School me on buckshot

**rodandgun83** · 10-23-2014, 02:16 PM

I have a ton of it. I know nothing about it. Does the barrel need to be rifled or can it be shot out of a smooth barrel? Can a extended waterfowl choke be used or just factory choke? What choke is recommended?

**rodandgun83** · 10-23-2014, 02:17 PM

Its all 00 if that matters

**jws** · 10-23-2014, 02:17 PM

Smooth barrel. I just shoot through a factory full.

**ReelHard** · 10-23-2014, 02:18 PM

It does not need to be rifled. I wouldn't recommend using a waterfowl choke. I use my factory full choke that came with my gun. I like 3in 00Buck

**davisd9** · 10-23-2014, 02:19 PM

Limit shots to 50 yards and under.

**rodandgun83** · 10-23-2014, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by davisd9

Limit shots to 50 yards and under.

Point taken. Actually that why I was wondering about it. Where I'm hunting now due to the foliage all shots are 50yards or less.

**WoodieSC** · 10-23-2014, 02:38 PM

I've always used a Mod or IC choke, depending on the expected target distance. I know a lot of guys use the Full chokes, I just don't like putting that large an object through one, even though it's lead. Now that I have them I'd more likely use an Improved Mod for open areas, and maybe even a Rifled tube for tight woods to open up the pattern.

I'd have to so some patterning to make the decision.

**Mobetter** · 10-23-2014, 02:43 PM

http://www.theboxotruth.com/the-box-...hotgun-barrel/

**Simple Man** · 10-23-2014, 02:51 PM

3" #1 buck IC - smooth bore.

But I'm not dog drivin' man. I'd like to see the take of some of the lowcountry guys that have kilt lots of deer in front of dogs.

**BigBrother** · 10-23-2014, 02:53 PM

I use a turkey choke and 3" 00.

I keep them all on a pie plate at 40 yds.

**WoodieSC** · 10-23-2014, 02:57 PM

Originally Posted by Mobetter

http://www.theboxotruth.com/the-box-...hotgun-barrel/

Great link, Mobetter. I knew the rifled choke would open up the pattern, but that article shows it opened up about twice what I expected. So it might be a good tube to keep in a home defense shotgun, depending on how large your rooms are, but not for deer hunting unless you're crawling through the brambles.

On the other hand, it might be just the ticket for following up on a wounded hog in the brush.

Thanks!

**walt4dun** · 10-23-2014, 02:59 PM

Im not buckshot expert but I'd advise against using a rifled choke.

It will up your pattern dramatically and throw a "ring" pattern. When I tried it in a 20" 870, I could barely keep all the pellets center mass on man size silhouette at 7 yds.

**walt4dun** · 10-23-2014, 03:01 PM

Yes, my results where just like the box o truth link. Didnt see it before I posted.

**riverrat8991** · 10-23-2014, 03:36 PM

Put your factory full in and roll with it. Stuff will put a hurting ona deer inside of 50 yards

**JBK** · 10-23-2014, 03:47 PM

If you are serious about buck shot look at a Carlson's buck shot tube. You might luck up with a decent pattern with a factory tube, but my results were dramatic with multiple guns and shell and shot in all sizes.

**beanhunter** · 10-23-2014, 03:56 PM

I have killed about 90 percent of my deer w buckshot. I've killed them from five feet to 100 yards. Hands down favorite is 3" number four buck and factory full.

Btw I need to arrange pick up w you.

**Bad Habit** · 10-23-2014, 04:45 PM

I have tested for patterns with 00 buckshot.
Benelli - improved modified factory is best( only tested factory for Benelli)
Remington factory modified and factory full shoot same size pattern but full shoots a doughnut. Kicks buck kicker for 00 beats all of them and reduces recoil a slight amount.

**ktownduckhunter** · 10-23-2014, 05:05 PM

Key thing.....pattern it, buy some chokes, get different kind of buckshot and shoot shoot shoot, till U find the best pattern. Shoot different buckshot through all the chokes.