Pork butt question

Is a pork butt and a pork shoulder joint the same thing?

Yes, it is.
You'll want your butcher to supply a "bone in" pork shoulder, I had to go to mine and cut it out myself eventually.

Both have a bone and are from the front leg of a hog.

A "shoulder" (meaning whole shoulder) is divided into 2 portions.

The "butt" is the top section, usually squareish in shape. (Boston butt, pork butt, shoulder butt ect. are all the same thing) It's a bad name because it gives the impression that it comes from the hind leg of a hog but it doesn't. Ham comes from the hind leg.

The "picnic" section is the bottom section of the shoulder and has a tapered shape. Sometimes it comes with the skin still on it.

The same bone (shoulder) runs through both the butt and the picnic.

Both the butt and picnic can be boneless if the butcher has removed it.

Thanks Al, a much better description, I am able to do things with my hands, but am not so good with words

Thanks guys, the reason I asked is that when I was in Tesco's the other day they had big pork shoulder joints and I was wondering if I can use them for pulled pork. I think they are boneless and rolled as they are kinda a big sausage shape thats thicker in the middle than the ends...

Anyway I just found a really good butcher 5 mins drive from me so when I'm ready to do pulled pork I'll try there. They grow and butcher their own animals (on their own farms and slaughter house) so I guess I should be able to get the cut I want (even if I have to take a picture/description for them).

Just got 2 racks of pork ribs and 3 chickens from there for £20.... can't be bad I'll be smoking a couple of the chickens and a rack of the ribs this weekend

Are the Chickens and ribs done yet?

I personally like the butt section for making pulled pork. The Picnic is good as well but I find the texture of the butt perfect for pulling.