BIRD SHOT IS FOR BIRDS!!!!! Buckshot or slugs are for Perps. If you need a link check out www.theboxotruth.com and search for shot shells in the original section. I have 20 gauge buckshot (#3 I think) and it shoots nice. It patterns better than most 12 gauge buck unless you use the tactical stuff. Also there is reduced recoil buck and slugs. And in combat (which is what self defense is) you won't feel any recoil or hear the blast. She can practice with trap loads and load with good stuff.

Take Care and Stay Safe.

Bird Shot and the BoT.

I should have said this earlier, but I was in a hurry. As I have said more than once here, before getting her too far into the gun thing, she has got to be CERTAIN that she could use a firearm against another person. Absolutely certain. If the need arises and she can not pull the trigger, the badguy will simply take the gun away from her, and things will really go downhill from there. Having a gun in the house, intending to use it as a bluff, will not work. You/she also need to check your state laws as to the used of lethal force. Some states will let you pop anyone who enters your home uninvited, others want you to abandon your castle to the bad guys. Use deadly force in the wrong place and you can be in deep doodoo...

Thanks for the info folks. For some reason reduced loads slipped my mind.

I did finally figure out what she thought she would have to defend against, and it was coyotes LMAO……. I live in Eastern Kansas and never has anyone around here been attacked by one. Now I know that dose not mean that it cannot happen , but I think I would have a better chance of hitting the power ball first. When I talked to her about shooting a person she said that she did not think she could do it, so yea all that would do is turn out bad for her.
As for deadly force around here, you have to feel threatened, and the way I see it that is a BIG hole for the law to put the screws to the average Joe who shoots the home invader or the rapist who slides in to you home in the middle of the night. But all the LEO’s that I have to deal with say that it is better to shoot them then they kill you.

Again thanks for all the info
Lance

Maybe she needs a dog?

Big dog preferably 2 big dogs. Coyotes will take a small dog right out of your yard.

I second (third?) the dog recommendation. A well trained, loyal dog is the best alarm and defense combined.

I kind of figured if she didn't feel the need for a gun as a city girl it probably wasn't people she was scared of.

"...OTOH, a shotgun doesn't need to be fed or walked..."

Or cleaned up after (other than policing hulls)...

And the bark is VERY loud.

And the bite is worse than the bark!!!