buckshot load in .62 smoothbore

I did an informal test of a buckshot load in my .62 smoothbore the other day. 20 #3 buckshot pellets, rolled in a paper cartridge, buffered with Jiffy cornbread mix.
Loaded as follows 70 gr. goex FFg, tow for a wad, buckshot "cartridge", and another wad of tow.
This placed 4 pellets on a "deer sized" tree at 35 paces.
I will do some more formal test at the 25 yard range one day soon.
Anybody else have any buckshot experience? Is this acceptable performance or should I experiment more?

 

[Java Man]

My experience around the use of buckshot, is wounded deer. A single, large projectile is much more lethal.

Java Man

 

[musketman]

As a side note to your question, some states do not allow the use of buck shot for deer hunting any more...

 

[CoyoteJoe]

IMO, 20 ga. isn't much of a buckshot slinger. I once hunted in New Jersey where buckshot was the only thing allowed and 12 ga. was the only bore allowed. I think I'm glad I never got a shot.
If you can get 4 or 5 pellets in the kill zone, not just in the deer, it will probably do OK, but I second the vote for single ball.

 

Thanks for the input. So far as legality goes I called our local wildlife and fisheries and they told me that during muzzleloader only season only single ball or bullet projectile can be used, however during modern firearm season buckshot can be used in a muzzleloader as it is legal for use in a modern firearm.

Most any shot I would get on a deer in my area is close and I would limit my shots to 25 yards with buckshot.

I will probably also use buckshot as a defensive load at night. There are feral dogs in the area we camp. In that instance shots would be close and at a moving target.

Just so ya'll know I use roundball also.
75 grains goex FFg, tow wadding, .600 RB patched with cotton muslin lubed with olive oil. Best 3 shot group so far is about 2 inches at 25 yards. I was keeping shots in the kill zone off hand at 35 yards. I'm still kind of new to smoothbores and working out the best load.

I'm going to keep practicing and will eventually get those fabled "clover leaf groups" at 25 yards.

Thank ya'll again for the responses! :hatsoff: