I'm using the Winchester Ranger low recoil 9 pellet 00 in my HD gun. They also make this in an 8 pellet version. My thinking was, the more pellets the better. But then again, there must be a reason they make it in 8 pellets and there must be pros and cons to each version. What are the pros and cons to each version?
Why would one choose 8 pellet 00 over 9 pellet?
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Fred Fuller
Moderator Emeritus
Given the laws of physics there are only two fundamental ways to reduce recoil in a shotgun load- reduce the velocity of the payload, or reduce the weight of the payload. An eight pellet load of 00 is just one approach to reducing recoil.
All other things being equal, there's very little that nine 00 pellets will do, that eight 00 pellets won't do. Put 'em where they need to go, and prepare for an immediate follow-up shot if the first one doesn't work. Even shotguns are not death rays...
lpl
All other things being equal, there's very little that nine 00 pellets will do, that eight 00 pellets won't do. Put 'em where they need to go, and prepare for an immediate follow-up shot if the first one doesn't work. Even shotguns are not death rays...
lpl
Sebastian the Ibis
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I always asked myself basically the same question, Why do people chose 9 pellet OO shells over 15 pellet 3 in magnum shells?
451 Detonics
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Because a 3 inch magnum with that heavy a load requires twice as much time for a follow up shot...not good when you need to be fast.
Perhaps for some shooters with some guns. There are guns for which I would see the heavier load being a net loss however, according to my shot timer, for me with my go to shotgun a followup with 3" shells is certainly does not take double the time.
txhoghunter
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Remember this advice because it is great. People often see a shotgun with 00 buck as a one-shot-stop, however, as with dealing with a threat using a handgun or a rifle, the idea of shooting in defense is to shoot until the threat STOPS. Yes, a shotgun is devastating at close range, but be prepared to fire multiple times if the threat is still present.
Sebastian the Ibis
Member
Exactly. However, in they eyes of jurors, judges, prosecutors and cops more shots is a bad thing. Since, you could be second guessed on whether or not you shot a guy after he was no longer a threat. Assuming you can shoot those smaller shells faster, how are you going to explain 4 reduced recoil slugs in a bad guy, each of which destroys the bg's combat effectiveness (i.e. one shatters hip, one through femur, one through each lung) even though you got all four shots off before he hit the ground? Therefore, for HD in my condo, i want as much boom as possible per shot, so I can fire as few shots as possible.
memphisjim
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to clarify things about the 8,9, 15 shot 00 bucks the reason being their tactical shotguns wont shoot 18 pellet 3.5 inchers like the benellis
451 Detonics
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I am willing to bet it is significantly longer that it would be with a 2 3/4 9 pellet load. If this wasn't true then why wouldn't have pins shooters taken advantage of the heavy loads instead of going as light as possible? I normally ran well under 3 seconds on the new tables last time I shot...no way I could do that with a 3 inch magnum load out of any gun and neither could anyone else I know including several Master Blasters.
oneounceload
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Just to add for clarification - adding weight to the gun also reduces recoil
2WheelsGood
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I'm a bit ignorant on the subject, so I'm not trying to be a smart-ass, but if the pellets were a larger size, I would think they wouldn't be 00.
1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
Nope. It just slows down the gun's (rate of) acceleration backward and reduces your perception of recoil. Equal and opposite = equal momentum forward and backward.
You'll move just as far. You just won't move as fast.
00Buck is 00Buck, regardless of how many there are in a shell.
Define significant. There is a difference but perhaps we are talking past each other having a different idea of what consittutes significant. I've not shot pins with a shotgun and perhaps there is also a difference in the time to re-acquire a pin versus COM of a silhouette?
I'll give it another go on the shot timer next time I shoot, doing both COM shots and trying with a smaller target and report back.
1911Tuner
Moderator Emeritus
When a man is doing his level best to kill you, a tenth of a second can be signifigant enough to determine whether you go home or to the morgue.
In addition to this:
Most Winchester 9 pellet 00 loads have an advertised muzzle velocity of 1325 ft/sec.
Most Winchester 8 pellet 00 loads that I've seen have an advertised muzzle velocity of 1145 ft/sec. They achieve their "reduced recoil," not just through of the reduced payload, but also through the reduced velocity.
The 8 pellet loads should be excellent for home defense -- just make sure you do some testing to determine how they will pattern in your gun with your particular choke tubes.
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gamestalker
member
I load a 1 5/8 oz. load of copper plated BB with a max powder charge of Longshot for both S.D and turkey hunting. I've killed turkey at 60 yds. with that load. Never had much liking for 00 but have loaded #4 buck when I can't find the plated BB.
oneounceload
member
Disagree 1911 - take the same load and shoot it in a 6# 12 gauge and a 9# 12 gauge - the recorded recoil is less due to the mass of the gun - while the identical load will generate X force, it has to overcome the mass of the gun - and a heavier gun will reduce the recoil effect to the shooter
In my shotguns ( 870 Vang Comp and Benelli Nova Tactical) 8 pellet Federal Tactical low recoil 00 Buckshot - not Flight Control - patterns better than the same 9 pellet low recoil load. I have read this is because the stack of pellets in the 8 pellet shell is symmetrical whereas 9 pellet is not.
With 9 pellets I seem to get consistent one pellet fliers. This also happens with the 9 pellet low recoil Flight Control loads.
For all practical purposes I think 8 pellets is enough and I am more concerned about errant pellets outside of the main pattern.
With 9 pellets I seem to get consistent one pellet fliers. This also happens with the 9 pellet low recoil Flight Control loads.
For all practical purposes I think 8 pellets is enough and I am more concerned about errant pellets outside of the main pattern.
ironhead7544
Member
There is a larger pellet load, OOO buck. Its .36 inch in diameter. I have found that the low velocity LE OO buck loads shoot into about 12 inches at 25 yards. The standard loads go about 24 inches. This is with 5 shots.
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