Buckshot Pattern Test: Winchester Super X, Double X, & Hornady Critical Defense (Browning A-5)

Pattern testing my 1985 Browning Auto-5 with 3 differnet buckshot loads and 20 and 40 yards. If you have any chokes or loads you want to see patterned, let me know!

[@tarzansbigknife7217]

I found out over the years of shooting buckshot is..every factory choke i used...whether it was a Remington, Mossberg or Benelli they all shot bad patterns. These chokes are for bird shot. You need to get a buckshot choke DESIGNED for buckshot like Kicks buck kicker, Boar blaster choke tube or a Rectifier choke tube to name just a few.

[@pdoutdoors1506]

I'll give them a try!

[@point177]

Carlsons turkey chokes do pretty well with non plated lead buckshot too. Copper plated not so much.

[@njgrplr2007]

Check out Wade Rush's "Bubba Round Tree" channel to see how well buckshot can pattern out to 65 yards. A few things you will learn: - it is not uncommon for different loads to shoot to a different point of impact (POI), - changing chokes will often change your POI, - the type of wad used in the load will be the biggest factor in pattern density, - Wade gets some amazing buckshot patterns with the Kick's Buck Kicker Standard Full choke, and - an optic really helps to get tight patterning loads on target at longer distances.

[@patwatson2454]

I use bubba's load Data it extended my hunting range by a lot

[@pdoutdoors1506]

I'll give it a watch, thanks for the suggestion. I'll be sure to buy a dedicated buck choke after turkey season and test it out.

[@monkeyklaw1]

Like all of the other suggestions I'd get a Kicks Buck Kicker X-Full for 2 3/4 buckshot. Federal and Remington make a 2 3/4 12 pellet 00 magnum load that shoots great in my Rem. 1100 with the Kicks X-Full. Those 12 pellet 00's are really hard to find though. Midway USA has them in stock from time to time. Thanks for the video.

[@Mike-iz9km]

A 4 notch choke is improved. One notch is full. You can check by putting your pinky finger into an unloaded gun barrel. Full is tight on my finger. Improved is loose. Thanks for testing!

[@camronmerrill4824]

My favorite gun ever made Browning a-5 this is what i use to hunt in New Hampshire

[@pdoutdoors1506]

It's my dedicated duck gun, and it's deadly

[@camronmerrill4824]

@@pdoutdoors1506 i use mine for deer and coyote. 00 buck or brenneke slugs. Mine was made in 1965, has a lot of sentimental value my father gave it to me when i was 11 and he passed a few years ago

[@pdoutdoors1506]

@@camronmerrill4824 Man I'm sorry to hear about your dad, but I'm glad that you will always be able to share hunts with him through that shotgun.

[@jeffroberts760]

I think lucky gunner says full chokes open up the pattern on buckshot and that an IC will tighten it up

[@Paige.G10]

Nice gun!

[@josephwashington6480]

I have two Japanese A5’s. The light 12 and the magnum 12 with 30 inch barrels. I don’t have that problem with 00 buckshot. Maybe because I have never shot steel shot out of them. You might want to try some new factory chokes for lead only.

[@abelguerra8284]

The Hornady critical defense is a good load for hunting I've used it running dogs this year and it performed better than your usual hunting buckshot

[@pdoutdoors1506]

I'm defiantly going to be doing more testing.

[@abelguerra8284]

@@pdoutdoors1506 the wad system in the hornady is the same as the federal flight control wad use a improved cylinder or cylinder bore that the wad works like a choke

[@pdoutdoors1506]

@@abelguerra8284 I'll give it a shot, thanks.

[@point177]

@@abelguerra8284 imma have to try that. I have some left over from testing in my mossberg 500 where it performed poorly for what I was looking for, but thanks for the info I’ll check it out choked down a bit for deer this year.

[@point177]

Over choking is a thing. Expensive copper plated buckshot out of my moss berg with a modified choke is a nice even pattern about 10-12 inches at 25 yards… xxfull choke and I got one ball on paper at the same distance. Conversely Winchester super X out of the same gun xxfull choke held a 6 inch super tight group at 25 yds, but was scattered maybe 4 balls on paper with a modified at the same distance.

[@patwatson2454]

It's these screw in chokes that are junk, you have a cylinder bore size barrel then the last 2 or 3 inches it shrinks down to whatever tube you have,I have a 1980 coast to coast master mag 12 ga pump 30" barrel fixed full choke that will take any buckshot and print a 8 inch pattern at 100 but from chamber to end of barrel is one long choke basically about 26 inches of full choke,it gives the buckshot time to bond and settle into a calm flight pattern

[@timg7627]

Wise words Sir

[@russellehrgood9835]

For some reason Brownings,in my experience throw a high pattern; all the time. I had field and target Brownings do the same thing.I think the A5 uses the invector DS choke system, not familiar with these chokes. The 5 I had was from 1955 and had a fixed choke barrel. I would try a different choke like Truchokes, Briley or Carlson and see where you pattern is then.

[@20andin]

Just gave my son my Belgian made, Sweet Sixteen

[@pdoutdoors1506]

A treasure he will cherish for sure

[@prestonwilkinson4128]

Do it with browning citori and do a review on how it pattern please

[@cavemanjeff4251]

The full choke xx pattern at 40 yds is not that bad if it shoots it consistently, especially since its a 2 3/4 9 pellet load instead of the larger loads .

[@pdoutdoors1506]

It's really not awful, just not something I would be comfortable shooting at an animal.

[@jerrodladner3019]

The a5 is the most beautiful shotgun ever made. Having said that I have owned 6 diff ones over the years . Some 3 inch and some 2-3/4 and not one of them ever shot where I was aiming. Also the seem to not shoot as hard as other guns.

[@matthewdement3721]

Is that a Belgium barrel? (Didn’t get to watch full video) heard you say you shoot duck loads out of it. I was always told never shoot steel shot out of a Belgium barrel due to it will bulge the barrel. Assuming you’re shootings steel shot bc idk where anyone can shoot lead anymore for waterfowl? Also have you tried tss? I’m scared to pull the trigger on my Belgium with tss

[@pdoutdoors1506]

The one in the video is a Japan barrel. I have a 1947 Belgian and I hunt it all the time. I shoot boss bismuth exclusively out of all my guns and it’s perfectly safe. They actually have a “stinger” load which is lower powder charge safer for the old guns

[@matthewdement3721]

@@pdoutdoors1506 thanks for the reply I just ordered some for myself. Happy hunting buddy 😎👍🏽

[@lawson9102]

I put the buck kicker choke in my Remington 870 works great

[@pdoutdoors1506]

I'll have to check it out, thanks!

[@KKKKKKK-sr1fz]

You can’t use chokes for versatite wad from hornady

[@bow-edup9057]

Full choke with oo buck won't work with any ammo I use mod or improved

[@cml44spec1]

I have shot browning shotguns over 20 years with full chokes try some number 1 buckshot and you will love it

[@gregemerson9745]

You stated you duck hunt with your A5 and thats good but sand bag rest & shooting a paper is different. When u point & swing on ducks youre not using the bead as aiming point. Believe ot or not. Therefore when u shoot the a5 at paper in bags u want to see the bullseye with barely the top of the bead shining above the receiver. Bingo..bullseye..a5 technolgy