Hi Bret. Thank you for looking to LuckyGunner.com for your ammo needs. The shot used in these shotshells is tiny. They lose velocity extremely quickly, and even in the event of a "contact" shot, they will fail to penetrate with the muzzle gasses creating more damage than the actual projectiles. They are not suited for any further use than close range pest eradication, and then only when a failure to stop is non-critical. Whether or not an assailant would stop is an unknown, but if you have a reason to shoot someone, you need to choose something that will penetrate and stop them. Give me a call and we can help pick the best round for you. Have a great day! Ross