20 gauge 00 buck?

[RedRaider3]

I have a couple 5lbs. boxes of 00 buck that I reload for 12 gauge. Can I reload 00 buck for 20 gauge as well? I have read both no and yes. I see 4 buck and 3 buck for sale for 20 gauge but no 00 buck.

And no I do not have a dedicated shotgun loadbook, plan to get one on the next trip to town.

Thanks a bunch in advance!

 

[Fall Guy]

I don't have any experience trying it, but my understanding is that 00 doesn't fit very well in the 20 gauge. Buckshot must be layered so some sizes don't work as well as others. That's not to say you can't though.

 

[FROGO207]

While you are at it get a box of Cream of Wheat to use as a buffer---or regular buffer. Then the balls will stack/shoot better without deforming. I have experimented with 30 and 35 caliber balls stacked in the .410 and to get anything resembling a good pattern you need to buffer the load. And I use Ballistic Products Stump wads for a larger payload. They (BP) also produce a dedicated loadbook for buck loads.

 

[medalguy]

I don't think I've ever seen anything larger than 3 buck in 20 ga. Not saying it can't be done, just that I don't recall ever seeing it. Usually there's a reason something isn't done commercially.

 

[RedRaider3]

Fall guy- that is what I thought. Thanks

I will get the dedicated loadbook and see what I can do when I go to town next. I will likely end up getting a box of #3 or #4 buck to load in 20 ga.

I have read that reloading using highbrass hulls is not required; the high brass hulls were evidently used as a quick reference for the shooter to know quickly which shells were loaded with large shot, etc.

Thanks y'all

 

[FROGO207]

Also note that in the old days the high brass was needed for heavy loads when used in paper shotshells to keep from burning through the hull. With tougher plastic construction of mordern hulls this is not a real problem anymore.

 

[blarby]

You certainly can.

They are going to stack a little weird on you, I would recommend a good buffer.

I've used #4 all the way to 000- I ended up liking my .311 balls a little better than most, but thats just because of their price.

If you have boxes of projectiles you can use, I would not hesitate to do so.

I found that HS-6 worked far and away better than any other powder I tried in 20. Unique worked, but wouldn't cycle the gas guns I feed. Red dot had the same issue for me.

My notes on 00 in 20 gauge are limited to this small snippet :

20 GA Rem STS
12.5g Unique
CCI 209
5 00 Pure Lead
WAA20

20 GA Rem STS
.095 BUSH HS-6
FED 209m
5 00 Pure Lead
WAA20


20 GA Rem STS
.100 BUSH HS-6
CCI 209
5 00 Hard Lead
WAA20

Hope this helps !

 

[Water-Man]

Why doesn't the ammo mfg. sell them?