4 buck load

GP · #1 12-26-2005, 08:29 PM

I need a 4 buck load for a 12 gauge 2 3/4 inch with blue dot powder. Can anyone help? Thanks

trex · #2 12-27-2005, 10:27 AM

#4 Buckshot is loaded by all the major manufacturers. However, I'm not sure what powder they are using

M.T. Pockets · #3 12-27-2005, 11:48 AM

I used to load a lot of 4 buck loads in 10 guage years ago, (Tremendous load for crows).

I used Blue Dot powder. I got the load data from the outfit where I bought the wads - I believe it was Ballistic Products Inc. I'm sure they would have a recipe for the load you're looking for.

fabsroman · #4 12-27-2005, 01:21 PM

Look at the Lyman Shotshell reloading Manual. Mine is at my parents house, otherwise I might have been able to squeeze in a little time this afternoon and look it over for you.

skeet · #5 12-27-2005, 09:18 PM

As someone who has loaded 4 buck and others in the past....let me say that it is a very hard thing to load. At least for loads that are equal to the factory shells. You need hard mag buck and it is best if plated. And finding data for the darn things with a buffer is hard to find. it will be cheaper and probably much better to buy a few for your needs. Factory loads in the premium line will do. Also..Blue dot is a hard powder to meter through bushings well but is one of the better powders for heavy loads. If you already have some soft lead 4 buck melt it for casting muzzleloader bullets. JMO of course!

trex · #6 12-28-2005, 09:18 AM

10 Guage #4buckshot loads and crows!!!!!! WHEW!!!! I imagine a few Ibuprofens and a stiff drink was in order after those sessions! WOW

skeet · #7 12-28-2005, 09:50 AM

That is the one ga that it is worth loading 4 buck in. As long as you can get hard shot. I also loaded Hard lead T shot(.20 ) in the 10. Kill a goose waaaayyyy out yonder. . as far as the 4 buck and crows...just think..if ya hit him it probly gonna bring him down. 10 isn't so bad in a semi auto though. Ithaca Mag 10..full choke and 4 buck. 4 Buck is .24 cal ya know. I even tried F(.22) shot..but could never get it to pattern well..even out of my 10 ga guns. Good hard mag 4 buck patterned ok out to about 60 yds out of the 10 and the T shot patterned really well out of my SP10(75% patterns at 70 yds)...and ok out of the Ithaca Mag 10... about 60% at the same distance. I shot a lot of 10 ga shells in the past looking for the magical 90 yd goose load. Almost had itat one time. But It was really hard to figure the lead on a goose that far

BTW forget them ibro'''ibupr...aw heck them dang pills. Just gimme the drinks

fabsroman · #8 12-28-2005, 09:54 AM

The lead on a goose at 90 yards is "A HECK OF A LOT" unless it is an angling shot and then it is only "A LOT". Of course, the straight away shot might be a little difficult.

M.T. Pockets · #9 12-28-2005, 01:27 PM

Shooting crows was part of my mis-spent youth. I remember loading 72 of those little #4 buck pellets by hand into the shot cup - no room for a wad. I shot them through my Mag-10. Those crows were pretty cagey and would always be just outside "normal" shotgun range. I never felt bad skybusting at crows out to 100 yards and with #4 buck there were no cripples. It really was a very effective load. I used to buffer the loads, that took some practice because if you get too much in early, it will pack towards the back and you'll get a slug effect in the back of the shot string. Lots of shots at a plywood target told me that. Recoil wasn't an issue, I was 19.

fabsroman · #10 12-28-2005, 01:42 PM

I used to use 2's and 4's when I first started hunting crows, but have learned that 7 1/2's work just fine with an electronic caller and a crow decoy stuck up high on a pole. I remember the good old days when I didn't mind recoil. Now, my Teknys and SBE both have recoil reducers on them and I can remember a couple of back aches from the 3 1/2" 12 gauge shells in the SBE.

8X56MS · #11 02-17-2006, 08:31 PM

I like a .22/250 for crows myself.

I used to pop a few behind the old Cecil Field Navy Jet Base in Jax with a Browning A5 12 Ga mag, using #2 shot. We would call them in, while laying under burlap and bush trimmings in a field.

RickWhiteFeather · #12 09-01-2006, 05:38 AM

#4 buckshot runs 20.3 to a ounce.
#T shot runs 31.3 to a ounce in lead.
#F shot runs 28.1 to a ounce in lead.

8lb jars run $18.95 from Ballistic Products Inc.

I have loaded Longshot in Gold Medal hulls with the WAA12 wad and used 1 1/8oz of #F shot(32) for fox and yotes.
Win209-WAA12-37.8grains Longshot-Gold Medal hull=1585fps/10,400psi

71pellets of #4buck = 3.4975(3.5oz)