[car0linab0y]

Try and shoot ducks or dove with a rifle.

OP is looking at the totality of applications in choosing the shotgun; that choice has been made. The question posed was "what ammo for a shotgun".

To the OP, I agree with #6 as a good compromise birdshot size, #1 buck if you can find it, 00 otherwise, and slugs. Pattern your shotgun and buy what works best in it.

CB

PS - on the subject of penetration, saboted slugs do pretty well.

 

[LeadFarmer]

I can assure you... a 22CB will kill a duck and a dove as dead as disco.

 

[turkeydance]

disco's dead?
when?

 

[car0linab0y]

I can assure you... a 22CB will kill a duck and a dove as dead as disco.

No doubt. My bad; I forgot the qualifier "on the wing".

CB

 

[maustypsu]

I like number 4 buckshot and slugs.

Ditto. #4 buck all the way for self defense. Slugs for hunting and longer range scenarios. Bird shot is cheap and easy to stock up on as well as very versatile - you can make slugs using bird shot shells and some wax.

 

[LeadFarmer]

No doubt. My bad; I forgot the qualifier "on the wing".

CB

Amd IF this were the hunting page of the forum i would agree with you.
But as this is the SUR/PREP page I cant grasp the reasoning for...
storing a large heavy shell (even a 410 is larger than most centerfire cart.)
purchasing a seperate loading machine
using such a mission specific weapon.

Under a situation in which I have to aquire my protien by hunting, I am probably aquiring it illegally out of season, over limit ect ect.
So any birds I am going to take are not going to be sporting entertainment value. I am going to pop them on the lake, on powerlines and over scattered feed.
I cant imagine a "survival" scenario in which i am heading afield with a shotgun and doing a little wing shooting.
Whats the value of a miss when your in SHTF mode?
i'd rather miss with a 22CB than with a expensive, loud 12 ga.
So your out there busting doves and someone nearby hears you and sneaks in for a closer look. They see #1 you have a gun, #2 you have way to much ammo #3 you have a free meal for the taking.
And all they have to ddo is stay 50 yards away and they are safe from your fields of fire.
Not a pretty picture.