[Mofeen]

I found a good deal on this ammo, in 2 3/4 in variety. I was just wondering if it gets good patterns, as I may want to use it in my HD 870? Thanks.

[Jager1]

No-one can accurately answer your question since each shotgun patterns differently. All you can really do is purchase some of whatever you are interested in and pattern it in your gun at those ranges you hope to perform at. For HD ranges - you'll likely be fine.

I've had good luck with it. However, it is unbuffered shot and typically does not pattern as well as more expensive buffered loads.

Their slugs are sweet, though, out of every shotgun I've put them through. For the price, they'd be hard to beat.

[inzone]

a little unpredictability in the pattern keeps the bad guys guessing!

[Line Rider]

I've shot between 75 and a 100 rounds of S&B 12 ga 00 buck throught my Rem 870 and Benelli M1 Super 90 without a problem. It seems to be as good as bulk Winchester / Wal mart 00 buck.

[method]

It's the second tightest patterning buckshot out of my Saiga. Does good in my 870 too.

Here it is on a 8.5x11" sheet of paper, from 15 yards, out of the S12.


That's definitely a useable pattern.

[TxGun]

I've also had good luck with it. Patterns better than Winchester in most of my guns.

[Onmilo]

I've shot quite a bit of the stuff.
Seems a bit blastier and harder recoiling than the Winchester stuff I normally use and it's a bit dirtier, but pattern wise it is comparable.

[Puppy]

It doesn't pattern well for me in any of my shotguns at any sort of distance, but if your using it for HD that shouldn't be an issue, if you intend to hunt with buckshot I'd recommend hardened/plated shot w/buffering in a flight control type shot cup, Federal's Premium LE works well for me as does Remington's LE TAC 8.

[marlinfan]

I use it in my NEF Pardner pump gun. It's only $10 for a box of 25 when Cabelas has a sale, so it's even cheaper than walmart.

[K.Kiser]

Originally Posted by marlinfan

I use it in my NEF Pardner pump gun. It's only $10 for a box of 25 when Cabelas has a sale, so it's even cheaper than walmart.

Dang, that is cheap... After all My trials and errors I shoot Federal and Remington Express almost always, but that Cabela's deal is a whole lot cheaper... For home defense, it seems like a great deal..

[mitchshrader]

The way the S&B 00 Buck load is made, it won't act like regular 2 3/4 IN THE MAGAZINE.. there's no safety issue, just that some older 2 3/4 chambered guns will have trouble holding the normal number in the tube.

It's a skosh longer than most 2 3/4 OAL, but the lack of folded crimps makes it ok for 2 3/4 chambers.

[das9mm26]

Originally Posted by mitchshrader

The way the S&B 00 Buck load is made, it won't act like regular 2 3/4 IN THE MAGAZINE.. there's no safety issue, just that some older 2 3/4 chambered guns will have trouble holding the normal number in the tube.

It's a skosh longer than most 2 3/4 OAL, but the lack of folded crimps makes it ok for 2 3/4 chambers.

IIRC......someone posted a while ago about Rio shotshells having a similar quirk...the poster claimed the shells were "mislabeled"; that the 2 3/4" shells were actually 3"...I ordered 200 rounds of the 2 3/4 Rios from Cabela's and have noticed the cases are just a shade longer than 2 3/4"...but, again....NOT a safety factor..and I always load "one down" (ie., 5 rounds in a 6 round tube...).

[method]

Keep in mind that shotgun shell lengths measure from a fired hull. Most shells have a folded crimp so that in loaded state, they're only about 2 1/2". After firing, they're 2 3/4". S&B doesn't have such a crimp, and are full length from the get. It's what allows them to carry an extra 3 pellets over most 2 3/4" loads. It's also why a 7 round tube magazine will only hold 6 of them.

[AAshooter]

My experience has been it is great for range drills but there is better stuff out their. S&B does not pattern as consistently as higher quality ammo. I find you can find '00 buck that patterns tighter. I find S&B also tends to have more "fliers" . . . one pellet that deviates more significantly from the others.

I also find the crimp they use not particularly helpful when handling ammo.

All that said, not bad for the price.

[Mofeen]

Originally Posted by AAshooter

My experience has been it is great for range drills but there is better stuff out their. S&B does not pattern as consistently as higher quality ammo. I find you can find '00 buck that patterns tighter. I find S&B also tends to have more "fliers" . . . one pellet that deviates more significantly from the others.

I also find the crimp they use not particularly helpful when handling ammo.

All that said, not bad for the price.

Took it out this weekend and threw 50 rounds downrange. Same experience. Patterns weren't all that great after 10 yards or so. I obviously had much better luck with the Federal LE 00 buck, which i am now making my HD round. Man, those are some tight patterns!

Anyway, the S and B is good for just having some fun at the range, so I am not sad at all for buying 250 rounds of the stuff.

[jhooten]

For non-buffered, non-plated, soft lead shot it works well in open choked barrels. The pattern opens up when shot in a long barreled extra full choked "tower" gun.

[TexasNativeDRJH]

It's decent cheap ammo, I find the lead to be softer than most brands. I ran 75rds of buck at the range and my barrel was loaded with lead and was a PITA to clean

[Blast]

I use it. I like 12 pellets in a 2 3/4 as opposed to 9.
An unfired shell is as long as a typical fired 2 3/4 shell.

[southernshooter]

It is great at self defense ranges but at deer hunting range it does seem to have more flyers than other brands. The "clear" shell is pretty wicked looking-you can see the 00 rounds in the shell.

[Z71bill]

Originally Posted by das9mm26

......and I always load "one down" (ie., 5 rounds in a 6 round tube...).

Because 6 will not fit?