Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting Buckshot pattern for Deer Hunting

RMLC:

Actually the 6 balls into a 6 inch circle comes from a book written by Sam Fadala. He goes on to describe energy figures and tissue destruction. Since I admire his research and observations, I determined to follow Sam's advise.

In contrast, my crossbow shoots its high speed bolt completely through a deer's chest at 30 yards. Much tissue destruction and organ damage is predictable and always lethal.

Whether another hunter decides to take deer with buckshot or other type of ammo does not concern me. I simply shared my experience with buckshot - for me its not a good choice due to limited range and vicious recoil.

Good hunting to you.
Sherwood

If one wants tighter patterns with a shotgun/buckshot, look at the federal buckshot with the flight control wad, I've been reading where it cuts buckshot groups down more then half!!
http://www.theboxotruth.com/docs/bot45.htm

I use a Carlson't turkey choke with OO and OOO. Patterns in my 1187 run ab out 15" at 40 yards with copper plated buffered buckshot...be sure to check your impact vs aim point.

I"ve run copper or nickel plated #4 buck in 3 inch 12 and out to 40-45 yards you get enough pellets in every time for the kill on our small whitetails. I"ve always preferred multiple holes iwth buckshot rather than fewer.

Most of my buckshot use has been on pigs though. Have yet to have one get away, probably have never shot past about 35-40 yards on pigs.

Can't say I've seen a blood trail to speak of.

Can't say that #4 buck has been not enough for penetration either.

At 40 yards if most all the pellets are in an 18 inch or so sized group, thats plenty good for me.

As to comments of get to 20 yards or less.... I don't think we've ever shot one that close with buckshot. So NO you don't have to.

Just like any other shotshell load, you must pattern your gun.

YMMV.