Best factory 00 buckshot ammo?
- Thread starter SRMohawk
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spyderdude
Member
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2006
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- 315
I've only used Remington 00 buck through my 870 Express Magnum. No problems with it!
LeonCarr
Member
I like the Winchester Ranger Low Recoil 00 Buck myself. Low recoil, patterns great in my Remington 870P. It is marked Law Enforcement Only, but is available to the public. Gun shows are a great place to find it, along with LE Distributors/Stores that sell to the public also.
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
Just my .02,
LeonCarr
I like the Remington low recoil.
HighVelocity
Member
I second that. It's very clean too.
sm
member
Gewehr98
Dang you! Showing off stuff like that just to make me get the way I do about stuff like that.
I bet you still listen to record players and have "tubes" in radios and such...
I was gonna say, before I got to drooling...
Depends on what a certain gun/ choke set up likes as determined by pattern board.
Over the years, "mine" seem to prefer the old standard 2 3/4" Federal 9 pellet 00.
This load for me tends to do best across the board.
Federal also works in the 20 ga with #3 buck.
Dang you! Showing off stuff like that just to make me get the way I do about stuff like that.
I bet you still listen to record players and have "tubes" in radios and such...
I was gonna say, before I got to drooling...
Depends on what a certain gun/ choke set up likes as determined by pattern board.
Over the years, "mine" seem to prefer the old standard 2 3/4" Federal 9 pellet 00.
This load for me tends to do best across the board.
Federal also works in the 20 ga with #3 buck.
Manedwolf
member
How's the Hornady TAP 00 compared to the Ranger?
556A2
Member
I like Federal Vital-Shok 00 Buckshot personally.
Most people like the Federal Tactical 00 Buckshot, but if you can find Speer Lawman 00 Buckshot, it is the same stuff usually at a cheaper price.
Most people like the Federal Tactical 00 Buckshot, but if you can find Speer Lawman 00 Buckshot, it is the same stuff usually at a cheaper price.
Fred Fuller
Moderator Emeritus
Sorry. There simply is no "best." Not for every shotgun, every shooter, every situation. It just isn't that simple. And you probably ought to spend a few hours reading stuff that has already been posted here about buckshot if you really want to learn some of the ins and outs.
First of all, what do you want buckshot to do in your particular situation, out of your particular gun? EVERY barrel patterns different loads differently, that's why patterning your gun/barrel on paper at different ranges (5 yards, 10 yards, 15 yards, 20 yards, 25 yards for example) is THE most important thing you can do when evaluating the performance of different loads. The main thing is to be sure the ammo you choose will function in your gun 100% of the time, even if the gun is hot, cold, wet, dirty etc.
Personally I want good tight buckshot patterns out to 25 yards, I am not a scattergun sort of shooter- no objections re. anyone with a different approach. I use shotguns almost exclusively for defensive purposes, there are several 'on duty' here 24/7/365 and when I travel by car I almost always carry one with me. I do hunt occasionally but the amount of time I spend hunting with a shotgun pales by comparison with the amount of time I spend with one leaned in the corner nearby. I prefer 00 buckshot because it is a demonstrated performer against human adversaries, I prefer full power loads because reduced recoil also means reduced velocity and reduced power. I like buckshot loads that will keep all their pellets on a sheet of typing paper at 25 yards, which is about the max range at which I am going to use buckshot- beyond that I am switching to slugs.
Right now I am using 2 3/4" Hornady TAP FPD, the 8 pellet 00 full power load (red hull). This load patterns well out of every shotgun I have fired it in so far, largely because of its special FliteControl wad. Federal uses this same sort of wad in some of its law enforcement buckshot loads also.
hth,
lpl/nc
First of all, what do you want buckshot to do in your particular situation, out of your particular gun? EVERY barrel patterns different loads differently, that's why patterning your gun/barrel on paper at different ranges (5 yards, 10 yards, 15 yards, 20 yards, 25 yards for example) is THE most important thing you can do when evaluating the performance of different loads. The main thing is to be sure the ammo you choose will function in your gun 100% of the time, even if the gun is hot, cold, wet, dirty etc.
Personally I want good tight buckshot patterns out to 25 yards, I am not a scattergun sort of shooter- no objections re. anyone with a different approach. I use shotguns almost exclusively for defensive purposes, there are several 'on duty' here 24/7/365 and when I travel by car I almost always carry one with me. I do hunt occasionally but the amount of time I spend hunting with a shotgun pales by comparison with the amount of time I spend with one leaned in the corner nearby. I prefer 00 buckshot because it is a demonstrated performer against human adversaries, I prefer full power loads because reduced recoil also means reduced velocity and reduced power. I like buckshot loads that will keep all their pellets on a sheet of typing paper at 25 yards, which is about the max range at which I am going to use buckshot- beyond that I am switching to slugs.
