Buckshot for deer hunting
 

I came across a 1983 browning auto 5 12ga with a 26" fixed modified choke barrel in good condition a few weeks ago while visiting a local pawn shop at a deal I couldn't pass up. So I took it to the house with all plans on using it this upcoming year for deer hunting with buckshot. Before everyone jumps on the (why don't you use slugs wagon), the area I have to hunt is roughly 100 acres of 15 year old cut-over, so it is dog hair thick. My max shots would be probably in the neck of 45-50yds max. I took it out this morning to try and see what type of patterns it would throw. All shells were
2 3/4" as that is all it is chambered for. The targets were 24x21" in size @ 35yds.
Remington 000 8 pellet
7 pellets on paper 1 off paper
4 pellets in a 10" circle
6 pellets in a 18" circle

Remington 00 9 pellet
All 9 pellets on paper
5 in a 10" circle
8 in a 18" circle

Winchester 00 9 pellet
6 pellets on paper 3 off paper
3 pellets in a 10" circle
All 6 fell into the 18" circle

Federal 00 9 pellet
5 pellets on paper 4 off paper
4 in a 10" circle
5 in a 18" circle

Winchester #1 buckshot 16 pel.
9 pellets on paper 7 off
4 in a 10"circle
8 in a 18" circle

I just wanted to see if anyone else has patterned something similar to this set up and if they were getting better, same or worst results with different buckshot loads. Thanks in advance for any help. And I plan on hunting with this shotgun and not having it as a safe queen.

I used buckshot this year for the first time with amazing success, or maybe it just sounds amazing due to the slug "bandwagon". I shot one with a mod choke at about 60 yards, and two with full choke at 40 and 60. The only reason I had a mod in was because I was pheasant hunting the day before and forgot to switch it out. Gotta love a gun you can use for anything :) I would not hesitate to use it in your situation with a mod choke and 00b, all of mine dropped right on the spot!

Edit: Make sure it is legal for your area, I have no idea what your rules are, but in Pa it is illegal in most WMU's

Shotguns and buckshot are not the ideal combo for deer hunting! Will it kill deer? Yes, but so will a claw hammer! Buckshot will work good if you don't stretch the range beyond 50 yards or so! The worst thing about buckshot is that it doesn't expand and if the deer is not DRT you can be in for a long, if not impossible tracking job! I have used buckshot a few times in the past, but I will not use it again! I'd rather have a rifle in ANY legal caliber, than to use buckshot again!

I have killed a couple deer in years past with it in a Remington 11-87 while just out walking thru the woods during deer season. I shot a decent 6 point last year that jumped a creek and stopped about 10 yds from me using the 11-87 with Remington 3" 00. He hit the ground grave yard dead and never knew what hit him. I like shooting the 11-87 but there is no comparison to the way the auto5 shoots.

I used to hunt a bunch of military bases in VA that were buckshot only. It is very effective if you keep the ranges less than 40 yards. think of it as archery distances with a gun. Shoot several brands and see which one groups the tightest in your gun which it seems you have already done. I'd think about going full choke though since you need to smack them with multiple pellets.

This 7 point fell to Win 00 buck.

If you look close you can see where the pellets hit.

I've only shot 4 deer, all of them with cheap "Suprema" 00 buck. Distances from 7ish to 25 yards and they all just fell over dead. It's THICK on the property I hunt and there are no farm crops. Every shot is very close, through small gaps in brush, on walking deer.

Family uses buckshot only when running dogs, very effective and have skinned a few deer and turned out to only find one or two pellets. Try a few loads though as you have, and if not comfortable with results you can always try a few more.

Anybody that says buckshot is no good, probably hasn't seen it used. Keep your ranges close, 40-50 yards max probably, and it's a killer. Would I choose it over a rifle? Nope. But in certain areas with restrictions it works great as long as it's used properly.
-Jake

50 yards is a stretch for buckshot and so is 40 to get any kind of pattern. After 35 yards buckshot really opens up and while you may kill a deer beyond that, the odds are better you would wound it.

Yep, I have seen it used! As I said, I've used it! If you are disciplined enough to use it as Flags said "bow shot range," it will usually drop them DRT. The further you get from bow shot range the more likely they are to run! Chances of finding one that runs is slim!

Looks like that Remington 000 or 00 will do the job...

Also in NC, have deer hunted almost 45 years, grew up in Gates County which is dog hunting territory, have killed many with buckshot...It will do the job when patterned and shots kept in range...(Just like any other weapon)...

