How to Make a Buckshot Pattern More Dense

Buckshot is used in shotguns for hunting varmint or birds. When a shotgun is fired, the small pellets within the shell launch outward in a spray-like pattern. Increasing the density of a buckshot pattern increases your chances of an instant kill when firing on prey at close range. Increasing buckshot density constricts the pellet spray -- resulting in straight-on shooting.

Things You'll Need

  • Shotgun
  • High density buckshot
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Instructions

    • 1

      Install an improved, modified or full choke on the barrel. An improved choke increases density patterns up to 25 yards, while a full choke increases density patterns up to 40 or 50 yards. A cylinder bore is evenly round on the inside. A choke gradually decreases the inner barrel diameter, ejecting the buckshot with greater density and precision.

    • 2

      Fire high-density buckshot. This ammunition uses more pellets, and is designed to spin with optimum muzzle velocity. The result is greater accuracy at longer distances. A standard buckshot shell may hold nine pellets and fire at 1325 fps. High-density buckshot can sometimes fire 12 pellets at a speed of 1350 fps.

    • 3

      Move closer to the target. Reducing the distance between the shotgun and the target minimizes the pattern spread.