What is 000 buckshot good for?
000 buckshot, also known as triple aught buck, has one of the largest diameter pellet sizes found on the market today, making it great for both hunting and personal defense.
In terms of 00 buckshot size, they are . 330 inch in diameter and are the most commonly used size. Due to the stopping power it offers, it's also one of the most widely used types of buckshot ammunition for home defense.
#000 Buckshot is a large pellet, about 9.14 mm (0.360") in diameter. A 2 ¾” 12 ga. shot shell only contains about 8 pellets of 000 buckshot. This is the largest size shot commonly available in shotgun shells.
Once you get to the zeroes, though, buckshot naming gets sexy. The zero is called “ought” so “#0 Buck” is “single ought buck.” “#00 Buck” is “double ought buck.” And “#000 Buck” is “triple ought buck.” As in birdshot and shotgun gauges, the actual diameter of the pellets goes up as the number goes down.
Buckshot Sizes | Weights (gr) | Weight (grains) |
---|---|---|
1 | 40 | 640 |
0 | 48.3 | 579.6 |
"00 | 53.8 | 484.2 |
"000 | 68 | 544 |
410-bore shotguns with buckshot loads, or defense-grade mixed payload shells, turns the gun into a viable low-recoil home defense option. This gun and ammunition combination launches more projectiles per trigger pull than a handgun but does so without the punishing recoil of a 12-gauge shotgun.
The most commonly produced buckshot shell is a 12-gauge, 00 buck shell that holds 8 pellets. Buckshot is generally used for two purposes: Self-defense and hunting medium to large game. For instance, loads of 12-gauge 00 buck are commonly available in 8 to 18 pellets depending on the lengths from 2 3/4″ to 3 1/2″.
Buckshot remains the most commonly utilized police shotgun ammunition. The typical round of 2-3/4 inch 12 gauge buckshot contains 9 pellets approximately . 32 caliber in diameter. Today, all of the major manufacturers are turning out reduced recoil or tactical loads optimized for law enforcement.
Most hunters, tactical shooters and personal-protection practitioners are familiar with 00 buckshot, which is the preferred size in 12-gauge.
The Ported Buckshot choke tube is designed to give you tight patterns downrange with 00 & 000 buckshot. This choke is ported to reduce recoil and muzzle jump that tend to go hand in hand with these large loads.
What buckshot is best for home defense?
The military and many police agencies favor “00” or “double-aught” buckshot, as it has been proven very effective when used against man-sized threats. This, along with the fact that 00 buckshot loads are generally the most widely available for sale in America, means that it is a very common defensive load.
410 rounds toinsure smooth feeding and easy ejection. A special alloy helps the pellets to resist deformation, thus assuring deeper penetration. This round has as its payload a bone crushing 6 pellets of 00 buckshot and has a velocity of 1,100 fps which yields over 800 foot/pounds of energy.

To start with, to really know, you have to ask, “What gauge?” because the shot count varies between gauges, but #1 buck is . 30 caliber shot. In a 12 gauge the are 12 to 16, . 30 caliber pellets per round.To find out more, read the referenced article.
Depending on the choke, buckshot loads in a 12-gauge shotgun can be effective against a human adversary out to 60 or 70 meters. However, in a cylinder-bore shotgun, the effective range of, for example, #00 buckshot is 40–50 meters. Beyond that range, the pattern is so wide that a reliable hit is not guaranteed.
0 buck, or single-aught buck, while a little less common than its big brother 00 buck, is primarily used for hunting deer and large game – but is also popular for home defense. This ammo will give you about 10 pellets per round depending on the shell length, and an effective range of around 50 yards.
Different Sized Buckshot Pellets
The smallest pellets are #4 buck, and the biggest pellets are #000 buck. For defensive purposes, the most common buckshot is the #00 buck, known as “double naught buck.” #00 buck has been used by law enforcement for many years and with good reason.
A single 00 Buck pellet weighs 60 grains and has a muzzle velocity of 1,325 fps for a muzzle energy of 234 ft/lbs. That's a difference of 72 ft/lbs of energy or 44% more energy.
A slug will generally penetrate deeper into a target than buckshot as it focuses all its energy into a smaller area. This can be a good or bad thing as shotgun slugs are known to over penetrate. For close range shots, buckshot is a better choice while slugs are more effective at longer distance shots.
