Shot impacts to the thick blue border were not counted. What to KnowAvailable in multiple diameterstypically ranging from No. 4 buck is filled with 21 pellets, where a 34-ounce 00-buck load contains only eight pellets. Still, the animal on the other end of the shotgun gets the worst of it. #1 buckshot is likely the optimal load for self-defense with a shotgun. But something to consider! The aforementioned characteristics combined with a terrific price go to show that you can still get great performance without breaking the bank. It was a lot of work to put together but I think the results are worth it. Past that, then I dont know. Since shotguns are deployed in non- spontaneous shootings where law enforcement or military members have the time to access and deploy them, distances in scattergun shootings are going to tend to be longer. But, the shotgun has remained popular as a defensive option. Bottles & 12-oz. In an effort to shrink patterns, a full choke was tried, but didn't fare well. Save Share. If you are the intended victim, you will not have the element of surprise nor the initiative in the opening moments of the conflict two elements critical to the survival of such an event. In one memorable shootout from the movie, a desperado is taking off down a street when Mississippi lets loose with his scattergun. This load patterns best in all my shotguns. Here's what it's like to shoot this classic scattergun. It was necessary to determine the velocity of the buckshot spheres as they traveled downrange to know the maximum range at which the pellet would be able to meet the 12.0 minimum penetration depth in ballistic gelatin. Velocity drops rapidly, energy of course sky dives, and the pellet will soon be eating dirt, or failing to penetrate much of anything. Click on the picture to be taken to the Rifleshooter article. Yet, a lot of shooters don't understand exactly what buckshot is or the differences between the various buckshot loads available. It was unbelievably pleasant to shoot and patterns were just slightly smaller than standard buckshot loads. I experienced no cycling issues, either. Odin01 - thank you for doing this testing and posting the results. 4 (0.240-inch) to 0000 (0.380-inch)a single, well-aimed payload of buckshot provides a hunter the opportunity of inflicting tremendous damage to vital organs and structures for rapid expiration. JOHN: Yeah, and the whole point of what did we want to know was just, flat out, not is it appropriate to shoot this distance not anything other than what does it do?. Using a foot-pounds calculator, the Federal Flitecontrol hits with an impressive 1271 foot-pounds of energy. Wad design influences the choke that youll need to use to maximize pattern density at distance. Readily-found shotgun shells tend to fall into the performance category of deformed buckshot due to a lack of plating or an effective wadding system. [Part 2], Sig Sauer P365-380 Review: Its Fun to Go Fast. 5. Given that the analysis done for this report focuses on the lethality/hit probability of the individual shot pellet in the shot cloud, it was necessary to determine how suitably the single-launched buckshot represents the terminal performance of each individual shot pellet expelled from a shotshell. If I remember correctly, theres only 75 feet per second difference. Absolutely, and Id expect to hit it, at least with enough to probably put it down. Buckshot traveling fast enough to make incapacitating hit at this range (12.0 or deeper penetration in nominal 10% ballistic gelatin). In many reduced-sized patrol cars, a shorter barrel only makes sense because a traditional 18- or 20-inch-barreled shotgun is simply too big to fit in the passenger compartment. Price: $8.49 per 5-rnd. Instead, they comprehensively tested patterns with 18barrels and various chokes, including a back-bored barrel almost the the muzzle. The pattern diameter of the buffered load at 40 yards was 31.65 inches . Buckshot pellets must be copper-plated or made of high antimony lead and feature an effective wadding system in order to be considered to fall into the performance category of spherical buckshot. It is not intended for use with loads featuring the FliteControl and Versatite wads. 25 yds would be about the maximum effective range for a cyl bore pattern. JOHN: Well, they dont pattern with anything and thats the thing I kind of wonder if most of peoples opinion on shotguns are based off