So whats the deal with "low recoil" or "reduced recoil" buckshot?

As the title says- but more specifically, are 12 gauge reduced or low recoil buckshot loads in fact reduced in recoil to the perception of anyone here who's tried it, and are there any disadvantages to these loads?

The ones I've shot do seem to recoil less.
They're tailored to SD/LEO use, as opposed to hunting.
You don't need as much power/range for stopping a violent felon at less than 10 yards as you do for dropping a deer from 30 yards.

People who did not grow up shooting shotguns often find standard 12 gauge buck to have rather punishing recoil.

Compare the Pellet Count I think I noticed some of the reduced recoil loads had fewer pellets,I know a Standard 2 3/4" 12 ga. 00 Buck is 9 pellets,& 3" 00 is 15 pellets

Reduced recoil buckshot loads were originally developed so the smaller statured LEO personnel can still handle the shotguns. They are available in Buck and slug and show a considerably reduced power at the muzzle and the shooters shoulder. More often than not the reduced buckshot loads have fewer pellets, normally 8 instead of 9 in 00B loads. While these loads don't cause problems in pump actions, they can cause malfunctions in guns like Benelli's M4 riot or Rem 11-87P.

I don't have any issue with firing buckshot....... most of it, most of the time lol. I once fired a five shot string from a turkish 12 gauge pump with a flimsy buttstock, of #4 buck, 3inch.
I was also sore from a workout the previous day.
My friend said he thought he'd have to push my eyeballs back in lol. <-- literally! lol !

I personally prefer 2 3/4 #1 buck loads.

I'm mostly curious because I somehow have to justify an ammo order and the 'ol lady has fibro. If I can arrange it so there's "something in it for you too honey"...... I'm manipulative like that.

Seriously- I want her to be able to use the 12 gauge for home defense. We have a mossy 500 pump.

I have two Mossberg 500 12g shotguns and have used them in several classes. Using the low recoil buck and slugs I never had a problem with control or recoil issues. In my opinion for classes, casual shooting or home defense the low recoil rounds are the way to go.

To answer your question, yes. I've noticed a tangible difference in felt recoil with my Remington 870 Police Magnum. Just to give you a point of reference, I'm comparing Federal LE 132 00 9 pellet 00 Buck and the Winchester "Military" 9-pellet 00 Buck. I can also tell you that the Federal FliteControl stuff patterns very tightly in my particular 870 with an IC choke.

This is purely anecdotal, but I recall reading something to the effect of reduced recoil loads not having signifigantly reduced terminal effectiveness when used in hunting applications.

Also, not to complicate things, but have you considered a 20 ga. shotgun for the missus, especially if she's recoil sensitive? I believe that caliber is available in #1 and #4 buckshot.

It may not be a big issue for Home Defense but it's a good idea to Pattern the Buckshot you intend to use,If you have interchangeable choke tubes try each one,We use Buckshot for Deer due to running Hounds & I pattern My Guns @ 40 yards & currently use a Carlson Buckshot Choke Tube & Winchester 3" 000 Buck & Yes it does have quite a bit of recoil but I never feel it when shooting at a Buck!

CoMF said:

To answer your question, yes. I've noticed a tangible difference in felt recoil with my Remington 870 Police Magnum. Just to give you a point of reference, I'm comparing Federal LE 132 00 9 pellet 00 Buck and the Winchester "Military" 9-pellet 00 Buck. I can also tell you that the Federal FliteControl stuff patterns very tightly in my particular 870 with an IC choke.

This is purely anecdotal, but I recall reading something to the effect of reduced recoil loads not having signifigantly reduced terminal effectiveness when used in hunting applications.

Also, not to complicate things, but have you considered a 20 ga. shotgun for the missus, especially if she's recoil sensitive? I believe that caliber is available in #1 and #4 buckshot.

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Good points, as usual, from my forum buddy CoMF! I have also read of diminished terminal effectiveness from these loads, but then, everything fails at one point or another. The reduced power loads are great to use in pistol-grip shotguns. And as to Federal buckshot, it patterns so tightly in IC or cylinder bore shotguns as to be almost unbelievable. There are YouTube videos demonstrating this.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

And then there is Elmer-
During War Two he test fired shotguns up at Ogden.
During a two month period, he is reported to have fired over 100 CASES of shells.
How did he do it? He had lady assistants who loaded the guns.
And he was Elmer!

Talk about recoil and "small stature" LEOs. Bonnie (of Bonnie and Clyde) favorite weapon stolen from a national guard armory was a Browning Automatic Rifle with a sawed off stock and barrel that she shot from the hip in full auto. 30-06. I think she was about 5'2" and weighed around 110#. We've become a nation of wimps -

BTW my daughter is a "small stature" Federal LEO and she ain't no wimp (just in case she or husband is reading this).

My former agency switched from our original 2 3/4 Winchester 00 Buckshot to Winchester reduced recoil version as it reportedly gave better patterns and allowed for faster follow up shots if need be. It never occurred to me that it was done to accommodate smaller coppers although that very well could have been the reason. Few Patrolmen opted to carry the Shotgun anyhow but mine went with me always. I never understood why folks would not take something that could save your Bacon.

badge said:

My former agency switched from our original 2 3/4 Winchester 00 Buckshot to Winchester reduced recoil version as it reportedly gave better patterns and allowed for faster follow up shots if need be. It never occurred to me that it was done to accommodate smaller coppers although that very well could have been the reason. Few Patrolmen opted to carry the Shotgun anyhow but mine went with me always. I never understood why folks would not take something that could save your Bacon.

