The Survival Shotgun - Essential Loads

For survival. I would recommend some smaller shot as well for small game. You did mention that at the end. Oh also the short 1 1/2 inch rounds are good if you are space limited. They are not that much less powerful than the normal size rounds.

I would say slugs, buckshot and 6 shot.

How much do you hunt? In a survival situation if you were going to hunt, you would be hunting small game... I'd say #6 steel shot, and 00 for defense. Other than that you can get flare rounds for obvious reasons and bear bangers go a long way in preventing an attack in the first place

nother fine vid,, agree on all points

2 3/4  # 4 Turkey load and 2 3/4 Slug is my go to rounds for my N.E.F modified choke single barrel 12 gauge. What is a good iron sight that can be advised? Thanks for bringing these videos to share. Love the series.

The rifling on a slug does not impart spin.  It does not impart rifle characteristics.    It allows the slug to squeeze through different sized chokes.   

Great suggestions.

Best Wishes from Bonnie Scotland !

You need slugs and bird shot not buckshot, rabbits squirrels and birds need birdshot people deer and other big stuff need slugs the only reason to carry buckshot is for self defense witch you can also use slugs for.

I agree with you that buckshot and slugs are good big game/self defense loads but they suck for small game and birds.  Which just so happens to be the main source of food for someone in a wilderness survival situation.  If it comes down to just 2 choices with me, slugs and 1&1/4 oz of #5's.  If it came down to 1 choice, it'd be the #5's

I make my own 00 buck and slug from cheap bird shot plus I make rd ball.

I always like to keep a few shells of rock salt with me on the trails.

The single barrel shotgun I have, and many I have seen here in Canada, are fixed full choke. I wouldn't fire slugs out that. Just a little too tight. It would be ok if the shotgun has modified or improved cylinder chokes. I would carry 00 buck and 5 or 6 shot. Just a personal preference.

with a single shot, carry as much 5 shot as you possibly can. learn how to make cut shells and you can kill anything in north america.

00 and #6 all you need

Like ~M~

#2 shot

For where I live, I use #7 1/2 birdshot and slug

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Your load-out depends entirely on your area and situation. I don't have to worry too much about bears in the Oklahoma woods; the worst I have to contend with is the occasional mountain lion or bobcat, which doesn't necessitate a highly penetrating slug as much as it does a OO buck shell. The single shot shotgun is more for hunting than self defense, IMO. I'd suggest more shells for hunting small game and a few for large game. Just my opinion, though.

Young Guns

For survival that 00 buck with number 4s or 5s. In survival the tree chickens make the most sense and 00 buck can do deer also. That slug is interesting but just two I want something for birds or tree chickens

I'd replace the slugs with bird shot. You can make cut shells with bird shot for the same effect as slugs

Most of your hunting will be small game. I would add #6 birdshot to your list.

I've tried plenty of different ammunition, and I have a problem with the ejection. Seems that the brass expands and will not eject. Any ideas on what I can do? Like I mentioned, I've tried different ammo, brands, bird/buck shot.

where did you get the sights for that shotgun at

12 or 20Ga heaviest slug you can get, #4 BuckShot, #5 birdshot for small game... that covers 99% of all shotgunning...

What shotgun is that?

One shot of 12 ga of ANYTHING will stop anyone anytime in a Survival situation....splitting hairs like this is ridiculous.

just buy 20$ 100rd birdshot make cut shells 100 slugs.

In a survival situation I would add some loads for small game... Much more likely to come across small game then a deer if looking for food...

I like your vid I think the shot gun is the ultimate survival weapon so many different types of ammo for game and defense booth my kids when that moved out took a 12 gauge single shot with them for defense

I would carry buckshot and birdshot.

There are many types of survival guns. When you said survival against bears, wolves, mountain lions, specially bears I would not use a single shot as my 1st choice for against bears. Not bad mouthing single shots, cause 1 of my favorite guns I own and use a lot is an single shot. For things like bear protection I probably go with an pump, lever action or semi automatic, or even an handgun. But if your going to talk about a gun for all kinds if survival, that if a person is allowed to only own 1 gun for all kinds of survival scenarios, think I would go with the over and under rifle/shotgun combo. My rifle caliber choice for top barrel would be like the 45-70 or like an 300 Win mag or bigger and the shotgun barrel would be the 12 gauge. Then for things like bear protection or against wolves etc....like your saying at least you would get 2 shots on it if you need a 2nd shot. If miss, or if the bullet miss fires for some reason on a single shot, before you will be able to reload that bear or what ever will be on top of you before you can even think about getting that single shot reloaded in time, for a 2nd shot.

The grooves on rifled slugs does not impart 'spin' they are for going through any choke, the people who make them do not know what choke will be used by the customer.

Cabella sells buck and ball 3 inch round.

Everything else number 2 steel shot for geese, ducks, larger game and number six for rabbits and squirrels and an 8 inch 22lr adapter.

Hey Miller, Do you have a Facebook page?

Dont FORGET about adapters for more diversity as well👍💪

What is single ot buck? My boxes aren't double ot buck

It really depends on where your going to be hunting. Here in Kentucky land between the lakes. In my survival shotgun I have 1 slug for deer and the other 4 is # 5 high brass birdshot. But most of the time I have a 25 round belt that's a mixture of all shot sizes. Anyway thanks for sharing and Merry Xmas from Kentucky land between the lakes

I keep 1 deer slug and 1. 00buck. 1. # 4 buckshot 1 # 5 birdshot and 1 # 8 birdshot in mine. Its kind of. Like a Swiss army knife in a shotgun.

You need a few #5 for small game

My single shot "scatter gun" is a 56 year old 20 Ga. Savage-Stevens 3" chamber that has a shell ejector with 2 custom barrels. One 20 fully rifled with iron sights. The other is 18.5" with Rem. Chokes. My "Survival Rig" doesn't need a firearm for small game harvesting. My backpack carries a takedown horse bow for collecting "camp food."

Slugs, Buckshot, and #5 shot works for me

An over and under 22 magnum and 12 guage would be a good idea

Check out Short Lane Arms rifled inserts that change your shotgun into a 9mm, .22, 38, .45 long colt.

8" rifled insert makes a 9mm very effective at 75 yards.

What if someone has no clue as to what double ought buck means.