Originally Posted by
9.3X62AL
My old agency issued/issues #4 buckshot and Foster-type rifled slugs for its 870 Remingtons. I am here today typing in this thread because an assailant chose #4 birdshot instead of buckshot to engage me with at 26 feet (08-03-81, 2230 hours, Desert Hot Springs, CA). The bulk of the shot charge hit my patrol car's spotlight and/or glanced off the side of my left temple. 4 pellets hit with some effect, but I was still able to return 5 shots and connect twice (left wrist and plane of left palm, he was behind a dumpster firing in barricade fashion).
I use #4 buck (7 on board the 870) and slugs in a side-saddle carrier. Birdshot basically PISSED ME OFF, although one pellet penetrated the left browline--traversed the sinus cavity--and lodged on the inboard surface of the skull's brain case. So birdshot can have some penetration ability--but not enough that time, thankfully.