Tightest pattern for #4 buck?

[zzzarkt]

Hello all,

Put some of my current HD load (PMC #4 buck 27 pellet) through my new barrel (20" improved cylinder choke) this weekend and I was not impressed with the patterns I was getting. Gun is a 12 gauge Rem. 870.

At about 10 yards the PMC pattern was about 18"-20" where at the same distance Hornady TAP would pattern at about 5"-7".

I prefer #4 buck for my initial HD load, can anyone point out a #4 buck load that holds a tight(er) pattern?

Thanks.

 

[pauli]

you'll have to test them all in your gun to find that out.

 

[Dave McCracken]

There's really only one way to know what a given load will do in YOUR shotgun. Shoot some. When one load shows clearly it's best, buy lots of it.

 

[asknight]

The PMC is a magnum load, and just won't pattern as well as a slower velocity load. I like Winchester 2 3/4" non-magnum #4 loads personally, but you'll have to try a few different ones to suite you.

The Hornady TAP is a low-velocity, low-recoil buckshot load. That's why it patterns great. Federal, Winchester, and Remington all make low-recoil, low-velocity buckshot loads. They're just not advertised as the "new super tactical Police low-recoil buckshot." Look for the ones that do not say "Magnum" on the boxes of 2 3/4" loads.

 

[Gordon]

I used to patrol a 9000 acre ranch in a jeep with an Ithaca 37 with a 28" full choke barrel that put Win. 27 pellet #4 buck into a foot a 25 yards. My Ithaca 10 ga. BPS does almost that well with it's 30" bbl. with a modified choke with 52 #4 pellets in 3.5 Mag loads.. I have found #4 Buck shot to usually pattern tighter with modified or loose full chokes. #4 Buck shot is very deadly on game under 75 pounds under 40 yards in my experience.

 

[Gordon]

I used to patrol a 9000 acre ranch in a jeep with an Ithaca 37 with a 28" full choke barrel that put Win. 27 pellet #4 buck into a foot a 25 yards. My Ithaca 10 ga. BPS does almost that well with it's 30" bbl. with a modified choke with 52 #4 pellets in 3.5 Mag loads.. I have found #4 Buck shot to usually pattern tighter with modified or loose full chokes. #4 Buck shot is very deadly on game under 75 pounds under 40 yards in my experience.

 

[Fred Fuller]

"The Hornady TAP is a low-velocity, low-recoil buckshot load. That's why it patterns great."
==============

There are two 'flavors' of Hornady TAP- blue hulls (which _are_ reduced recoil) and red hulls (which are 8- pellet 00 loads at 1600 FPS). The red hull version is intended to cycle semiautos reliably and is not reduced recoil or low velocity. TAP buckshot patterns tightly in most guns because of its wad design (which is shared with some of the Federal loads, BTW), not its velocity or lack thereof.

Not intended to be an advertisement for TAP, just info from a satisfied user...

lpl/nc

 

[asknight]

Lee Lapin, duly noted, and thanks. I will look closer at some of the Hornady offerings as it definitely sounds interesting.

 

[zzzarkt]

Thanks for the info. folks, I'm looking into some of the Federal "tactical" loads. From what I've heard their wad holds very tight patterns.

 

[HiVelocity]

Buckshot pattern......

My 2 cents worth......

I've tried many buckshot loads for home defense and as a full time police officer. For general purpose all around close range work the best you can do is the Federal 00 Buck Low Recoil.

I, personally, spent the money and had a "Wad Wizard" tube installed in my Remington 870 Wingmaster 20" plain barrel. This "choke" is specifically made for buckshot at various distances. You won't believe your eyes.

Check it out yourself: http://www.wadwizard.com/SWATBuckshot.htm

I'm totally happy!

J.Kirk
Cop in SC
aka "HiVelocity"