Waterfowl loads
 

I bought a case of Hevi-Shot a number of years ago & it seemed to be the BEST waterfowl load I've ever shot. Tried some new stuff last year, BlackCloud & Hevi-Metal, that didn't seem nearly as good. Need some new shells, what's THE BEST out there right now, still Hevi-Shot? I think I was shooting #2s at the time & the HS would knock the smack outta them birds. I'm hunting ducks & geese - ducks over ponds, small creeks/runs, & flooded timber, geese over both fields & water.

You already have it. HS. I shoot the Hevi-Metal in 4's for ducks over dekes and 2's n BB's for geese. 3" for 95% of all my work. I back it up, 3rd shot for by myself, and solely HS with clients as back-up for cripples.

You won't believe it but back when lead was allowed, I shot strictly 7 1/2's. Crazy but I could load 525+ pellets in a single 2 3/4 inch shell with velocity of 1190 ft/sec. regularly killed them up to 60 yards & that's no bull.

I remember the lead days. And I bet with hitting that bird with a 1-1/2oz of 7-1/2's it was full of shot when you cleaned it!!!!! I as well used 7-1/2's, trap loads, for swatter loads on the water or field. And if I was a bit low, that bird, and I later, paid the price!!!! Too much shot to pick out. I shot 5's for ducks and 2's n BB's for geese. Ithaca Big Mag 10 10ga solely for geese. 12ga on ducks, Model 12 and Rem 870 Mag.

If cost isnt an object then go with that Hevi Shot. There is just no way I am paying that. I may shoot some hevi metal late in the season but thats about it. Im shooting federal #2 and #3, 3", 1 1/8 oz and havent had any issues.

I tried 3in blackcloud. Garbage garbage garbage. Couldn't hit a thing. Switched back to Winchester HV and knocking em' down again.

Deernutz were you shooting an after market choke or shooting really lose range? I agree the black cloud is overpriced but it shoots pretty well for me. Aftermarket chokes with a wad stopped totally messes up black cloud.

Fish it is an after market choke and I try and keep may range to within 30 yds. I thought maybe I was shooting behind them. So I adjusted and was still missing. I felt like a 12 yr old that just started hunting. Thankfully I was by myself. My buddies would have never let me live it down.

Its not you honestly with that Black Cloud and a wad stopper choke. Its the load not being designed to be shot through that choke. The wad is designed to fly with the shot for a while. Try patterning it and youll see what I mean. I patterned black cloud with my benelli with a kicks choke at 25 yards and couldnt barely hit a 24x24 square target.

2 3/4 Xperts seem to do just fine.