picked up the HD shotgun today and they sold me (oh, alright, I bought on a whim, isn't like I didn't have anything else at home...) a box of Winchester 'reduced recoil' 9 pellet 12 gauge 00 buck loads. the guy claimed he sold a lot of them to LEO types. Is this just a load of horse manure or is there something good about having 9 pellets instead of 12? what gives? anybody know?
what's all this with "reduced recoil" (and reduced pellets) buckshot loads?
- Thread starter ahadams
- Start date
- Status
Yes and no
The GOOD--
Lower recoil and subsequent comfort--
Unlikely to develop flinch
Easy to shoot with a Metal folder --Like 870 Rem Factory cheek pincher--
Easier for smaller people to shoot--Children and small women--
Quicker follow up shots possible -- very little muzzle rise-- Especialy in Semi-auto
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Bad--
Less power --
Less pellets--
Might as well have a 20 ga mag--
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some people really need this load and others just like it--
Our Police have grown smaller and smaller over the last 30 years--
I had a 100 pound female dispatcher literally pushed over from a kneeling position while firing #1 Buck Magnums--
So it is a solution to a problem that is very limited--
If you are not over recoil sensitive and do not have a small or weaker person utilizing the weapon-- Stick to the full power stuff--
The GOOD--
Lower recoil and subsequent comfort--
Unlikely to develop flinch
Easy to shoot with a Metal folder --Like 870 Rem Factory cheek pincher--
Easier for smaller people to shoot--Children and small women--
Quicker follow up shots possible -- very little muzzle rise-- Especialy in Semi-auto
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Bad--
Less power --
Less pellets--
Might as well have a 20 ga mag--
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some people really need this load and others just like it--
Our Police have grown smaller and smaller over the last 30 years--
I had a 100 pound female dispatcher literally pushed over from a kneeling position while firing #1 Buck Magnums--
So it is a solution to a problem that is very limited--
If you are not over recoil sensitive and do not have a small or weaker person utilizing the weapon-- Stick to the full power stuff--
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
9 00 pellets was the standard load for decades. The 12 and 15 pellet load were made later on The More Is Better Principle.
I see little reason for the latter. The 9 pellet and now the 8 pellet loads wreak plenty of havoc at realistic range. The heavier loadings are slower to recover from, build flinches quicker, and cost more. They're also good at turning tyros into non shotgunners.
The Reduced Recoil stuff usually has lowered velocity to cut the kick, not a lighter payload.
HS/LD, good to see ya back. Here's a chance to contribute something to this BB ,if you wouldn't mind.
Please use 9,12 and 15 pellet 00 buck loads in timed and scored COFs the next time you exercise your Winchester.Report the results here.
Doing this will give some empirical evidence on what moderately experienced shotgunners can do and what they may select for a particular mission.
Thanks....
I see little reason for the latter. The 9 pellet and now the 8 pellet loads wreak plenty of havoc at realistic range. The heavier loadings are slower to recover from, build flinches quicker, and cost more. They're also good at turning tyros into non shotgunners.
The Reduced Recoil stuff usually has lowered velocity to cut the kick, not a lighter payload.
HS/LD, good to see ya back. Here's a chance to contribute something to this BB ,if you wouldn't mind.
Please use 9,12 and 15 pellet 00 buck loads in timed and scored COFs the next time you exercise your Winchester.Report the results here.
Doing this will give some empirical evidence on what moderately experienced shotgunners can do and what they may select for a particular mission.
Thanks....
I shoot a bunch of the 8 & 9 pellet stuff and I like it alot. It patterns well and I think it's more important to get all nine on target than to send 12.
I took some of the Federal "tactical" stuff to a pistol shoot last fall. While we were waiting for everyone to arrive we were playing on the rifle range. I had a guy try my 870 with 9 pellet 00 and he was so excited about how it shot, he convinced everyone present to give it a whirl. I had guys ripping the box tops off my ammo boxes so they could get some for themselves.
This was a crew of fellows who were embarking upon the road of BA/UU/R. Prior to trying my 870 & Federal LE 00, they did not really enjoy shooting SG's.
I like it.
Mike
I took some of the Federal "tactical" stuff to a pistol shoot last fall. While we were waiting for everyone to arrive we were playing on the rifle range. I had a guy try my 870 with 9 pellet 00 and he was so excited about how it shot, he convinced everyone present to give it a whirl. I had guys ripping the box tops off my ammo boxes so they could get some for themselves.
This was a crew of fellows who were embarking upon the road of BA/UU/R. Prior to trying my 870 & Federal LE 00, they did not really enjoy shooting SG's.
I like it.
Mike
Sir Galahad
member
When it comes to "BSTP" (Blowing Stuff To Pieces) plinking at the pits, I use what's cheapest and that ain't "tactical".
I live with the recoil. I'm 5'7", 120 pounds after a heavy dinner. I just always shoot whatever the local shops have and always do pretty good. Should have seen me today shoot 10 out of 10 skeets my buddy found and threw for me with Sellier & Bellot 00 buck! Now THAT'S fun!!!
