#1 vs. OO buckshot for deer?

NovaPump · May 12, 2005

Which, in your opinion, is better for deer hunting? Is #1 powerful enough to kill a deer? If the #1 is powerful enough, then it would give me more range, with more pellets in the kill zone at longer distances. Is this true?
Thanks
NovaPump

goosehunter2118 · May 12, 2005

It is a trade, you get more pellets for less power. If you put any load in the right spot, the deer will be dead.

NovaPump · May 12, 2005

If you put any load in the right spot, the deer will be dead.

That is my point. With the increased pellet count in #1 my chances of putting the load in the right place increase at farther ranges, which would increase my chances of killing a deer at longer ranges

Hammer man · May 13, 2005

Take out some of each and pattern it,see what works best in your gun. I killed a boar that dressed at over 350 pounds with a face hit from 2 3/4 #1's. Ive used everything from 000 to #4 buck all will kill at shotgun ranges.If your gun patterns both equally then stick with the bigger shot that will retain more enegry,penetrate deeper. I have a 1300 winnie pump that will put a pattern of #4 buck in about 18" at 35 yards,that will shred the heart lung area on a deer.with 00 in the same gun ,choke,at that range you get aproximatly 3 out of 9 pellets in.Hammer Man

BigBird_57 · Jun 8, 2005

Federal premium 3" #1's. These will penetrate a south Ga. deer @ 60 yds all the way and lodge just under the skin on broad side shots. I use an 870 express with the mod. choke. This combo gave the best pattern @ 40 yds. You need to pattern your gun to be sure. Buy as many different 5 packs as you can and test them with the mod. and full choke.

A man who does not stand for something; will fall for anything.

shot.gunner · Jun 10, 2005

Make a trip to the pattern board...Which ever patterns the best is the one to go with. Both are deadly on deer inside of 50 yards.

danurve · Jun 17, 2005

We can't use buckshot for deer up here, but seems like with any shot load I would be concerned about getting enough energy/knock-down power out to 50ish yards.

dueeast · Jul 9, 2005

See what patterns the best. Try several different loads. Then when you have it narrrowed down, try penetration tests. (phone books, etc.) But REMEMBER, the effective kill range with buckshot is about 60 yards max. You can kill deer farther than that, but most likely wound them. I've seen guys with 10 guages and guys with 3 1/2" 12 ga, think they can kill deer at 100 yards. (all you are getting is more pellets). Anyway you end up helping these guy track deer for hours untill the blood trail gets less and less and no dead deer. :?

Gordonstoun · Jul 18, 2005

I've killed plenty of deer with both. (Including a couple of deer that I killed with a single pellet of #1 buck). Any legal 12-gauge buckshot load will work at buckshot range. As others have suggested in this thread, buy a bunch of different loads and pattern your shotgun with them. Use the load that gives the pattern you like best.

Also, note that full choke will cause buckshot to splay out irregularly in most guns. I would suggest using nothing tighter than modified, although check with your gun to make sure.

If you've never used buckshot, you'll be surprised at how effective it is. Inside 35 yards, there is nothing I'd rather use on deer than buckshot.

boo · Jul 30, 2005

double ought, #1s, #4's
all depends on where you are hunting and what terrain is like.
but I keep it real simple, I shoot one shell that I know patterns well and I stick with it. I know what it does at 10 yards , 25 yards and 35 yards
I nornally do not blast at deer farther than 40 to 50 yards
The worst part of buckshot is that unless you hit deer real good you may not get much of a blood trail.
If I am still hunting and in a treestand I will leave my chamber open and load either a slug or buckshot
My 870 is well worn and I can muffle the "click " when the chamber has inserted the round, next two rounds are Remington Hevishot which is a hard hitter

blackhawk812 · Aug 3, 2005

sorry cant tell you in wisconsin you cant use buckshot or anythink like that slugs only

mcmathfam · Sep 28, 2005

I prefer OOO buck. It is larger and it breaks bones so the deer doesnt get away. Also I have found that #1 and lower will sometimes hit the deer but will not be enough pellets to kill the deer leaving it injured to either run crippled or die later. With OO or OOO buck you either miss or hit. I prefer the 2nd option personally....

NovaPump · Sep 28, 2005

In Missouri you can't use buckshot either. In the summer here you can get deer elimination tags (any weapon is legal) if you are a farmer. I was going to use buckshot to help a farmer get rid of deer at his place, but it didn't work out.

cutEM05 · Oct 11, 2005

Get both.

I've killed lots of deer with both and always carry both with me.

We hunt with dogs alot for deer. We draw stands so you never know where you are going to end up. I always carry a more open and more constricted choke tube, as well 00 and #1 buck.

Just do a little patterning and keep your shots under 40 yards with #1 and under 55 with 00 and you'll be fine. Just rough #s of course, make sure your gun likes the load you choose!

Also remeber that #1 buck is SLOW! and because its smaller, it loses energy faster.

#1 vs. OO buckshot for deer?

NovaPump

goosehunter2118

NovaPump

Hammer man

BigBird_57

shot.gunner

danurve

dueeast

Gordonstoun

boo

blackhawk812

mcmathfam

NovaPump

cutEM05

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