Duck hunting

mahony1977

mahony1977

Regular
Rating - 100%
48   0   0
Location
Frelighsburg Qc
Ive never been before , just wondering what everyones preffered shot size is and why ? I picked up a couple boxes of win hv 3'' in steel bb , but i know very little about shotguns and less about duck hunting . Please educate me !
 
I used to use 3 inch steel #4's going 1550 fps...

I now use 3.5 inch steel #2's going 1550 fps...

Why... Because the #2's in a 3.5 inch shell gives me almost the same pattern density as the #4's in the 3 inch shell... So, if geese are involved, the #2's hit harder. Oh ya, I use an Improved Cylinder choke which gives you roughly a Modified choke when shooting steel...

Cheers
Jay
P.S. BB will kill 'em dead, IF you can hit them with a couple pellets... IMHO, guys forget about pattern density & shoot very large steel pellets that allows ducks to 'fly through' a shot pattern with few hits... Flying away to die elsewhere...
 
I use 3 inch #4 shot in my side by side 12 gauge. The left barrel (first shot) is cylinder and the right barrel (second shot) is modified. There are some great steel shot shells on the market. ie: Black Cloud, Heavy Metel, Kent Fast Steel and Winchester Blind Side. Good luck and have fun!!! Hope you have a mentor.
 
A couple questions. Are you shooting over decoys? If over decoys the range should be fairly close. In that case 4,3,or 2 will be great. If pass shooting & no decoys then heavier shot works better. ie;2,bb. For geese go up 1 size.
 
Thanks for all the info guy's , really helpfull :) I guess im off to find some 3 or 4 shot 3 1/2'' tomorrow . Since iI already have the BB all my basses should be covered . What kind of shells are you shooting Jay ?

I do have a mentor Track he got me into Turkey hunting last spring , I never thought it would be so much fun ! Can't wait till monday

a j cave we will be hunting over decoys out of a boat , I probly won't hit much but it should be a blast regardless . think I will pick up a box of clay's tomorrow and practice up .:D
 
Just to add to your confusion. Since you will be hunting over decoys I would suggest #6 steel. Inside 40 yards #6 retains enough energy to flatten ducks and the pattern density is similar to a round sheet of plywood (your choke will determine diameter).
 
I've been using the Kent Fasteel 3inch #3 shot. It is a very good load. IT has been my favorite load for a few seasons now. It'll pound them if you do your part.
 
You won't need those big 3 1/2's, they'll just beat you up more then is necessary. I used to use everything, from #4's on up. Now I found that BB shot treats me the best. I'll never buy a box of #2 again, I think I've got some kind of hex when using them! I don't really hunt over decoys, too much work. I like to jump shoot or pass shoot. And when I point a load of BB's at what I'm looking at, it usually dies. :)
 
I used 2 3/4 #3 shot Blackcloud FS steel this morning and got 2 ducks with 2 shots. Nice tight pattern out of my sxs. The only thing I noticed is significantly more bloodshot meat, and all pellets went right thru. Almost a toonie size instead of a dime of bad meat... Didn't get another chance to compare other ducks to see if it was a one off or if the blackcloud just chews up the meat.
 
Cinch said:
Just to add to your confusion. Since you will be hunting over decoys I would suggest #6 steel. Inside 40 yards #6 retains enough energy to flatten ducks and the pattern density is similar to a round sheet of plywood (your choke will determine diameter).
Click to expand...

Another vote for #6 steel. I shoot nothing else at ducks in the first few weeks of the season. Inside 40 yds it is a crumpling killer of ducks. It seems to penetrate the feathers better and drags fewer of them into wound channels.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom