Buffer

People who shoot games and use buffer say it keeps there patter together longer but yet they use a IM choke, why not just use a tighter choke?

 

JM, buffer increases chamber pressure quite a lot but I have no idea why the IM choke is recommended. I've shot many buffered loads with my full choke model 12 and did quite well. I do have a Browning O/U with an IM fixed choke that patterns a higher percentage than a lot of full choke guns do?

HAP

 

I have used buffer for years when I was pot shooting. I have always used a blueprinted full choke either by Tom Seitz or later by Tom Wilkinson. I did OK.

Tom Strunk

 

Well I really don't see them winning anymore games the I using my normal reloads with 6's and for long range I use longshot w/6's. Just curious why people even use it. Sux when the wind is blowing it back in your face. Seems that just using a full choke would do. Actually I break them just off the ground from the parking lot with an IM in my bt99 plus.

 

Usually buffered shot helps the hot loads pushing 1350/ 1450+ fps with Longshot or the equivalent powder because it helps cushion the lead pellets on ignition/setback from being deformed.

It's been my experience Imp. Mod. chokes holds the pattern out to 80 yards, better than full chokes in my 9 1/2 lb. Browning guns. With or without buffered loads. Both guns have their forcing cones removed and barrels over bored by Briley , using their chokes

Eddie

 

Never thought of that Eddie makes sense. Curios as to how much pressure it might add.

 

I don't know how much pressure I'm creating by adding buffer to the shot charge. I can feel
more recoil, but without any indications of hull/crimp or spent primer damage. I try to make loads as per my Hodgdon manual that are not close to the maximum psi, hopefully giving me a little fudge room in the pressure area.

Being quite aware I have altered my guns and there could be self inflicted damage and harm
if I become careless with my reloads. Adding buffer to reloads takes extra time
and can make a mess if it's spilled

For long birds 70/80 yards I like my I.Mod choke 1 1/8 oz. of 7 1/2's using a fig 8 wad that
holds the buffer so it doesn't migrate and I don't push anything faster than 1200 fps.

Use caution and follow your manual precisely!

Eddie

 

Last night went and shot games at the local club and took the first three games and was in the hunt for most of the rest. I really didn't see the guys using buffer win any at all. I use IM with 28gn of longshot, WAA14 wad, cheddite primer and gun club hull for my parking lot and 4th shot. Picking them up just off the ground. Not sure I need to add more pressure to my gun just need to put the shot in the right place.

 

Your a better man than I~~~ 1 1/4 oz. of shot at 1385 fps @ 11500 psi is too stiff a jolt for
my old bones. I'm getting a headache just thinking about it.

http://www.huntamerica.com/recoil_calculator/

Regards
Eddie

 

No wonder I have a headache after shooting.

 

I have never used any buffer in my Longshot Loads, I only load 1 1/8th oz of #6s, at 1500fps+ and will break targets anywhere they want to take me for shootoffs. My shells are no more than 10,300psi either, If I want to go faster yet I use the Gold Medal Hull 38.5 Longshot, Windjammer Wad, still 1 1/8th oz #6s, 10,100 psi
1585fps. This is my max go to shell. That's how I got the Dr.longshot name. Every body says I am shooting more shot than 1 1/8th oz, They cannot believe the breaks. Nothing bigger than #6s.
Dr.longshot

 

Gary --

It's to bad we couldn't have met and shot against each other during the 80's and 90's. I no longer have my Modern 12 Winchester (yes modern) pot shoot gun, or we might have arraigned to meet somewhere in Texas or Oklahoma (half way for each of us) It could have been fun.

Tom Strunk

 

All I know about buffer, is that One should not shoot next to someone that is using it in a ported gun. Trust me, it's hot and it smarts.

 

I have also been known to dabble in pot shooting now and then. My favorite loads are very much like Gary's, however, I prefer #5's. I used to shoot Herco powder, 1 1/4oz shot, and lots of buffer. Loved shooting that load in Federal paper hulls....... Shooting Longshot powder does not lend itself to buffering as it increases the pressures much more than most shooters realize. 1 or 2 grains of buffer can increase the pressures by as much as 1,000 lbs..... I stopped using it altogether when I switched to Longshot....

 

I don't use buffer at all but I see people saying more pressure and not to use it with longshot but yet longshot has lower pressures then most powders. Anyway I don't use it.

 

Not sure where the significant (apparently) pressure spike occurs with Longshot in 12ga. I've had lab tested data for Longshot/buffer for my 16ga and the pressure increase didn't seem out of realm with other powder/buffer combinations.

Placing buffer in a load (I use 14grs. for 1,125 loads and 17grs. for 1.25 loads) can increase pressures into an extra 4000psi with lab results I have acquired. You would be wise to never use buffering in any load not lab tested.

Possibly you have not seen winners with buffer do to the way they place the buffering additive. Done wrong/haphazard, you can negatively effect the pattern. Its a very time consuming venture done correctly. Still just because your shooting buffer, you still have to be able to point correctly. A good pointer and a designed buffered load together, phenomenal breaks can result.