Buckshot at Distance

[Cecil S.]

I recently posted this on other forms and well the "Trolls" exposed themselves. Should have started here. My question is do any of you have information on shooting 12ga buckshot at distance to a lethal pattern. I have ordered a Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical and building up reloading components. Shotgun is new to me and I will not be reloading birdshot only buckshot loads and looking for a good starting point. All information is welcome.

 

[GLShooter]

I've shot #4 Buck on USPSA targets at 50 yards with a Bennelli and a mod choke. 27 pellets loaded 27 hit. Did this back to back on two targets. Probably pure luck. 40 yards would be my outside distance. We carried that load at the prison and it worked well on our targets. We didn't get to shoot warm targets much. 00 buck would probably be a better choice day in day out but the lowered pellet count works against it out yonder. Choke choice can be a factor also. You really have to pattern tge stuff in your guns.

 

[Homerange]

At one time a cousin used over the counter 00 buck (9 pellets) for taking smaller pigs on the run with great success. Well remember helping him clean a 60 pounder with 4 hits in the chest taken while it was running at 60yds which he consider max for this type of work.
Pellets that hit ribs on entry did significant damage to lungs and those that passed between ribs were lodged under the hide on the off side.
YMMV

 

[Cecil S.]

Thanks GLS Shooter, yeah good information on #4 and #5 buck shot more pellets equal more hits at distance. Again I am just starting out. Thanks

 

[mongo chicago]

A rule of thumb for 00 buck is the pattern opens up one inch per yard. Of course that is in a cyl. bore. Chokes and different ammo will have different results.

 

[Cecil S.]

At one time a cousin used over the counter 00 buck (9 pellets) for taking smaller pigs on the run with great success. Well remember helping him clean a 60 pounder with 4 hits in the chest taken while it was running at 60yds which he consider max for this type of work.
Pellets that hit ribs on entry did significant damage to lungs and those that passed between ribs were lodged under the hide on the off side.
YMMV

Thanks Homerange, Yeah #00 is the go to shot and usually "out of stock" but my search has found that the Nickle Plated shot is the king for penetration. I have 11lbs of #0 nickel plated buckshot to begin my fun.

 

[Cecil S.]

A rule of thumb for 00 buck is the pattern opens up one inch per yard. Of course that is in a cyl. bore. Chokes and different ammo will have different results.

mongo, man you are so correct......there is not much good information on Buckshot at Distance. I realize this is a shotgun and I want to play with distance. We all know slug wins the day!

 

[Cecil S.]

At one time a cousin used over the counter 00 buck (9 pellets) for taking smaller pigs on the run with great success. Well remember helping him clean a 60 pounder with 4 hits in the chest taken while it was running at 60yds which he consider max for this type of work.
Pellets that hit ribs on entry did significant damage to lungs and those that passed between ribs were lodged under the hide on the off side.
YMMV

Homerange , yeah #00 buck seem to be the go to load for 12ga for hunting. I am looking to get at least a 30 cal pellet to pattern well at distance there is not alot of information out there. but some guys are doing great things with the 12ga.

 

[Cecil S.]

A rule of thumb for 00 buck is the pattern opens up one inch per yard. Of course that is in a cyl. bore. Chokes and different ammo will have different results.

mongo , do you reload for 12ga?

 

[piie]

At one time a cousin used over the counter 00 buck (9 pellets) for taking smaller pigs on the run with great success. Well remember helping him clean a 60 pounder with 4 hits in the chest taken while it was running at 60yds which he consider max for this type of work.
Pellets that hit ribs on entry did significant damage to lungs and those that passed between ribs were lodged under the hide on the off side.
YMMV

Paul Harrel, is that you?

 

[CJ6]

What does AT DISTANCE mean to you ? In younger years we used to fox hunt with 00 and switched to #4 buck (better patterning) even then a 100 yard shot was pushing it.

 

[wasskeet]

Years ago I spent quite a bit patterning every type of buckshot (00 and #1) I could get out of every choke type (screw ins'). I found that if I wanted anything that resembled a pattern - #1 buck beat 00 every time. The approx. .030" smaller pellet of #1 put more pellets in the zone and #1 gets more total weight of pellets in the shell. Best of my memory this was at 30 yards. YMMV

 

[mongo chicago]

mongo , do you reload for 12ga?

No, I don't reload any 12 ga. ammunition.

 

[762willdo]

#4 is better for in home self defense……

 

[centerlineseal]

Just picked up a nearly "new in box" Browning BPS from the early '80s with a 3" chamber. Two barrels, ... 22" and 28". 22" seems perfect for home defense.

While I can reload 12 gauge, I haven't for 30 years because it got so cheap to just buy factory. (Not the case any more).

Now I want to work up some 3" loads.

Did "Lee" ever make their "handloader" product for 3" 12 gauge, or must I find a Mec or Pacific for 3".

Anyone reload 3" out there with some guidance?

 

[TrapperBR549]

Just picked up a nearly "new in box" Browning BPS from the early '80s with a 3" chamber. Two barrels, ... 22" and 28". 22" seems perfect for home defense.

While I can reload 12 gauge, I haven't for 30 years because it got so cheap to just buy factory. (Not the case any more).

Now I want to work up some 3" loads.

Did "Lee" ever make their "handloader" product for 3" 12 gauge, or must I find a Mec or Pacific for 3".

Anyone reload 3" out there with some guidance?

The "load all" press does 2 3/4 and 3".
The hand tools I believe were length specific. The last time I checked on ebay they were as expensive as a mec jr though.

 

[mike mccormick]

#4 is better for in home self defense……

For in the home, a trap load beats all else. Less worry of going through walls and into a loved one. Within several yards, which is about all you have, a 1-1/8 load of 7- 1/2s is a meat grinder.

 

[ebb]

Shotguns used for deer hunting in south and central Florida is way more popular than a rifle, probably like 3 out of 4. I've never heard of a deer kill at more than 75 yards. And i suspect that is stretching it a little. I shot one a long way off but I was so into shooting to kill I never even thought to judge the distance.

 

[ebb]

When I was recuperating from back surgery, I bought a press and did some research. I think it was Lyman that had a bunch of good info. One thing that sticks is they said that high brass shells were not needed for buckshot loads. The part I read said that changing the shot column from a published load could cause pressure spikes.

 

[Orr89rocz]

I havent tried loading them but i used #4 buck factory rounds. 3.5” 12 ga. Patterned well to nearly 50 yards with a Kick’s Buck kicker choke. Xfull. Used to fox/coyote hunt with it