What size HD buckshot?

[inthelineofire]

Just curious what people think is the best HD buckshot. I currently keep 2 3/4" #1 buck (16 pellets). I thought the extra pellets would be better for in the house, which is the only place I'd be using these. Would 9 pellets of 00 be better? Worse?

Just looking for opinions here, what everyone uses, and why. Be as detailed as you wish!

 

[Fred Fuller]

I first heard the old "#1 buck has more usefully sized pellets" argument in a hunter safety class when I was in high school. I have yet to find a barrel that will pattern #1 worth a darn.

Yet I can get index card (3X5") sized patterns of 00 buck at 25 yards out of several different guns. I'll stick with tight patterns, and not worry about pellet count, thanks.

lpl

 

[CoRoMo]

Lee beat me to it...

While twenty-seven .24caliber sized projectiles sounds more effective than nine .32caliber pellets, it's the pattern that counts.

 

[Gik-tal]

I've always used #4 buck, at most distances that I might have to shoot in the house it patterns good.

 

[inthelineofire]

It's going to be a 18" barrel with no choke... Maximum range will be 20 feet.

 

[CoRoMo]

Take it to the range, along with a few different types of ammo.

Shoot it on paper at ten yards or so, and compare the groups.

Tighter is better.

 

[inthelineofire]

Will do. Thanks! I think I did test many different loads at the range, but this was ages ago.

 

[rcmodel]

00 Buck is universally used by the military and police.

If there was an over-penetration issue with 00 Buck, the police especially would not use it.

I personally saw the results of a shotgun shooting while in the service.
A stockade guard shot a prisoner off the wire at about 15 yards using an 20" riot gun and Super-X 00 buck.

All nine pellets completely penetrated the prisoner back to front.
And all nine pellets were found inside the DOA's white cotton undershirt during the autopsy.

If you have a good pattern and hit what you shoot at, over-penetration through walls and such is not an issue.

If you miss with part or all of the pattern, any size buckshot will go through a wall at close range.

rc

 

[inthelineofire]

Is there anyone here who keeps, or would feel safe keeping #1?

 

[stealth]

It seems some knowledgable people are saying tight patterns are best, but the OP was talking about household distance.

While I agree uniform patterns (even spacing between pellets) are good, I'm not sure I buy into tight patterns at HD distance. For instance, Federal has a 00 Buck load that stays within the wad until it strikes its target, would you use that for HD? It is a bit extreme but its the same idea.

For any given distance I'd think evenly spaced COMish sized patterns (or slightly smaller than COM) are best.



PS: I'd probably use 00 over #4, because of stories like rcmodels and because he's right about the police choosing that load and why. I do hypothesize #4 would be darn perfect for stuff like yotes or even big coons, pattern willing.

Edited to add: Forget where I've read it but a credible source said #1 would actually be optimal, it's just 00 is much more available. Take that for what its worth though, I dont want to be responsible for perpetuating internet misinformation.

Heres the kicker, I havent even bought my shotgun yet! -.-

Anyway, Looking forward to more discussion.

 

[inthelineofire]

I used #4 on a couple groundhogs this summer, did wonders. Certainly no follow up shots required! I am going to pattern the gun with the #1 this weekend. There has to be a reason as to why I chose it in the first place, but I can't seem to remember what the patterns looked like. That'll give me something to do this weekend.

No, I wouldn't use the Federal that stays with the wad until impact stuff. Wouldn't it have basically the same characteristics as a slug?

Thanks for the input, guys. Hopefully more conversation comes on this topic.

 

[Kindrox]

After watching an execellent demonstration video on the subject, we will be loading #6 shot into the 870's I just baught for HD. While other options are sure to be deadlier, I think 7 shots of it should be effective at the 0-20 foot range, and it should stop in the second interior wall.

It has been a while since I watched the video but if I recall, buckshot passed through four interior walls and then for an unknown distance.

