How Far To Shoot on a Goose
 

Hey
I have a Remington 870 express with a Full choke.
I am shooting a Remington 2 3/4 shell , shot number 4.
I am seeing Geese about 60 yards up in the air flying.
Can i take a shot at these Geese andif so will my gun reach that far for a kill.
Or should and do i need toget the Geese closer.
Any help will be appericated.
Thanks
Travis H.

RE: How Far To Shoot on a Goose
 

Mossberg,

60 yards with #4 on geese? Uh, er, no offense my friend.... The geese will laugh at you when you take a shot.

I too have a Remington 870 Express Magnum (lefty 12GA). For geese, I was told to get some 3" Magnum shells in steel BB size and use a full choke. They will hit effectively out to 40 yards, which is about max for a full choke.

Hope this helps.

Butch

RE: How Far To Shoot on a Goose
 

I've seen guys take geese at 60yds and better.They know what their guns and loads can do and they know what they're capable of doing.Personally,I like them 40yds and under.Also,I'd consider a modified choke and BB shot for your goose hunting.Let them get close-I don't think a #4,2.75" steel shot has the downrange energy for quick,efficient kills.

RE: How Far To Shoot on a Goose
 

I also hunt with a Rem870 Express 3". I use homeloads with BB or BBB in a modified choke. It works real good for me especially over dekes. For pass shooting the higher geese, I use my 10ga.

Ron<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

RE: How Far To Shoot on a Goose
 

Mossberg,
Probly the best advice is to try to get them closer and use larger shot sizes like bb or bbb shot. You can also try to use new non toxic shot like bismoth or Hevi-shot. This stuff works very well on longer range shots. I like my geese closer like 40 yards or so. Even then that's a little far in my opinion. I like to make them dead. Good luck buddy!

RE: How Far To Shoot on a Goose
 

Mossberg,
The best advice I can give you is to call your birds in closer if you can. Also use 3&quot;shells in a size BB, BBB. Godd luck & remember to shoot them in the lips!

[Deleted]
 

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RE: How Far To Shoot on a Goose
 

You may consider picking up a shotgun with at least 3&quot; capabilities, 3 1/2&quot; is even better. If you've ever had to chase cripples, then you'll appreciate the extra payload of the 3 1/2&quot; shells. Even a short chase through eight inches of mud and caked on your boots will wear you down quickly.

&quot;Fast is fine, but accurate is final&quot;. &quot;Wild Bill&quot; Hickok - 1869

RE: How Far To Shoot on a Goose
 

Hmm.. Lemme tell you a story. We just hunted yesterday with a mix of 12 ga 3&quot;, 3-1/2&quot;, 10 ga 3-1/2&quot; BBB & T shot. We knocked down a respectable number of geese, enough to be sure of our shooting. Then along came a lone specklebelly and he hung like a kite above us - maybe 45 - 55 yards. The guide called &quot;get him&quot;, and at least 3 of us busted loose with at least 2 shots each. I was last, 10 ga 3-1/2 BBB's. A big puff-o-feathers came off Mr. Specklebelly. Then he gave us the finger and flew away. We watched him till he was a &quot;speck&quot; in the distance - he never went down. In similar situations 2 or 3 others skated away, wings locked in a death glide for 600 yards; that gives you a bad feeling and no dog in the world will go get 'em. They'll hit the ground, walk and hide before you get there. People used to whack geese with lead #4's, and maybe you still could with HeaviShot - but get real close. If they aren't dead, they won't come down.

RE: How Far To Shoot on a Goose
 

Back when we could shoot lead, that was an easy shot especially when on top a barn. But realistically, you are not going to kill them unless you hit them in the head. Try decoying them.