Setting up my shotgun for deer

[DRice.72]

I'm going to be hunting on a private farm this year and the owners stipulate I only use buckshot. I have never hunted deer with a shotgun, or even tried shooting buckshot. I know I need to pattern my gun at different distances to see the effective knock down range. What I'm curious to find out is what are you guys using or have used? also what is a good range to try to set up in? I have also read different opinions on where to shoot a deer with buck shot. Some say heart and lungs, others say head and neck is better.

I'll be hunting out of tree stands so I will be able to wait for a close shot.

My gun is a Stevens Savage 12 ga. model 77D pump. It has an adjustable choke going open, modified, and full choke.

Any advise is appreciated.

[RICHARDCatdaddy]

Bad idea.You shouldnt use buckshot to deer hunt.Too much risk of just wounding it.Slugs.I understand the owners said buckshot only,my advice and nothng is find another place to hunt so you can besure of a killing shot with slugs.

[backwoodsman]

If you've got no choice then you have no choice but be very careful, buckshot isnt very reliable as a deer round. Bow range, sometimes less. Try several different brands, sizes, shell lengths. Full choke usually is best but thats not a certain. No.00, no.000 and no.4 buck are the most popular from one's Ive talked to. Ive used it for coyotes but its really iffy for deer. Slugs are alot better if you can talk them into those?

[cjg]

People have been killing deer for years with buck shot, I'm sure a lot have also been wounded and they don't leave much of a blood trail. Pattern your gun and see what shoots best, I always used 00, but my friend swore by #2. Limit your shots to within 30 or 40 yards and pick your shots and you'll be fine. Don't get in the mindset that because it's a shotgun with multiple projectiles you can just go blasting away, taking hip shots at running deer and they are all going down.

[Tenpoint]

Limit your shots to within 30 or 40 yards and pick your shots and you'll be fine. Don't get in the mindset that because it's a shotgun with multiple projectiles you can just go blasting away, taking hip shots at running deer and they are all going down.

Good advise there. You can kill deer effectively with buckshot, just make sure you know your range. In my opinion, a heart/lung shot is alway what you want to look for.

Tenpoint

[DRice.72]

Can I shoot slugs through this gun? Its a has the savage super choke. I can set it for cylinder, improved cylinder, modified, full. My concern is that the barrel is vented for about three inches between the end of the barrel and where the choke is located.

This is my fathers gun and I have not shot it in about twenty years. Being that the case too, I have no idea what the choke is set on now, or if I change it, how I know what I'm setting it too.

Ugh, its early. There is a muzzle break before the choke, not a vented space thingy..LOL!

[backwoodsman]

Years ago I had an old Wichester 1200 with a Poly choke. You turned it to the choke you wanted, slug, imp.cyl.,mod., full. I shot slugs thru the slug and imp. cyl. and both did fine. The imp cyl setting also shot birdshot fine so I left it on that for combo deer/bird hunts. Alot of quail and snipe/rail for the camp supper came from that gun. I'd imagine yours would shoot them good too. You can always ask a gunsmith what he thinks too. Only problem I can see is a sighting system, a bead on the barrel isnt too good out past 30 yards. Does it have a vent rib? There is sets of rifle sights you can buy for vent ribbed guns. Either glue on or screw/clamp on that would help.

[DRice.72]

Thanks for the replies. I know where to start now!