Buckshot in 12gauge New Englander

[Ivoryhunter4]

Hi, I am new this forum, and am really finding alot of good info. I purchased a 12gauge barrel for my New Englander and have both IC and MOD. choke tubes. Does anyone have experience shooting #0 buckshot out of it, what choke would be best, how many shot, and info on the wad column. Also can PRB be shot out of it. Thanks.

 

[Rebel]

My New Englander shoots .690 rd balls pretty darn well. I use the Imp Xyl. choke tube with them. 80 grs of Goex 3f or Pyrodex P, an overshot wad and a lubed, drill cloth patched rd ball. I don't use Buckshot as i have no use for it. The tests i've done were not impressive and i would not use it for hunting unless the shots were Under 20 yds.

 

[F.G. Ford]

Like Rebel has written buck shot has limited range.
A solid round ball has greater range, and tremendus knock down power, buck shot has little unless at point blank range.
If you appreciate your game animal, and consider the unreliable lethality of buck shot, you would probably not use it.
Best Regards
Old Ford

 

[Stumpkiller]

I've used nine 0.350" balls with fiber wads and overshot cards in my N.E., but mine is straight cylinder bore with no choke at all. That was just for giggles and it does some impressive devistation at 25 yards. It also throws a very mean 0.690" ball with 0.022" cotton patching. Well enough that I have considered pestering a deer with it out to 50 yards or slightly farther. I had some 0.710" balls but they are tight though worked well with paper cartridges (ala Bess). They might do fine with 0.010" patching; but I never tried. I only had 25 of those as a trial batch.

Make sure you check your local game laws for deer with multiple projectiles out of a muzzleloader. It's not legal in NY.

 

[smallmouth]

Like some earlier responses, buckshot probably not the best for deer. Some modern shot gun loads are respectable at 30 yards and in though really not the best IMO

However, if you get a chance to try out some of your new homebrew on a few coyotes -- as they say "be my guest"

Sirjohn