Are steel shot shells (shotgun) good for self-defense?

Local retail stores do not carry birdshots heavier than #4 with lead, all heavy shots are steel (waterfowl). Can you use them for self-defense? How do they compare to lead shots? I am not asking about toxicity issues in water animals/birds|||For self-defense go with buckshot. Just make sure you kill your attacker, with the way the laws are going you might be sued for lead poisoning if they live.|||Heck, I have a hard time killing ducks with steel shot. And I%26#039;m not the only one, that%26#039;s why you%26#039;ve seen the surge in non toxic shot out there. And that%26#039;s on a measly duck, not a 200 lb pissed off intruder. That being said, I wouldn%26#039;t want to take a 3 1/2%26quot; shell of t shot to the chest. I wouldn%26#039;t recommend it, but I%26#039;ll bet it would work at close range.|||The difference between steel and lead is the difference between an FMJ and a softpoint. You aren%26#039;t looking to poke neat little holes if someone is threatening your family.|||No big because #4 lead bird shot will work fine in the home. At 20 to 30 feet it will kill the bad guy but will not over penetrate like big buck shot can.|||No, they are not. They do not expand, and tend to over-penetrate. You should be using buckshot. 00 or 000. You will only find those in lead, not steel.





If you really think you would be better off with shot larger than 4 but smaller than buckshot, such as T, BB, or #2, then look for Tungsten, Bismuth, or %26quot;Heavi Shot%26quot; (that%26#039;s a brand name). These are all also waterfowl loads (non toxic) but are denser/heavier than steel, and softer so there is some expansion.|||Nothing wrong with these for Self defense but I would MUCH rather 00 buck.