Whats the effective range of #4, and 00 buck?

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

As a general rule that I follow is that a shotgun with buckshot is effective up to 40 yards and then it starts to lack due to spread. Slugs are effective up to 100 yards and then lack due to accuracy. Just my opinion.

Are you going to use a lathe to get the barrel chopped off properly? If not, figure on 30 ft with the #4, and 40 ft with the 00 buck. If the barrel is cut off perfectly square, you can add 5 yds to both of those figures. if you have a Vang barrel, you can double those original figures, maybe a little bit more. You've got to get 5-6 of the 00 pellets into the vitals, tho, so the pattern can't be more than about 12" wide.

I used a Miter box and a file to do it. Worked for me.

 

[L-]

Use a pipe cutter and oil the cutter and rollers. Don't clamp down too hard. Works perfect if you don't have a rib to contend with. The outside of the barrel will be smooth and rolled by the cut. The inside can be smoothed by shooting a #4 and a 00 shot shell at a 11 X24 " paper with a clean back stop at the yardage you think to use it effectively. 00 can kill out to 100 yards. It goes a long way.

 

[bubba in ca]

After you whack the barrel you have to pattern it anyway because it will be different both in pattern density and in point of aim. Play with a few different ammos before you come to any conclusion.

Bullet drop at 100 yards may be very noticeable, with the 4 shot probably dropping more than the 00.

If you think about using it for long distances, you should probably plan on patterning and stocking some slugs for it and the biggest buckshot. Not that the shotgun is the best for long distance, but you should know the capacity of what you are carrying just in case. For SD/HD, I'd train 80% at 10 feet and 20% at longer distances.

My camping/HD gun for many years was an old H & R I whacked down to 18 inches. Great gun and I had a lot of confidence in it. I'd choose it over many a mouse gun anyday and once it was broke in a bit reloading was very quick.

As far as the side comment about dogs, I am always amused at SHTF people who think they are going to be hunting dear and rabbits. Most likely they will be hunting rats, cats, and dogs for self defence, not just for food. An extra shotgun would be just the number for this.

 

[plumberroy]

00 can kill out to 100 yards. It goes a long way.

That kind af advice is what gives buckshot and hunters using it a bad name
:banghead: Yes A lucky hit will kill at 100 yards but for every #00 buck kill at 100 yards you will cripple and lose 40 animals At bow ranges 40 yard or less buck shot is devastating on animal from coyote size up to deer once you go farther than that it becomes a crippler load I have shot hundreds of rounds from dozens of guns at card board past 40 yards paterns just don't hold up
Roy

 

[XTrooper]

Except for really close work and/or where I may be concerned about over-penetration, I prefer slugs in my shotguns. If you can get a load of buckshot on your target at 40 yards, you as easily hit it with a rifle slug and if a longer shot presents itself, you're still in the game.