A typical home defense shotgun loaded with typical 00 buckshot will deliver a shot pattern only about 7" wide at 20 feet? That's smaller than most dinner plates! The general rule of thumb is 1" of expansion per yard, so at 3 yards (where most self defense shootings take place, or less) you'll only get a pattern about the size of a man's fist! While they may still be the ideal home defense firearm and are still very deadly, don't buy into the myth that "you don't have to aim - just point and pull the trigger" with a 12ga shotgun!!