Quick ammo test....

[Al Thompson]

Hi all,

Found some new to me shotgun ammo at the aptly named Dick's sporting goods. While expensive, this seems like an interesting load. I was able to make a quick range raid despite the late afternoon rains. Target of choice was two 1 gallon milk jugs filled with water and one 2 liter water filled bottle, all in a row. Ammo is the Remington Home Defense BB (Tungsten-Bronze-Iron shot, 1250 FPS, 2 3/4 inch) loads. Dick's is selling them for about 18 bucks for ten.

I lined up the bottles with the 2 liter first and the two 1 gallon jugs behind. Distance was about 12 yards. The BB load shredded all three - somewhat surprising to me.

Using the patented Dave McC method of patterning your shotgun & load at your max distance plus one yard, I fired four more shots at 15 yards. Pattern through my 870P was about 14 to 18 inches. The rain kept me from doing a paper target.

My first up load of choice has been #2 lead shot, but the shells are old and I am losing more and more due to the crimp loosening up. Plan now is to fire those up and switch to the BB loads.

For those of us who want something lighter than the traditional 00 buck and heavier than true birdshot, this looks very promising.

http://www.remington.com/products/ammunition/shotshells/home-defense/home-defense-loads.aspx

 

[35Rem]

NOT steel. It is non-toxic, but it is more dense than lead.

If BB shot were desired, I'd go a traditional lead ammo route. Probably can be found for $25, or less for 25 rounds, not 10.

 

[627PCFan]

Seems like a solution for a problem that doesnt exist. Unless your in the state of Cali, in which you have to do some home defense in a lead free zone. You can get plain on 2 3/4 Remington Buck for 4$ for 5. Why spend the extra cash?

 

[Gord]

You can get plain on 2 3/4 Remington Buck for 4$ for 5. Why spend the extra cash?

For those of us who want something lighter than the traditional 00 buck and heavier than true birdshot

"Reading is fundamental."

 

[Al Thompson]

I'd love to find some lead BB shells, but alas, none much available around here. I've looked for years, found a few 3 inch loads.

problem that doesn't exist

Perhaps not for you, but others may be interested.

 

[35Rem]

After a search, it appears that no one currently makes lead 2 3/4" BB shotshells.
Remington does make #2 shot, no pip squeak. Cost is around $1 each.

 

[JohnBT]

Will this do?

www.ableammo.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=114248

"Winchester Military Grade Ammunition Q1544, 12 Gauge, 2 3/4 in, 9 Pellets, 1325 fps, #00 Buck, 5 Rd/bx" $4.51

 

[chas08]

For those of us who want something lighter than the traditional 00 buck and heavier than true birdshot, this looks very promising.

I shoot the Remington High Density Loads on Waterfowl. It's great stuff if you can afford it. I'm tempted to try it in BB on Geese in place of T-shot. It penetrates far better than lead of the same size. #6 Wingmaster HD will shoot all the way through a large Duck at 40 yds. I suspect that BB would be very close to #4 Buck if compared. But at $2-$3 a shot, I'm not rich enough to waste much of it plinking.

 

[huntsman]

My first up load of choice has been #2 lead shot, but the shells are old and I am losing more and more due to the crimp loosening up. Plan now is to fire those up and switch to the BB loads.

do you roll your own? #2 shot is still available

http://www.ballisticproducts.com/prodinfo.asp?number=030ML02

 

[Al Thompson]

Huntsman, no. For rifles and handguns yes, but I'm not enough of a shotgun guy to make time for reloading shotshells.

 

[tactikel]

If you really want something more than birdshot and less than buck, Hevi-shot may be your ticket!
(I favor #4 buckshot and up for HD/HD). I have only used hevi-shot birdshot (in a pre-war Supperposed) but imagine this would be useful for your purpose.

http://www.hevishot.com/index.php?p...ategory_id=14&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=73

BTW winchester 12ga #4 buckshot costs about $1.50/shell on sale at Gander.

 

[Al Thompson]

Only issue with the Heavi-shot (per your link) is that the 2 3/4 shells are 00 buck.

Around here I can find #4 buck for about 5 dollars per five pack. I was more interested in the BB size shot.