Shotgun Ammunition

So Just How Far Is ‘Birdshot’ Really Dangerous…Let’s Find Out

Published on June 20, 2023

To be clear, if your home defense weapon is a shotgun, chances are at close range, most types of shot will be effective. But, for defensive purposes, most experts will advise you NOT to use birdshot, and instead use buckshot, or slug rounds.

Birdshot is designed for, well, birds, which have much less dense bone structure and less muscle mass than human threats. Again, at close range (less than 10 meters) for a self defense shooting of an intruder, birdshot is better than nothing.

The big question is…will birdshot stop an intruder?

While it is not the best choice for a home defense round, birdshot can be effective at close range. Birdshot (all types)- 17% of the first shots led to an immediate incapacitation of the attacker. Don’t plan on a one shot stop, that is unless when you aim at an intruders head and face. Most encounters end in less than two shots of ANY weapon’s platform.

At what distance is birdshot lethal to humans?

With #4 the lethal range is probably 40 yards and under. Smaller birdshot is much less lethal. Smaller #8 birdshot is probably lethal within 25 yards or so. These distances are assuming a tight choke, a standard 12g load, and hitting a normal sized person in the chest/ neck / head area. Again, all of the technical stuff and ballistics aside…if all you got is birdshot for your shotgun, make sure to get close and aim for the head and face.

But, let’s let the guy in the video show you what birdshot can do at different distances.