Greetings All, i would love to learn about Shotgun ammo, for example which type is bird shot, which type has more pellets & which type has a defensive component to it - even the 1/2 size 12 guage shells. 410 also.
I am a Lifer on Blood Thinners and can’t handle bruising from the Shotgun Kick but really like that Kel-tec 12 guage that holds the 2 dozen 1/2 size shells, i just wonder if the kick is less…but in any event learning the different shell grades would be great 
have a great weekend
What do you want to do with the shotgun?
Try low brass 7-8 birdshot in a broken in Benelli M4 for soft
I have 00-buckshot for my home defense. I’m told #4 shot is better for less chance of over penetration and still have good stopping power.
Following is a site that explains sizes…
I believe science says #1 buck is the best for self defense but 00 buck is so much more common that it is the standard.
The length of the shell is not directly related to the felt recoil. In most instances, shells of different lengths have similar, if not identical, powder loads. The primary difference will be the number of pellets. There are shells advertised as “low recoil”, but I suggest you compare the ballistics to understand “low” compared to “regular” recoil.
I suggest you talk to people who shoot shotguns regularly and get some feedback on recoil pads. One major factor in recoil management is weapon weigh. The heavier the shotgun the lower the recoil (generally).
The KSG is a beast, so that weight would work in your favor. I have found the folk at Kel-Tec to be very friendly and helpful. Reach out to them for info on the KSG.
Also look at the Remington 7600 Adjustable Stock. According to Remington it “eliminates the felt punch of the recoil.” Davids Custom Stocks advertises “recoil systems” - they may be worth reaching out to.
There are also folk who shoot their shotgun anchored under their armpit and not against their shoulder.
There is enough information online about shotgun loads to choke a herd of horses. Check out alternatives to lead shot. Lighter pellets = less felt recoil (for the most part) but provide less penetration (everything is a tradeoff). Good luck in your search. Keep us posted.
The larger the pellets, the less that will fit in a given cartridge. 00 buckshot stacks single file one on top of the other in 410 gauge 3” length. In 12 gauge 3” length 00 buckshot stacks in clusters of three for a total of 15 pellets. Each one of those pellets could be compared to a 32 acp
There is an after market muzzle brake you can put on your Kel-tec 12 guage (looks like a howitzer muzzle).
The sticker on the butt stock is who makes that muzzle brake. They have great customer service as well. It will also cure any recoil issues.
It’s sort of like firing a blow dryer. You fire and then you get this big wash of warm air as the muzzle vents back at you. I use any round size from 2.75 to 3.5 and I have 1 receiver with slug and the other with 00 buck. Plus it’s a bullpup. I’ve fired the mini loads you have described, the 1" slugs and the recoil was negligible.
Last thing. You have to be very precise when you are putting the new muzzle brake on.
I do love my KSG though.
I only have one 12gauge and it is a DP 12 double barrel pump shotgun and I don’t hunt,i bought just for SD as all my weapons are specially for SD,I load my DP 12 with dragons breath flame thrower with 6 oo aught buck in it,it holds 16 rounds,and both barrels are engaged with one trigger
Best first question. If you’re reaching out to geese, 10 gauge or a 3.5" Winchester super mag with a full choke are the best I’ve found, but if it’s for home defense, those are the last I’d choose. Imo with the distance most home defense situations happen, anything would work. Buckshot preferably. There’s at least one person on here that uses a .410, and clearly a lot that use 12. I have a box of 00 buck for just in case, but all my shotguns have long barrels, so I go with an AR. Birdshot would hurt, but from personal experience, at a little distance shot placement to be lethal becomes more important… not that shot placement isn’t important, but a gut shot at 5yards,00 buck is going to do significant damage. Birdshot to the back at 35 ish yards, still walking…not well but walking and pissed off…
Sims recoil pads really help.
Low recoil double ought… perhaps
The weight of the charge is a good indication of recoil. The more weight, the greater the recoil. This is why 1oz loads are popular with some trap shooters.
Buck shot in a.410 would be a good compromise as would those mini shells in a 12 ga.
In both loads, what you’re sacrificing is the total number of buckshot per round, but even then it’s still a pretty formidable weapon.
Something I should have mentioned earlier. Even with a recoil pad, the area of impact on your shoulder is quite small. I have seen shotgun vests that use large squares of thick leather or plastic to spread the impact area. This is easily something you could make yourself.
Wow, bunch of experience speaking here and great info, only reason for my question is my purpose, for Self Defense use. Thanks everyone 
Shotguns are my favorite and most used firearms. I own pumps, doubles, singles, over/under, semi-autos, mostly in 12ga but with a few 20 and 16 guage thrown in the mix. There are so many variables to consider with gun weight and gauge near the top. Not to mention you do not have to fire from the shoulder in all cases. It would take pages to cover everything and I would still miss a bunch of things. May I suggest you start with a search keywords, shotguns and recoil. There is a ton of data to be studied.
One possible issue with those 12 gauge mini shells is how reliably they’ll function in your gun.
Forgive me in assuming that for SD you have a repeater of some type.
My input/feedback would be, if you are picking and choosing a firearm/ammo for self defense/home defense, and are limited by blood thinners with worry about shoulder bruising, skip the shotgun entirely.
A good properly gassed AR, let’s say with a vltor A5/intermediate gas system and mid length gas, IMO would simply be superior.
How a stock fits you really has a profound effect on kick/perceived recoil. A good high tech pad like a Limbsaver also helps with kick, as does a gas (not recoil) operated semi-automatic action.
There is a lot to explore when it comes to shotguns.
I have a 12 ga bullpup. I use a recoil pad, pretty much just like that one. It reduced recoil to where it basically felt like a pillow hitting my shoulder.
I use full powered slugs and double 00 buck. Recoil pad should help a ton, if not a good muzzle brake (if your shotgun will take one)
