BS pattern
- Thread starter Cgfns
- Start date
Through a cylinder bore it's usually around 1" per yard. There are some special wads that really help but the cheap buckshot wont usually have these. I've tried it out to 50yds and it's around 4'.
Different chokes will of course have different effects on the pattern.
I generally only use buckshot for shooting crap and having fun. If I ever used a shotgun hunting I'd use a slug for anything big enough to warrant buckshot.
I wouldn't use buckshot for anything past 25yds except just to see if it'll hit anything. Even with a full choke you're still going to have at least a 12" pattern.
I've used the Remington 18 pellet 3.5" shells. The recoil is punishing for more than a shots or two and it patterns the same as the 8 or 9 pellet loads; just more holes in the same area.
Different chokes will of course have different effects on the pattern.
I generally only use buckshot for shooting crap and having fun. If I ever used a shotgun hunting I'd use a slug for anything big enough to warrant buckshot.
I wouldn't use buckshot for anything past 25yds except just to see if it'll hit anything. Even with a full choke you're still going to have at least a 12" pattern.
I've used the Remington 18 pellet 3.5" shells. The recoil is punishing for more than a shots or two and it patterns the same as the 8 or 9 pellet loads; just more holes in the same area.
I buck the trend and shoot my buckshot (00) from a full choke - just patterned better (and I tried I/C, Mod, Imp Mod as well).
I pattern at 25 yards on a deer sized target (looking for minimally 4 pellets through the vitals) and never shot beyond 25 yards at a deer.
I personally wouldn't pull the trigger on a 3 1/2" shell - if I wanted to get kicked that hard I would choose the mule over the 12 gauge
and if you are already "shy" of pulling the trigger, your pattern really goes in the crapper.
Typically I would shoot 2 3/4 Fed 00 (9 Pellet) but have also shot Winchester 3" 15 pellet (and that thumped hard enough that it knocked me over on one occassion - crouched down on a slight downward incline and I'm 6'1"/200 lbs so not a "little guy").
And agree, it really is an "up close and personal" load regardless of the pellet count. I use it in shotgun areas, (normally) hunting with dogs in relatively dense bush or from my bowstand in short shooting lanes.
If you really plan on "long term" shotgun hunting it would be worth your while to get a rifled barrel and use some of the newest sabot's on the market (which thump as well, but give you range and accuracy)
I pattern at 25 yards on a deer sized target (looking for minimally 4 pellets through the vitals) and never shot beyond 25 yards at a deer.
I personally wouldn't pull the trigger on a 3 1/2" shell - if I wanted to get kicked that hard I would choose the mule over the 12 gauge
and if you are already "shy" of pulling the trigger, your pattern really goes in the crapper.Typically I would shoot 2 3/4 Fed 00 (9 Pellet) but have also shot Winchester 3" 15 pellet (and that thumped hard enough that it knocked me over on one occassion - crouched down on a slight downward incline and I'm 6'1"/200 lbs so not a "little guy").
And agree, it really is an "up close and personal" load regardless of the pellet count. I use it in shotgun areas, (normally) hunting with dogs in relatively dense bush or from my bowstand in short shooting lanes.
If you really plan on "long term" shotgun hunting it would be worth your while to get a rifled barrel and use some of the newest sabot's on the market (which thump as well, but give you range and accuracy)
Pietro Beretta
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Ontario (G.T.A.)
It's a thing of beauty. Many years ago I owned a NIB Remington 870 Express Super- Magnum in 3 1/2 " chamber .....it had a 30" barrel with modified or full chock...can't remember. I load it with Rem Express 00 Buckshot with 18 pellets .....WOW, what a massive payload to launch out. I fired at a large pizza box at roughly 30 yards, and all 18 pellets were in a nice tight pattern....I was VERY impressed.
