Gorse said it pretty well...if you use buckshot you want a good percentage of pellets in a 10-12" circle...my gun patterns 8-9 which is a little rmore than 50% of the load 3" 00(15 pellets) its great for close range...if you are talking longer distances..lets say 50-100 yards than slugs is what you should definately use...my father shoots a slug gun most of the time and it shoots great he only uses 2.75 in.lightfield hybred exp...and theywork great...