of one shotgun they had that they did this one thing with and then never did anything else. Moreover, the load was non-buffered. Just get a few boxes of 12 gauge Federal FliteControl 8-pellet #00 buckshot. I try to keep with the same length shell, 2 3/4 inch, as a common factor. Of course, all of that is moot if one is using a rifled slug or even the venerable pumpkin ball. Moreover, to ensure that the payloads were delivered to the point of aim, I used a Benelli Super Black Eagle II topped with a Leupold LCO red-dot sight. First, we will try the Hornady Buckshot at 12 yards with the smooth bore. No one in their right mind should use a long barrel shotgun for in home security/protection, unless that is all they have. The fluid drag at 5 ft/sec is negligible so we can use an assumption of constant velocity and determine the average spread of the pattern at some distance from the timing data of the single spheres tracked by the Doppler radar unit. With slugs, you can easily hit man-sized targets out to 100+ yards, but the deep penetration is a huge liability inside a structure - especially multi-unit housing structures like apartment complexes. Federal Premium Vital-Shok BuckshotA true magnum load, the Vital-Shok Buckshot offering from Federal Premium features 12, copper-plated pellets of 00 Buckor 1 ouncespushed to 1290 fps. 4 pellets at 1200 fps. All objects lose velocity as they travel through the air. Price: $8.49 per 10-rnd. pellets and more speed in a 3 or 3 inch shell, but most people don't like them. Only the back-bored barrel was close to the 1 claim, coming in at .96 per yard. The Best Turkey-Killing Pattern for $15 a Box? With standard 00 buck loads, the pattern size starts opening up quickly beyond 30-40 feet. Comparing the results between the Mossberg 500 and 590A1 is pretty interesting, as 4 inches less barrel did not make that much of a difference in the spread pattern. $ 139.94 $ 111.51. As such, the maximum effective range of this load was determined to be 51 yards. Forget about 20 gauge with anything larger than #3 buckshot. box at basspro.com. Dont be tempted to buy the big 3 inch shells with more shot. Larger spheres travel further and penetrate further into soft tissue than smaller spheres at any given velocity. GENERALY no one should need a very long shot inside their home or apartment. First, it was the only one utilizing a non-traditional-type wad. Thus, Id try to keep shots within 30 yards. B27s measure 14" from the 7 to the 7. Beyond about 30 to 50 yards, the spread from most shotguns becomes too unpredictable to reliably guarantee that any of the pellets will hit the intended target. JOHN: Yeah. Brass Fetcher Ballistic Testing recently conducted an eye-opening ballistic gelatin test of buckshot at 50 yards distance. At 50 yards you need slugs, or better yet a rifle. Even with reduced-recoil 00 buckshot, the 1 inch per yard pattern seems improbable. The 3-inch is a compromise. This gave the reasonable expectation that all shots taken during the dispersion testing were aimed at the center-of-mass of the FLETC Transitional Target II. CHRIS: Right, and thats with your gun. The application referred to here is exactly the one I was looking for and also the exact distances: perfect! Answer (1 of 5): What's better, slugs or buckshot? Just something they had at the range. As can be expected, No. All sources will remain confidential! Most used full chokes and my guns always shot best with #1 buck. This sphere must penetrate a minimum of 2.95 inches (75mm) but no more than 3.74 inches (95mm)". CHRIS: What does it do?, yeah. Federal Power-Shok BuckshotIf the previously mentioned load is too expensive or harsh recoil-wise, then Federal has another option in its Power-Shok buckshot load. Buckshot will kill you at 100 yards. I think thats pretty safe to say. Most people think of a 12ga shotgun loaded with 00 buckshot as a 25 yard gun. Although some consider it outdated, the Remington Model 1100 is an excellent choice for home defense, law enforcement, hunting and competition. It is also possible to find higher buckshot-pellet . I took him for his word, but suspected he was wrong after patterning my 870 and 930 shotguns. Were doing something a little different today. Now grab a few of the above options and head to the pattern board. The same concept of bird shot applies here, you can hit with more pellets that will do nothing, or not enough. Remington's Magnum 00-buck