RE: How much should a lead a Mallard with a 12 ga?
Depends on how fast they are flying ie (coming in to decoys or just flying past). It also depends on how fast your shells are 1200 fps or 1475 or 1500, you just have to learn by experience. The more you shoot the easier it will get. When I started 50 plus years ago we shot only lead shot now there are a lot of choices and different velocities depending on a load. To this day I usually have trouble knowing what lead I took on a particular shot. I do know that a year ago on the opener I shot at several ducks that tried to back up. Then shortened my lead assuming I had shot to far in front. After that actually cut the heads off two that were at about 30 to 35 yards. As soon as the bead got to the head I was squeezing the trigger. The shells were Fiocchi #3 labeled at 1475 fps. Hope this will help you some and good luck.