buckshot and chokes, what to do or not to do
02-22-2007, 03:46 PM
#1
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: South New Jersey
Posts: 428
buckshot and chokes, what to do or not to do
I have a Remington 870 that I have been shooting OO & OOO buckshot with a 28" barrel with a extra full choke tube. I tried all chokes and this one did the best pattern. I have been shooting it for many years and have killed many deer with this set up.
The Question is :
I just purchased a Mossberg 935 with a 28" barrel. I also purchased choke tubes. Is it a wise thing to shoot buckshot out of a Extra full or the Ultra full ( turkey ) chokes? I know that the 935 is a overbore gun, and don't want to ruin anything by doing this.
The Question is :
I just purchased a Mossberg 935 with a 28" barrel. I also purchased choke tubes. Is it a wise thing to shoot buckshot out of a Extra full or the Ultra full ( turkey ) chokes? I know that the 935 is a overbore gun, and don't want to ruin anything by doing this.
02-22-2007, 05:55 PM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Where the ducks don't come no more
Posts: 4,420
RE: buckshot and chokes, what to do or not to do
Most turkey chokes I use or have run accross explicetly say not to use buckshot in them. I honestly don't know if it will hurt the gun/choke/pattern/you or not, but it must have at some point in order for them to put such a warning on the tube.
Everyone has what works for them, but it has been my experience that ultra tight choke tubes to not typically produce the best buckshot patterns at 35+ yards. By best, I am talking about tightest patterns here, straight up density. Out of one of my deer guns (I live in the part of the country where buckshot, deer and hounds have a lot in common), I get the best results with OO buck and an IM tube. The other gun is flat out lethal with a Patternmaster and just about anything. The PM doesn't have constriction at all, but rather just allows the shot to leave the barrel unmolested and strips the wad from the shot column. With the PM, my 870 will put 7 out of 15 pellets inside a 10" circle, and all 15 will be inside a 20" diameter circle. Pretty doggone strong for a buckshot gun. Much beyond 45 yards, buckshot loses its ummphh pretty fast, so while my gun is still able to put 3-4 pellets inside that 10" circle at 60 yards.... Its not enough to get the job done everytime.
Everyone has what works for them, but it has been my experience that ultra tight choke tubes to not typically produce the best buckshot patterns at 35+ yards. By best, I am talking about tightest patterns here, straight up density. Out of one of my deer guns (I live in the part of the country where buckshot, deer and hounds have a lot in common), I get the best results with OO buck and an IM tube. The other gun is flat out lethal with a Patternmaster and just about anything. The PM doesn't have constriction at all, but rather just allows the shot to leave the barrel unmolested and strips the wad from the shot column. With the PM, my 870 will put 7 out of 15 pellets inside a 10" circle, and all 15 will be inside a 20" diameter circle. Pretty doggone strong for a buckshot gun. Much beyond 45 yards, buckshot loses its ummphh pretty fast, so while my gun is still able to put 3-4 pellets inside that 10" circle at 60 yards.... Its not enough to get the job done everytime.
02-22-2007, 05:56 PM
#4
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location:
Posts: 1,785
RE: buckshot and chokes, what to do or not to do
Of the factory chokes, my Benelli patterns better with modified, but I have gone with a Patternmaster and love it. I would not hesitate to take a 40 yard shot with 00 buck.
02-22-2007, 08:19 PM
#5
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: South New Jersey
Posts: 428
RE: buckshot and chokes, what to do or not to do
Mossberg website only says:
All our choke tubes are marked with the construction designation as a guide. Patterns can vary depending on ammunition brand, load, and shot size.
Slugs may be fired through choke tubes except those with X-Full constrictions or designated "Turkey tubes". Generally, open choke tube constrictions will produce more consistently accurate groups. The "Improved Cylinder" tube is a popular choice for slug shooting.
When they list the chokes, the only one ( and it is stamped into the choke tube also ) is the Ultra full. It say LEAD SHOT ONLY. All other just say what the choke is.
Is buckshot considered lead shot?
I was thinking of going with the 3 1/2" shells for more pellets and pattern the gun with different brands, size and chokes.