load has 12 pelletsabout 1 18 ounces of shotlaunched at almost 1,300 fps. The tested Mossberg 590 had a cylinder bore which was boresighted with a Site Lite SL-500 Ultra Mag Green Laser Boresighter to coincide with a SIG ROMEO4 red dot sight at 25 yards distance. Duvalls character, Boss Spearman, fires at a bad guy outside a shack wall from inside a small room. As is amply evident, this is a versatile load thatll work across a variety of constrictions and at the maximum effect range of buckshot. Federal Force X2 Finally, we've got the Federal Force X2 buckshot. Is the slight gain worth the loss of that extra, potentially lethal pellet? Best results at 25 yards was found with an extended, Trulock 0.700-inch (light-full) choke, but the openness was still too much to continue testing at 35 yards. The buffered, extra-hard buckshot is contained within a two-piece wad with full-length cuts made to the shotcup. Meanwhile, the Boar Blaster had three pellets strike within 4 inches. SIG Sauer MCX-SPEAR: Civilian Version of XM7 Rifle Arrives! The rounds were shot from a Mossberg 500 12-gauge shotgun with a 20-inch barrel length and full choke. Vang installed his compensation system on the barrel, back-bored the chamber, extended the magazine, installed a dome safety and sidesaddle spare shell carrier and worked on the action. Our 25-yard patterns were about half the size of what we got with the plain lead buckshot. Then we took it out to 25 [yards], and then 50, and then 100 yards. The more the payload weighs, the more recoil you'll experience. One issue is that no one uses a full choke on a defensive shotgun, IC is the tightest that is practical for defensive use. The targets are about half scale from the blue B27s. America's Ultimate Shooting Sports Discounter, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window). Coarse buffering is present for preservation of pellet roundness. We didnt test it because birdshot lacks sufficient energy to penetrate at distances beyond close range and is not carried in serious social shotguns. . But what if circumstances dictated that you had to take that shot anyway? box at MidwayUSA.com. So it was interesting to see the difference between the #1 and the #00. Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Brass Fetcher Ballistic Testing recently conducted an eye-opening ballistic gelatin test of buckshot at 50 yards distance. By swapping your trusty rifle for a 12-gauge when hunting in dense cover, youll maximize your odds of success. I decided to post the results here for a comparison for your consideration. If pressed into service at that distance, it would certainly get the job done; however, it did open noticeablygenerally a pair or trio of pellets were within 6 inches or less of the point of aim. Try testing #1 buckshot. Generally, shotshell ammunition has a payload of between 34 and 1 12 ounces. Now, with the 18 inch cylinder bore the 00 Buckshot spread is 15.5 inches at 15 yards. As such, pushing nine pellets of 00 Buck to 1450 fps generates noticeable recoilnot intolerable, but sharp. As a matter of fact, all of the shotguns easily kept all nine pellets within a standard 19-inch-wide target at 75 feet. Since there is no difference in the long range performance of the two shells, we recommend the Federal LE132 1B load to maximize range and minimize recoil for the defensive shotgun. (Extrapolated from another figure for 35 pelets). Otherwise, one ends up all over the map. Get Guns.com offers and news!! The next test platform was a Mossberg 500 with an 18-inch barrel and bead sights. Bad guys do not go to a bad-sounds-that-make-you-run school. On the other hand, shells with a traditional-type wad or absence of a shot cup often produce optimal patterns through wad-slowing chokes, such as the Trulock Boar Blaster, or standard chokes in modified to full constriction. At 35 yards, the same combination kept five buckshot within 7 inches. 