Look at your likely engagement zone. If you've got a lot of houses in your area or family members in seperate rooms, then I'd just stick birdshot in the tube and wouldn't worry about staggering your rounds. More importantly than that, make an invasion plan. Go over with your family members what you're going to do should someone invade your home. Our's is simple stay in the bedroom and fight it out there until the situation dictates otherwise.

There's really no benefit in my opinion to stagering rounds, cause when you need birdshot then you end up with a slug, or buck. Pick a load and stick to it. Plus in the heat of an engagement are you really going to remember how you loaded your rounds and what's next when you pump it? probably not.

Personally, I run 3 inch 12 pellet 00 buck in my 870. Then again I'm really out in the county and I'm not to concerned about my neighbors since they're far enough away, then again so are the police. It's only me and my wife and she'll be right behind me.

To carry extra rounds I carry a Maxpedition velociter bag with enough shells to hold out for some time. In that bag I carry a mixture of slugs and buck. The shells are segreated so there's no issue with mixing up my rounds. However, the bag is something I grab only if I need to leave the confines of my house and walk the exterior. The bag also has additional pockets for lights and such.


The only real advantages slugs offer are ranger over buck shot. Getting hit with a 1 ounce slug is most likely going to ruin your day. However, I'd imagine that it'd be pretty hard to justify a 100 yard self defense shot to the police.

Have fun with your shotty. Heaven knows I love mine.

jerry