Tested some buckshot and slugs in my new Browning BPS

J

JW85

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Had a chance to get into a 20m indoor range to test some loads in my new BPS shotgun. The BPS was bought from a forum member and is equipped with a 22" and 28" barrel /w Invector Plus Chokes. I also added a Briley +2 magazine extension and a Burris Fastfire III 8 MOA red-dot.



I used the 22" barrel for today with IMP choke except using a rifled choke where indicated.

My tests were of some buckshot and slugs I had picked up for testing. First up was the buckshot:


Tested loads were:
Hornady Varmint Express 24-pellet #4 buck (with versatite wad) (red)
Federal "Shorty" #4 buck 16-pellet (green)
Federal Powershok 9-pellet #00 buck (blue)

Loads were tested at 5 meters, 10 meters and 15 meters range. For reference, each of the black circles is 2-1/4" in diameter.

First up, 5-meters:


Now 10-meters:


And 15-meters:


The Federal Mini of-course had less recoil than the others but the others were manageable (especially standing compared to sitting like I did for the slugs next). The Hornady had the overall best density. Overall spread extreme didn't vary so much between the loads but it seemed like the Hornady really concentrated shot towards the center of it's pattern compared to the others.

I also tested some slugs for accuracy:


I tested:
Score Low-Recoil
Aguila Mini-Slugs
S&B Olympic

I tested a 4-shot group with each slug at 20m, with IMP choke and also a Carlson's Rifled Choke. Here are the results:

Score Low-Recoil:


Aguila Mini-Slugs


S&B Olympic:


Interpretation:
I am not 100% sure on which marks on the mini-slugs are from the cup. The slugs don't produce the characteristic bumpy edge of the Benneke style slugs in the other two loads.

My feeling is that the S&B slugs are quite consistent. They shot well with both chokes. Though I did have one of the S&Bs hang in the action a little, needing a strong pull to dislodge it.

I'm not seeing much benefit to the rifled choke in this test. If anything the results may be slightly worse. A couple considerations though:
My site is an 8MOA red dot, not exactly the final word in precision. Some recoil fatique may have been setting in at this point even with the low-recoil slugs due to a somewhat awkward seated position.

My feeling is that I will probably not bother with the mini-slugs anymore. They feed ok in the BPS if I cycle quickly but if I'm not diligent they can get spun around. The extra capacity is not necessary for me and they actually cost the same or slightly more than the other options.

Soon I will get out to 50 yards and compare the S&Bs and Scores again with both chokes to determine my overall pick.
 
brybenn said:
Id like to see the hornady buck load at 50 yards.
Click to expand...

I'll be curious to stretch out the Hornady as well. It's 24 pellet which I believe is on the lower end for #4B in a 2-3/4" load but the density it achieves is impressive.

At 15m just shy of 80% of the shot went into a circle a little tighter than 4".
 
when i tried the hornady buckshot at 50 yds i tried the 00buck. also tried the coyote BB loads. i found a mod choke tube gave better percentages for both the 00buck and the BB loads. those were 3" loads with the versitite wads
 
5 , 10 , and 15 meters really doesn't tell you much. ....... 30 , 40 and 50 meters would give you information that you couid actualy use in realistic hunting scenarios. Even if you dont plan on ever hunting , take a few steps back . 5 meters is almost fisticuff range ! Just use a long stick. Kudos though , for being curious , and preforming the tests. Your on the right track.
 
I was looking at older stuff and this thread caught my eye. I'd just watched a Paul Harrell vid about smoothbore vs rifled barrels,and Foster vs sabot, then Buffalo's Outdoors vid of Fosters thru a rifled choke at 50 yds. Buffalo had a 4 + flier at 3/4" with the rifled choke, after about 6" group w/ Open choke. If I was hunting deer with a slug, I'd put in the rifled choke - s/b good out towards 75 yds or so and still have a good clean hit ? I tried some LowRecoil slugs last Fall and thru my 14" Cyl Choked Hatsan (just w/bead, no scope) I was getting ca. 4" at 50 and 8-10" at 100. Didn't have other rounds that day.
 
every shotgun is going to be different. only way is to try the loads. i did a fair bit of testing with a couple shotguns. tried to write it down so i can know when i use each type of shell what to expect. i did have a few aftermarket chokes too. takes some time and money but it is worth it to me.
 
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