Having stocked up on what I feel adequate levels of all things AR, prior to the craziness, I have now put my full efforts into the shotgun category for the last 5 months or so.  I have shot a shotgun for dang near my whole life and have fired literally hundreds of thousands of shotgun rounds.  

Here is where my question lies:  I have bought several hundred rounds of Remington buck and slugs.  Out of an 18.5'' 870, I get 4" groups with the slugs at 50 yds. , and at 25 yards, I get about a 20" spread with the buckshot.  Those numbers are good enough for me.  Are there higher end buckshot loads, that perform better??  .  

If so, what are some of the higher end buckshot loads?  I see people mention Federal #1 with the Flite control wad a good bit.  Are there more?  Thanks for the help, L2

I've read good things about Federal LE132-00 and LE133-00. Both are reduced recoil 00 buck loads that supposedly pattern pretty tight. I have not tried either of them myself YET.

I also read a little about the Federal LE127RS reduced recoil slugs.

I wonder how much "power" loss there is on the RR loads?

I use the 132 and 133.  Very good loads and velocity is listed as 1145.  The full power load is 1325 fps.  Neither is going to do shit for barrier penetration, so I just stay with the low recoil.  I run a pump gun so I don't have to run full power either.

Any of the federal stuff with flight control will shoot tighter than rem.

So would it be fair to say that #1 buck would be lethal at 60 yds.?  I don't think that 180 fps is going to make or break the world.  Maybe my thinking is wrong.  

I am also sure that an IC or LM choke, would extend the killing range of any buckshot as well, by virtue of getting more pellets on target, with just a little more constriction.  Is that on track?

How does #4 do on ballistic tests?  Talk about a beehive full of hate!  27 pellets is a lot of lead down range.  

Although, I have shot way more than my fair share of shotguns in my life, this is a new game for me.  I'm just here to learn.  Thanks for the help guys, L2

I wouldnt use any buckshot load at 60-yards for deer. For self defense against a single threat I would select slug for a 60-yard shot.