Testing Buckshot effectivness
- Thread starter stevejones
- Start date
stevejones
Regular
- Location
- Courtenay, BC
Well...as mentioned I've tested the pattern of my gun out to 50 yards and have no problem with its effectiveness as far as density is concerned. I would still like to see what its penetration is like so I think I will use the a cardboard box filled with wet phone books just to see for myself. Ironically, a week after I tested the Federal Flite Control buckshot I shot the biggest Island deer of my life at 5 yards....Needless to say, pattern density was a none issue.
I've used bundles of newspaper to test for penetration of buckshot. My observation is that many brands have similar penetration, but can group very differently depending on what gun fires it. Buckshot for deer is close range only.
stevejones
Regular
- Location
- Courtenay, BC
Not much left of it but ok lol. I'm not the best photographer so brace yourself...
Need pics of deer ASAP...
stevejones
Regular
- Location
- Courtenay, BC
Like i said,,,Im not a photographer...
I recall reading an article by jack oconnor some years back. after killing many white tailed deer he felt that at least 4 "00buck" pellets in the vital area of a deer was very lethal. less than 4 resulted in unacceptable performance. maximum effective range can be determined accordingly. what ever range that allows one to consistently place at least 4 pellets in a 18" square should be considered max. extending the range beyond this will result in increased chances of wounding/crippling deer. logic suggests to me that hitting the lethal area of a deer with 4 pellets of 00buck is no easier than with a slug. I refuse to use "buckshot" on deer.
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TheCoachZed
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
My weapon of choice for deer hunting is 00 buck, 2 3/4 shell with 9 pellets. At close range, it is devastating. Shot my deer at about 5 yards last year, every pellet passed clean through.
I talked to my friend who hunts deer with a shotgun he has used both slugs and buck shot. I asked him which one worked best he said they both did the same job but buck shot has less range but if he uses buck shot he can hunt in a shot only area and outside it he can use the slug.
He uses a 33 inch barrel side by side shotgun with a modified choke he said the slug has more range then the buck shot but not much more then you can actually shoot and hit something. He did pattern the gun to see how much it spreads out at a given distance it opened up to basket ball size when he hit the deer at 75 yards with a slug he hit 1 at 110 yards anything further he won't take the shot because it's out of range. It comes down to the shooter and how the firearm shoots and knowing were to aim at a given distance. With slugs and buck shot to the chest (lungs heart area) They took 1 step and fell so both work fine.
I just pick a rifle more range easier to hit the target.
He uses a 33 inch barrel side by side shotgun with a modified choke he said the slug has more range then the buck shot but not much more then you can actually shoot and hit something. He did pattern the gun to see how much it spreads out at a given distance it opened up to basket ball size when he hit the deer at 75 yards with a slug he hit 1 at 110 yards anything further he won't take the shot because it's out of range. It comes down to the shooter and how the firearm shoots and knowing were to aim at a given distance. With slugs and buck shot to the chest (lungs heart area) They took 1 step and fell so both work fine.
I just pick a rifle more range easier to hit the target.
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Scientific data aside.....
50m is def the outer limit for humane buckshot use on deer IMO with 25m prolly better.
That would be assuming ALL the pellets are on target
As soon as ALL the pellets aren't on target yer talking about shooting with a 32 cal pistol basically....yes maybe a few times...or even only once ...... not very humane or effective on game bigger than a dog.
For a lot of cylinder bore guns and or bead sited weapons this range is prolly more like ~20m or so......maybe.
Like posted previously....it's pretty much irrelevant what the gelatin tests show.....as soon as ALL the pellets aren't on target buckshot of any configuration is very poor.
Not sayin it won't work....but it's not humane or effective.
Not only does each individual pellet not deliver much energy they don't fly very true as they're deformed when they're loaded and get worse as soon as they leave the muzzle.
NOT a fan here...... Buckshot's only advantage over a single projectile is the increased likelyhood of making hits......lightweight small calibre hits..... not delivering energy.
If ya can't make a hit cuz it's moving too fast and or yer ability....don't shoot....or miss.
Sorry for the rant....not preachin...just categorically against buckshot for harvesting game.
Now for use on Defective humans, close range protection from predators, zombies, varmint control, assaulting on TV's, pumpkins, computers.......hell YA!
One mans opinion.....
50m is def the outer limit for humane buckshot use on deer IMO with 25m prolly better.
That would be assuming ALL the pellets are on target
As soon as ALL the pellets aren't on target yer talking about shooting with a 32 cal pistol basically....yes maybe a few times...or even only once ...... not very humane or effective on game bigger than a dog.
For a lot of cylinder bore guns and or bead sited weapons this range is prolly more like ~20m or so......maybe.
Like posted previously....it's pretty much irrelevant what the gelatin tests show.....as soon as ALL the pellets aren't on target buckshot of any configuration is very poor.
Not sayin it won't work....but it's not humane or effective.
Not only does each individual pellet not deliver much energy they don't fly very true as they're deformed when they're loaded and get worse as soon as they leave the muzzle.
NOT a fan here...... Buckshot's only advantage over a single projectile is the increased likelyhood of making hits......lightweight small calibre hits..... not delivering energy.
If ya can't make a hit cuz it's moving too fast and or yer ability....don't shoot....or miss.
Sorry for the rant....not preachin...just categorically against buckshot for harvesting game.
Now for use on Defective humans, close range protection from predators, zombies, varmint control, assaulting on TV's, pumpkins, computers.......hell YA!
One mans opinion.....
Brutus
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
I agree with the increased effective range of the Flite-Control wad by Federal.
A slight deviation OT, I've used Federal Prairie Storm (uses the same wad) #6 shot & silly me with a full choke barrel while hunting rabbits with my 20 gauge shotgun.
I spotted one about 23 yards away and let him have it, and I aimed slightly over his head, thinking part of the shot pattern will tag him. A clean miss, and further study of the branches confirmed my shot load went just cleanly over the rabbit's head.
"...penetration is like at different ranges..." It's not about that. It's about getting enough pellets into the kill zone.
"...a 30 inch circle..." That's far too big. The kill zone on a deer is about 9".
"...minimum of 6 hits in the vitals..." Out of how many shots fired? And with the Federal ammo, what size shot?
"...a 30 inch circle..." That's far too big. The kill zone on a deer is about 9".
"...minimum of 6 hits in the vitals..." Out of how many shots fired? And with the Federal ammo, what size shot?
antiqueguy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- windsor ontario
considering buckshot has been used for well over 100 years and before foster slugs were even a thought I use it with confidence buck especially big buckshot pellets like open chokes id say don't go tighter then mod I like IC or cylinder bore since my shot of choice is 0000 buck 6 pellets in a 2 3/4" hull killed 2 deer for me no problem.
best use for buckshot is in thick brush BTW