I am going to have an ammo cuff on the butts stocked with 00 for anything needing more range.

 

[mljdeckard]

I've kept #4 for years. I honestly use it because it's what I keep on hand for general outdoor use. I think that at indoor ranges, it's an ounce of lead. It's a lot of splitting hairs in real life.

I certainly wouldn't tell anyone using #1, 00 or 000 that they are doing it wrong.

 

[stealth]

On my quest for energy-per-pellet info I struck upon this, It may put some more perspective to it. Look at the energy (also weight & velocity) per pellet.

http://books.google.com/books?id=NdbZBDzy3FgC&pg=PA203&lpg=PA203&dq=buckshot+energy+per+pellet&source=bl&ots=dkXLgX-I0o&sig=4hkE2qMUkp6YNWqGxFSPHVi8jOk&hl=en&ei=8_KKSovzA4W2NrTX1ccP&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2#v=onepage&q=buckshot%20energy%20per%20pellet&f=false

=======================Comparison===================
__name_____pellets_____diameter_____weight____velocity____energy____
__#4_________27________.24"_________20gr____1325 fps___78 ft-lbs___
__#1_________16________.30"_________40gr____1250 fps___139 ft-lbs__
__00__________9________.33"_________61gr____1325 fps____237 ft-lbs__

Theres more info in the link but I pulled these figures out.

 

[Glamdring]

No.1 Buck is my personal pick. OO buck is second choice. "O" buck is another good choice.

OO buck is most common and highest tech stuff you can get (ie low recoil & flite control wads).

I won't use No.4 buck by choice.

 

[Mr. Bojangles]

Go experiment with some shells at the range and use what yous feels best with. Do consider the availability of what you will use and don't forget to practice, practice, and practice.

 

[Guns and more]

we will be loading #6 shot into the 870's I just bought for HD.

Birdshot? What are the details?
I've never heard of #6 buckshot.

 

[Fred Fuller]

I know anecdotes do not equal data, but I suggest birdshot users take a look at http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/173_11_041200/herdson/herdson.html . And consider whether or not they might be able to get off more than one shot if needed, should things go really bad. Counting on being able to empty a magazine is planning on something that might well not materialize, IMHO... remember Murphy? He hasn't forgotten you.

lpl

 

[rcmodel]

a credible source said #1 would actually be optimal, it's just 00 is much more available.

Then why is 00 Buck more available?

It seems like if #1 was better, that would be the size most commonly available.

Consider the larger cop departments & the military can get mass quantities of anything they want made.
If #1 was better then 00, they would all be using #1, and it would be most commonly available.

rc

 

[KBintheSLC]

Seems like anything from 000 tthrough #4 buck would pretty much do the job. I can't foresee anyone continuing the fight after taking any of those loads if properly placed.

 

[Gryffydd]

After watching an execellent demonstration video on the subject, we will be loading #6 shot into the 870's I just baught for HD.

Wow, it only took 12 posts for someone to bring up this terrible idea...:banghead: I'd love to see this video. I'm guessing it shows water jugs exploding or some such.

 

[Girodin]

+1 on patterning and testing various loads to see what you and your particular gun like.

I use 00 buck.

 

[cleardiddion]

The first three rounds in mine are #4 buck, to convince the perp to leave.
The last three are 00 buck, to convince him to stay until the cops show up.

 

[USSR]

At this distance,

Maximum range will be 20 feet.

, someone hit with a load of #6 shot will be just as dead. There are no degrees of dead.

Don

 

[Col. Plink]

I've seen penetration reports that say #4 buckshot has comparable depth of penetration to larger sizes, and at greater # per shot would be preferable. I decided I'd use the same rationale and go with 3" T shot shells, which at .20 caliber are just under #4 buck in size and there are something like 40 of them in a magnum shell. Steel T shot may not be preferable over distance as it is less dense than lead, but at close range that is not an issue and the greater velocity can only help. 3" T's are also cheaper than buckshot!