That's one reason I like the shotgun. From 10 feet away, it almost doesn't matter what shell is being used. A 12 gauge has enough power to do some very serious damage, at 10 feet, even if it is loaded with lead bird shot. At 10-12 feet, the pattern from bird shot can be as samll as 6 inches in diameter, which if you are accurate pours all of your lead onto the intended target. Penetration is not as good with bird vs. buck shot, but most of the bird shot is still getting 4 inches deep into him, and it is not going through the walls to get to your neighbor's cat.


See:

http://www.gunsandammomag.com/long_guns/def_090105/

http://www.firearmstactical.com/briefs10.htm