Has anybody done it or know anyone who has? I've thought about doing a hunt with my 12 gauge but just wanted to get feedback. are you even aloud to use a shotgun out west?

It's legal as far as I know. It would be definatley affective at close range.

A 12 gauge slug will put the hammer down on an elk. We've used them in the past, they're very accurate to 100yds. We normally have a rifled barrel but not always! Here's a cow I called in for my 12 year old nephew on a cow only tag. The shot was 40 yds & a complete passthrough, the elk went 10yds! Here's a picture of him & his dad!

http://www.elknut.com/files/Trevors_cow.jpg

Hey, that's good hunting and good shooting, especially with a shotgunfor a youngster to accomplish!I really enjoyed that picture and I'm saving it to my favorites! Thanks for sharing.

There is nothing the 12 Ga won't kill within its range.

Rebel, I agree! That was theboys first kill with anything, I was standing next to him when the cow finally came from down the hill & presented him with a shot, it took the youngster about 15 sec to take careful aim & slowly squezze freehand. That shotgun about tipped him over.

If you've ever shot 3" mag slugs, you know what I mean!! <grin> Yet the boy never flinched! EKM wouldve been proud of him!! <grin> The shot was perfect & literally knocked the cow off her feet!

ElkNut1

Anyone ever used buckshot? I'm debating using it at very close range. Head shot?

Never used buckshot or taken a headshot. Not that people don't but I would think it would be a lower percentage shot being that an animal's head movements can be unpredictable.

Seems to me I read that it had to be a single slug at least in Ca. and Colorado, I've used buckshot and wasn't satisfied with the results. With a slug out of a 3in mag theres a world of difference.

I wouldn’t worry about a 12ga it will take any game in the world with the right slug (and the right shot) but I would leave the Buckshot to pigs and light medium game.
However that Dixie Tri ball stuff would do quite well at reasonable ranges.