Cheaper vs. more expensive 00

[CopperFouling]

Has anyone patterned cheaper 00 buck against the more expensive stuff? I'm thinking maybe Rio or something similar against Federal FliteControl or something similar. There's a significant price difference, but I am curious about performance from a patterning standpoint.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Federal and Hornady had special wads that result in tighter groups at a given distance than the more inexpensive brands. I suspect the wounds will be effective for either. I think the premium ammo has a higher probability of going bang. I use and train with both kinds.

 

[NWcityguy2]

For a shotgun with a choke, I have gotten very tight patterns from the Remington Reduced Recoil 00 buck, as well as the PMC reduced recoil. The S&B stuff with the felt wad groups terrible though, which is a shame because the last time I bought it the price was amazing. With a cylinder barrel, the Federal flight control is worth it, but still groups looser than the reduced recoil stuff and a modified choke.

 

[brewer12345]

Cheap is a relative term and encompasses a wide variety of shells. Sometimes I cannot figure out why certain shells sell for so much less than others. For example, from time to time I run across Fiocchi Golden Pheasant 20 gauge shells at prices well below Federal, Remington, etc. top shelf hunting loads. IMO, The Golden Pheasant shells are the bee's knees and compare very favorably to the high end of the domestic manufacturers. Similarly, while the Federal Flite Control wad has a well justified good reputation, there are other manufacturers out there. It probably makes sense to try a few brands and see what patterns well out of your specific gun.

 

[Goosey]

Haven't done it myself but I've seen others' tests and the FliteControl is significantly tighter than the more traditional loads (although, is that always a good thing?)

Here's an example: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=482930

 

[243winxb]

Buckshot with plastic buffer and plated shot is more expensive. The patterns will be tighter then soft cheap shot that deforms more wnen it goes thru the ckoke. At times, a modified choke will pattern better then a full choke. High velocity can also deform soft pellets on firing.. Good wads soften the G force on the pellets at launch.

 

[tkroenlein]

The "cheap" Estate 00 Buck patterns very well in my cylinder bore 590A1, just behind Federal. It is buffered shot. It patterns much better than any of the non buffered loads I've tried.


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[ACP]

Federal Flite Control is worth every penny to me over more generic rounds. Much more accurate. yes, I have tested different brands in my Mossberg 590.

 

[mavracer]

Good buffered and harder pellets of better buck will pattern a little tighter and more consistent, Federal flight control is a whole nuther cat it patterns at 50 yards like cheap buck will at 15

 

[bubba in ca]

To put in perspective, how does "ordinary name brand" buckshot pattern at room distance? Fine enough, about 3 inches. For home defense in urban/suburban areas, flight control is a waste of money.

If you live in the country or have visions or running around your yard shooting people, flight control may come into its own.

Actually, un-plated buck may be an advantage within the home as it will deform and be less likely to over penetrate.

 

[Jim Watson]

Again, what is it to be FOR?
To repel boarders at down-the-hall ranges or to blast at the range, no need for the expensive stuff, anything reliable will do.

But if you need long range patterning for hunting, combat, or competition, the best is barely good enough. And while I see multiple good reviews of Federal Flite Control, there are other premium shells on the market. Shoot the gun.

 

[LeonCarr]

Some examples of the pattern differences between inexpensive buckshot and premium buckshot:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=695148&highlight=buck+rama

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=727480&highlight=buck+rama

Get several different brands of 00 Buckshot, test them in your shotgun, and the differences in pattern size and shape will surprise you.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[CopperFouling]

Federal Flite Control is worth every penny to me over more generic rounds. Much more accurate.

This seems to be the consensus.

Some examples of the pattern differences between inexpensive buckshot and premium buckshot:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthrea...ight=buck+rama

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthrea...ight=buck+rama

Thanks, Leon, that was pretty much what I trying to find. It looks like Federal makes some good buckshot rounds and that the more expensive stuff patterned better (in general) than the Rio did.

Again, what is it to be FOR? To repel boarders at down-the-hall ranges or to blast at the range, no need for the expensive stuff, anything reliable will do.

I'm considering taking a shotgun course that involves shooting some buckshot, and a friend of mine hosts a shoot once a year that involves shooting some as well. If I find myself comfortable with it, I'll use it for HD.

One of the problems with shooting a bunch of buckshot around here is that I cannot find a range nearby that will allow me to pattern my Mossberg with buckshot. My friend's club and the few conservation department ranges won't allow anything larger than No. 7 birdshot. However, I have a friend who has some rural property, so I'm going to see if he'll go shoot with me there.

 

[SOAB]

If he lets you shoot on the property, bring a tape measure and a few different targets/holders.

I have been patterning buckshot for a month or two now, and even with 3 target holders(set up at 5,10,and 15 yards); it takes time to shoot, run down range, reset, shoot again, ect...

several popular pattern distances tend to be: 5, 7, 10, 12, and 15 yards(or 15,21,30,36, and 45 Feet)

I find it very hard to find a distance farther than 15 yards that may be useful for HD type use(what I am mainly concerned about), but can understand longer distances for Hunting, LE, and Military use.

