Cutting Shotgun Barrels

[Mortblanc]

Think about what you are saying Mo.

Yes 00 is overkill in some circumstances and there might be a chance of missing small game with it.

Do not use it for small game!

00 buck is excellent for its intended application, which is larger targets. That is why they call it BUCKSHOT !

Your box of AAA is an excellent compromise for varmint control. it is slightly bigger than BB which is what we used over here on coyotes. You have 45 pellets in a one ounce load and my #4B has 18.

I chose the #4 buckshot as a load that does cover all bases for medium and big game and defense. My main concern was to have a shot size that offered enough pellets to make the choke obviously effective. I also found a #4 buckshot mold, which casts 18 shot at a time, on sale.

However, selection of shot size is part of versatility of the shotgun. One should have a few rounds of 00 buck in the cabinet, just in case, as well as some AAA along with the normal #5, #7 1/2 and #8 for normal use.

The targets I show are for comparison of CHOKE and it's influence on the effectiveness of the shot once it arrives at the target.

Since the weather just made testing possible this week I have not had time to do much with the larger buckshot sizes. Being able to cast my own buckshot for reloading has made testing much cheaper. I can reload the buckshot loads cheaper than my standard game loads and test all I please.

I have learned a great deal I had not learned from 55 years of hunting and field shooting. Having a set of choke tubes that all fit the same barrel eliminates all of the variables I had ever encountered in my testing. I know that the test results are the effect of the choke constriction and not the individual barrel.