Good ammo for semi auto shotguns.

Status
Not open for further replies.
E

Enron Exec

Member
Joined
Jul 23, 2007
Messages
61
After much contemplating and reading, with the help of 4 shots of esspresso that kept me up to the wee hours of the morning, i ordered one of them new Mossberg 930 SPX semi-auto shotguns around 5AM Sat morning. Every review ive read said it has yet to have problems cycling even the lightest loads. Since it has a 18.5" barrel and will be for home defense in my apartment, what 00 buck would you guys reccomend for a hefty 230lb new to shotguns guy like myself? Ive considered #1 buckshot as well but will reserve that until i see how well it performs.

So where do you guys get your cheap/fun birdshot from? The local Walley World or Academy? What are some nice 00 buckshot that will group decently out of a 18.5" barrel to take down intruders? Is there some other ammo that shoots/recoils like the said HD 00 buckshot that can be shot for cheaper at the range, even if it scatters all over the place?

Any advise would be appreciated! :D
 
I picked up a 15 round 'valuepack' of Remington 00 buck for around $7.50 at WallyWorld. You might be able to find the stuff cheaper if you order bulk online. I suggest you go to the store and buy some ammo from different manufacterers and see what works best for you.

Personally, I like the Federal Vital Shock with the FliteControl wad. It works well out of my shotgun, but is kinda pricey. For just putting shot downrange, the 100 round value packs from Wallyworld seem reasonable. They have them from Winchester, Federal, and Remington. I buy by the case.

Enjoy your new Mossberg. I'd like to see a range report once you get it.
 
Congrats on the new gun!! You're gonna love it!!

I keep it loaded at home with #4 buckshot, the recoil of these doesn't bother me...

I have run the "low-recoil" #00 buckshot with no problems at all with the short barrel. When I take it to the range to "play" I usually use the "cheapo" target loads that are at the club, usually 1oz and usually 1100+ fps, I've yet to have a problem...

I've had my 930 field for a little over a year and my SPX for a few months, if you have any questions just ask...
 
As far as the buckshot and home defense loads are concerned, try a few different brands to see what patterns the best out of your barrel.

I get all my birdshot from Walmart. The 100rd packs of Federal & Remington are pretty good for semi autos. Avoid the Winchester shells - they are a noticeable step down in quality.
 
Take it out and pattern test it with several loads. Each shotgun is different and will have it's own preferences in terms of ammo. Set up targets at 7/15/25 yds and see where the pellets fall.

I'm sure our shotgun gurus, Dave and Lee will be along shortly to further advise. They know their stuff.
 
Enron Exec
I also bought a 930SPX a couple of weeks ago. The first time I took it out, it didn't want to cycle the 7/8 loads I tried. I ran a couple of dozen 1 1/8 oz. loads through it, then went back to the light loads just to see. I kept shooting, and shooting, and shooting, and lo' and behold 500 rounds later, not a single hiccup. I ran Winchester, Federal, and Estate bird, buck and slugs. I love it!!!!! It patterned the best with Federal Tactical Flight control 8 Pellet OO Buck.(7 inside a 6" circle at 15 yards). 50 rounds of Federal LE Tactical Low Recoil Hydra-Shok Slugs at 25 yrds (the max length of the range I was at) were within an 8" circle with the ghost ring sights. Not only that, I didn't realize I'd gone through that many rounds, I was having soooooo much fun. I'm so totally sold, I may buy another for my wife.

Blubacon50
 
I exclusively use Federal reduced-recoil 00 buck in my semi SG which I use for training & SD. I have this combo reliably patterned for headshots at 17-20 yards (longest distance anywhere inside my home).

It may or may not perform the same for you so you need to do a bit of trial & error before you find your own 'right' combination.
 
Smitty in CT

2.1, but them I,m old & decrepit :banghead: That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it :rolleyes:

Blubacon50




By the way, we didn't have money on that, did we? Best 2 out of 3????
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

S
  • Locked
Best HD semi-auto shotgun
Replies
19
Views
2K
ShowMe2
S
4
  • Locked
Best Ammo fro Saiga Semi-Auto 12 Gauge
Replies
7
Views
14K
lipadj46
L
T
  • Locked
Semi Auto Tactical Shotgun
2
Replies
25
Views
2K
DMR
D
B
  • Locked
Why a semi-auto shotgun?
2 3
Replies
69
Views
3K
bobelk99
B
L
  • Locked
Cheap, reliable semi-auto...
Replies
12
Views
1K
HarcyPervin
H
Back
Top