00 BUCK - Do You Prefer 9 pellets or 12 pellets?

mathman · November 24, 2005, 11:40 AM

I'm curious...on the one hand, I like the (slightly) higher velocity of the 9 pellet load, but on the other hand, I like the larger payload of the 12 pellet load. What do you guys think? Does one load pattern better than the other (in general)?

GunsnRovers · November 24, 2005, 12:45 PM

For HD, I prefer 8.

38splfan · November 24, 2005, 01:01 PM

Since my HD shotgun has a 2 3/4" chamber, I use the 9 pellet rounds. They are easy to find, inexpensive, and effective. Right now I have Winchester shells that will place all nine pellets in about a 12" spread (sometimes less) and have a high enough velocity to provide plenty of confidence in the round's defensive capability.

mathman · November 24, 2005, 02:06 PM

They do make a 12 pellet load for 2 3/4 shells...

DPris · November 24, 2005, 03:25 PM

In my experience the 9s pattern tighter than the 12s.
12 is a greater payload, but they're mostly a shorter range load.
Denis

Glock35JHP · November 24, 2005, 03:44 PM

I was wondering if anybody knew the advantages of the 8 pellet over the 9 pellet? From what I've been able to read the 9th pellet usually goes astray so they just eliminated it? I have the Federal Tactical 9 pellet, I'm going to pattern it this weekend out of my shotgun.

GunsnRovers · November 24, 2005, 04:04 PM

I know that I've gotten better performance from my Hornady 8 pellet loads in both my 870's and my Ithaca 37 then I got from 9 pellet Federal.

I patterend all my shotguns out to 25 yards (5, 10, 15, and 25) with different loads (Winchester Ranger, Federal Tactical, and Hornady TAP) before I settled on the Hornady. Though I don't use them for HD, my Stevens 620 Riot and Winchester 97 Riot also did better with the 8 pellet loads.

I've heard very good things about the 8 pellet Federal that came out earlier this year/late last year, but haven't tried it.

gdeal · November 24, 2005, 04:42 PM

I like the 8 pellets. they are bigger too. I don't know if that is just for LE or if anyone can get them though.

38splfan · November 24, 2005, 05:04 PM

Quote:

They do make a 12 pellet load for 2 3/4 shells...

Yup, several manufacturer's do. I just find that it is easier to get the 9 pellet loads around here. Even some of the full-line gun shops don't carry them.

I can get 9 pellet 2 3/4" rounds at Wally World, which is convenient being about 8 miles from the house.

Pointer · November 24, 2005, 05:11 PM

Between your two choices... 12 pellets

However I'd prefer Number 4 Buckshot...

It has 21 pellets in the 2/34" shell

And it patterns better...

Dave R · November 25, 2005, 09:32 PM

FWIW, the only 12-pellet load I tried did not have a shot cup. As a result, it left nasty lead streaks down my bore. Hard to clean. 9-pellet loads I've tried all have shot cups. They leave my barrel clean.

mathman · November 25, 2005, 09:44 PM

Quote:

FWIW, the only 12-pellet load I tried did not have a shot cup. As a result, it left nasty lead streaks down my bore. Hard to clean. 9-pellet loads I've tried all have shot cups. They leave my barrel clean.

That's good info...I didn't think of that.

clusive · November 26, 2005, 12:54 AM

I prefer 9.

50Shooter · November 26, 2005, 01:34 AM

The Federal Premium 3" 00 buck load has 15 pellets at 1450 fps.

They pattern tight and carry a lot of energy down range.

The Federal Premium 2 3/4" 12 pellet 00 buck also have the "full metal jacket" style plated pellets and pattern tightly.

I assume you are planning on using these as defensive loads?

12 pellets gives you greater pattern density and very importantly puts more holes in an armed felon's chest. Until he looses around 30% of his blood pressure/volume he can still stay on his feet and fight.

Two quick shots to the chest, it is a choice of 24 holes or 18. I'll take 24.

Tim

Dave McC · November 26, 2005, 04:48 AM

9 or less. Less kick so faster following shots. And, the huge amount of energy a standard load dumps into a target illustrates "Overkill" nicely.

I have worked with some 6 pellet 00 loads. For home defense, these would be excellent if marketed by a major maker.

yorec · November 26, 2005, 01:16 PM

I'd take the 12 over the 9... But we qualify with 9.

Overall I'd take #4. Clear enough?

9mmMike · November 26, 2005, 07:31 PM

Quote:

I was wondering if anybody knew the advantages of the 8 pellet over the 9 pellet? From what I've been able to read the 9th pellet usually goes astray so they just eliminated it? I have the Federal Tactical 9 pellet, I'm going to pattern it this weekend out of my shotgun.

gdeal mentioned this already but the Federal 2 3/4" "tactical" 00 is nine while the 000 is eight pellet. I have patterned both and I am happy to shoot either from my HD 870.

Mike

GunsnRovers · November 26, 2005, 07:41 PM

The 8 pellet I was referring to is 00, not 000.

Glock35JHP · November 27, 2005, 10:19 AM

The Federal Tactical 00 comes in either 8 or 9 pellet.

November 24, 2005, 11:40 AM	#1
mathman Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2005 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,531	00 BUCK - Do You Prefer 9 pellets or 12 pellets? I'm curious...on the one hand, I like the (slightly) higher velocity of the 9 pellet load, but on the other hand, I like the larger payload of the 12 pellet load. What do you guys think? Does one load pattern better than the other (in general)? __________________ Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear to be bright until you hear them speak.

