#1 buckshot available in 20ga now

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Kevinq6

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Hey everyone,

Just wanted to make everyone aware that #1 buckshot is available in 20ga now. Usually some FAQ's sections that were done a while ago list (correctly at the time) that you can only find #2 or #3 buckshot for the 20ga. As #1 is generally recommended as the 'best' size to meet minimum penetration, I wanted to let everyone know.

The load in question is a 2 3/4 shell with 9 pellets of #1 buck at 1330fps.

I haven't used it but it seems to get good reviews.

I think any buckshot would be fine but if I were using a 20ga for home defense I'd probably use this load.
 
Hey everyone,

Just wanted to make everyone aware that #1 buckshot is available in 20ga now. Usually some FAQ's sections that were done a while ago list (correctly at the time) that you can only find #2 or #3 buckshot for the 20ga. As #1 is generally recommended as the 'best' size to meet minimum penetration, I wanted to let everyone know.

The load in question is a 2 3/4 shell with 9 pellets of #1 buck at 1330fps.

I haven't used it but it seems to get good reviews.

I think any buckshot would be fine but if I were using a 20ga for home defense I'd probably use this load.


so then, what brand?
 
LOL oops! It's Rio... I thought I gave that!

Seems to be available from multiple suppliers as of now.
 
Now if they'd make the Mossberg Shockwave and/or Remington TAC firearms in 20ga we'd be all set :)
 
So 9 .30 caliber pellets in a 2 3/4" load or 20 .27 caliber pellets?

Sorry, but I'll take the #3 load every time. It would do perfectly fine indoors and would easily meet or surpass the FBI 12" minimum penetration.

#1 is great in a 12 gauge where you van get 16 pellets. In a 20, they just do not stack properly and with only a modest decrease in pellet size you can get over twice the pellets and they are still large enough to do the job perfectly.
 
I've been loading .31" cast RB in the 20ga for many years. It's my go-to load for the 20. Cast from w/w metal, they deform less and penetrate better than factory buckshot, and are much rounder. I get 10 in a 2-3/4" and 12 in a 3" hull. The 2-3/4" pattern better.

I get best patterning from a modified choke, and loaded to about 1,150fps. I cut the petals from a Remington RP20 wad, and buffer with instant grits. I prefer a straight wall case such as the Federal game load hull. I've killed many deer and several pigs with this load. I prefer it to slugs. I use Hodgdon LongShot powder.

I've always wondered why the ammo manufacturers never picked up on this load...
 
I've been loading .31" cast RB in the 20ga for many years. It's my go-to load for the 20. Cast from w/w metal, they deform less and penetrate better than factory buckshot, and are much rounder. I get 10 in a 2-3/4" and 12 in a 3" hull. The 2-3/4" pattern better.

I get best patterning from a modified choke, and loaded to about 1,150fps. I cut the petals from a Remington RP20 wad, and buffer with instant grits. I prefer a straight wall case such as the Federal game load hull. I've killed many deer and several pigs with this load. I prefer it to slugs. I use Hodgdon LongShot powder.

I've always wondered why the ammo manufacturers never picked up on this load...

How do they stack in a 20 ga. hull? Can you get even layers, or do they stagger. I remember when I was handloading 12 ga. I experimented with some #0000 buck and they fit terribly and as a result wouldn't pattern well.

Do you use any sort of teflon or mylar wrap around the shot column?
 
They stack 2x2x2x2x2. Just like 000-buck in 12ga.
No wrap. Just cushion portion of power piston wad. Crimp normally.
If you use a tapered hull (i.e. AA-hull) and don't trim the petals, they won't likely stack. If you use a 3/4-7/8oz wad, you'll only get 8 pellets.
 
They stack 2x2x2x2x2. Just like 000-buck in 12ga.
No wrap. Just cushion portion of power piston wad. Crimp normally.
If you use a tapered hull (i.e. AA-hull) and don't trim the petals, they won't likely stack. If you use a 3/4-7/8oz wad, you'll only get 8 pellets.

Sounds like something to try when I complete my reloading setup. I'm of the mind that the 20 ga. is a somewhat underappreciated gauge that has way more potential than the factories address. A 20 will cleanly kill most of what a 12 will, but with ammo that takes up considerably less space.
 
