The Box O' Truth #20 - Buckshot Patterns

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The Box O' Truth #20 - Buckshot Patterns - Page 3

Many people will be surprised at how far 45 yards really is.

Here I am standing next to the target.

That's a long ways away.

We were running out of butcher paper and decided to test the smallest patterning load first, the Hornady 00 Buckshot.

As you can see, it made a 27 inch spread.

If you were centering a human torso on the group, only about 3 pellets would even hit the torso.

Finally, I tried the 3 inch Magnum load.

It made a 33 inch pattern.

If shot at a torso, about 7 or 8 pellets would have hit.

Lessons learned:
1. At close range, reduced recoil loads seem to shoot a tighter pattern. But the difference is small, i.e., 1 3/4 to 4 inches. As always, you have to aim a shotgun at close range. The patterns are tight.

2. At moderate ranges (20 yards), the loads had an average spread of around 9 to 17 inches. This is getting big enough that, unless carefully aimed, many pellets will miss a bad guy.

3. At long ranges, even 45 yards, you will miss with more pellets that you will hit with. The question might be, "Why would you shoot at someone at 45 yards?" Well, if he is at 45 yards and shooting at me, I will return fire. If a shotgun is all I have, I will use that. But understand that you will have a lot of missed pellets.

4. Reduced recoil loads are easier on the shoulder to shoot. But, you don't get something for nothing. That also means that they will not have the total energy that a heavier load will have. You have to make a choice and go with it.

Thanks to dport for the ammo and thanks to Tman for the photo help.