[guitarguy]

I am trying to find a source to get a small amount of each of the major buckshot manufacturers and sizes (5 rd boxes each). I'd like to be able to take a good selection of 00 and #1 to the range and see which one patterns best out of my 870. I'm still unsure of which I want to use for HD.

I'm unable to really find a good selection in town (without driving around all day anway...)
Any recommendations on an online dealer you have used with good results (decent pricing, selection, and delivery times)?

Thanks in advance

[Sir Aardvark]

I have found that the Hornady TAP and Federal's Flight Control wad equipped shells have the tightest patterns of any Buckshot I have used.

Federal's Flight Control wads can be found in their "Vital Shock" brand of ammo and also in their Tactical offerings, such as LE-132LR (LR stands for Low Recoil).

Also, I PM'd you!

[chas08]

you might give Able Ammo a try. I'm not sure how competitive they are on buckshot but they are on waterfowl loads and they have a large selection to choose from. :)

[Fred Fuller]

http://www.ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/index.php/cName/12-gauge-buckshot has always been good to me, but I don't see any single-box product listings any more. And their number of choices is pretty far down from the last time I ordered too.

I've heard good things about http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/default.php?cPath=10480_14626_11576_16377_11604 but never ordered from them. They seem to have a good number of OUT OF STOCK buttons showing too.

In general it's a pretty good bet that any load with the FliteControl wad (Federal Premium and LE loads, Hornady TAP) will pattern pretty tightly. And any load with unbuffered, unprotected soft lead buckshot (S&B, Rio Royal etc) are going to pattern the widest of any available loads. In between will be loads with ordinary wad colums, harder alloy buckshot, plated buckshot, buffering, etc.

All that's a pretty general analysis, any individual shotgun barrel is going to do what it will do and there's absolutely no predicting what that will be. The only thing to do is pattern your gun/barrel with different loads at different ranges and pick out what you like best, then buy as much as you can manage of that load. Rest assured the manufacturer WILL change something about your favorite load that will ruin its patterns out of your gun and you will have to start the search all over again. Such is life in an uncertain world.

I've never owned a barrel that would pattern #1 buck worth a darn. I've heard about its theoretical advantages since high school but if it won't pattern like I want, it does me no good. I've been happy with 00 in various loads through the years. Haven't ever had much luck with #4 buck either.

Have fun experimenting,

lpl

[Adenn1]

I have never ordered from the place below...but they have a nice selection of Federal, Hornady and Wichester...


http://www.tds-us.com/catalog.php/tds/dt44337/Shotgun_Ammo

[Guns and more]

I have ordered from Sportsman's Guide and had good service. Fast shipping, and UPS leaves it on your door. They have as good a selection as anyone. And you can buy boxes of five (or multiples of them.)

[guitarguy]

Thanks for all the replies. I'll check out the websites you all recommended and there will be a PM inbound to you soon Sir Aardvark