00 Buckshot is a type of shotgun ammunition that uses multiple large pellets, making it a popular choice for both hunting and personal protection. This load is distinguished from birdshot, which uses many small pellets, and slugs, which are single, solid projectiles. The combination of multiple projectiles and significant pellet size gives 00 Buckshot a standard performance profile. It is one of the most widely available and commonly used buckshot sizes for 12-gauge shotguns.
What the “00” and “Buck” Mean
Buckshot refers to the largest category of pellets loaded into a shotgun shell, designed for use on larger targets like deer or hogs, rather than small birds or clay targets. The pellets are often made of lead, sometimes plated with copper, and are contained within a plastic wad inside the shell casing.
The “00” designation, pronounced “double-aught,” is a specific size classification for the individual pellets. Each 00 pellet measures approximately 0.33 inches (8.4mm) in diameter, which is comparable to a large pistol caliber bullet. This size places it near the middle of the buckshot spectrum, which ranges from the smaller #4 Buck to the larger 000 Buck.
The number of pellets contained in a shell varies based on the shell’s length and the gauge of the shotgun. A standard 12-gauge, 2 3/4-inch shell typically holds eight or nine 00 pellets. Longer 3-inch magnum shells can contain up to 12 or more pellets of the same diameter, increasing the total payload.
Primary Uses and Performance Characteristics
The two primary applications for 00 Buckshot are self-defense and hunting medium-sized game. For home protection, it is often the preferred load because the spread of multiple projectiles increases the chance of a hit in close quarters, and the collective energy transfer is substantial.
In hunting, 00 Buck is used for game like deer and wild hogs, particularly in areas where rifle use is restricted or at close ranges in dense brush. The large pellet size provides sufficient mass and momentum to penetrate deep enough to reach the vitals of these animals. However, the effective range is limited by the spread of the pellets, which is known as the pattern.
The effective range for 00 Buckshot is between 40 and 50 yards, depending on the shotgun and the specific ammunition load. Beyond this distance, the pattern spreads too widely, making it difficult to ensure enough pellets strike the target for a humane or decisive impact. Shooters must test their specific shotgun and ammunition combination to determine the pattern size at various distances, a process called patterning, to understand the true limits of their setup.
How 00 Buck Compares to Other Sizes
00 Buckshot is often compared to other common buckshot sizes, such as #4 Buck and 000 Buck, to highlight its position as a versatile middle ground. The smaller #4 Buck pellets are approximately 0.24 inches in diameter, meaning a standard shell can hold 21 to 28 pellets. This higher pellet count creates a denser pattern, but the individual pellets have less mass and momentum, resulting in shallower penetration.
Conversely, 000 Buck (triple-aught) pellets are larger, measuring about 0.36 inches in diameter, which is slightly larger than a 9mm pistol bullet. Because of their size, a standard shell holds fewer pellets, typically six to eight, but each pellet offers greater penetration and energy transfer. This makes 000 Buck suitable for larger or tougher game.
The popularity of 00 Buckshot stems from its balance between these two extremes. It offers a good compromise between the high pellet count of #4 Buck and the deep penetration of 000 Buck. This balance of pattern density and individual pellet performance makes 00 Buck the most widely manufactured and readily available buckshot size, establishing it as the standard for general-purpose shotgun use.