Is anyone familiar with Low Recoil 12ga buckshot? I think I understand the concept - You can keep on the target better with less recoil, but - how effective is it? Good for home defense or would regular power be better? -- Note 2-3/4 in shells.

usually its the same velocity but less balls. Sorta like torturing the 12 into being a 16.
In the HD CQB world, its just fine since the pattern wont really have a chance to spread like a full house load would in a pest control application.
I handload most of mine. in the reduced recoil game I go down a size or two like #0 to similar effect to maintain the pellet count. Seems a better approach overall as it has a little better coverage after it spreads out for pest control, yet you can still play speed metal with it

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it just needs more voltage

I think its primarily designed for inside a house (home defense). What I read is it spreads more also. I would think about using #4 buck.

Also if you're concerned about recoil, you could get an autoloader.

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Luke 22:36

I bought a few boxes of Winchester Low-Recoil 00 buck, but I haven't fired any yet. But...I do like the Federal Low-Recoil Flite Control wad, 9 pellet 00 buck. Its more easy to control recoil, for follow-up shots; and gives some very tight groups; that are very deadly indeed --- out to 25 yards --- and a joy to shoot.

One possible negative aspect of the Flite Control wad, is that the tail petals on the wad, will tend to partially shear off on certain muzzle brakes; with accumulation of plastic on the muzzle brake. Not sure... if it effects grouping, but my shooting partner, that had the shotgun muzzle brake, shot some very tight one hole groups at 10 yards with the Flite Control; one day at our range.

The Federal Flight Controls almost defeat the purpose of buckshot. Super tight patterns.

I keep the Ranger low recoil as well as the LE132 Federal .I like them both for different reasons.If you want more spread,go with the Winchester.
I keep the Rangers in a Winchester 1300,and the Federals in a Mossy 930SPX.

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Blessed be the Lord,my Rock

Anyone shot with a low recoil load within 10-15 yards won't be able to tell the difference while he's bleeding out. Many PDs use them.

Lots of controversy as to what's the best shot size. From personal patterning tests in my shotgun, I'd go with #4B always, speaking only of use for home defense where ranges would be relatively short.

The concept is simple, less lead moving out, less recoil. It does have advantages for folks who are recoil shy for one reason or another. The shot size does not matter, "low recoil" just means a little less of them. The best buckshot round for my money is the Federal Flite-Control. As mentioned above it does keep very close patterns at close ranges. However as range increases, the shot will spread out, but yard for yard it will maintain a denser pattern than other types.
When you are talking about HD, even the rounds that spread out quickly will only give a 4-6" pattern at most HD ranges. They spread a little more when you get down to #4 and #1 buck-but not much more. The lesson here? You CAN miss with a shotgun........

I think the low recoil buck loads are good choices for self defense, especially if a small-statured person or female might need to grab for the shotgun. Less recoil, more control, a little less blast, and plenty of energy on target.

Federal Reduced Recoil 2-3/4" 9 pellet with Flitecontrol Wad, PD132 00, is what I keep in the shotty when I have it loaded.

The low recoil loads also have lower muzzle velocity. For example, Fiocchi lists 12 gauge 00 loads with 9 pellets at 1325 fps (standard) or 1150 fps (low recoil). I've fired about 120 rounds of their low recoil loads through a 20 inch Coach Gun with excellent results and much less wear and tear on my shoulder. For a real eye-opener, try a few rounds of 3 inch 15-pellet loads - very unpleasant in my Coach gun!

Chose them for my HD needs for my 500 for the reasons above. Pretty sure they'll get the job done.

Interesting thread. I bought a small box of low-recoil 00 buck for HD, but only because the shotgun is a 12 gauge Ithaca double barrel with a manufacture date in the 1920s, and I read that the "flues" ought not to be subjected to modern full-power loads, so low-recoil was recommended. These are 2 3/4" shells with 9 pellets of 00 buck, rated at 1200 fps.

I just assumed there must be less powder in the shells -- especially since the brass ends are much shorter too -- and, thus, the "low recoil." Didn't know it had more to do with the amount of lead going out the barrel.

This shotgun is actually my back-up for HD; I have a .410 with the PDX Defender ammo for "pest control," and anything else of a slithering, crawling, or otherwise suspicious nature that my small-statured wife might encounter while I'm not at home.

Any thoughts on the low-recoil appreciated....

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Ukraine -- now more than ever

+1 on #4 Buck. Best balance between pellet size and number of pellets, effectively making it more deadly than 00 in close range encounter.

I can't remember where I've seen it (yes, I know this makes it anecdotal), but I recall reading about the terminal effectiveness of "reduced recoil" buckshot and slugs on game, and the findings were quite satisfactory; in other words less really can be more.

I can also speak from personal experience that my Remington 870 loves the Federal LE132 round. Very managable recoil with tight patterns. I'm happy with it.

I like the tight pattern of that round. I also bought several boxes of Federal LR Truball 1 oz rifled slugs. It's designed for a smoothbore barrel and the accuracy was outstanding.

The Ammo Man is selling Speer 12 guage LE, with Federal Flite Control
Wads and 8 balls of 00 buck; so as to give it tighter groups and lower recoil.