What is "lower recoil" buckshot? And should I use it for HD?

[middlechainringguy]

All the major ammo manufacturers seem to have a "lower recoil" 00 buckshot load -- Winchester Winlite low recoil, Remington managed recoil, Fiocchi reduced recoil, Federal power-shok low recoil, probably others. And searching the archives shows that at least some of you like these loadings for HD.

So here are my questions:

1. How is the "lower recoil" produced? Fewer pellets? Smaller pellets? Reduced powder loading? And how does that impact stopping power? I just don't understand the physics, or what those physics translate to on the receiving end.

2. Do you have "lower recoil" rounds loaded in your HD guns? Why/why not?

3. Any preference among the major manufacturers' "lower recoil" loads?

Many thanks.

 

[auschip]

I'm sure one of our local shotgun gurus will be along shortly, but my understanding, is reduced recoil rounds achieve the reduced recoil, by using less powder. Less powder yields less power down range.

My current defensive shotgun load is the Hornady Law Enforcement TAP 00 Buck/Semi Auto load, since I know it functions 100 percent in my 1100.

 

[Chupacabra]

Usually the powder load is reduced a little bit.

Most brands of low recoil 00 buckshot runs at about 1200fps, vs. 1325 for the standard 00 buck.

The lower velocity probably doesn't effect performance too much until you get out to ranges greater than 20 yards (You might want to switch to slugs if you are shooting farther than that anyway). Up close at typical shotgun engagement ranges your target probably won't notice the difference.

I like the Remington Managed Recoil 00 buckshot. It is great for practice and is relatively cheap. Also, because it is buffered, it holds an excellent pattern out to 20 yards.

I use Hornady TAP 00 buckshot in my home defense shotgun, but I would feel totally comfortable using a reduced recoil load.

 

[middlechainringguy]

Thanks, thr team -- this is great.

So: it's a reduced powder load, but for typical HD uses, probably the right way to go?

 

[wdlsguy]

I keep Remington Express Managed-Recoil Buckshot in my 870. It belts me around a bit less than the Remington Express Buckshot does.

 

[357wheelgunner]

Try patterning some, it usually stays pretty tight, I use the Remington low recoil buckshot and it all stays in 2' at 25 yards.

I keep it loaded in my house gun, with a few slugs on the butt of the gun (which is what to reach for if you are worried about penetration) but those are low recoil too

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

Try patterning some, it usually stays pretty tight, I use the Remington low recoil buckshot and it all stays in 2' at 25 yards.

What kind of gun, barrel, and choke?

 

[Trifler]

So: it's a reduced powder load, but for typical HD uses, probably the right way to go?

Most people who use it claim it's easier to shoot accurately and they can fire a follow-up shot more quickly with the lower-recoil (a.k.a. "Tactical") shells. They seem to be well liked for use in police and home defense situations. They were originally developed for police use. They're not so great for hunting because when hunting you don't want to use a round with less range. I just bought 125 rounds of Federal's reduced-recoil '00' buckshot for a shotgun defense class. The instructor recommends reduced-recoil rounds highly.

They also have reduced-recoil slugs out there. They're harder to find though. Unfortunately I ordered my slugs before I saw the reduced-recoil ones so I'll have to endure shooting regular slugs in the class.