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Post by BobR on Jan 31, 2004 3:26:16 GMT -5
I want to use my new over/under shotgun combo for night calling. I am not a bird hunter and know very little about shotguns. I have copper plated BB's and 00 buck.
What would be the effective killing range for these? I have a modified choke. Would a full choke add much range? Thanks for any help here. Also, I use a home-made hat light, and I was wondering if there is some way to illuminate the front sight(glow in the dark), because I keep the light elevated.
Thanks, Bob
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Joe
Hunter
Ozark, Arkansas
Posts: 127
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Post by Joe on Jan 31, 2004 9:17:22 GMT -5
One of the "Tru-glow" sights might work well, the even have a magnetic one you can take on and off......
As to loads, depending on your gun/choke/ammo...with a mod choke I would say 25-35 yards would catch it. If I were shooting a mod choke and 2 3/4 shells... I might look at #4 buck.....just a thought...
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Post by doorgunner on Jan 31, 2004 12:54:48 GMT -5
BobR: I did a bunch of testing a few years back with buckshot (00 and 000) through modified choked 14-inch barreled Remington 870's. I discovered that the modified choke caused so much deformation to the larger buckshot that it actually caused the pattern to spread larger than the cylinder bored guns. Since our agency wasn't interested in changing over from 000 buckshot, I recommended the cylinder bore in our short barreled shotguns. Once you dry out, you might try patterning your barrel and seeing what happens with that modified choke. I would highly recommend the smaller #4 Buckshot on predators coyote size and smaller, and 00 on lions. We discovered about 10 years ago that 000 on two-legged predators was much a much more effective load than the industry standard 00 buck. Just my $.02, and your mileage may vary.
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Post by BobR on Jan 31, 2004 13:38:18 GMT -5
Thanks for the replies. We lost our phone lines last night, due to shorting in standing water. I just got an over head line (temporary). Now I have to figure out how to get the septic system draining. When I go out at night by myself, I ignore coyotes and bobcats. A friend told me the 00 Buck would reach out to 100 yards. I will have to shoot it and see how it does at various ranges.
The illuminated sight would be if I wanted to use the top barrel.
Thanks again, Bob
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Post by Bobcat on Jan 31, 2004 13:52:21 GMT -5
Hey BobR,
Hang in there.....I just tried to call and check on you. Now I know why I couldn't get through.
Bob
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Texpppr
Hunter
San Benito, Texas
Posts: 148
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Post by Texpppr on Jan 31, 2004 13:57:14 GMT -5
I bet you are having a hard time keeping dry. Where is all the water coming from? Isn't it still winter there and kinda cold to melt that much? Steve
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Post by doorgunner on Jan 31, 2004 14:24:50 GMT -5
I'm absolutely positive that your not going to find a choke and/or shotshell load in the world that is going to give you an effective range of 100 yards with 00 buck. Your pattern would likely be the size of a small SUV. Even if you got lucky and a pellet hit the target, it lost so much of it's energy (read: round, lead ball) at that range that it's terminal performance would hardly be a factor. You would be so much more likely to hit the target at that distance with a slug, even with a bead sight and a smooth bore, and because of the mass of the projectile, it would retain much of it's velocity.
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Post by BobR on Jan 31, 2004 21:52:48 GMT -5
I did not think 100 yards sounded right. I would be happy if I could shoot at 50 yards. Most cats I have seen at night were from 60 yards on into 20 yards. Most places the timber and brush is so thick they have to be right on you before you can see them. 40 yards is about the average shot. The only thing that spooks them is the shadows made by the moving spotlight. You can't elevate the light high enough to clear the tree tops.
I don't use a spotlight any more. I mounted a 55 watt foglight on a construction hardhat. The light is about one inch high by four inches wide. It makes a narrow band of light that almost covers my entire field of vision. I sprayed the lense with Dykem, and flattened out a tin can for a light shield. I am putting a dimmer on the hat, so all I can see are the eyes. I will be in total darkness, if there are no critters around, I won't see anything.
I have been calling long enough to know what I have in front of me when I see the eyes. I have three batteries for the light, and I wear the hat while driving my Honda. I never turn on the headlights from the time I leave the house. I will basically be shooting instinctively, but would like to see the sight if I need the rifle.
Doorgunner, how about 50 yards?
