I am not advocating buckshot for most big game and aside from close range protection in cat country or going in after a wouned cat I think buckshot is NOT a big game hunting load.

However, I just got some 000 Buck in 3 inch magnum, the 12 gauge variety, 10 pellets per shell at 1250 FPS... Nickel plated 35 caliber round balls...

Most pistol loads do not shoot that heavy nor hard a projectile at those velocities.

I must beleive these particular buckshot are lethal out to 40 yards for most game... and no I. personally, would not use them on bear or hogs out that far. But jeeesh, plated 000 buck at 1250 fps.... hmmmm, I would not want to be the recipient of those even at 80 yards.