Practice 12 gauge 00 buck or slugs

Hop over to Gunbot and search by shotshell. Herters, Rio, S&B. Hes still going to be looking at 40 cents a shell. Stay away from slugs for the cost and the recoil.

In all seriousness, I think the only way to get affordable buck - let alone slugs - in any reasonable amount is a Lee loader and a couple of molds.

last I checked 00 buck was $0.80/round or more and slugs were $1.00/round or more....
Ammo Supply Warehouse (west) has 00 buck available now...

andrewdl007 said:

My father in law just bought his first shotgun. He takes it to an indoor range where they only allow 00 buckshot or slugs. He wants my help finding him ammo (I know an almost impossible task), but I am a clay shooter and know nothing about buck/slugs.

What would you all recommend for cheaper practice shells that are maybe on the lower recoil side. He got an 870 so doesn't need to worry about low power shells.

Thanks

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Why not take him to your clay shooting club and let him use some target loads on the skeet field?

Great idea George. Some ranges even have patterning boards - or bring a few empty boxes.

Depending on the shotgun and weight, the recoil from either buck or slugs in a long shooting session can be punishing...may even cause a permanent flinch.
For home protection at social distances. I'd look for #4 buck.

Birdshot and Buckshot spread the same from a cylinder bore typical for a riot/security shotgun. From a cylinder bore shotgun, shot either buck or bird will spread at an inch per yard of range. If you want to shoot buck use a improved cylinder choke tube if your father in law has a hunting shotgun rather than a security/riot gun. 2-3/4" buck is similar to shooting 1-1/8 OZ field and target ammo. 9 pellet 00 buck usually has a little higher velocity but the shot weighs less (.98 Oz vs 1.125 Oz) so shooting the field and target loads at paper will save money and provide practice as well as similar recoil. Go to the wilderness or a trap range to shoot some practice at a patterning target or big cardboard boxs. You can buy 4 boxes (100 rounds) of 1-1/8 Oz field loads at Walmart for less than $30 or use your trap and skeet loads as they should be the same.

In my prime I'd shoot a 4" group at 50 with bead sights. With low recoil 00 buck,I'd put 3 or 4 at 40 yds. Same at 50 with a slug.

Low recoil patterns tighter.

[F you hit a target with low recoil slugs or 00, it will swear it was hit will full power loads.

JMO

they make both low recoil slugs and 00 buck. finding it is going to be tough though.

I can't help in the search for shotgun shells, but I do wonder why the range only allows high-mass projectiles. The energy from a load of bird shot disperses much more rapidly than buckshot, and as said above, the pattern at a given distance should be no larger. There would be much less danger of ricochet with the smaller shot size, and that's the only thing I could think of that the range would be worried about. Too bad he can't practice with #7-1/2 or #8 target loads.

bangswitch said:

I can't help in the search for shotgun shells, but I do wonder why the range only allows high-mass projectiles. The energy from a load of bird shot disperses much more rapidly than buckshot, and as said above, the pattern at a given distance should be no larger. There would be much less danger of ricochet with the smaller shot size, and that's the only thing I could think of that the range would be worried about. Too bad he can't practice with #7-1/2 or #8 target loads.

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My range only allows buckshot as well. The reason I believe is that bird shot would have a greater chance of hitting the cable that moves the target out and back

I just went shooting at my local indoor range today. I brought some slugs as they do not allow bird or buck shot.

When I first started shooting, my stance was bad, and even larger bird shot would hurt a bit from recoil. Today I shot lots of slugs, never hurt, not sore now either. Stance is very important.

I usually use ammoseek.com to find ammo online. I just bought some Winchester slugs today. They’re not cheap, but at least it’s available.

If he is new to shooting shotguns, I would try to find somewhere outdoors where he could practice shooting some birdshot. That’s easier on you and he can get his stance right before firing the more wicked stuff.

The low recoil LE stuff is much more user friendly.
I promise it will do its job if ever needed for SD. Hard to get because LE and Govt get the first orders of it. In plentiful times good online retailers such as SG Ammo or US Armament will carry it.

The full power stuff beats me up pretty good, jeepers creepers!

Having the same model shotgun for hunting/clays as your 18" closet special, or in your Automobile (if legal in your state) is a big help. For me its the Remington 870.

I bought a case of size 2 lead shot at a bargain, max dram (to simulate the recoil impulse of Buckshot or slugs) with intent to use for training. I have not fired a single shot of it in over 10 years.

I find boxes of buckshot on sale sometimes just need to keep your eyes open. Remington express 00 buckshot was selling here in boxes of 20 for what birdshot can cost.

The reason given here for not allowing shot on the indoor range is that the rubber fill in the bullet trap could bounce pellets back while slugs penetrate until they come to a halt.