It ain't the weapon guys, it's the person behind it.... ;)

Ha, most shooters won't use a shotgun
 

They work very well within their limits. You don't usually take 200 yard shots, and most hunters don't get more than 40 or 50 yard shots.

Had a customer who said he had a shotgun to hunt deer. My ears perked up. This is a hunter, I said to myself. He had family land that was overgrown. Perfect for shotguns.
We went with #4 Buck, a favorite of mine.
Saw him a couple of weeks later. How'd you do? Down like a rock he told me. He was going to hunt for an allowed second deer that weekend.
How I wished I was hunting private land and had the chance for a buckshot shotgun deer.
Of course, I had public land and the overpowering 35 Remington. Down like a rock.

Many hunters don't get to see that.


















3

Ok, so I had some more free time today and tried out some of the same loads except this time using a Remington 870 with a Kicks Buck Kicker choke on a 28" barrel. All shots were 40yds.

Remington 3" 00 15 pellet
13 pellets in a 10" circle and the other 2 pellets missed the 10" circle by about 2".

Winchester 2 3/4" 00 9 pellet
7 pellets in a 10" circle and the 7 pellet group measured 6"x4".

Remington 2 3/4" 00 9 pellet
7 pellets in a 10" circle

Remington 2 3/4" 000 8 pellet
6 pellets in a 10" circle with 5 of those in about a 4" group

It looks like the Remington buckshot loads are going to be the way to go especially in the 3" 00. I was amazed at how tight of a pattern it was holding. I guess the 870 and the Browning Auto 5 both shoot the Remington shells extremely well with the upper hand going to the 870. The only downside to the 870 is the recoil is brutal with the 3" loads.

What is the restriction on that Buck Kicker??? That is impressive!!

You might want to put an adjustable sight on that gun if it has a vent rib...
I use one on my B-80 and use a slug for the first shot and follow up with buckshot
in case the hounds are let loose on my land...

It is their regular Buck Kicker Full choke. Not sure on the actual restriction size. I also want to try the federal 00 with the flitecontrol wad in the browning and see how it preforms.

I am curious on why you are opting for the 3" 00 instead of the 2 3/4 00 listed under. With the groupings your seeing of placement in the 10" ring I would think you would move your consideration of ammo into another category or two. 1. cost per shells, 2. comfort of shooting. If all three fall to the 3" then by all means go for it. I just personally think the 7 pellets will be just as effective as the 13, you also will only have to find 7 (9) when cleaning the deer vs the 13 (15).

I will more likely go with the 2 3/4" just for the simple fact of not having so many different types of shells. I had some of the 3" laying around and decided to test them out. As far as price goes there is less than a dollar difference between the 3" and 2 3/4".

I have a Browning BPS w 30" full...it will throw em real tight at 40yds, with a 3" mag. I haven't used it in years...but its a hammer tool. Agree with the others, shotguns with buckshot if kept in range are deadly.

The only thing that frustrates me about some buckshot users.......my good buddy hunts with dogs, and most of the guys in his club will shoot at running deer at just about any distance that they come by. I can't tell you how many times they unload their guns at a running deer at who knows how far and "miss".

If you have a buck inside 30yds standing still...its gonna fold up like a lawn chair. A gun with a great pattern will do the same at 40. I did kill one many many moons ago at 60, it dropped - but I was very young. I would never have taken that shot had I known any better. It was my first buck, so I was super happy...but in reality, I got real lucky and broke its back.

.695
http://kickshighflyer.com/ASP/buckkicker.asp .

Buckshot
 

I have shot many a deer with 00 and 000 buckshot out to 50 yards with a 12 gauge. Pattern ur gun with differant types of ammo, and use what shoots well in ur gun. Not all ammo will shoot well in one gun. Ive found super x seems to shoot well in all my 4 shotguns from sawed offs, short barrel pumps, to my longer barrel single shots.

What OT said.

I use it in for my home defense, in addition to a number of handguns, but keep in mind, the range is not 35-50 yds, it's 0-25 ft! That's about the furthest I can see in my 5 bedroom home!

Some criticize me for not using it on deer? Never will I! I've seen too many run aways with "maybe I hit em". Slugs in a shotgun for hunting or start bowhunting and know your limits.

I'm very impressed with 4140 taking the time to test multiple loads But I stand by the above. "Spray and pray" with one shot is a poor way to go, restrictions aside(if that's all you can use, use it in the biggest balls you can in 3" form if possible).

REM7600