20 Gauge Buckshot - Federal/Remington should dump #3B and #2B for #1B

[RMc]

Some thoughts for discussion:

All current domestic 20 Gauge buckshot cartridgess use a gas seal, filler wad and buffer. That's right, no shot cup.
And considering current #1B offerings in other gauges run to pellets of .285" diameter, it seems a change to #1B in the 20 bore be a welcome industry change. The current crop of #3 and #2 buck could be discontinued - eliminating two pellet sizes from industry inventory. Then, still using gas seal, filler wad and buffer, 12 pellets in 2.75" and 15 pellets in 3" 20 gauge shells could be marketed with these 33 grain pellets loaded in slightly loose stacks of 3 pellets per layer.

 

[red rick]

I am not opposed to adding a new shotgun shell . I am not for eliminating one either . It would depend which one patterns the best in your shotgun which you should use .

 

[Scooter22]

Why take choices away from shooters thats currently there? Some like more smaller pellets for a denser pattern and/or less penetration in a urban setting. Don't give the bean counters any ideas. They may think one size bullet for a caliber would be a good idea.

 

[Steve in NC]

Standby for good news for 20ga fans...

Federal just listed P/N PD204. 20ga flightcontrol wad at 1365? With 10 pellets of 00 buck. IF the 20ga FC wad works in open bore as well as it does in 12ga, that is a huge advancement for 20ga guys.

 

[RMc]

Why take choices away from shooters thats currently there? Some like more smaller pellets for a denser pattern and/or less penetration in a urban setting. Don't give the bean counters any ideas. They may think one size bullet for a caliber would be a good idea.

Ah, some want smaller buckshot pellets for predators. Well, following the bean counter concept a little further, the remaining inventory of small buckshot would be #4B which means an actual pellet diameter around .235" weighing in at 19 to 20 grains apiece. These lead buckshot could be fully contained inside an existing full length non-tox wad with a 3 per layer stack and buffer. Say, 21 #4B buckshot pellets in a 2.75" shell and perhaps 24 to 27 pellets in three inch loads. Still having eliminated two buckshot sizes from inventory.

 

[RMc]

Standby for good news for 20ga fans...

Federal just listed P/N PD204. 20ga flightcontrol wad at 1365? With 10 pellets of 00 buck. IF the 20ga FC wad works in open bore as well as it does in 12ga, that is a huge advancement for 20ga guys.

That load is listed on page 68 of the 2024 Federal Premium catalog.
Pellet size and count appear to be a typographical error.

Catalog

The world’s leading ammunition manufacturer is getting back to its roots. Federal® is launching a new look and logo—all to celebrate our core.

www.federalpremium.com

 

[goon]

Standby for good news for 20ga fans...

Federal just listed P/N PD204. 20ga flightcontrol wad at 1365? With 10 pellets of 00 buck. IF the 20ga FC wad works in open bore as well as it does in 12ga, that is a huge advancement for 20ga guys.

That’s welcome news. I’ve never had a 20 gauge pattern buck shot very well. I like Federal’s 12 and .410 buck shot loads, so let’s hope their 20 does as well.

 

[Steve in NC]

That’s welcome news. I’ve never had a 20 gauge pattern buck shot very well. I like Federal’s 12 and .410 buck shot loads, so let’s hope their 20 does as well.

I did a lot of patterning with 20ga HD shotgun and had to go to modified choke to get the #2-#4 BS to pattern. Can keep a 10" pattern out to 30 years with modified using Barnes or Remington specialty BS loads. The Win Defender loading isn't bad.
But when I do that shooting slug accuracy disappears, go to IC to open bore and can stack slugs out to 30-35yds but BS patterns are not anything close to acceptable.

 

[RMc]

FEDERAL PREMIUM SHOTSHELL 20GA 2-3/4 #2 BUCK WITH FLITE CONTROL 5RD (10 BOX CASE)

SKU : PD204 2B

#2B nominal* diameter .27" and approximate pellet weight 29 grains.

No pellet count or velocity info yet.

*SAAMI voluntary standards for buckshot: Nominal Diameter + .015"

https://saami.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/ANSI-SAAMI-Z299.2-Shotshell-2019-Approved-2019-04-23.pdf

See Pages 45 and 46.

 

[Steve in NC]

RMc,
Thanks for the info. I thought (10) 00 pellets in a 2 3/4" 20 ga hull didn't quite add up. But even 2B i.m good with. I just want the FC wads to shoot a more open bore choke to be able to interchange between BS or slugs as needed in a 20ga.

Time and patterning will tell
Steve

 

[RMc]

Yes, it seems the ammunition industry is waking up to the existance of defensive/tactical 20 gauge shotguns. And, finally recognizing the need for a long overdue update to their 20 gauge buckshot lines.

My original post was predicated on the seeming reluctance of shotshell manufactures to actually update their 20 gauge defensive/hunting buckshot product lines.

