[AcceptableUserName]

so in my quest to settle on a 00 load of choice, I tested the two most plentiful rounds in stores in my area, Federal Premium Vital-Shok (non-flitewad) vs. Winchester MG buck (brown cardboard box). The results were as I expected. These shots were taken at 25 yds out of my cylinder bore 590a1. Would you be happy with either pattern? The Federal is pretty dang decent from what I know, especially without the Flitewad. The Winchester had a couple fliers...7 out of the 9 pellets hit. Thoughts?http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee117/sfbcd49ers1/dscf2356.jpghttp://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee117/sfbcd49ers1/dscf2357.jpg

[ArmedBear]

I think that a cylinder bore shotgun is a short-range weapon.

I kinda like the Winchester pattern for its even spread.

[AcceptableUserName]

you're right. 25 yds is a bit much. But am I wrong (maybe I am) for testing the buck right at the outer limit (25 yds)? I like the grouping of the VS but the spherical spread of the mg is nice. Probably going to go with the VS, but w/ the Flitewad.

[ArmedBear]

No, I think that 25 yards is a good range. It shows you what the patterns really look like.

15-20 might work okay, too, but closer and you might just get a fist-size bunch of holes and no clear indication of how they're distributed.

[AcceptableUserName]

at first I hated the MG buck, especially the fact that I got fliers, but against multiple attackers...:D

[oneounceload]

25 yards?? If you're talking about hunting, fine....if you're talking about SD/HD, then, IMO, you're pushing way beyond the distance for the use of lethal force...

so do the patterns for the appropriate distance......

[Lee Lapin]

Good work. I like to pattern several rounds of the same load (each on clean paper) when testing, just to be sure I'm seeing repeatable performance. One round might just be a fluke.

I use 25 yards as the outer limit to pattern-test buckshot, because that's about as far as I'm apt to use it. Yes, 25 yards is a long way. But we live in the country, and shotguns are apt to be the go-to long gun here. From our front door to the front gate is 51 yards give or take a bit. Other distances outside the house are even longer. So a 25 yard pattern test distance is not outrageous here, IMHO. Consider as well that our 'threats' might well not be human- feral dogs after the cows, etc. Of course, everyone's situations will differ, For someone in suburbia, things would certainly be different. For someone who will not be taking their 'house gun' outside, certainly 25 yards is much further than they would likely ever be shooting.

I happen to like tight buckshot patterns. Other folks prefer more open patterns. I insist that a load be able to keep all its pellets on a sheet of printer paper (8.5X11") at 25 yards if I am to consider using it in our house guns here. Why that size? Take a sheet of printer paper and hold it long dimension up and down against your own COM and see...

Of course, YMMV.

lpl

[AcceptableUserName]

I agree Lee. I could see the Mg buck having it's use in clearing a building full of insurgents in Iraq...but here there's things like liability and loved ones. I am loving the Federal. I'm going to go after the Vital-Shok with Flitewad. for whatever reason Wal-mart sells a vital Shok round that isn't flitewad-marked. That's what I shot. I had some regular super x 00 but didn't bother because I figured it'd be pretty close to the MG. Anyone know if the Super x has a shot cup? I don't think the MG even does.

[Youngster]

The Federal looks alright to me, the Winchester looks like the 00 loads of the bad old days.

[Snowdog]

I love threads like these.
Great job with the report and photos!

[MrCleanOK]

Please put a space between "Thoughts?", the first photo, and the second photo. That'll save people having to scroll over just to read your post and see the photos.