Ammo Choices

[The Undertaker]

Hi all,

I'm a novice shooter who owns two Mossberg shotguns - 590 and 590A1. I have experimented with various practice loads - Independence, Estate, Winchester, and Federal. For defense purposes, I use Remington exclusively - their #4 buck, 00 buck, and 1 oz. slugs.

Now, I'm interested in stocking up in the face of new laws being passed in California. I'm looking into getting two cases of Federal 2-3/4", 1-1/8 oz, #7-1/2 target load to start. Most of these rounds will probably be used against paper targets in indoor ranges. Use for sporting clay is secondary (I wouldn't be using the Mossbergs for that role). What do you all think? The price has been most attractive, as I am a college student of moderate means.

I am also looking into getting a case (250 rounds) of good defense ammo. At the moment, I keep one of the Mossberg loaded with Remington 00 buck. For that purpose, I'm looking at the Remington TAC 8 00 buck. Although there is one less pellet per shell, the velocity is the same and it is stated to produce tighter patterns. Also, the price, at $200 per case, isn't bad.

Thank you for any helpful feedback.

 

[Fred Fuller]

In the first place, every shotgun barrel is pretty much a law unto itself as to how it patterns with particular loads. But far more importantly than that, reliability trumps patterning ability as far as defensive ammo is concerned. You need to be sure the ammo you buy massive quantities of will #1 run in the gun reliably even when hot, and #2 give you the patterns you want. If a few rounds pattern OK, and if 15 or so rounds fired as fast as you can load them and fire them run with no problem, then buy a case with no worries.

That's the best advice I can give... I say that because I never experienced fired shells hanging up in a gun till the first time my shotgun class ran a Rolling Thunder drill. It's better to find out ahead of time if your chosen ammo is going to cause problems in a hot gun, before you buy it in case lots.

fwiw,

lpl

 

[oneounceload]

I'm looking into getting two cases of Federal 2-3/4", 1-1/8 oz, #7-1/2 target load to start

Are you talking about the 4-packs from wally world, a ten box 1/2 case (also called a flat), or a full 20-box case of 500 rounds (haven't those in quite a while). Reason is - sporting clays typically uses 100 rounds per game - That would deplete your stock rather rapidly.

You might want to consider reloading by getting a used MEC Jr. and some components. By reusing your existing hulls, it will save money over the long term (or allow you to shoot more for the same $$).

 

[The Undertaker]

When I spoke of a "case," I meant the 250-round case. Sorry about the confusion.

And yes, I have used Federal ammo in rapid-fire tests before. That was 15 rounds (one in the chamber, eight in the magazine, and six more on a side saddle) and the ammo performed reliably. The Federal stuff seems fine for practice on paper targets, and the one time I did use it for sporting clays it did fine, although I used a Winchester on that occasion.

So does anyone know anything about the Remington TAC 8? How does it compare (lethality wise) with the regular Remington 12B00 9-pellet buck?

 

[Fred Fuller]

Nothing you center with either buckshot load will be able to tell much difference... anything you miss with either load won't know the difference either .

And I'm talking about running the gun hot with the chosen defense load, not the practice load- just to make sure we're on the same sheet of music.

lpl

 

[AcceptableUserName]

I would buy the Federal 7.5 Gameshok loads by the 25 rd box at Walmart. This seems cheaper than buying in bulk, actually. At least in my area. I prefer the 7.5 gameshok stuff to any of the other cheap low base. As for buckshot, tyou need to do a test. We could have the same gun exactly, consecutive serial numbers even, and theres room for our patterns to be different with the same ammo at the same range.

I suggest you pick up a box of Federal Vital Shok, Remington express buckshot and Winchester Super x 00 all in 2 3/4" and pick the best out of those. those seem to be the most readily available. there ARE better loads, but they are much fewer and farther in between and will cost more usually.


The best way to accumulate ammo is gradually. Set yourself a budget and make a ritual; of picking ammo up regularly.

 

[The Undertaker]

I did run my guns hot with defense loads - 16 rounds each of Remington 00 buck. I actually did the comparison between Remington and Winchester buck - I like Remington better in those guns. I sure will give Federal buck a try as well.

Thanks for all the help. Looks like I'll be ordering soon.

 

[AcceptableUserName]

I urge you to make a trip to Walmart or the gun store and then to the range for some patterning before you order in bulk.

 

[xcgates]

This reminds me of how I really need a long day at the range when the ground has thawed out, because I keep buying different brands/types of ammo to experiment with. Its really getting quite expensive. For example, today I walked into Gander Mountain expecting to buy a Mosin Nagant, only to find them out of stock, but their shotgun ammo very much in stock. $60 dollars later, and well, you get the picture. I'll have a very fun filled day at the range coming up.

I'll sum it up, 3 brands of slugs, 3 types of buckshot, plus that Remington HD load, just for expensive giggles.

That said, I still need to find some #4 buckshot, that sure seems to be hard to find for some reason. I've got 00 and 000, but I keep hearing about #4, so I'll have to dig some up. If I have any money after my last reloading supply run!

 

[The Undertaker]

Unfortunately, I don't have a Wal-Mart within a 45-mile distance. The local gun store has ammunition, but rarely in bulk and rarely at a good price. A 5-round box of Remington 00 buck for $7? I can't afford that.

I bought small batches of ammo for testing purposes from them only. Other than that, I use them for cleaning supplies, services, and advice.

 

[xcgates]

Oh, I hear you. It used to be close to an hour drive to the nearest WalMart, until two years ago, when we all go so excited at the WalMart and Tractor Supply built less than 2 miles from where I live.

Still, you will want to try out the small boxes before ordering in bulk, though re-reading your post, that looks to be what you have already done.