buckshot for deer?

S

stillborn

New member
Well I found a local spot to do some whitetail/ferral hog hunting in North Texas, but they say that you can only hunt with a bow or a shotgun with nothing larger than #4 buck shot. I imagine these are typical Texas deer... larger than a lab, smaller than a great dane. Would #4 buckshot do the trick on these deer? Where would I need to aim?

thanks,


still
 
00 buck no smaller!

I use buckshot AFTER my slug.I like it for follow up shots after a good slug hit.I rather hit it with something than not at all.Last year while blood tracking a doe hit. I brought some 00 buck 12pellets.I thought it would be good if deer is running or bounding off.I found her laying down,but not dead.I will just say it took to many shots to end her.Plus ruined alot of meat.The little 22cal. size holes just don,t bleed much.I would go slug first.If not don't go smaller then 00 buck.Unless you NO the deer will be within 30yards.Buckshot can and does wound alot of deer.
 
Since were you're going to hunt specifically says NOTHING large then #4 buckshot, this means:

A. Nothing larger then #4 buckshot....PERIOD, so discussions about slugs and larger shot are moot.

B. Since they limit to #4 buckshot, that means that it's proven to be effective enough for use, so you don't need to worry about that.

When using buckshot, you must aim at the center mass of the deer's chest cavity where vital organs are.
Since you're not able to precisely aim a single projectile, you have to go with percentages, and the best percentages are aiming at the deer's "boiler room".
 
If you rules say nothing greated tahn #4 buck then yours stuck with it.
KEEP YOUR SHOTS CLOSE.
$\#4 buck is about like a .22 caliber round ball.
By itself one pellet is pretty lousy on critters the size of small deer.
You must get at least 10 hits in the kill zone for #4 which means you absolutely must pattern your gun.
You sure will not get great penetration.
If you can get ten his inside a 10" circle then that range would be your effective range.
Buckshot is a great wounder of animals because people don't understand the limitations of the ammo.
Most like 40 yards is a plenty long shot with any buck.
Even 000 buck.Get some ammo and paper and do some patterning.
 
nothing larger than #4 buck shot :confused:

00 bucks doesn't go any further then #4 :confused:

I would call and double check that rule.Here in PA we have very strick shotgun rules and even we can use 00 or slugs.

ANYWAY back to your question :o

#4 will work but you must find the right choke and shell combo.My Mossy only like Rem slugs,nothen else groups well.So you must get some large cardboard and set it up at about 30 yards.Try different combos till you find the tightest group.
 
nothing larger than #4 buck shot
Wow that makes it tough if you cant use larger buck shot or slugs. #4 is capable but follow 45's advise above. And I would go with the most powerful load I could find. A good 3" mag #4 buck with at least a modified choke, preferably full with a barrel at least 24". Then take it out and pattern it first on some cardboard like said above. Try different distances and see when your shot pattern spreads out too far. Also you asked where to aim. Dont aim for the head. I would aim for the vitals (heart, lung area) If its close enough you can aim for the neck. Thats almost a sure way to drop it every time. But I am talking close range. Have a great time hunting.
 
So has shooting a deer with a .22 it doesnt mean its a good idea. You have a better chance of wounding the critter taking a shot at the head from a distance with buckshot. The body vital area is a much bigger target so you have a better chance of all your pellets making contact. You want as clean a kill as possible. Plus you dont want to ruin the antlers. ;)
 
I used my 835 mossy last year for a little CQC with groundhogs last year,24in barrel and a patternmaster choke tube using 3.5in federal 00buck,they make a hell of a mess out of anything it makes contact with out to 45-50yds.
 
Bow or #4 shot. Hmm. I'd question the reasoning behind the rule, since a quick, clean shot is best.

No rifles allowed? Must be a really small area with houses behind it and kids playing in the yards.:confused:
 
ouch delzo, some people shouldnt even hunt... birdshot you say? how could anybody allowed to purchase a gun even think that birdshot will kill a deer? maybe if you were really close and you used bb sized shot, but i would still call that a stunt. ome people have no ethics anymore....
 
my great grandpa use to have a buffalo. people would drive by the field and shoot shotguns at it. i used to have to go pick pellets out of its hide. some people, youd just like to kick in the face.
 
I'm pretty sure I know the guy that shot the deer with the light load, but could never prove it. I'm not sure what I'd be able to do legally anyway.

It's funny, everyone was stopping to check on the three of us except one small pickup, who when immediately to the deer in the ditch. I thought I was gonna have to thump him to prevent him putting the buck in the bed of his truck. I told him the deer was going to stay there until the highway patrol showed up and made the determination of what to do with it. He got pissy and I got pissed.

"Well come up to my shop and get me when the trooper is done and I'll tag that rascal" he said. The prisoners at Hardin County Jail ate pretty good for a few nights.

OK,,, back on topic. DON'T use light loads in a shotgun. They no worky!
 
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