On impact, the slug separates into three segments to compensate for aiming errors and maximize internal damage. This one-ounce piece of lead has strategic notching on both the exterior and inside the hollow-point cavity. Winchester has several innovative loads for home defense, and one of the most appealing is their Defender Series segmented rifled slug. Winchester Elite Defender Segmented Rifled Slug But if you want to use slugs, here is what we like. Still, this isn’t our top choice for home defense. These loads are made to deliver effective stopping power, while minimizing the chance of dangerous over-penetration. Ammo engineers are constantly pushing the envelope when it comes to defensive ammo, and a few companies offer shotgun slugs designed specifically for defensive shooting. With all that said, modern ammo technology is a marvelous thing. Needless to say, shooting a slug inside your home could cause serious collateral damage. At close range, a 12-gauge slug will smash through anything in its way, plowing through furniture, doors, drywall, and wall studs, and still have enough energy to eff up a body standing on the other side. While penetration is a positive when you’re hunting whitetails, it can be a major liability in a home defense situation. A heavyweight slug has tons of penetration power, which is the main reason big game hunters use them.