I don't disagree.
I started with a 20ga at the age of 13. Started reloading with a Lee handloader at 14 (my 14th b'day present, including a pound of Unique, 100primers, a bag of shot, and wads. Ain't been right since..)
Loaded my first buckshot load with fishing sinkers. I now have nearly 100bullet molds...

I shot waterfowl, etc with a 12ga. Quit waterfowling, little use for a 12 since.
I use the 20 mostly, a lot of .410... opening day doves, and LOTS of carpenter bees...
my hunting partner just bought a Savage 220. Awesome slug gun... Lyman 20ga sabot slug, same charge of LongShot, different wad.. Federal 20SO1. Shoots clover-leafs at 50yds...
 
So 9 .30 caliber pellets in a 2 3/4" load or 20 .27 caliber pellets?

Sorry, but I'll take the #3 load every time. It would do perfectly fine indoors and would easily meet or surpass the FBI 12" minimum penetration.

#1 is great in a 12 gauge where you van get 16 pellets. In a 20, they just do not stack properly and with only a modest decrease in pellet size you can get over twice the pellets and they are still large enough to do the job perfectly.

I can see how you prefer that.

I've had similar conflicting thoughts in 000 vs 00 in my 12ga (I usually carry 24 pellet #1). I like the penetration of 000 and it patterns well, but if I can have 15 pellets 00 it's hard to say no! (Before anyone replies, the 000 is for barriers).
 
I don't disagree.
I started with a 20ga at the age of 13. Started reloading with a Lee handloader at 14 (my 14th b'day present, including a pound of Unique, 100primers, a bag of shot, and wads. Ain't been right since..)
Loaded my first buckshot load with fishing sinkers. I now have nearly 100bullet molds...

I shot waterfowl, etc with a 12ga. Quit waterfowling, little use for a 12 since.
I use the 20 mostly, a lot of .410... opening day doves, and LOTS of carpenter bees...
my hunting partner just bought a Savage 220. Awesome slug gun... Lyman 20ga sabot slug, same charge of LongShot, different wad.. Federal 20SO1. Shoots clover-leafs at 50yds...

There's a definite advantage of the 12 ga whenever exceptionally large shot is called for. If I was a goose hunter, I'd want a larger bore, but I might dare to be different and just skip over the 12 to the 10. Same for buckshot. I wonder how a 10 ga with a professionally shortened barrel stoked with #000 or #0000 buck loads would be as thick brush deer gun. I might like to find out some day.

For everything else, the 20 is just fine and as long as it's not simply a 20 ga barrel slapped onto a 12 ga frame, it's a way better choice for upland hunting that requires a lot of hiking.
 
I bought a 250 round case of #1 Buckshot 2&3/4" Spartan brand for $100 @ CTD . I have a good amount of #3 2&3/4" and about 50 rounds of 3" #4 Buckshot.
I have used only 20ga guns for about 30 years now. (I don't do water fowl)
 
I bought a 250 round case of #1 Buckshot 2&3/4" Spartan brand for $100 @ CTD . I have a good amount of #3 2&3/4" and about 50 rounds of 3" #4 Buckshot.
I have used only 20ga guns for about 30 years now. (I don't do water fowl)


have you (or anyone) patterned this to see how well it does? ;)
 
@Merle1

That's a good question while I'd assume this is the self-defense load I'd choose I'd have to verify it patterned well!
 
Natchez Shooters Supplys, has .12ga, 2 3/4 Winchester SuperX #1 buckshot on sale now for 3.99 for a 5 box. 16 pellets., I bought 5 boxes just to have some. hdbiker
 
"have you (or anyone) patterned this to see how well it does?"

Good question - Do to health and mobility reasons I have not yet gotten to do pattern checking on the Spartan # 1 buckshot. I have four 20ga guns and may never get a chance to get to a range . I however live in an efficiency apartment and in my case do not consider the pattern to be of much importence with less than 10 yards to cover. I actually load with #3 buckshot, and just consider the #1 buck ammo as a back-up source at this point
 
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