Right now I am using 2 3/4" Hornady TAP FPD, the 8 pellet 00 full power load (red hull). This load patterns well out of every shotgun I have fired it in so far, largely because of its special FliteControl wad. Federal uses this same sort of wad in some of its law enforcement buckshot loads also.
hth,
lpl/nc
jdomin
Member
russian buck shot in galvanized shells 12 ga
i tried a few boxes of this in a norico 97 riot gun wow! after the 8 th shell the bbl was too hot to handle. bought it at a gun show $5.00 for ten shell box
i tried a few boxes of this in a norico 97 riot gun wow! after the 8 th shell the bbl was too hot to handle. bought it at a gun show $5.00 for ten shell box
sm
member
I'll reply here to some PMs I received.
Lee Lapin's post is worth a re-read. He and I do converse and are on the same page, as are some others around here.
-I tested a lot of barrels, and chokes over the years with a slew of loads in 12, 20, 28 and .410 - using buckshot.
-I am old school in my thinking about Shotguns and loadings, I admit this. For too many years it was easier for me to buy local, a variety of loads to test. This also allowed me/others to run back to store and buy that same lot number that performed.
In addtion, this allowed me/others to :
(a)- know how alternate loadings performed. For instance having to stop at a local store, or a need arised and someone has various loadings to choose from, we/others knew from "that" selection what performed best (or the better of) from choices.
(b) -dissect loadings , take measurements to duplicate in reloading. Tweak to fit barrel/ choke, and now if supply lines are cut, we have a reload we can do.
-I am not personally fond of the Reduced Recoil loads in MY limited testing. I finally got around to testing some.
(a)-A "rubber ball" bouncing back at me, or anything/ anyone is not something I care for. Especially in load testing, or training/lessons.
(b) Scientific Mud/ Dirt Test. I am over 50, and when I was a brat folks tested all firearm loads by "shooting dirt". Ironic how loads tested, then removed from animals shot - were real darn close in appearance and depth of penetration.
Yeah, I shoot dirt and have with Reduced Recoil and for ME, not applicaple for MY perferences.
-Yes I prefer slugs, yes I have seen buckshot "not be effective". This gets into what a person needs to consider for THEM and all.
-Not impressed with .410 buckshot performance - I do prefer slugs in a .410.
-REAL impressed with 28 ga buckshot performance - see one of the aftermarket shot shell component providers.
Gun is easy to tote, for small folks, and for the elderly , or weaker due to physical limits as a result of injury or surgery. Recoil is mangageable, and has proven itself around farms, ranches and such. 28 ga slugs work REAL well too.
Not a 12 ga, Not a 20 ga, Still a tool for toolbox.
-Winchester Western Buckshot, in the white box with big blue "W" - yes I am quite familar with these "old loads". They should still be good if kept/ stored in a cool dry place.
I liked this loading and it worked in MY guns. I bought it in the 25 rd box, by the case. At that time it was issued ammo for some LEO agencies as well.
Yes it worked fine in the Wood Stocked 870 and Ithaca 37 Police guns.
Just test YOUR guns and see.
- 2 3/4" Shells only for me.
Truth is, never owned a shotgun with a chamber greater except in .410, until a few years ago, and never had a problem felling geese, ducks, deer or anything else with "short shells.
Serious Situation comes up all the time around here. Logistics, is another favorite subject.
2 3/4" shells work in a 3" or longer gun.
3" or 3 1/2 " shells are NOT going to fit in a 2 3/4" chamber, if matters go to serious and that is all is available.
Old school remember? So situation gets serious, say you are handed a used pump gun by a family member to assist with the serious nature of the situation while visiting...2 3/4" chambered old pump gun, and in keeping watch due to whatever, ammo gets lost, wet, or flood capsizes the johnboat.
Others "have ammo" ,maybe neighbors, or whomever and tosses a box of 3" shells.
Great, now what are you going to do? You have a 2 3/4" chamber, and 3" shells.
Same reason one can toss out .38spls and don't matter if the guns are dedicated .38spls or .357s...ammo is gonna work.
I toss you a box of 2 3/4" inch shells, you can use them in a 835 used for goose hunting and 3.5" chamber that newer 870 Express with 3" chamber and that 30 year old 2 3/4" chamber gun.
