I'm not a big fan of buckshot loads for 20 GA guns. rifled slugs would be an option. Try them with open choke tubes installed.

you read my mind beekeep. Go with the slugs in my opinion. If you can, mount a scope. I would say with a scope and some practice, up to 70 yards is about as far as i would shoot

oh woops. i didn't see that you said it was an over under. that's a beautiful shotgun. i would NOT mount a scope on that beauty. sorry.

I think it is very UNETHICAL to shoot a deer with buckshot. I shouldn't be called buckshot. It should be called "burgerlar shot", "pissed-off leapard shot", or "coyote shot." To kill a deer ethically witha shotgun you need to use slugs NOT SHOT!

I agree with the guys above me. Use a rifled slug and find out which barrel shots them the best and where you should hold the bead. Limit your shots to no more than 50-60 yards and you'll do well.

BTW I have and love my Silver Pigeon in 28 ga.

MB915,

Did you ever stop to think that maybe the rest of us are making a recommendation based on experience? A 20 gauge buckshot load will kill a deer at limited range. In the same gun and at the same range the rifled slug is more effective. Rifled slugs have nothing to do with rifles. They are typically fired from the smooth bore barrels of shotguns.

Beekeeper,

I did take that into consideration, and that is why I was also giving my recommendation based on my experience as to the distance he can expect to be effective out to. My point was that when that questions gets asked, no one ever answers the question, they just bash buckshot and tell the person to use a slug instead.

I will not disagree that a rifled slug is more effective. My point is in some counties where I hunt(and possibly others), not only are rifles against the law, but so are rifled slugs, leaving you with buckshot as your only choice(hence my comparison of the two, I am well aware of their differences) that is why he may be asking for guidance on buckshot. Now while it would be better for him to use a slug, he may not have that option. That is why I stand by my statement; that based on my experience that he can be effective out to 50 yards with buckshot fired from a 20 ga.

I was not trying to have a pissing match with you like you seem to think, was just trying to make a point that an answer to the question of using buckshot is better than just telling someone to use slugs. Your answer above would be much more helpfull to someone asking about buckshot opposed to telling them just to use a slug. They can now make a more informed decision as to if they should use buckshot or become an archery hunter if that is their only choice.

I am assuming the percentage of turn wounded from buckshot is the same as it is from archery hunting.

I know from experience, that I shot at 11 different deer with a 20 ga using buckshot, and I killed all 11 with one shot, and only one did not fall in its tracks. So I am confident that with practice and taking only high percentage shots, that the 20 ga with buckshot is a lethal choice.

""burgerlar shot", "pissed-off leapard shot", or "coyote shot.""

Hey! That's my line! Except I spelled it right when I said it.

Anyways, buckshot is not my thing for deer, as I stated with those quotes some while back, but it can be done if needed. If you HAVE to use buckshot, get the hottest, nastiest 3 inch magnum load of 00 or 000 you can get your hands on screw in a full choke, and keep it under 50, more like 40. Practice a lot, shooting with just a vent rib and bead aint too precise. Foster style (old school rifled slugs) slugs through an improved cylinder or rifled choke would be good too, but if I could only hunt with your shotgun and not one with iron sights or something more precise, I might actually opt for big buckshot to (I can't believe I'm saying this) make up for the lack of precision.

Isn't there something else you can use?

http://www.midwesthuntersoutlet.com/item.aspx?pid=33607

http://www.midwesthuntersoutlet.com/item.aspx?pid=33606

http://www.midwesthuntersoutlet.com/item.aspx?pid=4138

Pattern buckshot,I don't know if beretta wants you to shoot slugs out of her(I would be tempted also)- avoid full choke try Improved cylinder, avoid anything but a 35 yard or less broadside, and I hope you have a young hunter around or a blood dog cause you aren't generally going to get much of a trail, do all this or leave your 5.9 lb skinny barreled upland bird gun at home and break out the trusty 30-06 or bigger, use a solid rest incorporated into your stand and git er done.Don't wound-Harvest.