ORIGINAL: devil dog
The truth of the matter is, in the house, you are better off with birdshot, # 7 1/2 or # 8, at close range " unless you live in a mansion", birdshot does a devistating job on human flesh, within ten feet it will make a two inch hole in someone, also, you dont have to worry about killing a loved one in the next room due to over penitration. I do know of the dreams you had, mine is, I had to shoot someone with my 45, I saw the bullet bounce off the guys chest, luckily, I woke up befor he got me!.
Giving advice on what round to use on game animals, or what rifle to use for deer, etc is one thing, but to put it quite bluntly, if you don't know what you are talking about, do not post bad information. You just might get someone killed for listening to your bad advice.
It has already been established by a myriad of tests that birdshot is not an effective stopper. It does not meet the FBI's 12 inch penetration requirement and never will.
Birdshot because of its small size does not have the mass and sectional density to penetrate deeply enough to reliably reach and damage critical blood distribution organs. The permanent crush cavity is usually less than 6 inches deep, and this is not deep enough to reliably include the heart or great blood vessels of the abdomen. A gruesome, shallow wound in the torso does not guarantee a quick stop, especially if the bad guy is chemically intoxicated or psychotic. If the tissue crushed by the pellets does not include a vital cardiovascular structure there is no reason for it to be an effective wound. Number 6 lead birdshot when propelled at 1300 fps, has a maximum penetration depth potential of about 5 inches in ballistic gelatin. Most of that shot however only penetrates 4 inches.
Wow 4-6 inches at most with number 6 birdshot, and you are recommending number 7.5 or even number 8 which is bound to penetrate even less!
Bottom line, birdshot is for birds that is why it is called birdshot. If you are using your shotgun for self defense load it with #1 buckshot or larger, know your target and what is beyond.