Buck shot question
- Thread starter rem74283
- Start date
TheCoachZed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I'd have no worries at all about using 20 gauge buck for deer, as long as I could put enough pellets in the vitals at the range I was shooting. Wouldn't want to use it to shoot running deer, but it's certainly capable of it, just like any other gun, if the user is up to it. Most aren't, though!
Shooting a moving deer is risky, but of course most hunters have done it or seen it done. They've also seen what goes wrong if you screw it up.
The beauty of buckshot is that you can put it in any old shotgun, even a single shot with a bead sight, and it will work very well inside its parameters. The most affordable way to start deer hunting, and in my opinion, the best, as you've got to learn a lot of other useful skills to compensate for the lack of range. Same as bowhunting, but with less silliness.
Shooting a moving deer is risky, but of course most hunters have done it or seen it done. They've also seen what goes wrong if you screw it up.
The beauty of buckshot is that you can put it in any old shotgun, even a single shot with a bead sight, and it will work very well inside its parameters. The most affordable way to start deer hunting, and in my opinion, the best, as you've got to learn a lot of other useful skills to compensate for the lack of range. Same as bowhunting, but with less silliness.
Interesting to see this post still going strong.
I don't know if I clarified before or not but my intention with the 20g was to have a short range backup gun for if I decide to sit against a tree in a denser part of the bush where we don't have stands set up. I have a 12g with a rifled barrel that I use in the stands.
From what I'm reading it sounds like buckshot from a 20g would be good inside 25yards. Which in the areas I'm thinking would be about the max I could shoot before hitting a tree or thick bush.
I don't know if I clarified before or not but my intention with the 20g was to have a short range backup gun for if I decide to sit against a tree in a denser part of the bush where we don't have stands set up. I have a 12g with a rifled barrel that I use in the stands.
From what I'm reading it sounds like buckshot from a 20g would be good inside 25yards. Which in the areas I'm thinking would be about the max I could shoot before hitting a tree or thick bush.
In Ontario though you need #1 Buck or larger, this is very hard to find, I cannot find any. I have some #1 Buck 16ga but I have not seen anything larger than #3 Buck in gun stores.
With the 20 gauge in mind I've used slugs and always found the deer I shot. I've never used a pellet load out of a 20 gauge on deer. It can be done but a proper shell and load would be needed within close range. With the 12 gauge I've used slugs, sabots and SSG. They are all effective and with an SSG or 00 buck and possibly a 000 buck load, I would keep the distance to about 25 yards.
My only experience with buckshot was with a tasty little 3pt yard buck shot at 2 paces while hunkered in the chicken shed with a board knocked of of the wall, very effective! Not sure i would want to hit anything past 35-40 yards tho , slugs just do such a damn good job
