Buck shot range

Status
Not open for further replies.
T

tnieto2004

Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2007
Messages
1,389
What is the effective range of 12AWG 00 buck shot out of a 26'' barrel? How far would it be good for hogs? Thanks.
 
My experience has shown that about 10 yards and less is the effective range for 00 Buck. Way to close for hogs in my humble opinion.
 
Hogs? I'd shoot slugs, hard ones like Brenneke or Dixie. The soft lead ones might not get through the gristle plates on the shoulders.

jmho, ymmv...

lpl
 
Theres more to range than just barrel length. Choke size (or lack of choke) plays a much bigger part in determining pattern, not to mention certain types of ammunition in certain guns will have tighter patterns than the same gun with different ammunition, or the same ammunition in a different gun. There are also a few different power levels of buckshot, basically you have reduced recoil, magnum, and standard. This can be confusing because magnum buckshot rounds actually tend to have lower velocity than standard buckshot, though they carry more shot and therefore have a denser pattern for a given range.

It would help greatly to know what exact 12 gauge rounds you are talking about, and the specifics of the gun, but as a generalization, buckshot will maintain lethal penetration on people and most game out to around 60-80 yards. keep in mind though the lethality of buckshot depends significantly on several of the individual buckshot hitting vital areas of the target, and at 80 yards the spread of most buckshot rounds will be so great that the shot might miss the target entirely, and if you do connect it will likely be with only one or two pellets.

I am not an experienced hog hunter, bu if i was going to hunt them, I would personally stick to using rifled slugs at 50 yards or less if possible. Buckshot would probably be sufficient, but I would say you would only want to take a shot at a max range of maybe 35 yards if using a 3 inch 00 buckshot shell, and maybe closer if using a shorter shell.
 
As noted, pattern density is what determines the effective range of buckshot.

The 9 pellets begin separating the instant they leave the barrel, and the pattern gets wider & thinner the further it goes.

I don't doubt any 00 buck load would kill a hog at 50+ yards if you could put all 9 pellets in his chest.

But you can't, due to the thin pattern density at that range..

rc
 
The only time I used a shotgun for hogs taught me to use a rifle. The hog was just over 350 lbs. He was running right down the trail I was on. The shotgun was loaded with 3 slugs and two buckshot. It took all five rounds before collapsing about 35 ft. away. No more hog hunting with shotguns for me.
 
I have always used rifles myself. I am just wondering if it would be even worth it to try buckshot. We are hunting at night with lights on foot. I don't care if they drop or run off and die. I want to get rid of as many as I can.
 
I can't tell you about hogs, but for deer buckshot is good out to about 35-40 yards (I have seen them killed farther, but that's really stretching it). But that's using 3" magnum loads. Personally I used Number 1 for deer, rather than 00 or 000 (more pellets) but I can see why for hogs you want as big/heavy a pellet as you can get.

At night, depending on how much light you've got, anything you can see would probably be in range. IF I was going to use buckshot I'd go with 3" 000 and a mod/full choke. 000 is bad mojo on deer when used within it's limitations. It breaks bones like matchsticks.
 
I would use a rifle or slugs. While 00 buck is effective for self defense at close range consider this. Each of the 9 pellets are about the same size as 380 pistol round and have less energy. At close range, and if all 9 hit the target, they are very effective. Stretch that range to beyond 15 yards or so and only get a few hits and you have problems.
 
Feb and March, there is a WMA here that opens for hog hunting, buckshot only rules. I asked about Dixie tri ball, but was told it is illegal there. So, I bought 4 boxes of 10 gauge 3.5" 00 and patterned a couple rounds. I'm dense enough in pattern at 50 yards that I can put a couple of pellets in the head using a modified choke. If it works, great, if it don't, well, ain't my fault, it's the rules there. The 10 maximizes shot count at 18, like pulling both barrels on a 2 3/4" double. If I have a choice, I'll use a rifle.
 
This may be a dumb newbie question but why would a rifle be more effective on hogs at somewhat close range (50 yards or so) than a 12ga with slugs? I can understand the drawbacks of the buckshot but slugs seem like the best choice compared to most rifles that come to mind.
 
Brenekes and sabot slugs have the hardness, but not the sectional density. A good sectional density is what is necessary for penetration. On hogs, slug guns are plenty, of course, but I get more energy out of my 7 mag and as much from my .308 at the muzzle and either, with a good bullet, will shoot through 4 or 5 hogs lined up end to end. LOL Out to 100 yards or a little beyond, a rifled shotgun with a sabot will work great, but the .308 will work to 400 yards if that were possible, which normally it isn't on hogs, and it will work just as well as the shotgun right out of the muzzle and with 3/4 MOA accuracy, I can drill his ear at 100 yards.

Rifles are my tool for hogs. Shotguns are for the birds, except when I'm forced to use 'em via rules of the WMA. Buckshot is wimpy at any rate, 33 caliber round ball. Out at 20 or 30 yards, a head hit would be highly desirable. Someone equated each pellet to a .32 ACP and that's pretty close to correct, a .33 cal round ball at about 1200 fps, well less than 100 grains in weigh, probably around 50, haven't weighed one. Measure that against a 160 grain Nosler partition at 3100 fps muzzle velocity from my 7 mag or a 150 grain Nosler BT at 2800 fps from my .308 Winchester.

No foster slug can even come close to the penetration and power of even a normal deer rifle, let alone the big magnums. They're big in diameter, but low in velocity and sectional density and provide inferior penetration, don't care what the game wardens use on bears in Alaska. If I lived up there, I'd have me a Browning BLR in .325 WSM, over 4000 ft lbs muzzle energy and big .338 caliber bullets from a reliable lever gun.
 
Last edited:
How about a buck and ball load for hogs? Especially if you could find that in a 3" version. But even 2 3/4" centurion may work well, no?
 
Dee,

I have little doubt that the right slug can kill almost anything. A rifle is just more accurate, and is the prefered gun for me to use if legal.
 
Thanks guys, good info, those Dixie slugs look interesting, I may have to test some out. I was also wondering if anyone has tried that bolo ammo, someone mentioned it in another thread, it is 2 high cal (around 50 cal I think) buckshot connected by a metal wire.

Anyway, I was just wondering about it because next month my family and I are visiting Mexico to see my wife’s side of the family and they like to hunt for hogs among other things like deer with 20 ga shotguns. Last time I was down there I went on a couple of trips but never got a shot at anything, I don't remember the type of ammo used either. The gun and ammo selection is pretty slim in Mexico unfortunately it is illegal for most people to own guns there. Also I have a 12 ga for mainly HD but I may like to hunt for deer and boar here if I get a chance.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top