00 buckshot is over kill man it will punch right out someone's back if shot into them at close range. That shotgun is only there incase someone wants to rob my house in the middle of the night ( and that's only if they make it past the dogs). If we're taking about holding done a house against attackers or some shit then that's a different story and that's when the rifles and pistols come out to play
I know you think that bird shot will kill close range, but it might not.
At point blank range it will put wad and all through you. Ten foot away, maybe not. I say the intruder will still turn and leave. Maybe not. Maybe they are armed and they get time to let a round off at you.
We were having problems with coyotes bothering our calves I grab the shot gun and load it with 00 buck and head off. What I didn't realize is the first shell wasn't a 00 buck. It was a high brass #7 Very high brass. Identical shells and the writing had wore off.
We were walking and looking for a lost calf and looking for coyotes. I came across one, drew and took aim, fired and watched as it ran off. I had to track it a ways and shoot it again. I was close to it. As close as an intruder would be. It was a bad wound but a shallow one.
I mean police have reported leather jackets stopping up to 9mm.
Although it possible, the bird shot would have to be used at close range. Closer than I am comfortable with. It would also have to hit a soft tissue point. Either the neck or gut. Neck is a small target at night and a moving target. Gut is just a horrible way to shoot someone. I mean what if the intruder is still alive and armed. Either they are laying on the floor and you have to shoot at again at closer range. Who wants that? What if it doesn't wound them bad enough? They have a gun with more ammo and gain fire superiority? Bad place to be and try to grab a second weapon.
To each their own. I joked about rock salt. I used it one time on a dog thief. It was probably stupid but breeding and training papered hunting dogs takes a lot of time and a couple go missing that is thousands of dollars lost. It was a good distance away.
Bird shot might work, might not.