I purchased some Federal 3 1/2" #1 Buck this morning for the upcoming deer season.

In the past, I've always used 00Buck and been very happy, but I thought I'd give #1 a chance this year.

How well does #1 perform compared to 00Buck on deer inside of 40 yds? Does anyone have any experience with it.

thank you, ths78

Have used both, and even #4 buck on smaller southern deer effectively. I think my only issue with #1 would be very large deer. Another point is how well you can pattern 00 in you gun, it can be harder to sight-in in my opinion( open choke / mod or cyl seems best).

Within 40 yards, bothare effective, if they pattern well in your gun...I have killed them with both, and actually prefer #1 in 2 3/4 inch guns, to increase pellet density...I usually use 00 Winchester's in my3 inch Browning, because that's what it prefers.

The issue when you go to pellets smaller than 00 Buck is penetration. Don't even consider a body shot - shoot for the head/neck with #1 or #4.

that's what i've been told. but when i use a shot gun i usually load it with 3 in mag #1 buck. and then use this theory.

I disagree...I have killed a truck load of deer with #1 buck with body shots, out to 40 yards...The secret is to put 3-4 into the lung area...Ribs are relatively easy to penetrate...3-4 #1s in that area kill just as fast as 3-4 00...You do need to pattern your gun, just like you would sight in your rifle with ammo...

Notice the caliber size! I have taken deer with #2 buck!

I've seen a pile of whitetails (some very big bucks) dropped with #4 buck at 40 yards...

The secret is to pattern your shotgun to MAKE SURE it patterns with whatever you use!!

AND aim at the point on the deer where the neck meets the body!!! This will place most of the pellets in the head, neck, heart and lungs.... (depending on the tightness of your pattern at the distance you shoot)

DM

In all honesty, I killed a 200lb 9 pointbuck at over 70yds with #1 buck 3" out of my old Rem. 1100 mag. duck gun, with a 30" full choke. The gun patterned well with that load... The patterning of the gun is most important, but if both 00 an#1 pattern well, I would take the #1's.. The #1 buck is a .30 cal. pellet, and the 00 buck is a .33 cal. pellet. Not a significant difference in size, but with #1's you get a whole lot more pellets especially in the 3.5" chambering... They slamm, just place your shot and he'll go down town!!

Good Luck!!!

Yours truely, "legendary Big Buck Hunter" with over 200+ kills and over 3000 inches of horn on the wall!