#4 Buck any good?

[DamonL]

When Flitecontrol 12ga ammo is hard to find and regular 00 Buck is gone from shelves is #4 buck ok for defensive use?

[Oukaapie]

There is a sticky above. Rule of thumb, 00 and #1 are best, #4 is less fabulous due to reduced penetration. It’s still got to suck a lot to be shot at unobstructed home Defense distances.

https://pistol-forum.com/archive/index.php/t-12342.html

https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?19897-Max-effective-range-for-4-Buck-pellets-is/page2

[Wendell]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VTk_7884r8


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41wBr7-QQlI

[03RN]

Ive killed 2 deer in between 40-50 with hornady #4 varmit buck. Both were bang flops. I wouldn't hesitate to us it for defensive use.

[Baldanders]

I have almost posted this topic myself.

I think the objection to #4 is it typically doesn't hit the "FBI minimum" in gel. I've never heard a hunter say it's a bad choice for whitetails, however.

It has to beat any form of birdshot.

[Dov]

In addition to OO buckshot and Number 1 Buckshot, Single Aught (O) is also supposed to be good, believe Keith Jones is a fan of that though that might only be available regionally for 12 gauge.

I'd also add for home defense and such low recoil slug, especially Federal's fairly soft Truball would be effective.

I'm very leery of No 4 buckshot it might work but it might not, while a slug or No 1 or bigger seem to have good track records.

[spyderco monkey]

Here's an excellent, OCD science test of Buckshot by brassfetcher:

http://www.brassfetcher.com/Shotguns/Maximum%20Effective%20Range/Buckshot.html

http://www.brassfetcher.com/Shotguns/images/Maximum%20Effective%20Range.png



That said, if one were to say, buy 10x $188 Maverick 88's to hand out to the neighbors as a sort of 'peasant militia' force in times of crisis, I'd have them loaded with #4 buckshot for the increased hit probability.

Other then that, I'd stick to #1 and and 00 whenever possible.

[5pins]

It seemed to do pretty well on this deer.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ie6dKLU_Bas

[DamonL]

I did read the sticky and I understand that 1 Flite-control is the best loads for defensive use. I really was curious about the usefulness of some #4 that I found. Its seems its ok but not optimal. I will probably use it for practice ammo at some point. Thanks.

[HopetonBrown]

Didn't Federal make a "tactical" #4 that came in a white box with blue print?