Which buckshot should be used?

[hometheaterman]

This will be for deer hunting in a area we use buckshot.

So a friend was shooting a 870 Super Magnum the other day. The two types of buckshot he shot were Winchester 12 Gauge 3 1/2" Supreme 00 buckshot. This was the high velocity 15 pellets stuff. The other kind was 3" Federal 00 buckshot with the flight control wads. I've use this stuff and like it so far.


Anyway, they both patterned fairly well. He shot 8" targets and each were covered in buckshot holes from 15 or 20 yards. The advantage to the 3 1/2" buckshot is it has 3 more pellets and a higher velocity. The disadvantage is it's about $2-4 a box more expensive.

What we are wondering is will the deer tell if the buckshot is 3 pellets less and at a lower velocity? Would he be better off with the high velocity stuff for deer or is the 3" stuff with 3 less pellets and lower velocity just fine?

 

[multigauge]

If you have to use 3 1/2" buckshot you may need the 3 extra pellets to allow for the flinching that may develop. The flight control loads would probably also work better if you were shooting at longer ranges.

 

[cat_IT_guy]

A well hit deer will not know the difference. A dead deer is still a dead deer, even if it has three extra holes in it.

Having said that, I dont see a problem with using it assuming you can shoot it well (without flinching).

 

[snooperman]

2 3/4 shells with OO buckshot with my 12 ga Ithaca pump

I have used this load for more than 45 years, mostly in the brush and woods on my farm and have taken many deer with it. Most of the shots have been betwwen 25-35 yards. I can not imagine using 3 1/2 inch shells with the inherent recoil in a shotgun with buckshot for deer , as I don't think it is needed.