Let's talk shotgun shell options
#1
Let's talk shotgun shell options
I have decided to put a lot more attention into my choice of shotgun shells this off season. I hunt dove, duck, goose, pheasant, and rabbit with my shotgun.
Yesterday I switched to BBs for goose, and dropped my first bird of the season. I know that I am not that bad of a shot, and I have seen feathers fly while the goose flies off.
I'm thinking that the change helped.
So, what do you use for each, and why?
Yesterday I switched to BBs for goose, and dropped my first bird of the season. I know that I am not that bad of a shot, and I have seen feathers fly while the goose flies off.
I'm thinking that the change helped.
So, what do you use for each, and why?
#2
First off DJ - I use #3 Steel for Ducks and BB fSteel or geese. I ahve found I get more birds per shot fired using Black Cloud. I have also spent time at the patterning board as choice of choke with these and its Improved Cylinder in my 12 Ga Benelli. I onlu use 3 Inch rounds.
For pheasant I still use lead unless I am hunting some WMA that requires non toxic. For Lead I use #5 or #6 in 2 3/4" My Choke is Modified and Full in a Over and Under 12 Ga.
For Grouse, woodcock I use a 28 ga - 3/4 oz 7 .5 shot with chokes of Cylinder and Skeet. Shoointg is up close and in tightthick cover.
Rabbits I no longer hunt.
And a 3.5" shell to me is a waste of money- offers me nothing I can't do with a 3 inch round for waterfowl and 3 inch is a waste of money for upland.
JW
For pheasant I still use lead unless I am hunting some WMA that requires non toxic. For Lead I use #5 or #6 in 2 3/4" My Choke is Modified and Full in a Over and Under 12 Ga.
For Grouse, woodcock I use a 28 ga - 3/4 oz 7 .5 shot with chokes of Cylinder and Skeet. Shoointg is up close and in tightthick cover.
Rabbits I no longer hunt.
And a 3.5" shell to me is a waste of money- offers me nothing I can't do with a 3 inch round for waterfowl and 3 inch is a waste of money for upland.
JW
#3
Grouse - Doves - Bunnies - Quail = 12 ga - 2.75" - #7-1/2 lead shot - "low brass", but powerful Trap Loads. Sometimes same shell with #8 shot for doves and quail.
Same shell as above for early Season Pheasants --
Late season Pheasants = hi-brass 2.75" - #6 (or #5) lead shot.
Ducks = 12 ga - 3" - #6 shot - Hevi Shot only
Geese = 12 ga - 3" (sometimes 3.5") - #4 shot - Hevi Shot only
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Same shell as above for early Season Pheasants --
Late season Pheasants = hi-brass 2.75" - #6 (or #5) lead shot.
Ducks = 12 ga - 3" - #6 shot - Hevi Shot only
Geese = 12 ga - 3" (sometimes 3.5") - #4 shot - Hevi Shot only
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Last edited by Doc E; 02-10-2013 at 12:58 PM.
#4
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Lutz, Florida. Turkey woods in the spring.
Posts: 1,143
I never made the move to the 3 or 3 1/2 in. shells. Me and my buddies still shoot the 2 3/4 in number 4 steel for all our ducks. (don't have geese where I'm at in Florida). Much of our shooting is over decoys or in tight around timber.
#5
If I'm goose and duck hunting at the same time, I use Blackcloud 3" #2's.
I use the same if I'm only goose hunting.
If I'm only duck hunting, I use Blackcloud 3" #4's.
I think 3 1/2 inch shells are a waste of money but that is just my opinion. I don't think they hurt anything as long as they cycle good in your gun. I don't feel they are worth the money if you are shooting decoyed birds.
If you are skybusting and praying for a kill, more pellets are always better.
I use the same if I'm only goose hunting.
If I'm only duck hunting, I use Blackcloud 3" #4's.
I think 3 1/2 inch shells are a waste of money but that is just my opinion. I don't think they hurt anything as long as they cycle good in your gun. I don't feel they are worth the money if you are shooting decoyed birds.
If you are skybusting and praying for a kill, more pellets are always better.
#7
#8
Where I normally waterfowl hunt we don't get very many shot opportunities. Most seasons I shoot more geese than ducks. I shoot a 3" 12 gauge using Hevi Shot #2 and #4 for geese, and #4 and #6 for ducks. I keep a few #6 steel around to finish off cripples if needed.