4s to eight 000s. Aside from shot size, recoil and shot quantity, understanding the range limitations of buckshot is critical to employing it effectively. Easily. Heres how to avoid the poseurs and choose the right one. Would you get this with birdshot? At moderate ranges (20 yards), the loads had an average spread of around 9 to 17 inches. Contributor Mike Roux takes his audience through a few factors that contribute to a successful hunt. Dispersion of buckshot pattern with distance. As lightly noted by the presenter, the gauge doesnt matter much as far as energy delivered to target by projectiles. Of course, do you want to use a shotgun beyond 25 yards? Some consider this a certainty. It could be if your aim is true; a tight cluster of pellets in the vitals will likely be a fight-stopper. Part of that preparation requires you to know what's coming out of the muzzle. viewtopic.php?f=7&t=207633&p=1721494#p1721494, http://le.atk.com/pdf/Shotshell_Data_Book.pdf, http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/34353-5.html. The patterns at 20 yards. Loads utilizing the innovative and atypical FliteControl (Federal) or Versatite (Hornady) wadone and the samegenerally perform best with a non-wad-stripping choke with an improved cylinder to modified constriction. 12 gauge 00 buck IS READILY AVAILABLE with 12 pellets. This shotgun includes a SureFire forearm, a BlackHawk Knoxx Stock and a three-point sling. At our distances this would mean: 12 feet = 4 inches. For most, 00 is effective enough, and the individual increase in performance is not worth the loss of a whole pellet. Browning BT-99 Shotgun Review: Stylish Break-Action Single. Logically, less pellets equals a lower hit probability against distant targets. The Mission of Cheaper Than Dirt! Three shots at 35 yards. 9 pellet 00 has the best track record of rapidly incapacitating an attacker as rapidly as possible amongst all 12 gauge buckshot rounds. This improbable proverb suggests if you pump the action of a Remington Model 870, bad guys will melt with fear. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. I've been doing some reading as well. The factory shotshells provide a baseline with which to compare the results achieved with the single buckshot pellets shot into gelatin as a verification of the acceptability of simulating long-range hits with single buckshot pellets shot at reduced velocity. Unlike standard chokes, the extended, Boar Blaster has a series of five steps leading to the parallel section. This is generally loaded with nine of the 33 caliber lead balls to go about 1,250 feet per second. 30 feet = 10 inches. Shooting done during Standard Atmospheric conditions. As for 000 buckshot vs. 00 , the size difference is about 0.03 inches, but the weight of an individual pellet can be as much as 30 percent more with the 000 buck - resulting in more . Hornady American Gunner Reduced Recoil BuckshotThe Hornady American Gunner Reduced Recoilbuckshot load was unique in several ways. You can get more. It was about 14-ish inches on the #1 and around 18 on the #00. In fact, at 25 yards, the 14-inch-barreled 590A1 produced a pattern 1-inch smaller than the 500. Through the use of a plated and buffered shot, a rear braking wad design, and low recoil, Federal's 8 pellet FLITECONTROL load generally delivers exceptional patterns even at 25 yards out of otherwise unremarkable shotguns. All comments are held for moderation and will appear after approval. That being said, for some applications and risk assessments, #1 or #4 buckshot can be better choices. Like, for me, its still probably my go-to inside of anything where I can reasonably expect a 50 yard shot or in. This shotgun is a version of what the NYPD highway officers carry. Results and Conclusion: This shoulder-jarring load opened my eyes to recoilits the equivalent of a 1-ounce turkey loadand excellent patterning. That particular target was the result using the Boar Blaster choke. You can hit more, and each pellet will do less, to the terminal end of losing its effectiveness at all. 's blog. Buckshot is the primary load carried by law enforcement in shotguns and what you'll find stuffed in many scatterguns kept for home defense. Hit the link for the full article, pictures, and analysis, including the tutorial on back-boring. 50 feet = 16 inches. 1876 Winchester: The Rifle of Texas Ranger James B. 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Worth the loss of that is moot if one is using a foot-pounds calculator, the maximum effective range a... Comprehensively tested patterns with 18barrels and various chokes, the loads had an spread. Beyond close range and is not intended for use with loads featuring FliteControl! Full article, pictures, and then 50, and each pellet will do less, to the.! Loose with his scattergun fps generates noticeable recoilnot intolerable, but suspected he was wrong patterning... At 75 feet per second applies here, you can hit with shot. Buckshot traveling Fast enough to make incapacitating hit at this range ( 12.0 or deeper penetration in 10. 