Qualifying w/a 20 gauge shotgun buckshot size?

[vadeer]

My daughter must qualify for a managed deer hunt using a 20 gauge shotgun. To qualify, she must fire from an off-hand position, one shot at a 14"� square target at 25 yards and obtain a passing score of at least one of the following: 7 pellets using#3 buckshot; 6 pellets using #2 buckshot; 5 pellets using#1 buckshot; 4 pellets using#0 and #00; or3 pellets using#000. What size shot do you recommend for a 12 year old to handle and also ethically kill her firstdeer?

[hr]

[Follower]

Vadeer, right off the bat, unless you are going to reload your own shells, I don't think you can find factory 0, 00, or 000 buckshot loads for a 20 gauge. So that cuts down your choices right there. Other than that, I would probably use the largest buckshot round available. I have personally never used any buckshot smaller than 00 for deer. Here in Idaho, buckshot must be 00 or larger. Good luck.

[BKE]

First off I'm sure you really want to get her qualified and it's great that she is wanting to get into the woods with you. IMO you need to have her shooting the same load that she is going to hunt with and also one that is legal in your state. Some of those sound awfully smallto ensure a good/ethical kill. I agree with Follower on the 00, is a slug an option for you? Good luck

[vadeer]

Thank Guys. The state won't allow slugs on this location, just shot.
I'll go with the largest 20 ga I can find. Assumingit is #1 size,what is a reasonable effective shootingrange for shooting,30-40 yards?

[mauser06]

pattern the gun with shells and chokes you can find and see what the gun shoots the best. get it shooting dead center and pass the test yourself...then let her shoot and get used to it so she can do it.

not sure of your daughters age...but a magnum load through a 20ga is going to give a good thumpin...so thats why i say you do the shootin till you find the load and choke combo the gun likes...can get kinda expensive..but buckshot can be had in 5rd boxes so it shouldnt be bad...and finding a killing load should be #1 on the list of things to do....even more so being she has to qualify...

good luck

[nchawkeye]

Vadeer...Growing up in Gates County, I have killed a ton of deer with buckshot, #1 is fine out to 40 yards or so and it's what my 12 gauge 2 3/4 gun prefers, I don't move up to 00 until I get to my 3 inch mag...

First, I would start with Winchester Supreme loads they are the most consistant in guns that I have patterned, 2nd would be Federal Supremes..
When I pattern a shotgun I take a newspaper, open it just like you are going to read it and staple it on a target board....Next I put a 8 1/2 x 11 piece of paper, on the horizontal right in the middle (you will want to use a 14x14 piece for this)....Now put an Improved Choke in the gun, back up 25 steps and shoot dead center into that target....Examine and see if your pattern is centered...If not you probably need to change brands or if a vent rib put a set of sights on the rib....If the pattern is centered and you have
5 pellets in the target, I'd mark the holes and shoot the same target again.

If you don't have a good pattern, move to a Modified choke and then a Full, buckshot is funny, usually you get the best patterns with the more open chokes....If no choke does well with that brand of ammo, move to the next brand, just like finding what your centerfire likes, it's trial and error...Those figures are not unrealistic as to pellets in target, my standard is 4-5 into a 8 1/2 x 11 at 40 yards with my 12 gauge....

You get her where she can put 4-5 pellets into the lungs of a deer inside of 40 yards and that deer will not go far...