Buckshot loads in a 28 gauge smoothboe

[Fatboyz]

Did a search and there isn’t much. Read a little and sounds like #3 or #4 would be the way to go. Anybody done this? If a #4 only weighs 21 grains, how many do you use in a load?

 

[Ballshooter]

I would guess 14 if the weight is 21 grains.

 

[cynthialee]

I am really partial to F shot.

 

[Fatboyz]

Even a larger bigger size like #2, wonder how it would work on deer close? Have to see if I can get a Lee buckshot mold and play around I guess.

 

[Dale Allen Raby]

.550 multi-ball load? Should perform about like a .410 2 1/2" buckshot load. Dunno how well it would perform on deer past ten yards of so. .. and it would kick like your favorite metaphor.

 

[necchi]

Did a search and there isn’t much.

Yeah,, What do you need "buckshot" for?
Why not just shot?
I mean honest a 28 is less than a .54cal. In a smoothy that small size, the shot size isn't the load column issue.
Don't count "pellets", count weight, with that small a bore 230-250grns maybe a max at 300grns of "shot",,

 

[SOLANCO]

Would not see any use for a 28 except in an unmentionable for bragging rights in the dove field or the range. One guy at the club was told his was a butterfly gun. Yes, rude. But still.....

I have a dainty 20 by W.C. Scott. A joy to carry and shoot. Its caliber limitations are real and I work within them.

 

[Fatboyz]

I just built a 54 cal (28) smoothbore as a poor man’s trade rifle. I have shot “shot” loads of about 200 grains from my TC Hawken for grouse and rabbits and it worked ok. I was just at the range yesterday with the new smoothbore and tried 7/8 oz of #6 and #2 shot and it actually patterned pretty good at 20 yards. Good enough for grouse and rabbits for sure. I also had pretty good luck with a .535 PRB. Just naval gazing what buckshot might be like for shooting does in the tight woods?

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Did a search and there isn’t much. Read a little and sounds like #3 or #4 would be the way to go. Anybody done this? If a #4 only weighs 21 grains, how many do you use in a load?

with #4 Buck...
9 if they will lay even in layers of 3 each,
10 if they will only lay in layers of 2 each.
This is a half ounce of lead load

LD

 

[Ohio Rusty]

Three #4 buck will lie flat in a 28. You can stack 3 layers of #4's to give you 9 round pellets.

 

[flconch53]

Yeah,, What do you need "buckshot" for?
Why not just shot?
I mean honest a 28 is less than a .54cal. In a smoothy that small size, the shot size isn't the load column issue.
Don't count "pellets", count weight, with that small a bore 230-250grns maybe a max at 300grns of "shot",,

A true 28 ga is .55 caliber. But I wouldn't shoot buck shot in mine

 

[Red Owl]

Go with Ohio Rusty. The whole deal is how the pellets stack and you can't use modern information because the hull reduces the diameter of the space available.

 

[Fatboyz]

A true 28 ga is .55 caliber. But I wouldn't shoot buck shot in mine

Is yours an actual shotgun barrel which is much thinner than a smoothbore "rifle" barrel, which mine is. It's considerably thicker than a shotgun barrel. Is that why you wouldn't shoot buckshot in yours?

 

[flconch53]

No just not much point in it. To get 3 balls to lay flat together you would have to go pretty small. The breech on a properly built smoothbore is usually pretty substantial.

 

[flconch53]

#4 buckshot is about .240 good for groundhogs I guess

 

[Fatboyz]

Sounds like the good old .535 PRB is the way to go.

 

[skwerleater]

Try it. It’s all fun anyway!!

 

[TCMonts]

I would say a tri-ball load for anything larger than a fox or racoon. Three balls are considered buckshot in many locations whereas two are not. #4 may be good for up to coyote but I have no experience with that.

 

[skwerleater]

I did. I just finished this blanket gun.
Tried 00 buck cause that’s all I had. It spread out quickly, but I still had fun experimenting! I had two hits out of five shot, twice in a row at like 20 ft. Not good. When I cast some #4 buck I will try that out too.

 

[skwerleater]

I have a full length 28 smooth rifle that I will be trying the #4 buck in. So far it’s performed well with .53 ball and #6 shot.