Buckshot and Slug Preferences?

[Still Learning]

Thanks for all the excellent input!

I took El Tejon's advice and donned my white lab coat after hitting every ammo dealer in town. The lab coat, my shoulder and my MasterCard have all took a real beating over the last couple of weeks.

Turns out both the Federal Classic and Premium 00 work really well--15 inches at 25 yards and 9 1/2 to 10 inches at 15 yards. At 15 yards, the cheapo S&B 00 buck is nearly as good and puts more pellets in the center. Go figure. Now I'm waiting to get the modified tube I ordered to see if it performs better.

Patterned some cheap Federal 8 shot, Winchester AA Heavy 7 1/2 shot, and Estate 6 shot this weekend. All patterned poorly out of this shotgun. Am hoping the modified tube will be better.

Thanks again for you help. Finding the right ammo for this shotgun has been challenging but it now replaces my AR 15 as my favorite carry gun on the farm.

 

[El Tejon]

Still, when it comes to guns, women, or criminal defense, the right answer is always "it depends."

Guns & ammo are like golf clubs, it depends on what you want to do.

Careful of tubes. I have seen them become "temporary modifications" in gunskul as they fly down range after a steady diet of buckshot or slugs.

 

[Still Learning]

Re: Tubes flying downrange

El Tejon:

You had mentioned this before so yesterday I talked to the gunsmith who installed my choke tube. He said he had seen the same thing happen but only on choke tubes which were improperly installed and/or fitted. He invited me back to his shop when my new tube is delivered and said he will show me exactly how to install it and check that it does not need adjustment.

Truthfully, once I am finished with my testing and select the brands and type of shells I'll be using for hunting and HD, I expect to fire mainly lighter birdshot loads for practice.

Thanks again for your input.

 

[Rupe]

I've had amazing results with Brennekes in my 870 and my Winchester loves Copper solids. I also forgot I own a single shot H&R Topper Deluxe that loves Copper Solids too.
I rarely shoot them, but when I do that's the ammo of choice.

 

[Still Learning]

Just got the Brennekes in yesterday and haven't had a chance to test them because my modified choke tube came in the same day. I spent the day patterning various shot and buck loads and for the most part it is superior to the IC. In fact, with Remington Reduced velocity 00 buck it turned in patterns at 15 yards you could cover with a baseball and at 25 yards you could cover all the holes with a paper plate. This may not be the best HD round but it definitely will fit in while I'm out in the pasture or woods!

If the modified tube works well with slugs I'm going to be in heaven. Still, I doubt it will ever match the 1 1/2 inch groups I got with the IC tube.

Also found an interesting link today if anyone is interested.

http://www.firearmstactical.com/briefs10.htm

It gives this organization's opinion of the best self defense rounds. Don't know enough about them to know whether or not they are credible.