I prefer a shotgun as well, but instead of dove loads or buckshot, I prefer #2 lead goose loads (well, back when lead was legal
)....more lethal than #8s, yet will slow down quickly if a stray pellet goes out the window.............
One could also consider Glaser safetly slugs in the 357 mag as well, if one were concerned about a stray round going through a thin wall, as in a condo or apartment.