Buckshot and chokes

[Guest sharpshooter01]

What are you guys using, buckshot and choke size, in home defense shotguns?

[oldogy]

12 ga Lyman modified with 00 or #1.

ray, the oldogy

[Shug]

Improved cylinder with Centurion Multi-Defense buckskot 12ga

[Oh Shoot]

870, 18.5" cylinder (no) choke barrel, 00 buck.

Matter of fact, is there any such thing as a factory 18" barrel with a choke?

- OS

[ShaunM]

870, 18.5" cylinder (no) choke barrel, 00 buck.

Matter of fact, is there any such thing as a factory 18" barrel with a choke?

- OS

If not you could always have it reamed and threaded for one.

[Mike]

870, 18.5" cylinder bore, 00 buck.

[Guest 270win]

I have used buckshot on game in Arkansas...where it is legal in shotguns. The preferable choke is a more open/improved cylinder choke b/c a shotgun with buckshot is best up close. It is amazing what damage 00 Buck does to a deer in the thickets at close range....basically a big crater.

[RoDan]

Mossberg 590, WinLite 1oz slugs, 00 buck.

[Guest DylisTN]

870, 20", 00 3" shells

[enfield]

#1 buck, improved cylinder

[enfield]

870, 18.5" cylinder (no) choke barrel, 00 buck.

Matter of fact, is there any such thing as a factory 18" barrel with a choke?

- OS

You can get a Mossberg 500 with an 18.5" IC barrel. I've never seen a factory barrel without some degree of choke.

[Oh Shoot]

You can get a Mossberg 500 with an 18.5" IC barrel. I've never seen a factory barrel without some degree of choke.

All 870 18.5" barrels are "cylinder choke", AFAIK. Of course, "cylinder choke" means "no choke", eh?

- OS

[enfield]

I've never seen an 18.5" barrel for a Remington 870, so my earlier post was accurate.

[Oh Shoot]

I've never seen an 18.5" barrel for a Remington 870, so my earlier post was accurate.

Cool indeed. I can't fault that logic!

- OS

[Guest Grout]

Rem.870,20 inch barrel with a Modified choke tube.No.1 Buck.

[Guest bucky]

mossy 500 .00 buck no choke 18.5 barrel

[GTODALEP]

I have read that a larger caliber bullet is better in close situations like home defense becasue it is less likely to go through and hit someone else. A 9mm is more likely to penetrate right through someone than a 40/45.

In like terms, I have also read that 6 or 7 1/2 bird shot is less likely to go through someone than 0 or 00 buckshot, so it may be better for home defense.

Thoughts?

[Oh Shoot]

...In like terms, I have also read that 6 or 7 1/2 bird shot is less likely to go through someone than 0 or 00 buckshot

That's surely valid.

so it may be better for home defense.

That's surely false.

Thoughts?

Use birdshot if you expect to be attacked by birds.

- OS

[GTODALEP]

Shotgun Ballistics

Wounding is a function of the type of shot, or pellets, used in the shotgun shell. Weight, in general, is a constant for a shell so that 1 oz of shot would equal either 9 pellets of double O buckshot or 410 pellets of #8 birdshot. A 00 or "double ought" pellet is essentially equivalent to a low velocity .38 handgun projectile. The spread of the pellets as they leave the muzzle is determined by the "choke" or constriction of the barrel at the muzzle (from 0.003 to 0.04 inches). More choke means less spread. Full choke gives a 15 inch spread at 20 yards, while no choke gives a 30 inch spread at the same distance. (DeMuth et al, 1976) A "sawed-off" shotgun has a very short barrel so that, not only can it be concealed more easily, but also it can spray the pellets out over a wide area, because there is no choke.

A shotgun shell is diagrammed below:

At close range, the pellets essentially act as one mass, and a typical shell would give the mass of pellets a muzzle velocity of 1300 fps and KE of 2100 ft/lb. At close range (less than 4 feet) an entrance wound would be about 1 inch diameter, and the wound cavity would contain wadding. At intermediate range (4 to 12 feet) the entrance wound is up to 2 inches diameter, but the borders may show individual pellet markings. Wadding may be found near the surface of the wound. Beyond 12 feet, choke, barrel length, and pellet size determine the wounding.

[Rightwinger]

870 Police Mag, 00 Buck and Slug alternating mix

[Guest c.a.s.]

Fox BSE Model H (by Savage) in 20 gauge using 2 3/4" #7 1/2 , UNTIL I find some #3 or better buckshot for it (surprisingly, MOM found it before I did, and has 10 rounds on order of Federal)

[Mark@Sea]

IAC Winchester clone M1897 trench gun, cylinder choke

Double barrel coach, cylinder/Improved cylinder choke

Mossberg 500 riot, cylinder choke

00 Buck

couple norinco 870 clones on order

Looking for another '97 trenchie

Edited January 24, 2009 by Mark@Sea