Shotgun "Practice" Ammo?

[zminer]

I recently purchased a Remington 870 Home Defense - 12 gauge, synthetic stock, 18.5" barrel, 2 shot extension. I got a couple of boxes of cheap 00 buck at the store when I bought it, just to shoot for practice, but I'm looking long-term for some loads to practice with at the range that aren't going to break the bank.

When the gun is being used for home defense I will probably load it with 2 3/4" #1 or 00 buckshot, so I am looking for something that will be the same, or similar, to those kinds of rounds. I'm hoping to find something that's inexpensive enough that I can shoot it without breaking the bank, but that's not super-cheap.

I've seen various kinds of things for sale - steel shot, target loads, high brass, etc. - but I have never been a shotgunner, so I have no idea whether any of these things are going to help me when I am training to use this gun properly.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Pete409]

If you just want to become familiar with shooting and handling the gun and improve your marksmanship, then any kind of 2 3/4" 12 gauge ammo will work just fine.

You could purchase some 12 gauge ammo from Wal Mart in #8 shot or # 7 1/2 shot with either 1 ounce or 1 1/8 ounce of shot for around $6 per box of 25 shells. These shells will work just fine for practice, but of course won't be as effective at stopping bad guys as a load of buckshot.

 

[CWL]

Some people use birdshot, but it doesn't have the same pattern nor recoil as 00 buck or slug.

I typically buy a case of S&B 12ga 00 buck for training sessions. I don't consider them for real SD use because they pattern horribly (no shot cup, deforms shot). They can be really dirty to shoot though.

 

[zminer]

any kind of 2 3/4" 12 gauge ammo will work just fine

Okay, good to know. Right now I'm looking to go to the range with several boxes of ammunition just to get a feel for what it's like to handle a shotgun (bring it to the shoulder, find the target, fire, and cycle) with live ammunition. I'll probably try to find some inexpensive shot, as you suggested, for those purposes.

I typically buy a case of S&B 12ga 00 buck for training sessions

Heh, the cheap ammo I mentioned getting at the shop was indeed Sellier & Bellot. Once I've done the initial exercises mentioned above, I'll probably move to buckshot and do some practice with that too. Also, I'll be sure to load up at night with real 00 buck for protection, not S&B. Thanks for the heads up on that.

 

[EMT40SW]

I find that Remington Premier Nitro Sporting Clays in #7.5 or #8 simulate the reciol of most standard buckshot loads for practice, obviously it paterns differantly. I can get a box of 25 for $5-$6 at Walmart.
For home defense I recommend Federal buckshot with a flite-control wad. They make both copper plated and non plated buckshot in the premium or classic loadings.
My last suggestion would be to get a 26" or 28" barrels for your gun from Remington or Mossberg. Then you can practice with the function of your gun shooting sporting clays or hunting. You may also be able to find a tactical/defensive shotgun match in your area.

Have fun!!

 

[zminer]

They make both copper plated and non plated buckshot in the premium or classic loadings.

At the risk of sounding stupid, what's the difference between copper-plated and non-plated? I assume it affects how effective the load is in some way (deforming of the pellets?), but I'm not exactly sure how.

 

[EMT40SW]

Copper plated has better penatration is standered in thier premium loads. It is like FMJ vs cast projectiles for shotguns.

 

[plainsbilly]

you can get a 100 rnd box of remington pheasant loads (#5 shot 2 3/4 high brass)at dicks sporting goods for ~$30 close to buckshot as you can get at nearly trap load prices

 

[Rmart30]

just for something to shoot walmart has 100 rd bulk packs of 7-9 shot for $21