Buckshot question?

Question

A friend of mine talked me into using buckshot last season,i was hesitant at first because i heard of people wounding and losing deer using buckshot,well the season opener came and i shot a nice little buck and killed him instantly at about 35 yards.when i was dressing the deer i was suprised to see that only four pellets hit the deer,they were all in the heart,lung area,so i was was pretty impressed with buckshot , i have shot other deer using a 30-06 and a 30-30 and never killed them as quickly.Has anyone else here used buckshot?did i just get lucky?what is the maximum range you have shot a deer using buckshot

Answer 1

Some parts of the U.S. are buckshot only for deer hunting, so many deer are taken every year with buck shot. 00 buck is my number one choice. I only shoot lead, not the nickle or other coatings. Lead will flatten more on contact giving more knock down and doing more damage, the plated shot tends to pass thru and not do as much damage. Lead shot also tends to spread the pattern a little faster, but the ideal 00 buck shot load shot is 50 yards and under. A standing deer at 60, depending on how your gun and ammo perform is possable. A running deer or thick cover makes a rifle shot tuff, buck shot improves your chances in both. 1 twig or limb will deflect 1 bullet, 12 to 15 buckshot pellets and most will get thru.
Also, your aim will not have to be dead on with buckshot, because of the spread.

Answer 2

You got lucky placing the pellets in the heart/lung. Peope do wound and lose deer with shotguns because the shot is badly placed , using the wrong shot, using a modified choke on their shotgun, or underestimating the distance.

. Double '0" buckshot or a shotgun slug powered by a 3" mangnum will take down larger game but should NOT be attempted over 50 yards. The risk of merely wounding and the animal escaping wounded is extreme over that distance. Shotguns are not effective past that range. Anyone that has taken a deer over 50 yards with a shotgun was lucky but really should not be allowed to hunt; it is irresponsible. You've probably heard of the 'hunter' that shoots large game at 600 yards also. Again, this is not recommended. Badly placed bullets are not killing shots and destroy meat tissue, while allowing the game to escape.
'Know your limitations' comes to mind.
The other major consideration is the choke on your shotgun. Chokes that 'scatter' the shot should clearly not be used for hunting large game.

Answer 3

4 pellets hit instead of 1. That's 4 times as much kinetic energy. And 4 times as many chances of hitting vitals.

I am not sure what type of choke your shotgun has or what size buckshot you used but I shot a doe this year at 40 yards with Remington 3 inch 00 buck. I dug out 11 of 15 pellets.

Miketyson26

Answer 4

buckshot is great because you have more than one bullet take your guns to a firing range or set one up some where and you will see why if you hunt close to the deer buckshot is exactly what you want its not good for any thing long range but its a lot better than a slug if the deer is running

Answer 5

I think it depends on what type of buckshot and how many pellets. A larger buckshot can be good. The small buckshot may lack the knock down power.

Answer 6

Buck shot works, what you need to do is try out different brands and shot sizes, pattern this at different ranges out to about 50- 60 yards this will tell you what is out of range and where to hold at distance. also if you have the ability to put in chokes they make buck shot specialty choke tube that can give better patterns.
As far a shot size stay with 0,00,000 sizes and you wont have to worry much about penetration issues.

Answer 7

both ways are great to kill deer,buck shot you don't have to place your shot accurately,as to a high powered caliber you need to place it in a more vital area, go to the gun range and practice more.you could use rifled slugs also in your shot gun for a more Perice location,best way to shoot is to practice with a 22 caliber rifle just for placement at a logical distance that you would shoot during deer season.practice,practice.I hunt in MI.CONTACT ME BY E MAIL if you are in the area of ROYAL OAK,MICHIGAN,MAYBE WE CAN GO TO THE RANGE SOME TIME.

Answer 8

Buck shot is usually good from about 5o yds.
Mostly, hunters use it in areas that have distance restrictions because of dense populations. They also use slugs in these situations.

Answer 9

yes i an my boy use buck shot,, ,, you find the buck shot is like a rifel slug, but you just got more comeing out,,,,i kill lot of deer ,use buck shot,, ,, i like the ooo buck shot,,