I would use shells but silhouettes seem to give a better presentation but the geese seem to see through it at longer ranges. with silhouettes the closest i could get them in was about 40 yards but with shells ive had them in as close as 15 yards but ofcoures thats with a good blind and very little movement . Asfar as shells standard steel loads just arent good enough but if you have to use steel to stay in budget I highly recommend Fiocchi speed steel in 3 inch or 3.5 inch in shot sizes BB, BBB, and T the speed steel loads in a 3.5 inch have a velocity of 1520 fps with a 1 3/8 oz payload, the 3 inch is 1475 fps with a 1 1/8 oz payload. But when I don't have to stay in budget and I can splurge a bit I will buy a couple cases of 3 inch hevi shot loads in shot sizes #2 and #4.