2.75-inches: These are the most popular shells and are a good compromise of both load and recoil. 2.75-inch shells are the most common choice for home defense and tactical use. Almost all shotguns have 2.75-inch shells.
12 Gauge Rubber Slugs are non-lethal wildlife control ammunition.
What buckshot does the military use?
Winchester® Military Grade Buckshot was designed for the military, but is now available to civilians. Each box includes 5 rounds of shells loaded with nine 00 buckshot pellets in grex buffering. Offers 1325 fps muzzle velocity.
The goal is to hit the lung and liver. The quartering-to shot is not a horrible angle for rifle hunters, but not ideal either. If the deer is not going to give you a better angle, then aim right behind the elbow of the lead leg. Other choices are between the lead leg and breastplate or high shoulder.
The largest I've heard of is #0000 buckshot but #000 is the largest common size. The most popular size by far is #00 buck, especially for self-defense. It's been the gold standard for law enforcement for many decades. #1 and #4 buck are also fairly common.
Well, it depends on the animal being hunted, the circumstances of the hunt, and the local hunting regulations. It is not legal to hunt big game with buckshot in many places, probably due to the fact that so many hunters wound and lose deer by shooting them with buckshot at too long of a range.
Buckshot. The most effective round for home defense in a shotgun is buckshot. Buckshot penetrates deep, hits hard, and hits with a multitude of projectiles per trigger pull.
- Hornady Critical Defense Ammunition 12 Gauge 2-3/4" 00 Buckshot Box of 10. ...
- Hornady Critical Defense Ammunition 410 Bore 2-1/2" 41 Caliber FTX Slug over two 35 Caliber Lead Round Balls Box of 20.
#1 buckshot pellets have a diameter of . 30 inches or 7.6mm. The number of pellets that can be loaded into a shotgun shell varies depending on the shotgun gauge being loaded, the length of the shell, the size of the wadding used, how much powder is used, and other factors.
Shotguns are typically considered close-range firearms, especially when loaded with buckshot. Beyond about 30 to 50 yards, the spread from most shotguns becomes too unpredictable to reliably guarantee that any of the pellets will hit the intended target.
Buckshot choke tubes with diameters between 0.690” and 0.670” tend to pattern 00 buckshot and other large lead pellets tighter at extreme ranges than standard chokes.
It is a common misconception that shotgun ammunition is a good way to chase away a bear. In reality, target or bird-hunting shot is an ineffective solution that often leads to unnecessary outcomes. Bears have relatively thin skin and shotgun ammunition can be extremely harmful and even lethal.
What is the deadliest shotgun?
The KSG-25 can store an enormous amount of firepower for a single shotgun: up to twenty three-inch shells, 24 2.75 inch shells, or forty 1.62 inch mini-shells.
Number 4 buckshot is most commonly used for deer, coyote and other similar sized game and predators. The whole idea of hunting game with shot is debatable to some, and a given to others.
As the name implies, #1 buck can be used for hunting deer and other game of all sizes at short to medium range – though it may be less effective than the larger 00 buck. If shooting in an area filled with small brush and thickets, the dispersion and rapid energy transfer of #1 buck can be more desirable than even a .
Federal Vital Shok 12 Gauge - 3.5" - 00 Buckshot Magnum Load - Copper-Plated - 18 Pellets - 1100 FPS - 5 Rounds.
2.75-inches: These are the most popular shells and are a good compromise of both load and recoil. 2.75-inch shells are the most common choice for home defense and tactical use. Almost all shotguns have 2.75-inch shells.
A: Buckshot ranges in size from No. 4 (. 24 caliber) to 000 (. 36 caliber).
Buckshot. The most effective round for home defense in a shotgun is buckshot. Buckshot penetrates deep, hits hard, and hits with a multitude of projectiles per trigger pull.
- Federal Power Shok 1 oz. Rifled Slug - Best 12 Gauge Slug.
- Hornady American Gunner Reduced Recoil 1 oz. ...
- Remington Slugger 7/8 oz. ...
- Federal 00 Buck - Best 12 Gauge Buckshot.
- Winchester Super-X 3-1/2" 18 Pellets 00 Buckshot - Honorable Mention.
- Sellier and Bellot 00 Buck - Honorable Mention.
The military and many police agencies favor “00” or “double-aught” buckshot, as it has been proven very effective when used against man-sized threats. This, along with the fact that 00 buckshot loads are generally the most widely available for sale in America, means that it is a very common defensive load.