12 Ga Buckshot spread in pictures.

[M2 Carbine]

Yesterday I bought this shotgun. The local gun store is going out of business, so they are discounting their guns. Although I don't need another HD type shotgun I thought this one looked good and for the price ($256) I could always leave it in the barn or use it as a car gun.

I wanted to put some shells through it today, plus check the spread with 00 Buckshot.
So here, in pictures is what it did.

The gun.
It's a "New England Firearms Pardner Pump", long name for a Hawk Industries Chinese gun.
It appears to be well made for a cheap gun and the action is smooth.
It's got a 18.5 inch cylinder barrel. The receiver is drilled and tapped for a rail. It has sling studs. Chambered for 2 3/4 or 3 inch shells.
The mat finish looks good but I doubt it is very tough and I suspect it would scratch easily.



The ammo is S&B 2 3/4 inch 12 pellet 00 Buckshot. Right hot shells, or at least my shoulder thinks so.

1st target from 10 feet.



21 feet. About across the living room distance. That would leave a mark.



15 yards. Now, probably out in the back yard distance and three pellets are starting to miss the BG.



25 yards.

And four pellets missed. Actually better than I expected.



40 yards. Now we are getting in my HD distance.

And five buckshot missed. Way better than I expected.
Maybe I just might keep this gun in the barn for a yard broom.



Then, just for the heck of it I shot a can and the last target with a couple #6 shot from five yards.
Although I am not in favor of using shot in a HD shotgun, the damage to that can is right impressive.


Fun gun, but light weight shotguns do kick.

 

[mesinge2]

Thanks for the posting.
What Buckshot were you using 2 3/4" or 3" and 000 or 00?

 

[M2 Carbine]

What Buckshot were you using 2 3/4" or 3" and 000 or 00?

The ammo is S&B 2 3/4 inch 12 pellet 00 Buckshot. Right hot shells, or at least my shoulder thinks so.

I favor the higher pellet count of the Sellier & Bellot over the typical 9 pellet load.
Besides I bought a bunch of S&B 00 and #4 buckshot when a 10 round box sold for a couple bucks.

 

[mesinge2]

The 7 yard spread is impressive. Its a great spread for home defense.

 

[M2 Carbine]

The 7 yard spread is impressive. Its a great spread for home defense.

Yes, I would guess that normal HD distance wouldn't be over about 20 feet.
From about 20-15 yards in the shotgun with buckshot is a destructive bugger.

Personally, my HD distance could be 40-50 yards, so even though I keep a 12 ga 870 and Ithaca loaded and handy, they aren't my first choice for HD.

 

[natman]

The longest shot possible inside my typical 3 BR 1 story house is 21 feet, either diagonally across the living/dining room or with my back against the bathroom wall shooting the entire length of the hallway. You would have to shoot diagonally across my lot to get a 40 yard shot, but the house is in the way.

Take a look at the 5.5" spread at 7 yards and let's put the "you don't have to aim, it'll clear out everything in it's path" myth to rest.

 

[Youngster]

You may have to aim/point whatever, but close shots with a shotgun are easy anyway, and with a cylinder or IC choked barrel the pattern usually starts opening up right at the point where things would otherwise start to become a bit trickier.

I actually dislike the really tight patterns you get with FliteControl buck, barrel work or super chokes, and like an evenly spaced middle of the road pattern that gives me a nice "controlled burst" effect.