Note: some of the links below are affiliate links. Let me pick some brains here for knowledge: What's your criteria for an acceptable buckshot pattern? Nova: 3" remington, fixed modified choke 50 yards, 9/15 pellets. What size is buckshot. It would no doubt perform even better with high quality buffered loads. The buckshot vs slug debate has been raging for many years. I have some #4 buck on hand, but #1 buck is almost impossible to find, local or online. The load that is a sure killer at 40 yards may be a crippler at 50.
The Federal 00 Buck (not Flight Control) shot a pattern about 7″ in diameter. There is also a myth that 00 Buckshot spreads approximately one inch per yard of travel. That leaves Federal's Vital-Shok buck, which uses Federal's FliteControl wad, as the tightest-patterning buckshot load I'm aware of, and it performs in almost any choke so long as it's not of the ported or wad-stripping variety. And finally for the 4th is the Federal 3 inch 15 pellet 00. So what should you use: buckshot or a slug? Buckshot spread at 15 yards. Another disadvantage of using buckshot is the fact that since the individual pellets are normally relatively lightweight (a lead 00 buckshot pellet weighs 50-51 grains), they do not retain their energy or penetrate as well as slugs. The big advantage of using a slug is that it has a much longer effective range than buckshot. Regular reader Jim in NC recently suggested I write more about buckshot, adding that I should not dismiss buckshot deer hunters as "a bunch of knuckle dragging rednecks who should be shooting driven pheasants with Holland and Hollands. "
For a more detailed discussion on the different shotgun gauges and their recommended uses, read the article below: Enjoy this article delving into the buckshot vs slug debate? Thoughts on Patterning Buckshot. It's amazing how tight a pattern this load shoots into the zombie target's chest at 50 yards. Sorry if anyone has trouble seeing the difference of where hits are. 3rd is the Federal 2. Most of those myths center on the idea that the buckshot pattern is a function of barrel length and that buckshot patterns all expand at the same rate as they fly away from the weapon.
Additionally, shotgun slugs retain their energy better and typically penetrate much deeper than buckshot. It's relevant because if you use a shotgun for personal protection, you had better test your defensive load at the common ranges you plan to employ it. One of the best features of the shotgun is its versatility. With such a really short barrel, you would expect a huge pattern, right? Did some Buckshot pattern testing today. Here is what I have observed: - If all my shots were going to be in thick brush, I would be tempted to shoot 1 buck. And by "best" here, I am talking about 40 yard patterns for deer, not across-the-bedroom patterns for home defense. Additionally, since a slug is a single large diameter projectile, it makes a very big hole in whatever it hits.
As shown below, at 30 yards its devastating. I shot four different types of 00 Buck through the 14″ Benelli at a distance of 30 feet. However, if you hunt thin-skinned game (like deer) in an area where you are likely to only take extremely short range shots and where it is legal to do so, then use buckshot. Buckshot Patterning in a Short-Barreled Shotgun. There was a tremendous variation. I recently got my Federal paperwork back from the creation of a short-barreled shotgun.
Written by: Greg Ellifritz. But, it was a dandy. In direct contrast to buckshot is a slug, which is a single, large diameter projectile designed to be fired from a shotgun. Just like buckshot, there are many different types of shotgun slugs available on the market. While I won't settle that question during the course of this article, I will discuss the pros and cons of hunting with buckshot vs a slug and hopefully provide some good advice for prospective hunters. Different sizes of buckshot. Scott said they experimented with different numbers of steps and five proved to be the best for 00 and 000 buck although he didn't know the reason why. In fact, using buckshot loads that are not buffered or encased in a shot cup, patterns will get LARGER as the barrel length increases. But, I have always been intrigued by buck shot and have a shot a bunch at paper to see how it acts. "Buffered" buckshot will shoot larger patterns. The Speer Low Recoil 00 Buck shot a pattern about 6″ in diameter. If Federal made their heavier than lead "Heavyweight" pellets in buck sizes and loaded them with a Flitecontrol wad, who knows how far away you could shoot deer with them.
For an idea about this variability, take a look at the target below. When using a barrel designed to shoot slugs and more precise iron sights or a scope, this range can be extended even further. I think 40 yards was a bit of a stretch, so I'm thinking of backing to 30 yards next time. Also have some 000 buck on hand as well so theres definitely more testing too come. Having a short barrel doesn't mean the pattern will be huge. With a 12 gauge shotgun and a selection of ammo from 9s to buck and slugs you can shoot anything on Earth that walks or flies. What often happens with buckshot, strangely, is that two pellets will fly through the same hole. As long as it is used under appropriate conditions, buckshot is an excellent, though not very versatile choice.
Just got done testing some buckshot loads this evening for my 870. Also I found a wad that sides had been completely shredded, so I'm thinking the choke might be too tight with 00. Big pellets don't always follow the same rules that apply to smaller shot. There are a lot of myths when it comes to using a shotgun for home defense. The 40′ group looked about the same. The Trulocks claim a 20% tighter pattern with the Boar Blaster, which is about what I saw. The patterns were a single hole out to 20 feet. Anyway what are y'alls thoughts? My criteria is a load that will keep 80% of the load within a 12" circle at 30 yards, & 50% within 12" at 40. One of my favorite buckshot loads, Remington's 3-inch Premier 00 with 15 pellets is, of course, no longer made.