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You've never been in a close quarters combat scenario.
I've seen fully-trained, theater deployed, kids literally piss themselves the first few times they were in combat.
Organic reality doesn't care what you think you know.
Considerations like shot grouping go out the window.
Muscle memory and training takeover.
If you're not well trained, and let me assure you, you're not, then you'd be lucky to hit the broadside of a barn at 10 feet.
This is not personal, this is fact.
I've been out for years now and I'm no longer proficient in dealing with the adrenaline surge or the fight or flight response either... And I once really enjoyed it.
For non-active duty, combat trained, personnel I recommend a 20 gauge shotgun with birdshot.
The Mossberg Shockwave is an excellent choice.
The Remington V3 Tac-13 is another if you absolutely must have a 12 gauge.
For you and I, the issue isn't shot placement, it's penetration.
What's on the other side of that drywall?
Are you going to kill your kid?
The neighbor?
The dog?
A passerby?
You don't know how a round will behave once you release it.
It could go anywhere.
Birdshot will deliver your message and at the range we're discussing, likely be fatal to the assailant.
What it is not likely to do is over-penetrate and cause you to sit in jail for 18 months on an involuntary manslaughter charge.
Or incur a civil suit by the relatives of the victim.
Even then, I recommend USCCA or CCWSafe.
Think about it as murder insurance.
If you're going to carry or wield a firearm, your primary threat - besides yourself - is civil liability.

Correct.
But for home defense, you don't need more than 20 gauge.

LOL, valid response.