20-gauge 00 buck?

[ScottRiqui]

Do any commercial manufacturers sell a 20-gauge 00 buck shell? The range where I shoot only allows slugs or 00 buck, and I'd like to try out something besides slugs just for fun. I'm not going to be using this as a defense load or a hunting load - just range blasting.

I've found some handloaders on GB that sell such a load, but I was wondering if there was any chance of finding it at a local store.

Thanks,
Scott

[JNewell]

I don't know of any reputable manufacturer that loads 00 Buck in a 20 gauge shell. It literally doesn't fit correctly. I guess, for range purposes, you could try the load mentioned? Any chance of someone revising the range rules to accommodate 20 ga users? On the other hand, though, what do you expect to learn from using 00 loads in the 20 ga???

[Hawg]

Four or five pellets isn't going to be anything to write home about.

[Crosshair]

JNewell is correct, OO buckshot doesn't fit in a 20 gauge shell correctly, thus few load it. I use #3 buckshot in my 20 gauge.

[JNewell]

There's a Fed PD load that uses #4 - whether that's adequate for SD/HD is a topic that I DO NOT want to get into in the OP's thread! The OP was trying to figure out how to deal with range restrictions and I'm not sure I have any really good ideas on that problem. It's a people/rules problem, not a gun/ammo problem.

[rantingredneck]

What others have said above is true. There are no commercial loads for 00 in 20 ga.

Shot pellets are stacked in certain patterns in shotgun shells to maximize the space used in the shell and provide for optimum pattern performance. 12 ga. hulls are the perfect size to stack 00 pellets in sets of 3. That's why you have 9, 12, 15, and 18 pellet loads in most cases. For reduced recoil they sometimes drop one pellet and go to 8 to cut the weight of the charge and thus felt recoil.

In 20 ga you have to drop to smaller shot to get this stacking effect. There just isn't room in the hull for 00 pellets to fit right.

[LanceOregon]

The range where I shoot only allows slugs or 00 buck

That is a really stupid rule. What sense would there be in banning smaller sized Buckshot? I could see them banning birdshot. But there would be no good reason to ban smaller sized Buckshot like 0, 1, 3, or 4.

You should talk to someone high up at the range, and see if they cannot bend this rule some to make it more flexible. There is no good reason for it, as it basically prevents someone shooting a 20 gauge with Buckshot.

In any event, if I was in your shoes, I would appeal this rule to a higher authority. Just be respectful, and point out how the rule is contrary to common sense, and discriminates against 20 gauge owners.

.

[ScottRiqui]

Thanks for the replies, guys.

The reason given for the rule is that this is an indoor, 25-yard range with some kind of synthetic-rubber backstop material. They say that individual pellets smaller than 00 might not have enough energy to embed themselves firmly into the backstop and might instead bounce back toward the shooters on the line.

As I said before, I'm not interesting in actually hunting with a 20-gauge/00 load or using it for self-defense. I'm just looking for something different to play with at the range, and if they're cheaper than slugs, that would be a bonus.

[rantingredneck]

20 gauge rifled slugs and 20 gauge buckshot are very close in price. Around here about 4-5 bucks for a box of 5.

Birdshot would be cheaper range fodder, but buckshot is rarely cheaper than slugs in my experience. They're usually on par with one another.

[eme]

The only company I know that makes 20 gauge 00 buck is parakelse, I oredered 10 rounds of it but haven't had a chance to shoot it. look thme up on the web, they have several unique loadings for 410, 12, 20 and I think even 16 gauge Good luck in your quest.

[t4terrific]

They have some cool stuff, including 00 Buck for 16 gauge and 20 gauge. Their 16 gauge 00 Buck has more lead that most 12 gauge 2 3/4 loads.

[Evyl Robot]

I hadn't ever heard of Parakelse before, but they DO have some cool stuff! I'm really geeking out on their 1.8-inch, full-power shells! I wish those weren't so darned expensive, though. They've got way more payload than the 1.5's from Aquila, but I just can't justify the ~$12/round!

[REC510]

I didn't think anyone could make 00 for the 20 gauge due to the smaller barrel diameter...

[.45 COLT]

00 can be loaded in a 20 Gauge hull, but it'll be stacked in a single staggered collumn. An unusual configuration. I'm thinking some #1 Buck would throw a much better pattern.

DC

[CajunBass]

I'm thinking some #1 Buck would throw a much better pattern.

I doubt No. 1 would load right either. I've seen one's in 16 ga, but never in a 20 (and 12 of course. In a 12, No 1 is my favorite buckshot). 2's, 3's, and 4's are all I've ever seen in a 20.

I've seen many a deer hit the deck shot with a 20 ga load of buckshot, just as dead as any 12. Like anything else, you have to know your gun and work within it's range limitations, but it will do the job.

Can't help you on the rule. Seems sort of silly to me, but they get to make any silly rules they want to.

[.45 COLT]

I doubt No. 1 would load right either. I've seen one's in 16 ga, but never in a 20 (and 12 of course. In a 12, No 1 is my favorite buckshot). 2's, 3's, and 4's are all I've ever seen in a 20.

#1 Buck s the largest that will layer in 2s (without a shotcup) in a 20 Gauge. #2 is the largest with a shotcup. #2 will layer in 3s, no cup.

DC