[GigaBuist]

Followup to a previous thread: http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=367124

I apologize for taking so long. I fully intended to give a quick turn-around but work caught up with me and I wasn't able to find Federal #3 Buck at any shops I stopped at. I finally found it at the local po-dunk sporting good store. Seems to be the place to go for all my ammo needs lately.

Anyway, here's the patterning results.

Range: 15 yards
Load: Federal #3 Buck (2/3" shells)

http://www.justinbuist.org/blog/images/saiga_20_patterns/saiga_20_federal_1.jpg

I must have pulled the shot high on that one. I doubt it's the gun's fault. I had a pretty good head cold when running this test and wasn't performing very well in anything that day. Heck, left my newspaper and tape on the roof the the Jeep when I headed out.

http://www.justinbuist.org/blog/images/saiga_20_patterns/saiga_20_federal_2.jpg

http://www.justinbuist.org/blog/images/saiga_20_patterns/saiga_20_federal_3.jpg

While at the range I ran a 3 shots with 3" Federal #3 Buck too. The results weren't any better. I'm actually a bit surprised that the previous test showed better patterns with Remington Express #3 buck.

Not good. I want an 8" pattern or less at 15 yards because the distance from my bedroom to the furthest entrance point in this ranch house is just about 15 yards.

I still have a box of Winchester #3 Buck to test out, but I suspect I'm going to have to choke this thing to get the results I want.

[dawei]

My home defense gun is a Mossberg® Mdl 500C 20ga w/18½" Cyl Bore barrel. I load mine up with Federal® 3" #2 Buck. At 15yds I get a 10-12" pattern with all 18 pellets. I don't know what to tell you about your Saiga. Does it have choke tubes? If so I'd start with Imp Cyl to see if you can "tighten" your pattern.

[Dave McCracken]

IMO, tighter is needed. Either more loads tested or choke tubes.

Keep us posted, thanks...

[Rustynuts]

First - get a Saiga-12!! I've heard the 20 kicks almost as much as the 20 anyway (due to the 20's lighter barrel), so why bother?

Second - Use hollow point slugs if in a sturdy house with no neighbors around, or get some decent 3" hi-power buckshot and keep testing.

Third - Get a Poly-Choke. http://www.saigastock.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=25&sort=20a&page=2

I've shot my Saiga 12 & 410 at the range up to maybe 10-yds with no choke and get WAY better patterning than that. Busts out the center target every time, maybe 8-10" circle with only a few strays out there.