How far does birdshot travel?

[Vermonter]

We're going to be moving out of town in a few months. I'll be able to shoot in the back yard There's some good ledges on the property for backstops.

I'm wondering about shooting skeet. How far does birdshot travel? If someone accidentally used some buckshot how far would that travel?

I realize it depends on the loads, but I'm looking for maximum ranges to be safe.

 

[GigaBuist]

Previous thread on birdshot range: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=441174

(Cliff Notes version: 300 yards to be safe.)

I wouldn't shoot buckshot anywhere I wouldn't shoot a pistol.

 

[waterhouse]

I've been "rained on" by falling birdshot pellets at about 130-150 yards. I'm sure it depends on angle and shot size. Didn't hurt a bit, but they can go pretty far.

No idea on buckshot fired at an upward angle.

 

[CoRoMo]

I've been hit while pheasant hunting. We call it, 'getting peppered'. I don't know the exact distance it was, but I figure 50-60 yards. Scared the pee out of me, but it didn't hurt.

Had it been 00 buck, it would have wounded me.

 

[Kingcreek]

I've got some in my truck console that has probably traveled 20,000 miles.

 

[oneounceload]

First "pasture clays" going straight away is one thing, the game "Skeet" has a shot fall pattern of almost 180 degrees, so lateral shot fall would need to be considered. Most clubs have a minimum of 300 yards for shot no larger than 7-1/2. Larger shot, especially if shot at the right angle can travel twice that distance - not necessarily in a lethal format, but one that can still cause issues you don't want

 

[357mag.]

I have been hit with the steel water-fowl loads at 150-175yrds.My hunting partners heard the "smack" as it hit my thick water-proof jacket and I felt it,did'nt hurt,but I felt it.

 

[Sunray]

"...moving out of town in a few months..." Still may be a 'no discharge by-law'.

 

[brandon_mcg]

depends on the trajectory.....

 

[Double Naught Spy]

depends on the trajectory.....

Right. Bird shot fired straight into the ground won't travel very far. You forgot to add that it will be influenced by the load and type of birdshot used.

We have been rained out out beyond 200 yards.

 

[Paladin38-40]

I had a good bit of experience hunting whitetail deer with shotguns (legal requirement) in my youth. 30 inch full chokes and #1 magnums were the standard of the day.While most shots were in the 40 yard range, an open shot at 60 yards would put enough buckshot in the boiler to yield a dead deer.