00 patterns

[Willie Lowman]

A friend and I set out today to see how the shot patterns from a 14" cyl bore SBS would compare to a 26" with a full choke. (The problem was that he had the modified choke in the gun for our experiment)

We were shooting at cardboard silhouettes at 30 yards.

With Federal 2 3/4" 00, (Ten shells fired from each gun @ 30 yards) The SBS shot 12" pattens fairly consistently. The full size shot patterns that ranged from 13" to 16"

We then tried S&B 2 3/4" 12 pellet 00 buck (Five shells fired from each gun @30 yards) this one was a little weird. The SBS never put more than 3 pellets on the target at one time with these shells (each pellet 6-7" apart). The full size shot two good 12" patterns (the second and fifth shell fired) the other three landed three or four pellets on target.

We will try again in a few weeks with the full choke installed and possibly try a 20" cyl bore barrel.

(Guns used were 590 SBS and 500A. I fired all shots from SBS, my friend fired all shots from 500A)

 

[wnycollector]

I have had similar "erratic" patterning with S&B, wolf and Nobel Sport 00 buck. I think that since all of these brands are unbuffered, shot deformation is a problem. The big advantage that these brands have is price! I will admit to having a few boxes of each of these brands around "just in case" Among the more reasonably priced brands, I have had good luck with Fiocchi low recoil nickel plated 00 buck. It shoots consistent, tight patterns for me out to 20 yards.

If I wanted super tight 30 yard patterns, the king of the hill is federals tactical 00 buck with the flight control wad. I picked up a couple of boxes before the ammo shortage and this stuff is top quality.

 

[Legasat]

I'm not sure if this will help or not...

I own a Mossy 590 for HD. I have patterened it with 3 types of 00 Buck. All Low Recoil, all shot at 10 yds, Remington, Fiocchi & Federal.

Remington RL12BK00 - 3.5 inch pattern
Fiocchi 12LE00BK - 5.5 inch pattern
Federal LE133 00 - 1.2 inch pattern (Flite control)