Steel shot loads performance.

[Zazu45]

Hi guys.

When choosing a hunting load, or handloading for a shotgun, how important is it to "buffer" the payload?
Does it have the same or as much effect on performance?
I know that steel shot does not need protection against deformation, what I want to know is if tightens patterns and if so how much improuvement can one expect?

Thanks.

Denis

[fabsroman]

Since steel does not deform, it has rather tight patterns as it is. I know some steel loads using buffer in them, and have opened a Remington steel load to find buffer in it, but I have no idea if it tightens the pattern or not. Some of the Hevi-Shot loads require buffer too, but again, I have no idea if it tightens the pattern or not. Hevi-Shot patterns tighter than steel as it is.

[skeet]

When reloading, especially steel, you must follow the recipe to the letter when using buffer. The buffers in steel loads usually are put in to make the load perform in a more liquid way. Helping things go smoothly through the forcing cone and chokes...mainly with larger shot. With lead shot you also have to follow buffered recipes to the letter because it usually raises chamber and bore pressures quite a bit...but with lead shot it is used mainly to protect the shot...keeping it more round...and again mostly with larger shot sizes. Loading buffered shotshells is not hard but it is demanding of time. Have done it in the past but for the most part loading specialized loads like those it usually isn't cost effective enough. The materials and time expended for the small amount of savings usually isn't worth it. Did a lot of reloading like this in the past. Loading hevishot MAY be an exception as far as savings...but only if you get the materials at a very attractive price and if you shoot a LOT. Factory loaded Hevi is expensive!!

[Mr. 16 gauge]

Steel does not deform and the reason for buffer is to help it be 'more fluid', as skeet has stated......remember those toys that had 4 metal ball bearings on a string, and when you smacked one, the one on the other end would jump up? Well, steel shot does the same thing when fired....energy can be transfered from one pellet to the next, opening patterns. Buffer helps to 'cushion' the steel and prevent this, tightening patterns.
With bismuth shot, the buffer is used to help prevent the fracturing of the shot.....kind of interesting to pattern a bismuth load and find more holes in the target than there are pellets in the load!
I use buffer in my bismuth loads and some of my lead loads.....I worked for two years to get a decent 16 gauge turkey load, and in the end I had to use buffer to help tighten up the patterns. Would have been great if there was a factory load that offered it (tighter patterns), but since the majority of ammo manufacturers ignore the 16 gauge, it was a bit of necessity on my part........and, btw, I did enjoy the challenge of it all.