Buck shot hunting?

[theboyscout]

How do you feel about buck shot and hunting?

What distance

Which buck shot

What size shell

Is 20 gauge buck shot as good or as usable as the 12 gauge

 

[Tinybob]

I've killed several deer with 2 3/4" #3 buck and 3" #2 buck in 20ga from fifty yards and under. The longest kill with buckshot I've heard of was 118yds with Federal #3 buck 2 3/4" in a 20ga ... But I wouldn't try that myself.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Keep it to bow ranges.
Don't think because you've got a shotgun that you don't have to aim carefully. (Not saying you think that, but too many do).

Do those 2 things and the 20 will be fine.

BTW, Rio offers #1 buckshot in 20 gauge now.

https://www.luckygunner.com/20-ga-2-3-4-1-buck-9pellet-rio-royal-25-rounds

 

[caribou]

No problemo with Buckshot and hunting.....the advice stated above is excellent, and buckshot as a self defense against Bears is a ++

I use a 12 gauge and Caribou, Muskox , Moose, and such, depending on what Im up to

 

[FL-NC]

I prefer to use a rifle, and have for most of my life. Since I moved back to FL recently, and the area where I'm hunting looks like the jungla in Panama, I'll be using a shotgun with 00 buck this year, after bow and muzzle loader season. Rem 870 with 20" smooth barrel and rifle sights. I could still use a rifle, but I didn't see the point in doing so. Mine patterns well at 30 yards- which is about the limit of visibility where I'm going.

 

[Bull Nutria]

my experience with buck shot is great at 35 yds or less. I very strongly you pattern your gun at 35 measured yds with different brands of buck shot. often less choke gives better pattern. In LA thickets I prefer #1buck, it is .30 cal. any shots over 35 yds are iffy. I don't hunt with buckshot if I can see more that 35 yds. I use a rifle. A shotgun slug is very deadly to 100 yds if you sight in properly and judge your distance well.
good luck,
Bull

 

[Vlad3572]

I shot a nice Blacktail buck in WA a few years back with OO buck. I shot him at about 50 yards and it worked, but I had to hit him with 3 shots to anchor him. I have never used it on deer again, preferring a slug or better yet a pistol or rifle. But at bow hunting distances it does work.