Shooting 00 Buck Black Powder 12 Gauge

The challenging spring weather broke for a short window and we are back on the range to run a test of the 00 buckshot 12 gauge black powder loads concocted last month. We test the same 82 grain load at 20 yards and 40 yards in both a 20" coach gun with open chokes and a 30" shotgun with one modified barrel and one full choke barrel. Join us for the results.

[@blackpowderfirearmenthusia3194]

Thank you, I never thought that with a full or modified choke shooting buck shot that it could hit the choke and then go everywhere cause the opposite of a tighter spread, that's good to know. You videos are very informative. I have a Pedersoli 20 gauge muzzleloading shotgun and all I have shot so far is no. 7.5 bird shot. I love your 12 gauge shotguns. Thanks for sharing.

[@theshotgunscientists]

I shoot buckshot of all different sizes through a .680 choke which is .020 tighter than standard full choke and get 8” spreads at 50 yards. If I open the choke up, the spread opens up. It may be different with black powder and no shot cup, but with smokeless powder and full length wads, the tighter the choke the tighter the spread. To an extent anyway.

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

Tyler, Thanks for the comments. I haven't experimented with loads in a shot cup. I bet you're right. The shot cup keeps the buckshot contained in a more uniform group with predictable results. Each piece of shot isn't bouncing down the barrel independently. Thanks for watching. Todd

[@slipit9]

That Santee comment had me rolling! Great vid. Love the black powder tests. Have a marlin in 44/40 am loading up with black powder cartridges. Am looking forward to the testing. Thank you so much for these!

[@453421abcdefg12345]

That was an interesting comparison between the 2 barrel lengths, I would have thought the longer barrel with choke would concentrate the shot much more than that, no 2 shots of course are going to give the same result, but there seems to be a pattern (ha ha), there, I think on firing from the stage coach there would also be a certain amount of input from the rapid acceleration of the horse team, maybe roping yourself on would be an advantage there ! Many thanks for posting this video Todd, Chris B.

[@mausercal65]

Be interesting to see what the old punkin ball loads would do .

[@jmartin9059]

*8 pellets of 000 36 cal stacked in four pairs... or, 31 cal or 30 cal stacked in fours as an 'even dozen' might 'even' that out & make those patterns tighter, {if that is what you want}. Stacking 'oddly' in threes was done to scatter the pattern... hence, the term.... 'double-ought-scatter-shot-gun'.*

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

Thanks J, That's good to know. A buckshot stacking video might need to be put on the list. Todd

[@sasquatch885]

I love my short hammered shotgun. I shot cowboy trap for the first time recently. Hit 10 outta 25 birds with smokeless and birdshot.

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

That sounds like fun. Todd

[@sasquatch885]

It was a side match at a SASS shoot. It was fun. I was pretty surprised I could hit any of them.😉

[@terrysmiff8469]

Good info. Thank you. Cheers.

[@Leverguns50]

That’s pretty interesting

[@jims9249]

I hope Santee seen that. I only shoot smokeless, but I.C. seems to work well for me.

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

I tipped him off. Thanks, Todd

[@marymiller9833]

Dropping point of aim would definitely do a number on the horse they are riding if nothing else.

[@netravler1]

Buckshot, has ALWAYS been, and will always be about "Hit probability". In today's modern era, we have gotten confused about buckshot's actual purpose in use. Today we have the mentality that all the pellets have to hit the target for it to be effective and then it's not true. Concept of Buckshot is, if you throw enough pellets that on their own are lethal enough, that you can get one or two hits and still stop the deer, or the aggressor. The more hits the better, yes, but the concept is you don't have to be is accurate, and if it spreads, all the better. That's why they used buckshot

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

Good point. Todd

[@stephenfann3347]

number 3 buck with 27 pellets would be cool to try

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

Ouch. Send me your 12 gauge and I'll try it. Thanks for watching, Todd

[@prestonmonaghan499]

10 gauge was more popular back in the 1800s. A 12 gauge was considered inferior.

[@terryqueen3233]

I have a question actually. I have a 1900 double barrel 30 in shotgun made with Damascus steel does it have to have black powder or can I use smokeless. I was told to use black powder which I've got loads of that and I also have smokeless powder. I'm pretty sure it's a 1905 and I can't remember the name of it but I do remember it was made in New York but I certainly hope that you can help me on this I haven't shot anything out of it yet because I've been trying to find out exactly what to shoot if I can shoot smokeless that'll be great then I can just buy shells otherwise I'm going to have to reload them which is okay I can do that. Thanks for the video I've been looking and looking to find a video on these double barrels plus black powder. Thanks again for the video don't forget, keep ye powder dry!

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

Terry, I am going to tell you to shoot black powder. There are too many unknowns to comfortly shoot smokeless. If I told you to shoot smokeless because the gun was manufactured in 1905 (but not sure) and it ruptured, you'd be without a working gun and maybe injured. I know Damascus is stronger than people say, but it's all in the quality and condition. If you really want to know, there's an antique shotgun expert in Bozeman who could inspect it and let you know with confidence. With shipping both ways, you're probably looking at $200. But he knows his stuff. Or, just load black powder and spend the $200 on components. Other than having to be vigilant about cleaning, it's just as fun. Let me know if you want to take this further. Todd

[@tarzansbigknife7217]

Just one 00bk will ruin your day

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

True. Thanks for commenting, Todd

[@stevenbaker9327]

I can't even hold onto my light field gun with an 80 gr. charge of 2F! 65 is about it for pheasants. Much heavier is unbearable!

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

Thanks Steven, I think I'll back off the powder too. Todd