Q: I have noticed that American 12ga buckshot loads come in four different sizes, but I’ve never seen any mention of how many pellets each contains. Can you list them for me?
Also, in your opinion, what size of buckshot would be most effective on big boars?
How does buckshot compare with a one-ounce 12ga slug? How accurate are slugs? What choke do they shoot best in?
James Casley
A 00 buck has nine pellets in the standard 12ga load, and 15 in the 76mm (3”) magnum load; 0 buck has 12 pellets; #1 buck has 16 to 24 pellets: #3 buck has 20 pellets; #4 buck (.24 calibre, 21gn) goes from 27 pellets to 41; and the newest 000 buck has 8 heavy (.36 calibre) pellets that would stop a truck at close range.
Buckshot loadings can be a bit heavier than their slug counterparts simply because they consist of assorted loose pellets.
I’ve found 00 buck deadly on boars.
A solid projectile is more difficult to propel, increases pressures, and must be kept a bit lighter than shot loads to compensate. For what it’s worth, I’ve always obtained the best accuracy from slugs when using a 28-inch barrel having a modified choke.
My experience with slugs has pointed up one quirk that you might look for: most of the slugs I’ve tested in a variety of shotguns tend to shoot high!
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