I live with the recoil. I'm 5'7", 120 pounds after a heavy dinner. I just always shoot whatever the local shops have and always do pretty good. Should have seen me today shoot 10 out of 10 skeets my buddy found and threw for me with Sellier & Bellot 00 buck! Now THAT'S fun!!!Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
(Picture large middle aged man with avuncular smile)...
Mike, Kudoes. The Magnumistas might cavil, but the light stuff works. Ir's be interesting to hear from all the folks who read the threads on TFL about the lighter stuff and are now shooting better for it.
Galahad, sounds like fun, Just remember that large shot carries further, please ensure that the shot fall area is adequate.
Mike, Kudoes. The Magnumistas might cavil, but the light stuff works. Ir's be interesting to hear from all the folks who read the threads on TFL about the lighter stuff and are now shooting better for it.
Galahad, sounds like fun, Just remember that large shot carries further, please ensure that the shot fall area is adequate.
Last edited:
Sir Galahad
member
This was at an combined area for centerfire rifle, pistol, shotgun.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Great, good to hear it.
Smoke
Member
I've never tried any of the reduced loads. (haven't seen any in the stores) with that said.....
I have put thousands of rounds of standard and magnum loads down range. Mostly 00, and I have never noticed recoil being that bad. (Rem 870). I have a couple of rifles that make me flinch nad cause me much more grief than any shotgun load I have ever felt.
AM I just a freak?
Smoke
I have put thousands of rounds of standard and magnum loads down range. Mostly 00, and I have never noticed recoil being that bad. (Rem 870). I have a couple of rifles that make me flinch nad cause me much more grief than any shotgun load I have ever felt.
AM I just a freak?
Smoke
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
If you are a freak, it's not because of that, Smoke.
More likely your shotguns fit well, you have good form, and a pretty good idea of what to do.
Shotgunning's like sex, if it hurts you're doing something wrong.
7X57 Mauser is not a hard kicking cartridge, but one little Swedish sporterized carbine of my youth was a good kicker with that narrow stock and steel buttplate. My 870 was pre recoil pad,just a plate, but it was light by direct comparison.
The Model 94 here seems to kick harder than the HD 870, 6 vs 9 1/2 lbs.
More likely your shotguns fit well, you have good form, and a pretty good idea of what to do.
Shotgunning's like sex, if it hurts you're doing something wrong.
7X57 Mauser is not a hard kicking cartridge, but one little Swedish sporterized carbine of my youth was a good kicker with that narrow stock and steel buttplate. My 870 was pre recoil pad,just a plate, but it was light by direct comparison.
The Model 94 here seems to kick harder than the HD 870, 6 vs 9 1/2 lbs.
Gabby Hayes
Member
Had just about settled on a 9 pellet reduced recoil 12 ga. load. Now I see that just about everyone has an 8 pellet RR load as well. Does one less pellet reduce the recoil that much further? Or is there some other advantage to having an even number of pellets?
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
8 pellets instead of 9, all else equal, cuts kick by 11%. That's a notable difference, aids fast recovery and can be verified by timing COFs.
Monkeyleg
Member.
I'm not a "shotgunner," but I keep one in the house for HD, and take it out from time to time just to stay in practice. The loads I use are full-recoil OO buck, since I figure that in a self-defense situation, recoil is going to be the last thing on my mind. Tell me if I'm wrong.
Dave McCracken: "Shotgunning's like sex, if it hurts you're doing something wrong."
Or if you're doing it too much.
Dave McCracken: "Shotgunning's like sex, if it hurts you're doing something wrong."
Or if you're doing it too much.
Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
And like sex,Dick, shotgunning's best when you start off with someone who knows what they're doing....
Reduced pellet:
the nine pellet OO load usually throws one pellet wide of the general pattern. This flier has been the cause of at least one tragic death. The pellet hit the sidewalk and ricocheted up underneath an officer's vest. The eight pellet OO load is more consistent. It's like getting a Vang Comp job free (well almost)
Modern loads with coreshot wads may change everything.
Reduced recoil;
The recruits have to weigh at least 140 LB to shoot the full power loads effectively. Remember that they are inexperienced.
There have been lawsuits about the loads, recoil injuries and slow recovery times. One magazine test shows the reduced recoil to be 8 or 9% faster on repeat shots. They don't always work in semi autos.
Try Estate buckshot for good patterns or Fed Lite.
the nine pellet OO load usually throws one pellet wide of the general pattern. This flier has been the cause of at least one tragic death. The pellet hit the sidewalk and ricocheted up underneath an officer's vest. The eight pellet OO load is more consistent. It's like getting a Vang Comp job free (well almost)
Modern loads with coreshot wads may change everything.
Reduced recoil;
The recruits have to weigh at least 140 LB to shoot the full power loads effectively. Remember that they are inexperienced.
There have been lawsuits about the loads, recoil injuries and slow recovery times. One magazine test shows the reduced recoil to be 8 or 9% faster on repeat shots. They don't always work in semi autos.
Try Estate buckshot for good patterns or Fed Lite.
- Status