I would say for a class, Rio royal buck from somewhere like https://www.ammosupplywarehouse.com/category/SGB0/12-GA-SHOTGUN-BUCKSHOT.html would work. Classes require quite a bit of ammo normally. premium ammo can and will be very expensive to buy in bulk. A lot of shotgun classes will have a segment where you pattern your buckshot to show how it performs at different distances. You might be able to bring a couple of boxes of a few different premium rounds as well (I would contact the instructor to be sure first).


For actual defensive use, you will have to define what distances you will need to shoot. Then you need to decide what size pattern is acceptable for your purpose. Once you have that figured out, you can then pattern several different rounds to find something that fits your criteria.

My criteria is a 5-8 inch pattern at 15 yards, which Rio royal buck 00 does consistently in my shotgun. YMMV

Hope this helps, and have fun shooting.

 

[JamieC]

At short distances, 10, 15yards tops, standard 00 is fine. More expensive 00 is usually copper coated, tends to hold a tighter pattern out to 15-20 yards. Flite Control will cover a silhouette out to 25-30 yards, maybe more depending on the gun. Kind of a waste inside 15 yards, IMO.

 

[roo_ster]

The probabilities point to the high dollar stuff like Fed Flitecontrol as patterning tighter.

But, you won't know for you particular shotgun what works best until you try. For instance, two out of my three social shotguns pattern best with Fed Flitecontrol 00 buck. The other patterns best with cheap Rem Express 000 buck.

Lesson:
Pattern you gun with several different candidate loads to be sure.

 

[strambo]

To put in perspective, how does "ordinary name brand" buckshot pattern at room distance? Fine enough, about 3 inches. For home defense in urban/suburban areas, flight control is a waste of money.

If you live in the country or have visions or running around your yard shooting people, flight control may come into its own.

Actually, un-plated buck may be an advantage within the home as it will deform and be less likely to over penetrate.

I agree for HD only, though I'm getting closer to the 1" per yd generalism with cheap buck out of my 870, so 4"-6" across the room or down the hall a bit. (12" at 10yds for #1 Remington buck when I patterned it)

The low recoil flite control buck is so good, I have used it to replace the slug role. So, my HD 870 has #1 buck loaded and Hornady low recoil TAP 00 on the side-saddle for reloads and if anything requiring distance or more precision comes up. The TAP patterns 2.5" at 10 yards and ~7"-8" at 25 yds from my 18" cylinder choke 870.

 

[Sunray]

Every shotgun, just like every rifle, will shoot the same ammo differently.
You have to try a box of as many brands as you can to find the ammo your shotgun shoots best. The cost of the ammo means nothing.
Buckshot is for fire fights in phone booths to start with so don't expect great thing past about 35 or so yards.
"...takes time to..." Yep. That's what lackeys are for. Teenagers are good for that. Helps if you have one though. snicker.

 

[Kendal Black]

...

The low recoil flite control buck is so good, I have used it to replace the slug role. ...

Me too! But at that, I do not find it replaces the buckshot role. There is something to be said for a big old pattern, in some defense uses. So I think as you do, this is a new arrow in the quiver, that's all.

 

[bubba in ca]

About 4 years ago I patterned my 2 hd shotguns. I tried #2 and #3 buck i my 20 gauge and both patterned well at poa at 10 feet, so I went with the #2. This is my primary hd shotgun because it kicks less than the 12 gauge and is sufficiently powerful for anything that would ever be in the house. Since this is a dedicated HD gun that rarely leaves the house, that was all the testing I felt I needed to do.

I patterned the 12 gauge with some common Federal buck and flight control. At HD range, they both patterned well, so I am going with the cheaper ammo. The flight control did much better at distance, so I am keeping it in reserve in case I every go camping, where the distances would be greater and I could be shooting something tougher than a human.

I tried both the low recoil and the standard. The low recoil was nice, but not as nice as the standard load in the 20 gauge.

 

[ATN082268]

I really like the Federal 12 Gauge, low recoil, 9 pellet 00 Buckshot, Flite Control loads. Within 10 yards, almost any Buckshot load will do but Flite Control loads will really shine with its tight patterns at distances beyond 10 yards. Besides cost, there really isn't any downside to having a shotgun load which shoots extremely tight patterns within 10 yards and tighter patterns at the longer ranges.

 

[mavracer]

So I think as you do, this is a new arrow in the quiver, that's all.

Yep I've got a "inside" shotgun loaded with cheap S&B buck with Fed flight control in the butt sleeve and an "outside" shotgun loaded with flight control with slugs in the sleeve.

 

[roo_ster]

I guess I am the outlier in that I want little shot dispersion, even inside the house. So, tighter is always better IMO. Were I not in suburbia with neighbors close at hand, I would use slugs.

I have defined shot lanes in my house that are generally safe when kiddos are in bed. I don't want a large patterning load to put a pellet out of that lane into their bedroom.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

I guess I am the outlier in that I want little shot dispersion, even inside the house. So, tighter is always better IMO. Were I not in suburbia with neighbors close at hand, I would use slugs.

I have defined shot lanes in my house that are generally safe when kiddos are in bed. I don't want a large patterning load to put a pellet out of that lane into their bedroom.

Pretty much my thoughts.