense shotgun round?

Try a 2 3/4" reduced recoil 00 Buck. Still designed to be a stopper, but the lower velocity means it won't go through as many walls as the standard stuff. It's easy to find and pick up and has a good track record with the police.

However, if you are willing to look a little harder, I would suggest Federal's 2 3/4" Low Recoil #1 Buck. It has nearly double the amount of pellets (15 vs 8) and they are not much smaller (.30 vs .33). If the police did not always insist on 00 Buck, then #1 Buck would be far more common.

Here is a link with a little more info on the round.

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot56.htm

But when the day is done, I would not recommend a shotgun for home defense, especially with family around. The 590 is a long and heavy gun to maneuver around. I live in a similar area, family in the house and nearest neighbor is over a block away. I use a Glock 21 (.45acp) loaded with Glaser Safety Slugs. It’s a frangible round that doesn’t ricochet and they break up when they hit sheetrock. It's got tritium sights as well as a weaponlight.

My 500 is loaded with a 3" #4 shot then 3 oo buckshot and the last being a rifled slug.

I have 00 buck loaded in my 500 at all times.

I assume it is a 6 shot. I'd put in one #4 buck. At a distance, a slightly less lethal "warning shot". Then I'd have two 00 buck, assuming the target is still at a distance, more lethal less spread. The last three I'd go back to #4 buck assuming target is still moving and now close in, less chance of over penetration.

4 Buck.

People underestimate bird shot. In a home defense situation, youre not gonna be more than 20 feet away from your target. I keep 8 shot next to my 870, and it would work well if I ever had to use it. 8 shot gives more room for error, and you dont have to worry about it going through a wall and hitting a neighbor. Honestly I wouldnt use 00 buckshot.

The problem with using non-lethal munitions, at least in my State, is that unless you are a certified law enforcement officer specifically certified in the use of non-lethal munitions, it doesn't matter WHAT you put in your shotgun -- it is still considered, in the eyes of the law, deadly force.

As far as going with which shot size to use, I'll refer you to the Box O' Truth:

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot3.htm

http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot3_2.htm

There you go. That's why I use 00 buckshot exclusively for any shotgun with which I intend to defend myself.

Winchester PDX-1 shells.

At defense ranges from 7 yds-10 yds., I use 7 1/2 birdshot. At this range the shots are in a very tight pattern about 10" in diameter and it will not penetrate walls to hit innocent people. If you use buckshot or slugs, you have to factor in collateral damage (hitting innocent people).

winchester supreme 12 gauge turkey loads. if you dont mind fixing your house, then 10 gauge slugs or 3 1/2 inch 12 gauge 00 buck