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?

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

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

buckshot at 30 yards on deer is devastating

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.

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)?

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?

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

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.

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.