I use mine to hunt people breaking into my house. The sound of the shell loading really should be enough to turn anyone not high as a kite right the heck back around, but if not, high spread, decently low wall penetration will do the rest. I do need to get a decent pistol though, all I have now is a 22.....so both ends of the spectrum. Would like a .380 maybe. Got kids in the house so anything like a 357 is right out.