[AcceptableUserName]

does anyone have a link to an article or thread that has COMPREHENSIVE buckshot testing from the major manufacturers? I've been looking around and can't seem to find one with a consensus on more than one or two brands...I'm looking for an overview of multiple brands and loads, preferably out of multiple guns...

[Youngster]

I've lost most of my links and can't really help you on that, however i will say that patterning is something you'll have to figure out for yourself, results can differ wildly between identically setup guns, let alone those of different makes and configurations.

For example my 870 wearing its original 18.5" IC choked barrel for the most part likes and dislikes completely different loads than my friend's consecutive serial numbered 870, if you throw another barrel on either gun its a whole new ballgame.

[AcceptableUserName]

but as a rule, plated, buffered shot is superior, correct?

[AcceptableUserName]

I suspect I have a lot of mediocre-to-passable ammo stored up and am trying to get into some better stuff for my cylinder bore a1. I've really only patterned the Federal vital-Shok and Winchester super X 00. Both gave acceptable patterns (5-8" at 25 yds) but the Federal seemed to have more penetration...could this be because it i is buffered and copper plated?

[Youngster]

but as a rule, plated, buffered shot is superior, correct?

There are exceptions when it comes to patterning, but penetration will be better without a doubt though. If you're getting 5-8" patterns @ 25 yards with both those loads, especially the Super-X, I'd say that's pretty damn good for an out-of-the-box cyl bored riot gun.

[AcceptableUserName]

Youngster, how different is the Vital-Shok w/ Flitewad than the Tactical? Seems like one I can get fullpower (Vital), the other I can only really find in low-recoil which I don't really need or want at the cost of velocity, that's for sure.

[Carne Frio]

Here is one thread from another forum. It is not comprehensive but
could be of some help. You could go to many forums and search
for patterning buckshot.

http://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=36349

Good luck in your quest.

[AcceptableUserName]

thank you for that, appreciate it.

[Youngster]

Youngster, how different is the Vital-Shok w/ Flitewad than the Tactical? Seems like one I can get fullpower (Vital), the other I can only really find in low-recoil which I don't really need or want at the cost of velocity, that's for sure.

There may be a difference in hull length, and the Tactical seems to throw a bit tighter from what I've seen, but that's about all I can think of. I don't have these rounds in front of me nor have I messed with them for some time.

Another load you might want to consider is Winchester Supreme SB1200 9 pellet 00 buck, this stuff is hotter than normal at 1450 fps and seems to pattern similarily to regular wad Vital Shok in most cases.

[LoneStarWings]

Okay, this might be a silly question, but:

Why is a "super tight" pattern so desirable in a defensive shotgun?

Obviously we don't want stray rounds endangering bystanders/property; but it seems that at most defensive ranges (inside of 15 yards) even the cheap stuff is going to stay inside a 8" spread. With any kind of decent aim all your pellets should stay on target, and wouldn't damage spread over a larger area be desireable (more tissue damage, more hit probability on critical organs, etc)? Not to mention if your aim is off a little, you still have a somewhat decent chance of landing some of your pellets on target.

If the super tight pattern really is desirable, why do most defensive guns come with a smooth bore rather than chokes?

[Fred Fuller]

Problem with written articles about buckshot loads is that every time a lot number changes, there's a possibility the patterns from that same brand and SKU number might well change too. Ammo companies change things fairly often. Powder. Shot. Wads. Heck, the companies who make powder, shot and wads change things.

And I will almost guarantee you that as soon as you find something your gun likes, that company will either change the load, drop it from their line, sell out to another company who will change the load, or go out of business. For example, take a look at my long-ago plaint about Estate's 00 buck load... http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=73967 .

There's one other reason I wouldn't worry too much about what some gunscribe or 'net keyboard pounder has to say about this load or that load. It's because EVERY SHOTGUN is pretty much a law unto itself as far as patterns go. What their gun likes, yours might not. And so on. Shotgun patterning seems to have more to do with magic that science, sometimes.

Best advice I can offer is, do it yourself, with your gun and a reasonable range of loads. You don't have to test everything, just find a load that does what you want your gun to do.

Then buy all of it you can afford... before they change it.

lpl