The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Remington 12 ga 00 Buck vs Military grade 00 Buckshot

Lee Lapin · January 29, 2010, 07:25 PM

Yes, they're different. But the real question is, will they pattern differently in your shotgun?

And the only way to know is to buy a box or three of each and head to the range with some scrap cardboard for targets. Every shotgun barrel is pretty much a law unto itself as far as patterning is concerned, and the only way to know what your gun 'likes' is to go shoot it.

It depends on what you want the gun to do, whether you want tight patterns, open patterns or Goldilocks just-right-in-between patterns. Assuming the muzzle velocity is roughly the same, patterns will be pretty much the only real difference in performance.

The other and IMHO more important question is, will a given load run reliably in your gun? I usually test that by firing about 15 rounds of the load in question as fast as I can run the gun. If it'll run OK in a hot gun, it ought to work OK under calmer circumstances.

fwiw,

lpl

January 29, 2010, 07:25 PM	#3
Lee Lapin Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2004 Location: SE NC Posts: 1,239	Yes, they're different. But the real question is, will they pattern differently in your shotgun? And the only way to know is to buy a box or three of each and head to the range with some scrap cardboard for targets. Every shotgun barrel is pretty much a law unto itself as far as patterning is concerned, and the only way to know what your gun 'likes' is to go shoot it. It depends on what you want the gun to do, whether you want tight patterns, open patterns or Goldilocks just-right-in-between patterns. Assuming the muzzle velocity is roughly the same, patterns will be pretty much the only real difference in performance. The other and IMHO more important question is, will a given load run reliably in your gun? I usually test that by firing about 15 rounds of the load in question as fast as I can run the gun. If it'll run OK in a hot gun, it ought to work OK under calmer circumstances. fwiw, lpl __________________ Mindset - Skillset - Toolset. In that order! Attitude and skill will get you through times of no gear, better than gear will get you through times of no attitude and no skill.