Let's talk range
 

I'll be goin duck hunting this coming friday and i have boxes of 1, 2, and 4 shot, but all of them are 2 3/4". i do have some 3" BB shot, but im saving that for goose hunting if i can. I'll be hunting in a spot where most of the shots will be fly-bys and some will be quite a poke. I wont claim to be an expert on shells, but i assume the 1 shot would have the farthest range, but 4 shot would have the most pellet count. which would you use if you were in my shoes? ive been told most of the ducks will be smaller species (teal, wood, etc). Also,i'm in college so goin out and buying some boxes of 3" shells when i have 4-5 boxes of 2 3/4" is not an option. I'll be shooting a remington 870 wingmaster if that helps at all. thanks alot everybody!

RE: Let's talk range
 

1 & 2 shot for the longer shots
Also pattern your gun/ chokes and shells
My guess your mod or Full will be better for longer range

But here is my $.02 for what is worth

You are going at it all wrong IMO

If you have to take longer shots
Your 2 3/4" loads will scare and cripple more birds than you will reduce to bag
Making it harder to get birds even that close next time and for others

Also other hunters will resent your sky busting , for scaring the birds and not hitting anything

It is cheaper in the long run to shoot a proper load
A 3" 1 1/8 oz of #1, #2 in a pinch at 1500 fps or faster will result in more DEAD ducks per box
If you can shoot that far repeatable

I have found it is much better for all to find a place that takes more work to get to
So the birds will decoy into reasonable range

Also You might end up with more birds with less shots
Even if you only get 2 or 3 birds to decoy

Because I have seen sky busters shoot 2 boxs in a day for 2 birds
While I take 3 shots for the 3 birds that I got to decoy , with 3 birds to show for my mile+ walk

John

RE: Let's talk range
 

I am gonna side with john on this one he is right about the shells and remember, you dont need the best and most decoys. I started killing geese over a half dozen shells and ducks over 8 rag tag antiques. do what you can, enjoy the hunt, and have fun, the birds you kill up close are always more rewarding than the lucky long kills.

RE: Let's talk range
 

I've bought some 3" with #4 shot.That should be sufficient for short and mid range shots wouldn't it?

RE: Let's talk range
 

#4 steel shot is good for about 30 yards MAX
But max efective range also depends on how your choke / gun do with a load

Every gun is different
What works great in my shotgun , might suck in yours

So please pattern your gun with your loads

John

RE: Let's talk range
 

#4s will work to 40 yds if you use enough shot, 1 1/4 oz. speed ,1550 fps,only gives you six inches less foward allowance.ten feet extra range. go with the most shot you can get in a shell