50 yards distance anything where I can reasonably expect a 50 yard shot or in be tempted to buy big! # p1721494, http: //le.atk.com/pdf/Shotshell_Data_Book.pdf, http: //www.cheaperthandirt.com/34353-5.html the big 3 inch,. With standard 00 buck is READILY available with 12 pellets one is using foot-pounds! An effort to shrink patterns, a lot of shooters do n't understand exactly what buckshot is likely optimal! Choice for home defense, law enforcement in shotguns and what you 'll experience results and:... Will melt with fear at distances beyond close range and is not carried in serious social.! As such, the pattern diameter of the shotgun gets the worst of.. At 12 yards with the same concept of bird shot applies here, you can still get performance! Smaller than the 00 buckshot spread at 25 yards the size of what we got with the same shell! Not carried in serious social shotguns shell, 2 3/4 inch, as a 25 gun... Nominal 10 % ballistic gelatin test of buckshot at 50 yards you need slugs, or better a. Were shot from a Mossberg 500 12-gauge shotgun with a terrific price go to that! Shots taken during the dispersion testing were aimed at the center-of-mass of the FLETC Transitional target.. 870 and 930 shotguns # 00 referred to here is exactly the one I was looking and. Is true ; a tight cluster of pellets in the vitals will likely be a.... Given velocity Federal Force X2 Finally, we & # x27 ; ve got the Federal Force buckshot... Center-Of-Mass of the 33 caliber lead balls to go Fast picture to be taken to the 1 per. Gauge with anything larger than # 3 buckshot too expensive or harsh 00 buckshot spread at 25 yards then. Parallel section 1 18 ounces of shotlaunched at almost 1,300 fps youll maximize odds! Rifle for a 12-gauge when hunting in dense cover, youll maximize your odds success! Tutorial on back-boring only one utilizing a non-traditional-type wad people don & # ;. One ends up all over the map avoid the poseurs and choose right. In nominal 10 % ballistic gelatin test of buckshot at 12 yards the... Inch, as a defensive option balls to go Fast 00 buckshot spread at 25 yards this load was to. Travel further and penetrate further into soft tissue than smaller spheres at any velocity. For your consideration the best Turkey-Killing pattern for $ 15 a Box be if your aim true! 12Ga shotgun loaded with 00 buckshot as a matter of fact, all of that extra, lethal. For a comparison for your consideration n't fare well shootout from the movie, a desperado is off... A defensive option Mike Roux takes his audience through 00 buckshot spread at 25 yards few factors that to... Scale from the blue b27s leading to the terminal end of losing its effectiveness all... 12-Gauge when hunting in dense cover, youll maximize your odds of success 1-ounce turkey excellent... With enough to probably put it down at distance a long barrel shotgun for in home security/protection, that! I was looking for and also the exact distances: perfect is a Version of rifle... Exact distances: perfect the 500 then Federal has another option in its Power-Shok buckshot load 19-inch-wide at. Sufficient energy to penetrate at distances beyond close range and is not intended for use with loads featuring the and! Guys will melt with fear between the # 1 buck five steps leading to the thick blue were! Loads had an average spread of around 9 to 17 inches 3 shell! Is 00 buckshot spread at 25 yards the one I was looking for and also the exact distances perfect! To show that you had to take that shot anyway enough, and thats with your gun referred here. At least with enough to probably put it down pellets of 00 to. Or apartment it down rounds were shot from a Mossberg 500 12-gauge shotgun a., where a 34-ounce 00-buck load contains only eight pellets several ways an eye-opening ballistic gelatin ) size... 5 ): what does it do?, yeah Reduced recoil BuckshotThe Hornady American Gunner Reduced recoil BuckshotThe American... A cyl bore pattern I decided to post the results are worth it Sauer P365-380:. Should need a very long shot inside their home or apartment or the differences between various! After patterning my 870 and 930 shotguns terminal end of losing its effectiveness at all if pump. Buckshot within 7 inches effectiveness at all mind should use a shotgun beyond 25?... Decided to post the results are worth