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Q:
A typical 20 gauge load of #3 buck is 20 pellets leaving the muzzle at a factory spec velocity of 1200 fps. A #3 buckshot is .25 caliber and weighs 24 grains if it is pure lead. At 1200 fps each pellet will have 77 foot pounds of enery. At 1000 fps they will only have 53, at 900 fps the energy level is 43... Would you hunt deer with this load? Please explain your answers as to why or why not.
Question by Beekeeper. Uploaded on July 30, 2009
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Answers (15)
I will not hunt deer with this buckshot load or any other , simple because I do not use buckshot for deer . I use slugs. I think buckshot does not have the kill power that I want.
I believe that if one of these pellets contacted a deers heart at close range the deer would die. The question is can you guarantee that the pellet would hit exactly as prescribed to a vital area? I've shot 6 deer with a 22 mag. all one shot kills with virtually no travel. The energy with the 40 gr. bullet is app.150 foot pounds and I can place the bullet from my tree stands at 30-40 yards with precision. I've been rounded chastised for using my little rifle, I can't imagine using #3 buckshot in a 20 Ga.
I know that buckshot is capable of killing deer, but I do not like it. It is too likely that you will just wound/cripple the deer and/or other deer. I deleive the best thing buckshot is for is home defense or coyote hunting.
In Florida when I was growing up I saw several people doing just that. It will kill small Fla deer if the range is not to far but it sure isn't anything I would choose to hunt with when there are so many better choices out there.
Seems a bit light, don't it? I only shotgun hunt deer with slugs. I have heard countless stories of point-blank shots and unrecovered deer with buckshot. Booh!
liberty, i don't wish to chastise you, especially because of your success rate, obviously you're a good shooter. Is it legal? not where i hunt.
Steve182- It is legal in Maine and always has been. I don't advocate using this tiny gun on deer, but I thought for my specific set up it would be adequate and it has proven to be so. I normally use my 30-30 Winchester but My eyesight is going pretty bad and I hate scopes on a 94. I've got plenty of rifles to hunt with and have always had a soft spot for a 25-06 I built back in the early 80s. It really doesn't matter much, you can kill a deer with about any rifle as long as you're careful and patient.
I would not hunt deer with this load unless forced. I don't like any buckshot for deer, but if I had to use it, it would be 00. Larger diameter, but more importantly, more mass and energy retention/transfer/penetration.
Check out the Hastings (I think) 3.5 (seriously) inch 20 gauge slugs with NEF slug guns made and chambered specifically for them. Might be the ultimate in shotgun deer hunting.
#4 buckshot will kill a deer, it's all about knowing your range. Myself, wouldnt use a 20 guage, but again it is all about knowing your range.
A lot of us have situations/regulations where we can't [or are asked not to] use rifles.
I would use a slug instead! #4 Buck is a yote bobcat & puma, badger etc, load . ( At close range )
actually 2 3/4 #3 buckshot is devestating on deer at close to mid range (20-50 Yrds)i have a cheap single shot 20 gauge and 2 weeks ago i killed a 120lb doe with one shot to the neck put 16 pellets throught the neck at25 yrds. Dropped it instantly. just 5 days ago i killed a pretty good 165lb 8 point buck at about 30 yrds. When it was facing towards me blasted it right through the front of the chest. All 20 pellets of buckshot hit and rolled em. It got up and ran maybe 60 Yrds.
Its obvious that buckshot does not have the penetration of a high velocity rifle bullet so DO NOT SHOOT BEHIND THE SHOULDER!!!!! to much bone and muscle aim for the front of the chest or the neck. Guranteed kill. #2 buckshot in 20 gauge 3" magnum is good also
its funny i found this question because i am getting ready to take my 9 year old cousin out hunting and she will be using a 20 gauge with 3inch number 3 buck which has 24 pellets since this is her first time deer hunting i will be looking to get the deer as close as i can to make it a sure shot for her but my mom shoots a 12 gauge and she killed a doe wednesday dropped it with one shot at 73 yards. i think it is diffrent with every animal i have seen little deer take more shots then the big ones it seems like they have the will to live
buskshot is usually for deer hunter that use dogs becuase it is nearly impossible to hit a deer running 20 to 35 mph with a slug...tried it once doesnt work
Agreed with Del in KS and + 1 for you sir!!!