I just didn't know if I should shot it through the Ultra Full choke.
Is 3 1/2" sheels less powerful / less range then 3"?
Do they have the same amount of powder with more pellets ( weight ) in which will cut back on range and less knock down power?
All our choke tubes are marked with the construction designation as a guide. Patterns can vary depending on ammunition brand, load, and shot size.
Slugs may be fired through choke tubes except those with X-Full constrictions or designated "Turkey tubes". Generally, open choke tube constrictions will produce more consistently accurate groups. The "Improved Cylinder" tube is a popular choice for slug shooting.
When they list the chokes, the only one ( and it is stamped into the choke tube also ) is the Ultra full. It say LEAD SHOT ONLY. All other just say what the choke is.
Is buckshot considered lead shot?
I was thinking of going with the 3 1/2" shells for more pellets and pattern the gun with different brands, size and chokes.
I just didn't know if I should shot it through the Ultra Full choke.
Is 3 1/2" sheels less powerful / less range then 3"?
Do they have the same amount of powder with more pellets ( weight ) in which will cut back on range and less knock down power?
02-23-2007, 07:57 AM
#8
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Texas - BUT NOW in Madison County, NY
Posts: 6,270
RE: buckshot and chokes, what to do or not to do
ORIGINAL: 2robinhood
I have a Remington 870 that I have been shooting OO & OOO buckshot with a 28" barrel with a extra full choke tube. I tried all chokes and this one did the best pattern. I have been shooting it for many years and have killed many deer with this set up.
The Question is :
I just purchased a Mossberg 935 with a 28" barrel. I also purchased choke tubes. Is it a wise thing to shoot buckshot out of a Extra full or the Ultra full ( turkey ) chokes? I know that the 935 is a overbore gun, and don't want to ruin anything by doing this.
I have a Remington 870 that I have been shooting OO & OOO buckshot with a 28" barrel with a extra full choke tube. I tried all chokes and this one did the best pattern. I have been shooting it for many years and have killed many deer with this set up.
The Question is :
I just purchased a Mossberg 935 with a 28" barrel. I also purchased choke tubes. Is it a wise thing to shoot buckshot out of a Extra full or the Ultra full ( turkey ) chokes? I know that the 935 is a overbore gun, and don't want to ruin anything by doing this.
Buckshot, being made of lead, is considered lead shot.......
03-10-2007, 06:24 PM
#9
Typical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location:
Posts: 692
RE: buckshot and chokes, what to do or not to do
I've always gotten better patterns from #1 buck and it's still .30 cal in full and modified chokes.Deer were dead out to 60 yards out of a Win 1200 full/28".The gun always jammed if you put 3 in it so it was loaded with two rounds.They had a habit of releasing two shells back out of the mag when you went to cycle the action.Got rid of it and got an 870...........Harold
03-25-2007, 07:50 PM
#10
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Brunswick, Maine
Posts: 18
RE: buckshot and chokes, what to do or not to do
I have been following this buckshot conversation with some interest. Just to put my two cents worth in, I agree with eldeguello. I believe buckshot does pattern better with a less constricted choke. I shoot a beretta semi auto with 3 inch 00 buck through a modified choke. Lately I have thought of using my IC choke to see if it would be better yet. I have never done any real serious patterning with the gun but as far as I can tell the difference between my modified and IC chokes with 00 buck is hardly noticeable.
I have also been debating the benefit of 3 inch shells. Is the increased number of pellets worth the reduction in velocity from the 2 3/4 inch shells?
In Maine ,where I live, most of the hunting is in thick woods. Not many hardwoods up here. Lots of conifers. The hunting is close and I have never shot a deer over 50 yards away.
Shotgunbilly in,
MOOSE COUNTRY
I have also been debating the benefit of 3 inch shells. Is the increased number of pellets worth the reduction in velocity from the 2 3/4 inch shells?
In Maine ,where I live, most of the hunting is in thick woods. Not many hardwoods up here. Lots of conifers. The hunting is close and I have never shot a deer over 50 yards away.
Shotgunbilly in,
MOOSE COUNTRY