[Mooseman]

I have a pump action shotgun with a pistol grip which I have only shot at my local range so far. The range only allows us to use birdshot. Is there a signifigant difference in recoil for #1 buckshot assuming the same manufacturer and shell length?

[ClarkEMyers]

The size of the shot doesn't much matter - the total weight does including shot and shotcup and to some degree buffer if used. The speed - muzzle velocity if you will - matters.

The length of the shell doesn't matter and the height of the brass doesn't matter either. That is all 1-1/8 ounce shot at say 1200 fps will have similar recoil regardless of length of the shell and size of the shot. 2 oz will recoil more than 1-1/8 regardless of shot size. Dram equivalent is a proxy for muzzle velocity.

Likely your choice of buckshot load will carry more shot faster and so recoil more than your birdshot which is probably a light - a claybird - load.

There are short buckshot shells available to allow people to load more cartridges in a tubular magazine and slow buckshot shells to reduce felt recoil just as there are shells that cram all the buckshot that will fit and shoot it as fast as the rig will stand.

If you care to express everything in pounds and feet and you can calculate poundsfeet and footpounds. Momentum is a better guide to recoil than energy.

[Fred Fuller]

Far as I know, there is no reduced recoil load available that carries #1 buck. So you will be firing at least a full house load, likely a magnum load. The Remington Express buckshot in #1 here (16 pellets, 3 3/4 dram equiv.) is the only load of #1 handy for reference.

"...a pump action shotgun with a pistol grip..."
---------------------------------------------
If it's a pistol gip only (PGO) and not a shoulder stock or folding stock with a pistol grip, that's gonna hurt. But hey, it's your shotgun and your hand. Goferit if ya just gotta, I wouldn't tho.

lpl/nc