Best choke for #00 Buck

Jake · 01-26-2008, 07:56 PM

I'm going coyote hunting soon and wondered what choke might be the best for 00 Buck?

Dakota Red 1 · 01-26-2008, 10:16 PM

From what I've heard, a more open choke (Mod. or bigger) keeps the shot from deforming when it is squeezed together at the choke and they fly more true and give a better pattern. Haven't tested this. I used #4 Buck on coyotes and it is true for that size. #4 is .24 caliber and there are around 36 pellets in a 2 3/4" shell. Gives a pattern they can't walk through.

I read a great article by Peter Hathaway Capstick, who did a lot of testing on large shot sizes, but can't at the moment find where it was written. I do remember he recommends #1 Buck for deer-sized game because of better patterning.

We first started getting coyotes in northern Illinois in '72 or '73. Nobody knew how to hunt them and they became a menace. Especially bad on the hog farrowing operations that had the individual little sheds for each sow. They'd jump the fence, grab a little pig and be gone. Hope you get a bunch of them---Mike

Jake · 01-26-2008, 10:35 PM

What about the effective range of 00's?

Dakota Red 1 · 01-27-2008, 12:11 AM

25 to 40yds depending on how that particular load flies out of your shotgun. At the outside range you are probably only going to hit with 2 or 3 pellets out of the 12 pellet load of a 2 3/4" standard loading at 1200-1300fps, but they weigh 49 grains each and ought to carry enough to penetrate. You just couldn't be guaranteed a sure kill. Heavy loads in 3" or 31/2" magnums would improve the odds.

So lets say 30yds is a more reasonable range for standard buck. It is still good to go shoot one at some paper or cardboard or something and see what that load will do in your gun.---Mike

JLA · 01-28-2008, 07:18 PM

deformation of shot has little relevance at shotgun ranges, i mean, have you ever taken apart even the so called "premium" buckshot loads, the shot is all dented and out of round before you even fire them... in my opinion, its just a way to sell the latest technology to todays gullible shooters, i use all my buckshot loads in a tube designed for turkey hunting, they simply fly farther as a group before dispersing. just my $.02

01-26-2008, 10:16 PM	#2
Dakota Red 1 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 504	Re: Best choke for #00 Buck From what I've heard, a more open choke (Mod. or bigger) keeps the shot from deforming when it is squeezed together at the choke and they fly more true and give a better pattern. Haven't tested this. I used #4 Buck on coyotes and it is true for that size. #4 is .24 caliber and there are around 36 pellets in a 2 3/4" shell. Gives a pattern they can't walk through. I read a great article by Peter Hathaway Capstick, who did a lot of testing on large shot sizes, but can't at the moment find where it was written. I do remember he recommends #1 Buck for deer-sized game because of better patterning. We first started getting coyotes in northern Illinois in '72 or '73. Nobody knew how to hunt them and they became a menace. Especially bad on the hog farrowing operations that had the individual little sheds for each sow. They'd jump the fence, grab a little pig and be gone. Hope you get a bunch of them---Mike __________________ Warte nur, balde ruhest du auch.

01-26-2008, 10:35 PM	#3
Jake V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 176	Re: Best choke for #00 Buck What about the effective range of 00's? __________________ Definition of gun control: USING BOTH HANDS AND HITTING YOUR TARGET!!!

01-28-2008, 07:18 PM	#5
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,294	Re: Best choke for #00 Buck deformation of shot has little relevance at shotgun ranges, i mean, have you ever taken apart even the so called "premium" buckshot loads, the shot is all dented and out of round before you even fire them... in my opinion, its just a way to sell the latest technology to todays gullible shooters, i use all my buckshot loads in a tube designed for turkey hunting, they simply fly farther as a group before dispersing. just my $.02 __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!

01-26-2008, 07:56 PM	#1
Jake V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 176	Best choke for #00 Buck I'm going coyote hunting soon and wondered what choke might be the best for 00 Buck? __________________ Definition of gun control: USING BOTH HANDS AND HITTING YOUR TARGET!!! -->

01-27-2008, 12:11 AM	#4
Dakota Red 1 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Kansas Posts: 504	Re: Best choke for #00 Buck 25 to 40yds depending on how that particular load flies out of your shotgun. At the outside range you are probably only going to hit with 2 or 3 pellets out of the 12 pellet load of a 2 3/4" standard loading at 1200-1300fps, but they weigh 49 grains each and ought to carry enough to penetrate. You just couldn't be guaranteed a sure kill. Heavy loads in 3" or 31/2" magnums would improve the odds. So lets say 30yds is a more reasonable range for standard buck. It is still good to go shoot one at some paper or cardboard or something and see what that load will do in your gun.---Mike __________________ Warte nur, balde ruhest du auch.