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I've been pondering this for a while and thought I would bring it to you all since most of you are far more experienced than I.
Jeff Cooper discussed three ranges for a shotgun:
A range: the range at which a shotgun's pattern has not yet opened up and it must be aimed like a rifle
B range: the range at which a shotgun's pattern has opened fully and can be used as...well, a shotgun.
C range: the range at which a shotgun's pattern has opened so much that it is no longer effective or safe to use and one must switch to a slug.
So why shouldn't I just use slugs all the time and no buckshot? What is the advantage to the 00 buck?
At A ranges I'm aiming the shotgun like it's shooting a single projectile anyways, at B range it's not like I can aim in the general direction of my target so I have to aim the shotgun anyhow, and at C range the buckshot is ineffective so I have to use a slug.
My point is that at A range nothing changes, at B range, I don't see a real advantage to 00 buck, and at c range I have to use a slug anyways.
Seems like using slug all the time would remove a lot of complication with shotgunning. I would prefer to not have to be changing loads while fighting or being shot at and using only slugs would solve that problem.
The only advantage to using buck is possibly...less penetration for in-house? I can't even see that really being the case though.
So, why should I use buck? We sure trained on it at the academy and most people use it so there must be a good reason.
Jeff Cooper discussed three ranges for a shotgun:
A range: the range at which a shotgun's pattern has not yet opened up and it must be aimed like a rifle
B range: the range at which a shotgun's pattern has opened fully and can be used as...well, a shotgun.
C range: the range at which a shotgun's pattern has opened so much that it is no longer effective or safe to use and one must switch to a slug.
So why shouldn't I just use slugs all the time and no buckshot? What is the advantage to the 00 buck?
At A ranges I'm aiming the shotgun like it's shooting a single projectile anyways, at B range it's not like I can aim in the general direction of my target so I have to aim the shotgun anyhow, and at C range the buckshot is ineffective so I have to use a slug.
My point is that at A range nothing changes, at B range, I don't see a real advantage to 00 buck, and at c range I have to use a slug anyways.
Seems like using slug all the time would remove a lot of complication with shotgunning. I would prefer to not have to be changing loads while fighting or being shot at and using only slugs would solve that problem.
The only advantage to using buck is possibly...less penetration for in-house? I can't even see that really being the case though.
So, why should I use buck? We sure trained on it at the academy and most people use it so there must be a good reason.