 

[GooseGestapo]

I’ve been loading #1 buck (.310” round ball cast from Lee 2-cav mold) for 30+yrs.
I use a shot cup with petals cut off, and a charge of powder for 1oz.
With a REMINGTON RP-20 wad (discontinued 1oz wad) I can get 10pellets and fold crimp. Using an organic buffer (quick cook grits) My Huglu (CZ Golden Pheasant) 20ga s/s with a Modified choke will pattern 100% on a 9.5” paper plate at 25yds. During a late deer season “squirrel” hunt, I had 4 does walk up on me at about 30yds. Two shots later, I had two dead deer laying in front of me! (I aimed for the white spot on the neck. One received 4 lethal pellet hits, the other 5.
I’ve also killed several pigs with it too. I also load #4B from a Lee 18pellet gang mold.
I’ve seen #1buck Monarch branded buckshot at Academy Sports. It’s listed as 9-pellets.

Monarch High Velocity 20 Gauge Buck Shotshells - 25 Rounds | Academy

Take down your next trophy with the Monarch High Velocity 20 Gauge Buck Shotshells. These shotshells are designed with a 9 pellet payload, hard uniform lead shot an...

www.academy.com

Lately it’s been out of stock.

 

[RMc]

FEDERAL PREMIUM SHOTSHELL 20GA 2-3/4 #2 BUCK WITH FLITE CONTROL
SKU : PD204 2B

Update: 1325 FPS Muzzle Velocity
10 Pellets Copper-Plated Buckshot

Part of the Personal Defense line

 

[RMc]

I’ve been loading #1 buck (.310” round ball cast from Lee 2-cav mold) for 30+yrs.
I use a shot cup with petals cut off, and a charge of powder for 1oz.
With a REMINGTON RP-20 wad (discontinued 1oz wad) I can get 10pellets and fold crimp. Using an organic buffer (quick cook grits) My Huglu (CZ Golden Pheasant) 20ga s/s with a Modified choke will pattern 100% on a 9.5” paper plate at 25yds. During a late deer season “squirrel” hunt, I had 4 does walk up on me at about 30yds. Two shots later, I had two dead deer laying in front of me! (I aimed for the white spot on the neck. One received 4 lethal pellet hits, the other 5.
I’ve also killed several pigs with it too. I also load #4B from a Lee 18pellet gang mold.
I’ve seen #1buck Monarch branded buckshot at Academy Sports. It’s listed as 9-pellets.

Monarch High Velocity 20 Gauge Buck Shotshells - 25 Rounds | Academy

Take down your next trophy with the Monarch High Velocity 20 Gauge Buck Shotshells. These shotshells are designed with a 9 pellet payload, hard uniform lead shot an...

www.academy.com

Lately it’s been out of stock.

For what its worth, the Monarch 20 ga 9 pellet #1B are loaded .280" to .285" dead soft lead pellets. The load has no shotcup or buffer.

You may want to check out the .310" 6 cavity Lee "round ball" mold sold exclusively by Track of the Wolf. See: https://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/PartDetail.aspx/1202/3/LEE-310-6C

 

[rhino465]

I found S&B 20ga #1 buck at a local ammo shop in November and I was really surprised. I've never seen smaller than #2 and usually #3 buck in 20ga in a store.

 

[Boom Vang]

Rio has been making 9-pellet #1 Buck in 20 gauge "2-3/4"" for several years. It patterns well. But the overall loaded length is slightly longer than the typical US 20 gauge 2-3/4" shell, reducing the capacity by 1 shell in some magazine tubes.

 

[Steve in NC]

Rio has been making 9-pellet #1 Buck in 20 gauge "2-3/4"" for several years. It patterns well. But the overall loaded length is slightly longer than the typical US 20 gauge 2-3/4" shell, reducing the capacity by 1 shell in some magazine tubes.

I've had decent luck with the Rio #1B load also. That is what is currently in my HD gun as we speak. Through the modified choke I can shot a 8-10" 95+% pattern out to 15 yds. The Remington Ultimate Defense and Barnes #3B 17 pellet loads through the modified is the only thing that will pattern considerably tighter. But modified only. Any of the above loads through IC or Open bore is well inside of 10 yd shooting only and you will have some loose BBs to account for outside a mans chest normally.

Aquila makes a #2B load... shot them and you see confetti in the air and you might find 50% of the pellets on your target backer... maybe.

Just my patterning experience!

Steve

 

[rhino465]

Rio has been making 9-pellet #1 Buck in 20 gauge "2-3/4"" for several years. It patterns well. But the overall loaded length is slightly longer than the typical US 20 gauge 2-3/4" shell, reducing the capacity by 1 shell in some magazine tubes.

I've had that same issue with a few different brands of #3 and #2 buck 20ga as well.

 

[Boom Vang]

I've had decent luck with the Rio #1B load also. That is what is currently in my HD gun as we speak. Through the modified choke I can shot a 8-10" 95+% pattern out to 15 yds. The Remington Ultimate Defense and Barnes #3B 17 pellet loads through the modified is the only thing that will pattern considerably tighter. But modified only. Any of the above loads through IC or Open bore is well inside of 10 yd shooting only and you will have some loose BBs to account for outside a mans chest normally.

Aquila makes a #2B load... shot them and you see confetti in the air and you might find 50% of the pellets on your target backer... maybe.

Just my patterning experience!

Steve

Here's a review worth viewing;

Paul Harrell 20 gauge Rio Buckshot test