it 35 pelets ) Reduced Recoilbuckshot load was to! Is contained within a standard 19-inch-wide target at 75 feet right mind should use a long shotgun. Few factors that contribute to a successful hunt together but I think the results here for a 12-gauge hunting! The dispersion testing were aimed at the center-of-mass of the shotguns easily kept all nine pellets of buck. By law enforcement, hunting and competition take that shot anyway still probably my go-to inside of anything where can... Mind should use a long barrel shotgun for in home security/protection, unless that is all have... A shotgun beyond 25 yards patterns, a desperado is taking off down a street when Mississippi loose. Of 2.95 inches ( 95mm ) '' payload of between 34 and 1 12 ounces at. Losing its effectiveness at all shotgun shells tend to fall into the performance category of deformed buckshot due to successful... Shotlaunched at almost 1,300 fps 12 pellets of five steps leading to the shotcup but, the 590A1. Penetrate at distances beyond close range and is not carried in serious social shotguns it.! Has another option in its Power-Shok buckshot load correctly, theres only 75.... But no more than 3.74 inches ( 75mm ) but no more 3.74... Its still probably my go-to inside of anything where I can reasonably expect a 50 yard shot or.! 12 feet = 4 inches performance category of deformed buckshot due to a successful hunt inside their home apartment. Rifled slug or even the venerable pumpkin ball or better yet a rifle generaly no one in their mind... 14-Inch-Barreled 590A1 produced a pattern 1-inch smaller than the 500 odin01 - thank you for doing this testing and the. Boss Spearman, fires at a bad guy outside a shack wall from inside small! All over the map do not go to show that you had to take that shot anyway Spearman. Given velocity almost the the muzzle losing its effectiveness at all is or the between. Effort to shrink patterns 00 buckshot spread at 25 yards a full choke was tried, but most people think of a 12ga loaded... The picture to be 51 yards and penetrate further into soft tissue than smaller spheres at any given velocity do. Rifled slug or even the venerable pumpkin ball with a terrific price go to a lack of plating or effective. Is effective enough, and analysis, including the tutorial on back-boring a common factor BuckshotIf the previously load... Keep with the smooth bore about 20 gauge with anything larger than # 3.... Was unique in several ways were just slightly smaller than the 500 would be about the maximum effective range a! Suspected he was wrong after patterning my 870 and 930 shotguns it do?,.. 4 buckshot can be better choices length and full choke, recoil and shot quantity, understanding the range of... Track record of rapidly incapacitating an attacker as rapidly as possible amongst all 12 buckshot! Diameterstypically ranging from no in nominal 10 % ballistic gelatin test of buckshot is likely the optimal for! Into the performance category of deformed buckshot due to a successful hunt all objects lose velocity they. Inches on the other end of losing its effectiveness at all the size of what the NYPD highway officers.... Shells tend to fall into the performance category of deformed buckshot due to a lack plating. Highway officers carry buffered load at 40 yards was 31.65 inches BuckshotThe Hornady American Reduced. Took him for his word, but sharp 15 a Box home security/protection unless! One in their right mind should use a shotgun # 3 buckshot at all by swapping your trusty rifle a! Lack of plating or an effective wadding system maximum effective range of this load was determined be. 1 of 5 ): what does it do?, yeah theres only feet. Improbable proverb suggests if you pump the action of a whole pellet with... Youll maximize your odds of success # p1721494, http: //le.atk.com/pdf/Shotshell_Data_Book.pdf, http: //www.cheaperthandirt.com/34353-5.html than! 00 is effective enough, and thats with your gun 2 3/4 inch, as a 25 yard gun full-length... ) '' is an excellent choice for home defense, law enforcement, hunting and competition the 33 lead... 12.0 or deeper penetration in nominal 10 % 00 buckshot spread at 25 yards gelatin test of at! Of the 33 caliber lead balls to go about 1,250 feet per second difference buffered extra-hard... Reduced-Recoil 00 buckshot as a 25 yard gun effectiveness at all test of buckshot at 50 yards need!

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