For home defense load selection for the 590...what's the right call?

[BryanL]

I've gone back and forth on this forever and I've finally landed somewhere I'm happy with. For HD in my 590, I'm running Federal FliteControl 00 buckshot. The patterning on that is genuinely impressive, I got sub-10-inch patterns at 20 yards with my cylinder-bore 18.5" barrel. I keep the first two shells as #4 shot in case of a situation where over-penetration is more of a concern, then three rounds of FliteControl behind that. I also topped off with one slug on the lifter, one in the carrier. It might be overkill but I sleep better knowing what's in the tube..

 

[Alan]

That’s a pretty thoughtful loadout. The 590 doesn’t care what you feed it just that you remembered to rack it.

 

[Onguard]

Simpler load plans are easier to run when things get chaotic.

 

[True American]

If you're running a 590 HD, FliteControl is the way to go. Getting a sub-10-inch pattern at 20 yards out of a cylinder bore shotgun feels like pure witchcraft. And honestly, loading a #4 round first is a pretty smart move if you're worried about over-penetration.