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00 Buck vs #1 Buck: Pellet Size, Count and Patterning

The difference between 00 buck and #1 buck is pellet size. Sellier & Bellot's shot chart puts 00 ("double aught") at about .33 inch (8.43 mm) and #1 buck at about .30 inch (7.62 mm). A 2-3/4 inch 00 load commonly holds 9 pellets, while #1 loads hold 9 to 12 or more, depending on the load. Which one works better depends on how it patterns in your own shotgun.

Buckshot sizes in inches

Buckshot numbers run backwards: the smaller the number, the bigger the pellet, and the "aughts" (zeros) are bigger still. From the Sellier & Bellot size chart:

  • #4 buck: about .24 inch
  • #1 buck: about .30 inch
  • 0 buck: about .32 inch
  • 00 buck: about .33 inch
  • 000 buck: about .36 inch

So 00 and #1 are close, only about three hundredths of an inch apart. That small change in diameter is enough to change how many pellets fit in a shell and how they spread.

Pellet counts in 2-3/4 inch shells

Pellet count depends on the load, not just the size. Real examples from manufacturer catalogs:

  • Sellier & Bellot SB12BSG: 9 pellets of 00 buck, 1-1/8 oz, 1,214 fps.
  • Sellier & Bellot SB12BSC: 12 pellets of 00 buck, 1-1/4 oz, 1,181 fps.
  • Rio Royal Buck RHD9PB: 9 pellets of #1 buck, 1,250 fps.
  • Rio Royal Buck RB121225: 12 pellets of #1 buck, 1,345 fps.
  • Rio Royal Buck 21 and 27-pellet loads: #4 buck.

A 9-pellet #1 load like the Rio RHD9PB carries fewer pellets than a full #1 payload. Always count the pellet number on the box, not just the size.

The buckshot we stock

All three are 2-3/4 inch, sold by the 25-shell box or the 250-shell case. See 12 gauge for everything listed today, and our 12 gauge buckshot guide for shell length and recoil basics.

Pattern 00 and #1 side by side

The only way to choose between these two sizes is to shoot both from your gun.

  • Use the same shotgun, choke and target for both loads. Change only the ammunition.
  • Shoot one shell of each at 7, 10 and 15 yards. Add 20 yards if you want to know where each starts to open up.
  • Count pellets on paper and measure the widest spread. A 9-pellet load should show 9 holes inside your target area.
  • Repeat with a second shell of each. One shell is a sample, two or three show a trend.
  • Keep the load that stays tighter at your longest likely distance, and write down the gun, choke, load and spread.

Patterning heats a barrel fast in an Arizona summer. Shoot early, let the gun cool between strings, and keep spare shells out of direct sun.

Buying, shipping and pickup

You must be 21 or older to order. Orders ship UPS Ground from Phoenix within 2 business days, charged by weight. A 250-shell case ships at 24.0 to 26.8 lb. See where we ship, or pick up at our Phoenix warehouse Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, with ID (480-623-4515).

00 buck vs #1 buck questions

Is #1 buck bigger than 00 buck?

No. #1 buck is about .30 inch and 00 buck about .33 inch, so 00 is the larger pellet. Buckshot numbers get larger as pellets get smaller.

How many pellets are in 00 buck?

Many 2-3/4 inch 00 loads hold 9 pellets, like our Sellier & Bellot SB12BSG. Heavier 2-3/4 inch loads hold more. Sellier & Bellot's SB12BSC holds 12. The box lists the count.

Why would someone choose #1 buck over 00 buck?

#1 buck can fit more pellets in the same payload, or the same 9 pellets in a lighter payload. Some shooters find it patterns well in their gun. Pattern both to see which your shotgun prefers.

Can I mix 00 and #1 buck in the same magazine?

You can, but each load hits differently, so you lose the predictability you got from patterning. Most shooters load one patterned load.

More answers in our ammo FAQ.

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