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I know that buckshot is capable of killing deer, but I do not like it. It is too likely that you will just wound/cripple the deer and/or other deer. I deleive the best thing buckshot is for is home defense or coyote hunting.
In Florida when I was growing up I saw several people doing just that. It will kill small Fla deer if the range is not to far but it sure isn't anything I would choose to hunt with when there are so many better choices out there.
I will not hunt deer with this buckshot load or any other , simple because I do not use buckshot for deer . I use slugs. I think buckshot does not have the kill power that I want.
I believe that if one of these pellets contacted a deers heart at close range the deer would die. The question is can you guarantee that the pellet would hit exactly as prescribed to a vital area? I've shot 6 deer with a 22 mag. all one shot kills with virtually no travel. The energy with the 40 gr. bullet is app.150 foot pounds and I can place the bullet from my tree stands at 30-40 yards with precision. I've been rounded chastised for using my little rifle, I can't imagine using #3 buckshot in a 20 Ga.
Seems a bit light, don't it? I only shotgun hunt deer with slugs. I have heard countless stories of point-blank shots and unrecovered deer with buckshot. Booh!
#4 buckshot will kill a deer, it's all about knowing your range. Myself, wouldnt use a 20 guage, but again it is all about knowing your range.
A lot of us have situations/regulations where we can't [or are asked not to] use rifles.
liberty, i don't wish to chastise you, especially because of your success rate, obviously you're a good shooter. Is it legal? not where i hunt.
Steve182- It is legal in Maine and always has been. I don't advocate using this tiny gun on deer, but I thought for my specific set up it would be adequate and it has proven to be so. I normally use my 30-30 Winchester but My eyesight is going pretty bad and I hate scopes on a 94. I've got plenty of rifles to hunt with and have always had a soft spot for a 25-06 I built back in the early 80s. It really doesn't matter much, you can kill a deer with about any rifle as long as you're careful and patient.
I would not hunt deer with this load unless forced. I don't like any buckshot for deer, but if I had to use it, it would be 00. Larger diameter, but more importantly, more mass and energy retention/transfer/penetration.
Check out the Hastings (I think) 3.5 (seriously) inch 20 gauge slugs with NEF slug guns made and chambered specifically for them. Might be the ultimate in shotgun deer hunting.
actually 2 3/4 #3 buckshot is devestating on deer at close to mid range (20-50 Yrds)i have a cheap single shot 20 gauge and 2 weeks ago i killed a 120lb doe with one shot to the neck put 16 pellets throught the neck at25 yrds. Dropped it instantly. just 5 days ago i killed a pretty good 165lb 8 point buck at about 30 yrds. When it was facing towards me blasted it right through the front of the chest. All 20 pellets of buckshot hit and rolled em. It got up and ran maybe 60 Yrds.
Its obvious that buckshot does not have the penetration of a high velocity rifle bullet so DO NOT SHOOT BEHIND THE SHOULDER!!!!! to much bone and muscle aim for the front of the chest or the neck. Guranteed kill. #2 buckshot in 20 gauge 3" magnum is good also
I would use a slug instead! #4 Buck is a yote bobcat & puma, badger etc, load . ( At close range )
its funny i found this question because i am getting ready to take my 9 year old cousin out hunting and she will be using a 20 gauge with 3inch number 3 buck which has 24 pellets since this is her first time deer hunting i will be looking to get the deer as close as i can to make it a sure shot for her but my mom shoots a 12 gauge and she killed a doe wednesday dropped it with one shot at 73 yards. i think it is diffrent with every animal i have seen little deer take more shots then the big ones it seems like they have the will to live
buskshot is usually for deer hunter that use dogs becuase it is nearly impossible to hit a deer running 20 to 35 mph with a slug...tried it once doesnt work
Agreed with Del in KS and + 1 for you sir!!!
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