Would you attempt to shoot a deer with #4 buckshot?

I think I would prefer a slug over buckshot any day. Where are you hunting and are you required to use buckshot? I didn't think FL required the use of shotguns for deer.
 
No reguirements, I am just curious if I could reliably take down deer with #4 buck shot and at what maximum distance?
 
My personal opinion - for what it's worth - is that #4 may be a great short range defense choice it is too small for deer and hogs. You would be much better off going up to at least a #1. I just don't think you will get decent enough penetration with the smaller shot.
 
I will answer the Q you asked q/o other comment. You did not give any info on the shotgun. #4 Buck 3"Mag from 12 ga. Clear shot, not bustin through bushes,40yds.
There will be some that will stretch it farther.
 
Shot would probably be taken at less than 25 yards due to visibility and foilage. Possibly from a stand useing 12 gauge 2.75" buckshot. Would #4 work or is it still too weak to risk losing a deer?
 
Shot would probably be taken at less than 25 yards due to visibility and foilage. Possibly from a stand useing 12 gauge 2.75" buckshot. Would #4 work or is it still too weak to risk losing a deer?

Depending on the thickness of bushes, branches, these are going to take a terrible tole on the #4 buck. As others have said it is really not a hunting load. I have never really considered it a viable load for much except maybe long range Sandhill Crane. Too big for ducks, & too little for deer.

To answer your last Q. Yes, at the stand you describe I think you are running a very high risk of loosing a deer.
 
I'm no shotgun deer hunter. That said, if I were, it wouldn't even occur to me to think of #4. 00 or 000 or slug. 99.9% odds for selection of slug.
 
I would probably go with a slug if your using a shotgun. When i lived on the airforce base you could only hunt deer with a shotgun. I killed my first deer with a slug at about 75 yards. My dad did put a scope on the shotgun and changed out the barrel.
 
You "can" shoot deer with #4, but it doesnt kill them most of the time. Usually it just cuts their legs out from under them and then you have to go up and finish them off. In my book it is inhumane and unethical to use.
 
I use 00 buck or slugs. I've killed a lot of deer with 00. Typically 25-30 yds or less. Depending on your gun, load, and how it patterns you can stretch it another 10 yds. Beyond that you are in definite slug territory.

I've been impressed with the Federal loads with flite control wads. I've patterned the 9 pellet LE loads for "social work" but have purchased some 3" 12 pellet loads for hunting. Will be patterning them over the next few weeks to see how they do. I've also picked up some turkey #6 loads with flite control that have yet to see the pattern board (gotta fix that this week as the season starts Saturday :eek:).

I'd stay away from #4. I bought some Rem express #4's last year to test them for HD loads and the pattern was dismal past 7 yds. Opened up way too quickly. Now that's with my gun, not yours.

Beyond patterning there is also the per-pellet penetration difference which has already been mentioned. Round balls penetrate poorly as it is. The lighter they are the worse this problem gets.
 
Way too much at risk using #4's, as mentioned before nothing lighter than a #1 should be considered for deer. I've stopped all but a few deer with 1's and OO's with no complaints, at sometimes 50-60 steps or better. All I can say is they sure knew how to make a shotgun in Belgium!
 
i cant think of a reason that you would want to....adds another variable in the equation....KISS, keep it simple, stupid....
 
#4 buck is pretty small, but i would use #4 buck for deer, but thats only if the following apply,

1. the deer was no more than 30 yards away walking slowly or standing still with a clear shot.
2. it patterend great from the shotgun i was shooting it with, meaning atleast 8 pellets in a 9" paper plate at 30 yards. and a few more within a 12" circle.
3. i only had #4 buck with me. i only carry a few rounds of it.

i carry 10-12 #1 ,a few 0 buck and 5 slugs. unless i was using the VR barrel. NJ laws says barrel must have open iron or peep sights or a scope on the shotgun, if in possesion of any slugs.
 
Use # 1 Buck or # 0 Buck for deer. Maximum range depends on gun barrell length and choke. With a 28" barrell and full choke, maybe 60 yds. for the two rounds above. With shorter barrell and/or different choke, you will need to check the pattern you are getting.
Would expect # 4 Buck would be effective out to 40 yds., but I've never checked the pattern for it as I consider it to be an inferior round for deer. The big thing would be to check your pattern at maximum distance you wish to use it at. As mentioned previously, you will need several shot of # 4 B to take deer down.
 
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