[AcceptableUserName]

What's the deal with these? What are the patterns usually like? I'm looking at some Power-Shok 12 pellet possibly.

[Fred Fuller]

IMHO, 8 or 9 00 pellets are plenty for usual defensive use. For hunting, if they pattern well, there could be some justification for using a higher pellet count than the usual 12 gauge 23/4" shell offers. In my limited experience, the higher pellet count loads are usually in cheaper buckshot brands, which are loaded with dead soft lead pellets that deform easily upon firing. These usually deliver the widest possible patterns. I don't know of any premium loads with hard alloy/plated buckshot offering 12 00 pellets, if you've found one let me know.

lpl

[MCgunner]

I hunt with 18 pellet loads. My home defense is covered by 20 pellet loads...number 3 buck in 20 gauge. I don't see why 9 00s ain't enough for home defense. I mean, look at the ranges, 15 feet, maybe, unless you live with Donald Trump.

[Youngster]

As far as 12 pellet 2.75" 00 goes I don't like them, they kick too hard for what they do and as mentioned the patterns usually aren't so great. Winchester makes a 12 pellet load 2.75" with hardened and plated pellets but I can't tell you what that's like as i've never used it.

IMO if you want to sling 12 good size pellets then 2.75" 0 buck is a better way to go, both from a patterning and a recoil standpoint.

[627PCFan]

Wait, my 3 1/2 OO Buck Federal shells are too much for HD?
To pattern a HD shotgun is a waste of resources. 7-10 yards max, the pattern is what it is. Your not shooting turkey heads-

[freakshow10mm]

To pattern a shotgun is a smart thing to do. I've seen erratic patterns at 10 yards before. Some are just plain horrible.

[Shotgun Shooter]

I'd say just stick to the 9 pellet 00bk. Cheaper and its only 3 pellets less. If you're accurate with your shots, the difference is almost none.

S.S.

[ReloaderFred]

Before I retired, we used the 9 pellet 00 buck load for many years. These were mostly Remington 2 3/4" loads. For about the last 10 years (1985 to 1995) we used the 12 pellet 00 buck Magnum loads in 2 3/4" from both Remington and Winchester. I thought they were great loads myself. We had bad guys shot with both loads over the years, at varying ranges, and both loads did their intended job.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[Fred Fuller]

To pattern a HD shotgun is a waste of resources

JRS, I have to disagree with you there. I am convinced a person needs to know what a given load will do out of a given gun, if they are to be counted on to perform in a dire situation.

The very first step on the firing line in any good defensive shotgun class is to pattern the guns and loads. It's foundational information for everything else to build on in the class.

lpl