November 24, 2005, 12:45 PM	#2
GunsnRovers Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2002 Location: Lost Angeles Posts: 781	For HD, I prefer 8. __________________ Jeff The reason we're all here is that we're not all there.

November 24, 2005, 01:01 PM	#3
38splfan Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2004 Location: Ft. Lewis/Tacoma, WA. Posts: 1,034	9 pellets. Since my HD shotgun has a 2 3/4" chamber, I use the 9 pellet rounds. They are easy to find, inexpensive, and effective. Right now I have Winchester shells that will place all nine pellets in about a 12" spread (sometimes less) and have a high enough velocity to provide plenty of confidence in the round's defensive capability. __________________ "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to others and I expect the same from them." - John Wayne

November 24, 2005, 03:44 PM	#6
Glock35JHP Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Fairfax County, Virginia Posts: 89	I was wondering if anybody knew the advantages of the 8 pellet over the 9 pellet? From what I've been able to read the 9th pellet usually goes astray so they just eliminated it? I have the Federal Tactical 9 pellet, I'm going to pattern it this weekend out of my shotgun. __________________ "The great object is that every man be armed and everyone who is able may have a gun." Patrick Henry, in the Virginia Convention on the ratification of the Constitution. HK USP.40 Sig P239.357Sig Mossberg 500 Cruiser Rock River Arms Standard A2

November 24, 2005, 04:04 PM	#7
GunsnRovers Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2002 Location: Lost Angeles Posts: 781	I know that I've gotten better performance from my Hornady 8 pellet loads in both my 870's and my Ithaca 37 then I got from 9 pellet Federal. I patterend all my shotguns out to 25 yards (5, 10, 15, and 25) with different loads (Winchester Ranger, Federal Tactical, and Hornady TAP) before I settled on the Hornady. Though I don't use them for HD, my Stevens 620 Riot and Winchester 97 Riot also did better with the 8 pellet loads. I've heard very good things about the 8 pellet Federal that came out earlier this year/late last year, but haven't tried it. __________________ Jeff The reason we're all here is that we're not all there.

November 24, 2005, 02:06 PM	#4
mathman Senior Member Join Date: January 15, 2005 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,531	They do make a 12 pellet load for 2 3/4 shells... __________________ Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear to be bright until you hear them speak.

November 24, 2005, 03:25 PM	#5
DPris Member Emeritus Join Date: August 19, 2004 Posts: 7,133	In my experience the 9s pattern tighter than the 12s. 12 is a greater payload, but they're mostly a shorter range load. Denis

November 24, 2005, 04:42 PM	#8
gdeal Senior Member Join Date: October 30, 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 748	Federal Reduced Recoil 000 buck I like the 8 pellets. they are bigger too. I don't know if that is just for LE or if anyone can get them though.

November 24, 2005, 05:11 PM	#10
Pointer Senior Member Join Date: April 8, 2005 Location: Utah Posts: 2,559	Between your two choices... 12 pellets However I'd prefer Number 4 Buckshot... It has 21 pellets in the 2/34" shell And it patterns better...

November 25, 2005, 09:32 PM	#11
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2000 Location: Idaho Posts: 6,073	FWIW, the only 12-pellet load I tried did not have a shot cup. As a result, it left nasty lead streaks down my bore. Hard to clean. 9-pellet loads I've tried all have shot cups. They leave my barrel clean. __________________ I am Pro-Rights (on gun issues).

November 26, 2005, 12:54 AM	#13
clusive Junior Member Join Date: November 14, 2005 Posts: 11	I prefer 9.

November 26, 2005, 01:34 AM	#14
50Shooter Junior Member Join Date: December 3, 2004 Posts: 2	If you can chamber 3" Mag. The Federal Premium 3" 00 buck load has 15 pellets at 1450 fps. They pattern tight and carry a lot of energy down range. The Federal Premium 2 3/4" 12 pellet 00 buck also have the "full metal jacket" style plated pellets and pattern tightly. I assume you are planning on using these as defensive loads? 12 pellets gives you greater pattern density and very importantly puts more holes in an armed felon's chest. Until he looses around 30% of his blood pressure/volume he can still stay on his feet and fight. Two quick shots to the chest, it is a choice of 24 holes or 18. I'll take 24. Tim

November 26, 2005, 04:48 AM	#15
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	9 or less. Less kick so faster following shots. And, the huge amount of energy a standard load dumps into a target illustrates "Overkill" nicely. I have worked with some 6 pellet 00 loads. For home defense, these would be excellent if marketed by a major maker.

November 26, 2005, 01:16 PM	#16
yorec Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2000 Location: Wyoming Posts: 2,328	I'd take the 12 over the 9... But we qualify with 9. Overall I'd take #4. Clear enough? __________________ What part of "... shall not be infringed..." don't you understand?

November 26, 2005, 07:41 PM	#18
GunsnRovers Senior Member Join Date: June 25, 2002 Location: Lost Angeles Posts: 781	The 8 pellet I was referring to is 00, not 000. __________________ Jeff The reason we're all here is that we're not all there.

November 27, 2005, 10:19 AM	#19
Glock35JHP Member Join Date: November 9, 2005 Location: Fairfax County, Virginia Posts: 89	The Federal Tactical 00 comes in either 8 or 9 pellet. __________________ "The great object is that every man be armed and everyone who is able may have a gun." Patrick Henry, in the Virginia Convention on the ratification of the Constitution. HK USP.40 Sig P239.357Sig Mossberg 500 Cruiser Rock River Arms Standard A2