BUCKSHOT

[MECHE]

what is the best type of buckshot to use?

[Tenpoint]

I'm not a big fan of buck shot. If you use it you really should know your maximum range and stick to it. I'd go with a "00" or "000" with 10 to 20 pellets.

Tenpoint

[deerhunter4life]

00 or 000 for BB size.
Which ever brand buckshot patterns best is the one to use.
I am with Tenpoint and am not a real fan of it.
Do NOT try to push your shots as far as range is concerned, 40 yards should be about maximum energywise, but your pattern may limit that range even more.
I would want to put at least 3-4 BB's consistantly in the kill zone.

[RMc]

BB shot is .18 in diameter.

Buckshot sizes run:

#4B - .24
#3B - .25
#2B - .27
#1B - .30
#0B - .32
#00B - .33
#000B- .35
Dixie Tri-Ball - .60

[HossBuckMaster]

00 Buck out of a remington 12 guage has dropped every deer I've shot in it's tracks. I've shot deer from 10 to nearly 50 yards and haven't had a problem at all.

[bambeklr]

You can keep the stuff. There is nothing you can do with buckshot that you cant do with a slug!!! I have killed deer with it. But your range is minimal. Dont try to shoot past 40 yards with it. Your pattern suffers sevearly after that distance. I am not saying you cant kill one past it. I just dont think it is fair to the animal.

[Tony204ing]

There is nothing you can do with buckshot that you cant do with a slug!!!

No better way to put it.

[cjg]

There is nothing you can do with buckshot that you cant do with a slug!!!

No better way to put it.

How about hunt in an area that is buckshot only? Slugs not allowed.

[ironhead]

Wow,,,its illegal here to use buckshot.

[almaink]

I use O buck and have dropped ever deer I have shot in it's tracks. I keep all my shot inside of 40 yards tho... Find out what type and size patterns best from your gun, for me it was O buck.

[Tony204ing]

I have never heard of a buckshot only place. but i suppose im going to now.

[CajunBass]

I have never heard of a buckshot only place. but i suppose im going to now.

Yep. You sure are. There are a lot of places in Virginia that are buckshot only, and even more hunt clubs that limit you to buckshot only. Close standers, small pieces of woods to hunt, flat terrain, heavy cutover/swamp, tradition..all combine to make for "buckshot only" rules.

I've never killed a deer with anything but buckshot. I've never even seen but two deer that were killed with anything else. One with a 30/30 rifle, and one with a slug. I've seen hundreds that were killed with buckshot.

Buckshot is as good as anything else when used within it's limitations, same as a rifle or a slug. Yes, it will cripple when people try to stretch the range, but so will rifles and slugs. Those two just happen to have a longer range to work with.

As stated above you have to know your gun. You wouldn't hunt with a rifle you hadn't sighted in, you shouldn't hunt with a shotgun you haven't checked out with buckshot either.

Personally I like Number 1 buck (12 ga), usually Remington, but the brand really isn't too important to me. Number 1 is the best compromise between number of shot (24/21 in a 3"/2 3/4" magnum shell) and size of the shot (.30) in my opinion. Longest shot I've ever made with 3" Number 1 was about 35-40 yards. Took a couple of shots, but the deer went down. I've never had a one shot kill, but I've never had to shoot but one more than twice. I've never lost one either. Every deer I ever shot at, went down and stayed down. (The closest one I ever shot was about ten yards.)

I've never killed a deer with 000, but the ones I've seen killed with it dropped like they'd been hit by lightening. 000 breaks bones like matchsticks. I think I've seen one deer killed with 00. The group I hunted with, no one seemed to like it for some reason. I don't think I've ever seen one killed with Number 4. I have known people to use it for the first shot, in case a turkey showed up, but from what I saw, that meant they didn't kill a deer or a turkey.

[cjg]

I have never heard of a buckshot only place. but i suppose im going to now.

I guess you don't know everything.

[NewEngland hunter]

I have been using a Nitro Co. 10gauge 14pellet 000 load for a couple of years now and have never had to shoot more than once to put a deer on the ground yet. I have had to walk up to a few and finish the job but I have also had to do the same with my slug gun and my muzzleloader. Like others have posted on this thread you MUST take some time and pattern your gun and have the discipline to keep the shots under 50 yards. Buckshot is a great performer when used as it was intended for, up close!!

[Runner]

I've used my 3.5 inch Mossberg 835 to kill a good many whitetails, using copper-plated 00 buckshot. I've also taken at least 20 black bears with that same load. I use the factory "full" choke. I've lost count how many coyotes I've killed over the years with buckshot. I usually use #4 buckshot for coyotes and have killed them at out to 70 yards or more. I like to keep shots at deer and bear in close and can't recall the last time I had to bloodtrail one.

There are several towns in Vermont that prohibit both rifles and shotgun slugs and allow only shotguns with buckshot during firearm deer seasons. Montpelier is one.

Buckshot from a quality shotgun and in the hands of an experienced hunter is as deadly a combination as exists. Anyone who doubts this needs a little more time in the woods, or at the range.

-Runner

[animalstastegood]

this past shotgun season i took a shot at a nice buck at 35-40 yards with a slug and somehow i missed so i fired the next shot and the deer dropped thanks to the buckshot i use buck shot for a few things like when you are walking in thick brush or timber and also when that big boy comes running by you and doesent stop you should be able to drop em with a buck shot and therefore a slug would be hard to get a shot

[NewEngland hunter]

Took my 13year old on his first deer hunt with dog's in Va. this year. He was using my double 20 gauge. 3" shells with #2 buck. He took a nice doe (100+lbs) at a range of 35yds. He fired both barrels and she never got up. Again buckshot is a great performer when used at close range. I had to talk him through the shot as we saw her at 70 yds and told him to hold the shot until she got much closer. The doe was not running nor was she walking just loping along to get out of the piece the dogs were pushing. His first shot stopped her completly and the second shot dropped her in her tracks. We had a great time in Va. and cannot wait until next year!!

[Runner]

Glad you had some luck NEHunter! Great to see a kid get their first taste of success, isn't it? I've been a part of a few of those, over the years and I never tire of it!
-Runner

[miassmaro98]

so whats the best choke to use for 00 buck?

[Runner]

In my Mossberg 835 (Ulti-Mag) I've found that the factory "full" choke works best. I would never advise using a choke any tighter than that either. Buckshot tends to flat out ruin a turkey choke, for instance. It'll all depend on the particular gun though, as far as which patterns best. I've seen some shotguns that got better groups with a modified choke. Tighter isn't always better, even when it comes to chokes for bird shot, in some shotguns.

-Runner

[miassmaro98]

that's why you shoot untill you find your gun's best choke

[Runner]

Correct. And it isn't just chokes either, but various brands of ammo as well. All factors will play a role. It's just trial & error until you find the load and choke your particular shotgun "likes".
This holds true for hunting rounds in high-powered rifles as well. I have an older Ruger M77 in .243 Win, for instance, that simply loves the old Federal "Classic" 100 grain PSP factory rounds. It'll shoot incredible groups with that load, yet won't shoot well at all (IMO) with other 100 grain loads from other companies.

-Runner