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Well, some substitute rifles these days.

Excellent responses in this thread thus far. I'll echo what others have noted: the reduced recoil loads achieve this effect either through less shot, less charge, or both. Having played with a lot of it side-by-side with standard buckshot loads in an 870, I definitely can feel a difference.

Along with less shoulder pounding and better control, it really shines for follow-up shots -- I find I can come back on target notably faster.

The two I've settled on are Remington's Managed Recoil line of 00 buck and slugs -- not only does the buck shoot easier, but it patterns better from my shotgun compared to anything else in the Remington line-up; and Federal's several Flight Control offerings -- as previously noted, their patterning is incredible at distance, and along with their eight and nine pellet 00 buck (I prefer eight) and slugs, their new 1 buck load has finally become widely available.

There is much discussion as to how much terminal velocity is traded-off for easier shooting in these loads; if anyone finds a definitive answer, I'd like to hear it -- I've seen good gel tests and lesser, reassuring anecdotes and concerning ones. In all my shooting and research, I'm satisfied that in any close-quarters encounter reduced recoil loads will work, devastatingly. On average, standard buck loads are considered effective to approximately 40 yards, with slugs to a little more than double that. I dial those in by about 25 percent for reduced recoil loads, which still leaves me plenty of room for likeliest needs. Your mileage may vary.

I'm all for getting your girlfriend on board for an ammo purchase by whatever rationale necessary , but if I understand you correctly she has fibromyalgia; I don't think I'd encourage any 12 gauge use for her regardless of load -- with that condition, it's likely to be painful and off-putting no matter what. As CoMF noted, 20 gauge might be considered, but you have to choose your weapon and load with care: most 20 gauge shotguns are lighter than their 12 gauge counterparts, so even with the lighter 20 load, you end of with the same kick as a 12 because there's less weight to absorb the recoil; also, there's significantly less defensive ammo to choose from in 20 compared to 12. If you or she (or both) are truly intent on getting her into defensive shotgun use, I would not rule out .410 bore -- with some of the 00 and 000 buck defense loads in that caliber (designed for Governor-type handguns), out of a shotgun you're getting serious terminal velocity in a platform that kicks negligibly, as in .22LR rifle territory.

I really like low recoil buckshot and slug loads - I can shoot 30-40 rounds with no discomfort. Some numbers off the top of my head:

Rio 00 Buck Low Recoil 9 pellets at 1200 fps
Fiocchi 00 Buck Low Recoil 9 Pellets at 1150 fps
Hornady TAP 00 Buck Low Recoil 8 pellets at 1100 fps
Federal #1 Buck Low Recoil 15 pellets at 1150 fps

Standard loads give about 1300 fps with much more recoil. The Fiocchi load is my favorite. The Hornady load is really light, if you're very recoil sensitive. The Federal #1 load is interesting, but has significantly more recoil because 15 #1 buckshot weigh about 20% more than 9 00 buckshot. Repeat shot control is much better with the reduced recoil loads, making them much better in a home/self defense setting (in my opinion).

Ramikrav said:

As the title says- but more specifically, are 12 gauge reduced or low recoil buckshot loads in fact reduced in recoil to the perception of anyone here who's tried it, and are there any disadvantages to these loads?

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A vocal group of LEO's notified somebody that they couldn't handle the recoil of regular high brass loads fired from short barrelled shotguns . . .

I've used a lot of the Fiocchi stuff. It falls between target loads and a full powered buckshot for recoil.

My 18" Remington 1100 has no problems with that or any load.

I think of it as better suited for two legged critters than four and it's a lot of fun to shoot without being punishing. I've fired as much as a couple hundred rounds of it in one session.

We've considered the 20 bore, but to be honest, its a balancing act; while I don't want to be on the other end of such a gun, we can't have the possibility of her needing to go "hands on", which would be worse then the recoil of a 12 gauge.
Its good to hear that the reduced recoil loads are in fact reduced recoil but are not so watered down that the power of the 12 gauge is still there.

Of course, there's a magnum of OC/CS Sabre around as well as she's always got her .22 bobcat.

The 12 gauge is a last ditch option, for both of us, a last resort; and I think I'll keep it loaded with a few rounds of low recoil on the top, #1 buck after.......

again folks- thanks for your help!

The company's just want to make it where the...........

kids and lady's can also play....................
Very nice of them, don't you think ?

Nevada Ed said:

The company's just want to make it where the...........

kids and lady's can also play....................
Very nice of them, don't you think ?

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lol.

Personally I am very pleased that this is so.
First and foremost, because women, the elderly, and children should not be subject to physically more powerful men, especially the type who like to victimize and prey on the weak.

How was it the quote goes? "G-d made men, Sam colt made them equal" ?

I'm all for that sort of equality.

Secondly, it seems like alot of women folk appreciating the ability to defend themselves on equal terms with a 200lb man aren't inclined to vote for progressive socialists who want to make that harder for them to do.

And thats another win in my book.

If my physically disabled wife can defend herself from multiple hopped up home invaders, which is the worse scenerio we can think of, with the power of a 12 gauge, GREAT!

Winners all around.