#4 buckshot at Cabela's

[MillCreek]

I feel like a trip to Cabela's today is in order.  Does anyone have a particular favorite load of 12 gauge # 4 buckshot that is available at Cabela's?  This will be for the 'bump in the night' Ithaca 37.

[MechAg94]

Why do you like #4?  

Just curious.  I never had a defense shotgun until recently.  Primary Arms had a sale on the Mossberg Maverick 88 for about $189 so I bought one.  Most of the ammo variety available is in 00 Buck.

[K Frame]

I prefer the Remington myself, but I think any major brand is going to be fine.

I also prefer No. 4 buckshot, but I keep 5 rounds of S&B roll crimped 00 buck in a carrier on the shotgun. The roll crimp gives it room for 3 extra pellets in a load -- 12 as opposed to 9 in a standard load with a folded crimp.

https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/ammo-12-gauge-sellier-and-bellot-2-3-4-00-buck-12-pellets-lead-1180-fps-10-round-box-21188-754908533084.do?sortby=ourPicks&refType=&from=fn&ecList=7&ecCategory=117573

[MillCreek]

Based on my reading, I think #4 buckshot offers a good mix between stopping power and risk of overpenetration in the scenarios that I would be using it.  A bit of a moot point right now, insofar as the local Cabela's had absolutely no 12 gauge # 4 buckshot on the shelves.  Cases and cases of birdshot, several boxes of Herters defense load (O buck plus one large ball) and a few boxes of Olin 00 military buckshot.   Similar slim pickings on the 20 gauge and .410 shelves as well.

[French G.]

I like Federal reduced recoil and/or LE military. Pretty much the same. At seven yards out of my no choke 870 it is minute of bad guy. In fact every minute, spread is all over a standard torso target.

[Fly320s]

At seven yards ... spread is all over a standard torso target.

That seems like an excessive spread.  I think you should be able to get a better group than that, if you want.

Federal Flight Control gets good reviews from the shotgun guys I know.

[Fly320s]

https://www.theboxotruth.com/the-box-o-truth-56-federal-flight-control-1-buckshot/

[K Frame]

Try Walmart. They often have No 4 on the shelves. That's where I got my last box.

[MillCreek]

Nada at my local WalMart and LGS.  So I just picked up a few boxes of this from Midway based on reviews and that it was in stock:

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1019749778/remington-ultimate-defense-buckshot-ammunition-12-gauge-2-3-4-reduced-recoil-4-buckshot-21-pellets

[Ron]

I like Federal reduced recoil and/or LE military. Pretty much the same. At seven yards out of my no choke 870 it is minute of bad guy. In fact every minute, spread is all over a standard torso target.

My Police 870 shoots minute of pie plate at 15 yards with Fed reduced recoil 00.

[French G.]

That seems like an excessive spread.  I think you should be able to get a better group than that, if you want.

Federal Flight Control gets good reviews from the shotgun guys I know.

That's what slugs or the 8 round turkey choked 870 are for. :D. I have primarily become a slug guy and the first choice in shotguns is the Ithaca cop trade in with rifle sights.

[Brad Johnson]

That seems like an excessive spread.  I think you should be able to get a better group than that, if you want.

He's using #4, not 00.

Out of an 18" cylinder bore barrel that's about the spread I recall getting with #4 (roughly 14-16"). With 00 I could cover the spread with my hand. Caveat Emptor... It was an impromptu test, and was many years ago, but I'm reasonably sure my memory is accurate.

Brad

[Fly320s]

He's using #4, not 00.

Out of an 18" cylinder bore barrel that's about the spread I recall getting with #4 (roughly 14-16"). With 00 I could cover the spread with my hand. Caveat Emptor... It was an impromptu test, and was many years ago, but I'm reasonably sure my memory is accurate.

Brad

That makes sense.  Much grass.

[230RN]

...