--
I know, for a fact Lee, Dave, PJR, Trapper, Gordon and some others around here if ( for whatever reason)
I toss out a old bone stock JC Higgins, fixed IC 26" barrel, and 20- 25 year old boxes of Federal , Western ,or Peters Slugs, 00 Buck, and #6 shot - that this guns shoots really really well- these folks are going to be able to use the gun, the ammo and take care of whatever needs taken care of.
I hope that answers the messages I rec'd and perhaps assists some others.
Steve
Lee Lapin's post is worth a re-read. He and I do converse and are on the same page, as are some others around here.
-I tested a lot of barrels, and chokes over the years with a slew of loads in 12, 20, 28 and .410 - using buckshot.
-I am old school in my thinking about Shotguns and loadings, I admit this. For too many years it was easier for me to buy local, a variety of loads to test. This also allowed me/others to run back to store and buy that same lot number that performed.
In addtion, this allowed me/others to :
(a)- know how alternate loadings performed. For instance having to stop at a local store, or a need arised and someone has various loadings to choose from, we/others knew from "that" selection what performed best (or the better of) from choices.
(b) -dissect loadings , take measurements to duplicate in reloading. Tweak to fit barrel/ choke, and now if supply lines are cut, we have a reload we can do.
-I am not personally fond of the Reduced Recoil loads in MY limited testing. I finally got around to testing some.
(a)-A "rubber ball" bouncing back at me, or anything/ anyone is not something I care for. Especially in load testing, or training/lessons.
(b) Scientific Mud/ Dirt Test. I am over 50, and when I was a brat folks tested all firearm loads by "shooting dirt". Ironic how loads tested, then removed from animals shot - were real darn close in appearance and depth of penetration.
Yeah, I shoot dirt and have with Reduced Recoil and for ME, not applicaple for MY perferences.
-Yes I prefer slugs, yes I have seen buckshot "not be effective". This gets into what a person needs to consider for THEM and all.
-Not impressed with .410 buckshot performance - I do prefer slugs in a .410.
-REAL impressed with 28 ga buckshot performance - see one of the aftermarket shot shell component providers.
Gun is easy to tote, for small folks, and for the elderly , or weaker due to physical limits as a result of injury or surgery. Recoil is mangageable, and has proven itself around farms, ranches and such. 28 ga slugs work REAL well too.
Not a 12 ga, Not a 20 ga, Still a tool for toolbox.
-Winchester Western Buckshot, in the white box with big blue "W" - yes I am quite familar with these "old loads". They should still be good if kept/ stored in a cool dry place.
I liked this loading and it worked in MY guns. I bought it in the 25 rd box, by the case. At that time it was issued ammo for some LEO agencies as well.
Yes it worked fine in the Wood Stocked 870 and Ithaca 37 Police guns.
Just test YOUR guns and see.
- 2 3/4" Shells only for me.
Truth is, never owned a shotgun with a chamber greater except in .410, until a few years ago, and never had a problem felling geese, ducks, deer or anything else with "short shells.
Serious Situation comes up all the time around here. Logistics, is another favorite subject.
2 3/4" shells work in a 3" or longer gun.
3" or 3 1/2 " shells are NOT going to fit in a 2 3/4" chamber, if matters go to serious and that is all is available.
Old school remember? So situation gets serious, say you are handed a used pump gun by a family member to assist with the serious nature of the situation while visiting...2 3/4" chambered old pump gun, and in keeping watch due to whatever, ammo gets lost, wet, or flood capsizes the johnboat.
Others "have ammo" ,maybe neighbors, or whomever and tosses a box of 3" shells.
Great, now what are you going to do? You have a 2 3/4" chamber, and 3" shells.
Same reason one can toss out .38spls and don't matter if the guns are dedicated .38spls or .357s...ammo is gonna work.
I toss you a box of 2 3/4" inch shells, you can use them in a 835 used for goose hunting and 3.5" chamber that newer 870 Express with 3" chamber and that 30 year old 2 3/4" chamber gun.
--
I know, for a fact Lee, Dave, PJR, Trapper, Gordon and some others around here if ( for whatever reason)
I toss out a old bone stock JC Higgins, fixed IC 26" barrel, and 20- 25 year old boxes of Federal , Western ,or Peters Slugs, 00 Buck, and #6 shot - that this guns shoots really really well- these folks are going to be able to use the gun, the ammo and take care of whatever needs taken care of.
I hope that answers the messages I rec'd and perhaps assists some others.
Steve
- Status