Bob
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Post by doorgunner on Feb 1, 2004 0:48:01 GMT -5
Bob: I like your approach. I think 50 yards is very realistic for 00 buckshot (although I would call that leaning towards the outer limit on effective range), but I think that if I were hunting the scenario that you described, I would pay the extra bucks for some of the copper plated premium 00 buckshot. Remington 3-inch magnum copper plated 00 buckshot comes to mind. Your going to get a lot less shot deformation with copper plated shot, which will really improve your patterns. I have to believe that it's definately worth the extra few dollars that your going to pay for it. It might work out really good with your modified choke, but the only way to tell is going to be to prop up a clean piece of 4'X8' plywood at 50 yards and shoot at the center of it. At these longer ranges and on targets as big as a lion, I would stick to 00 rather than #4 buck, even though your payload is carrying less pellets. I think the mass of the 00 buck is going to give you much better terminal performance. I don't relish the idea of following up a wounded lion in the dark, especially if you don't have a partner with a shotgun backing you up.
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Post by BobR on Feb 1, 2004 10:06:26 GMT -5
Doorgunner, Almost always, the profile of a cat at night is small because they are coming straight toward me.
I have spooked a few with a bright spotlight. They don't leave, they just duck unto cover. On a one hour stand, I might have the light on for 10 minutes. This tends to make some people that I have had out with me very nervous, especially my kids. The biggest problem I have had is that whoever had the gun was not experienced at night shooting. When I burn the critter with the light, they have 3 to 5 seconds to shoot. Almost always, a shot was never fired. It takes practice to be able to acquire the target, find the crosshairs and shoot in a few seconds. So, I cut some sillouettes out of 1/4 inch plywood, and made reflective eyes out of reflective tape.
I placed these around at varying distances on our CRP field. I took whoever was going hunting with me to shoot the targets. I would light the eyes on a target then burn it, count to three silently and then turn off the light. 50% of the time a shot was never fired, and when it was the % of hits was very low. When you get out on a real stand and add the pucker factor you are just pissin in the wind.
I have been trying to get it where I can call alone at night for years. I bought a scope with lighted reticles last year. But with the light and the scope so close together, I still have problems sometimes with glare.
I just got the idea of using the shotgun a few days ago. By dimming the light way down and eliminating the scope, I think it would be perfect. I have noticed that with the hat light, it illuminates the end of my barrel.
If I can dim the light down where it will still pick up eyes, and can find a way to make my sight reflect the dim light, I think I will be in business.
My sillouettes are all full of holes. I am going to make some new ones, and practice at various ranges at night with both barrels. I still have six weeks of cat season left. Thanks for the tips. I will get the copper plated buckshot ordered.
Bob
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Post by Bearmanric on Feb 1, 2004 10:50:36 GMT -5
BobR do you need any helpIwould be glad to come over. cant wait to show you the bear call's I'm making. If you need me I'm here. good Luck. Rick
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Post by ICMCumin on Feb 1, 2004 11:38:12 GMT -5
Coming into this thread a bit late, but I agree with Doorgunner about the effective range of 00 Buck.
Fifty yards sounds about right to me. If you have screw in chokes, go for the FULL or EXTRA FULL to assure the tightest pattern at that range.
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Post by doorgunner on Feb 1, 2004 13:23:15 GMT -5
ICM: You really have to be very careful about those tight chokes with the larger buckshot. It really deforms the shot, and the compression from some tight chokes will play havok on your patterns. Buckshot and birdshot are two very different animals, when we start talking about chokes.
BobR: You might consider a fiber optic front sight on that shotgun, once you find the right buckshot/choke combination that works. Especially if your getting a little "shine on the front sight" from your light. That might be the perfect combination for your application. I don't have much experience with fiber optic sights, but the few that I have looked at in subdued light, sure look great. They do appear to be much more delicate than standard beads or metal front sights.
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Post by ICMCumin on Feb 1, 2004 15:26:38 GMT -5
ICM: You really have to be very careful about those tight chokes with the larger buckshot. It really deforms the shot, and the compression from some tight chokes will play havok on your patterns. Buckshot and birdshot are two very different animals, when we start talking about chokes. Interesting point, DG. Hadn't heard about this one but I have the 00 Buck and the extra full choke and plan on doing some research on this. Stay tuned. |
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Post by doorgunner on Feb 1, 2004 19:44:36 GMT -5
Let me know how that turns out for you. If your patterns get excessive, try some of the plated buckshot, and compare the difference. Good luck.
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