Well.....sounds like NONE of you guys patterned your buckshot. I did a very minor amount a couple of years back but now I'm going to try about 6 different ammo (3", 2 3/4" and Rem, Win, Fed in 3 different chokes. As I collect everything I realize I never did this cause it is going to be a lot of work.
Sometimes we have to do a lot just to establish what we suspected is actually true- I might not learn anything.
I've read about a few rare shotguns that put a whole load into a hand sized pattern at 25 or 30 yards. My tests were much worse- maybe 4 pellets into a paper plate at 25 yards.
Some folks aim at the lower neck/shoulder and others at the lungs.
By sharing experiences I think we could learn a lot.
My gut feeling is 15-25 yards is best. 30-35 yards is getting sort of far, if the cover is open enough for 50 yard shots use a rifle or slugs.
It would be most helpful for both good and bad experience to be given. That would help establish limits on buckshot use.
Where I live I'd say 80% of the guys with deer dogs use shotguns and the rest some sort of rifle. Semi-autos in .243, maybe lever actions, etc.
Sometimes we have to do a lot just to establish what we suspected is actually true- I might not learn anything.
I've read about a few rare shotguns that put a whole load into a hand sized pattern at 25 or 30 yards. My tests were much worse- maybe 4 pellets into a paper plate at 25 yards.
Some folks aim at the lower neck/shoulder and others at the lungs.
By sharing experiences I think we could learn a lot.
My gut feeling is 15-25 yards is best. 30-35 yards is getting sort of far, if the cover is open enough for 50 yard shots use a rifle or slugs.
It would be most helpful for both good and bad experience to be given. That would help establish limits on buckshot use.
Where I live I'd say 80% of the guys with deer dogs use shotguns and the rest some sort of rifle. Semi-autos in .243, maybe lever actions, etc.