5 Rounds of 12ga Ammo by Barnes Defense - #4 Buck

Barnes’ home defense line of 12 Gauge ammunition is engineered to deliver the flawless functionality you can count on when you’re playing for all the marbles. But why is this shell loaded with #4 buck, which is usually reserved for coyote hunting, instead of far more common 00 buck?

It all has to do with #4 buck’s smaller size. Each pellet of #4 buck weighs less than half as much as a pellet of 00 buck. It’s still heavy enough to penetrate a threat to a sufficient depth for self-defense applications, but it is also due to penetrate fewer walls than a substantially more massive 00 buck pellet. A #4 pellet is also about one-quarter smaller in diameter than a 00 buck pellet, which is how this 2-3/4” shell stores over twice as many individual lead balls. The shell’s denser resultant pattern can provide a welcome advantage when you find it difficult to aim during a stressful home invasion scenario.

Barnes loads these shotgun shells with high-grade components, including hard lead shot that resists deformation. The shot pellets stay round enough to pattern efficiently, and also avoid forfeiting penetration depth as the result of flattening out during penetration.