12G / 00 Buckshot / Drop
 

Howdy, I am going to be using a full choke 12G shotgun with 00 buckshot, 2.75" shellsfor deer. I am under the impression that shooting at anything over 30 yards can be risky. I will go practice, but I'm desiring to have several opinions on how to aim at 30 yards? At that distance should the bead be placed at the top of the deers back right behind the shoulder, or should it be aimed directly where you want the hit to be placed. In other words, what kind of pattern drop are we looking at?

RE: 12G / 00 Buckshot / Drop
 

I have seen deer shot at over90 yds with OOOB and drop in their tracks, but as a rule of thumb i try and not shoot a deer over 50yds with buckshot. At 30 yds, usually with a 12 gauge w/full chokegroups all the buckshot within a paper plate-sothere is no dropreally at 30 yds

RE: 12G / 00 Buckshot / Drop
 

I would not use shot.. and I suggest you ensure its even legal where you are as it isnt here (Ohio)

RE: 12G / 00 Buckshot / Drop
 

buckshot at 30 yards on deer is devastating

RE: 12G / 00 Buckshot / Drop
 

There won't be any drop at 30 yards. I've used to shoot buckshot all the time when I lived in a state that allowed it for deer. My shotgun shot it best with a full choke, but you may want to take some other choke tubes with you to the range just in cast your gun likes them better than the full. Also take a few different brands of ammo with you to see which one patterns the best. If your gun patterns tight enough, you may be able to safely shoot astep or twofurther than 30 yards, but when you don't know what kind of actual performance you're going to get, it's best to limit your range. You want all the pattern density that you can get, put up a kill zone sized target and shoot it to see what kind of damage you're going to see on an actual animal, that'll give you an idea of the actual limitations you're looking at.

Buckshot is deadly, but not if you try to force it beyond it's limits.

RE: 12G / 00 Buckshot / Drop
 

This is all great info...thanks As a follow up question, I might be shooting from a platform about 10' up. I've always accounted for that in rifle shot placement. But with buckshot will there be a rise (30 yard shot)?

RE: 12G / 00 Buckshot / Drop
 

Just point and shoot, bro. You'r over-analyzing this.

I've killed deer out to 100 yds with 00 shot in my old 12 ga. It's, no doubt, better to limit your shots to 50-60 yds.

Can you not shoot 3" shells in your gun?

RE: 12G / 00 Buckshot / Drop
 

50-60 is safe! over that is risky but can be done

RE: 12G / 00 Buckshot / Drop
 

That's funny. Your totally correct, I have a bad habit of that. Always over prepared. I guess thats better than just jumping in. Unfortunately I'm stuck with 2.75 shell capacity, but I'm seriously looking into a bolt action with a rifled barrel to shoot sabot slugs.

RE: 12G / 00 Buckshot / Drop
 

Most of the deer I have taken with buckshot were around 50 yards. I never adjusted for the angle of the shot. Buckshot is very easy to use, once you get your set up figured out, and take clear shots (not running at 100 yards through thick brush) all that's left is the processing fee.

RE: 12G / 00 Buckshot / Drop
 

Make sure to pattern your gun before using buckshot. Some guns will shoot tight patterns at 30 yards others will not. Try a few different shells and buckshot sizes. I've had great luck with Federal Copper plated 00 buck

RE: 12G / 00 Buckshot / Drop
 

i dont shoot over 50 with 00 buck shoot but i use 3.00 inch

RE: 12G / 00 Buckshot / Drop
 

Get a box or two of shells and some target paper and see what kind of pattern your gun shoots. All full chokes do not pattern the same. I would try to keep it within 50 yards also.

RE: 12G / 00 Buckshot / Drop
 

You will never know until you shoot YOUR gun with that load. That will tell you where to aim at what distance and what sort of pattern you will get. You could probably extend your range a bit beyond 30 yards though with a full choke, shoot it and see. 40 or so is probably pretty doable but anything beyond 50 with buck shot is just reckless in my opinion. If you are going to shoot that far just use slugs.

Paul

RE: 12G / 00 Buckshot / Drop
 

I am only allowed to use buckshot so I have never killed a deer any other way. This will be my 22 season using buckshot and I am very comfortable shooting out to 50 yards. I have killed deer further but do not like to try it. I use a remington 870 3 1/3 and have a Kicks Industry Buck Kicker choke tube and it really tightens things up and I have patterned good out to 60 yards very constantly.