If you can group like that with slugs, use them. That said, buckshot does have its uses, such as thick cover, running deer, et cetera, but for stand hunting I would go with the slugs.

"We do not inherit our wildlife from our fathers, we only borrow it from our children."

I'd have to take the 30-30 over the 12 ga. in this situation. The 30-30 is a great brush gun b/c of it's small size and ease of handling. That's what I take when I go into the thick stuff and shots are the same range.

If you were sure of your accuracy w/ the 12 though, and shots weren't going to be longer than what you're used to shooting, it's hard to beat a 12 ga. slug and I might take that instead.

I use the exact setup as you do with the
exception of a low power 2-7x scope on my
30-30. I live in Florida where most shots
are well under 100 yards and most of those
are less than 50. Use the 30-30. You never
know when you'll need that extra 25 yards.
I only use the mossberg when hunting no rifle
areas. I like the low power scope on the 30-30
to pick holes through the brush.

How many of the folks here that are knocking buckshot have ever used it properly or at all?

Buckshot used within 45 yards is excellent for deer, I prefer slugs myself, but myself and all my relatives over the years have killed a ton of deer with buckshot, 95% of them did not require a follow up shot.

The only people I have ever seen knock buckshot were fools who were taking shots at 60 yards or more and wondering why the deer keep going! Do not get me wrong, buckshot can work out to maybe 70 yards, but it is a low percentage shot at that distance, 45 yards or less it is hard to beat.

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Founder and President of
Virginia Disabled Outdoorsmen Club

chance of running into a large hog at close quarters in thick cover?

never been there but I would want the slug gun in my hands...you simply cannot beat the knockdown power of a 1oz slug at close range. I shoot 1.25 oz lightfield sabot slugs thru my rifled barrel on my 870 and it really is overkill for deer sized game. Most times theyre dead b4 they even hit the ground.

to put it in some perspective

your 30-30 = 150 gr bullet at 2390fps = 1902 ftlbs energy

2 3/4" 1oz slug = 438 gr bullet at 1560fps = 2366 ftlbs energy

3" 1oz slug = 438 gr bullet at 1760fps = 3012 ftlbs energy

lightfield 1.25oz slug = 547 grain bullet at ? fps and ? energy

all those number are at the muzzle of the gun...slugs loose speed quickly so the 30-30 will catch up and pass the shotguns somewhere about the 75 yard mark but as you can see the 3" slug has over 1100 ftlbs more energy at the muzzle. I believe they say that the minimum enery for downing a whitetail is 1000 ftlbs. LOL well not only does the 3" slug have THREE times that at the muzzle .... it has 1100 more than the 3030 so it has enuff to cleanly kill a deer with just the extra it has over the 30-30 lol

the 1.25oz lightfield numbers would only be even bigger yet but I dont know them....the other numbers I dont guarantee to be 1000% accurate but I pulled them from the remington website

** I almost got him but I refuse to take a marginal shot **

Tazman,
Just so everyone knows, what is the proper way to use buckshot?

Also, I don't think they make a 3" rifled slug. All I've seen in 3" sabot slugs.

"Hey ya'll, watch this"

break down and purchase a rifled barrel for the slug gun, in combination with the new winchester supreme gold partition slug it is most impressive.

oh yah believe me and my shoulder when I tell ya they make 3" rifled slugs lol

http://www.remington.com/ammo/shotshell/slugger.htm

** I almost got him but I refuse to take a marginal shot **

Kodiak, generaly I will use buckshot when I know that I will not have a shot longer than 45 yards, they shoot just like regular shot and are pretty good at getting through light brush. I do not reccomend them to shoot through brush, but if you have a shot that is 90-95% clear with a few light pieces of brush you stand a far better chance of getting the majority of the shot through without any deflection. Please do not get in my case saying that you should not shoot through brush, I whole heartedly agree, but if it is light brush and you feel you have an opening it gives you that extra confidence of a good clean hit, where as with a rifle or slug one twig can throw it off.

Buck shot is deadly, it is like shooting a deer 9-15 times with a small caliber rifle in a small area.

The Tazman aka Martin Price
Founder and President of
Virginia Disabled Outdoorsmen Club

I'm not going to get on your case for shooting through brush, you're experienced enough to know what buckshot can or can't do. That's why I asked for your advice. I figured buckshot would be at it's best for stand hunting, that's the only way I've ever used it. I feel uncomfortable shooting at a running deer, but if it's in open country and the shots are close enough, or on drives, buckshot with open sights are a mean combo.I always used a full choke when using buckshot to get the most accurate pattern. What do most people use?

I still don't know if the 170 grain silvertip bullets would do better than the 150 grain power points for the 30-30. I think the 170's are what most elk hunters use with a 30-30.Maybe too much controlled delayed expantion for deer?



"Hey ya'll, watch this"