Anybody carry finishing Shells?

I "used" to carry "swatter" loads for duck hunting... They were generally the CHEAPEST steel shell and I only shot them at ducks at very close range...

With the inception of the 1550 AND FASTER steel rounds, I don't need them anymore!!! Steel works when it goes FAST!!!

Cheers
Jay
 
??

If a deer is still kicking & it's not safe to slit it's throat, it's just as easy to use a regular round up close (10-20'). Why use special bullets? Then you KNOW it's down for good.

I can't comment for ducks, as I've not gotten into hunting em yet. (I know, I know... Sacriligious... No shotgun. YET)

L
 
I never carry any loads for finishing wounded game I just use what I have on hand. The reason I wondered is that I read an old handloading magazine that recommend various light loads for finishing wounded game.
 
I could have used them goose hunting this past fall.

Being a student, I can't afford the expensive loads.

HATE STEEL SHOT.
 
Used a knife once with an alive rabbit in one of my snares. Right behind the front leg. It did a good job.

For big game, I would use a regular round. But it never hapened, cause I use the one shot= one kill !!!:D:D:D
 
Why bother with a deer? Use the same load you originally shot it with and don't worry about getting the rounds mixed up, unloading/reloading, etc. It should only take a singe round to finish, right? Hate to see the first shot on a deer to be a finishing load because of a mistake......
 
I was just thinking of that, a light load at 75 yards hitting low, or a gut shot, making for a really long track at best. For ducks and geese we break the necks but I guess some lighter loaded shells would work as well.
 
I'll usually load my rifle with handloaded shells, carry more of those, and then carry a couple factory cheapo's for such an occasion, I'll also use the cheapo's for call shots.
 
Finishing rounds...

Over the years have developed reduced loads for nearly every caliber I shoot....22 k hornet..222...223...243..30/30..308..30/06..303 Epps...338 WMag...416 RMag..444...45/70.

Useing jacketed bullets:
The .22s are from 1250 to 2000 fps replicating .22lr and 22 mag velocities .
The .243 at 1350 and 1700 fps
The .30 cals from 1150 to 1600 fps
The .338 and .416 mag at 1200 and 1700fps.
The.444 and 45/70 at 900 to 1200 fps with round ball and 220 gr. (cast) in each.

These were developed to get a grouse type load that shot to rifles point of aim sighted in for regular hunting loads. And all will do so from 50 to 75 yards minimal.
In testing...after accuracy was achieved at these low velocities, these copper bullets were noted to behave almost like solids/fmjs. At 1500 fps and less they would hardly expand and just pencil through wood....small 5 to 6 inch alder trees just leaving a caliber hole and no chunks of wood flying out the back.

Have taken grouse with these lite loads and on two occassions used them for a finishing shot on deer down but not yet dead ...2nd shot at about 10-15 feet. On both occasions just dead deer and no mess like when a full power load hits at very short range.

I usually carry an extra 5 of these lite-loads when out hunting.......
 
Actually for ducks, I use # 6s to drop them (and 9 times out of 10 I only need one) then if I need to finish him, I will use the heaviest round I have because if I need a finishing shot, it is usually a longer shot.

Also with a decent dog, you should rarely ever need to shoot twice.

There was a great thread on here about using #6s for ducks and after trying it, I am convinced! Anything within 40 yds is DEAD!

For big game, I will as well use the same round as the first shot.
 
Ellwood Epps (bless him!) taught me a little trick for "finishing/grouse/rabbit" loads. He would put 5grs of Bullseye into whatever shell(303,30-06 8mm...) and some Kapock or toilet paper on top to keep powder on the primer and then put a bullet in REVERSE!! with the blunt end out. That way you could tell one in your pocket. I tried it in an 8mm 98 and it worked beautifully. Only used hand pressure to place bullet in shell. I still use them in a 7mm. Anyone else try this??? It shoots 1" at 25yds! BUT practise first to see where it goes. JITC
 
I've never tried putting a bullet in backwards, but it sounds good. I have fired a ton of 5 gr 700X behind a 93 gr Lee wheelweight bullet out of 30-30's. Great for shooting indoors, or for beginner shooting with a larger rifle. I've always just used whatever I'm hunting with for a finishing round.:p:p
 
the_big_mike said:
I could have used them goose hunting this past fall.

Being a student, I can't afford the expensive loads.

HATE STEEL SHOT.
Click to expand...

What I was taught was grab the goose by the neck near the head. Then twist it around like you twist a towel when you whip someone. They stop flapping around and is quick. Not to mention that it saves you a shot and getting its' mostly likely bloody mess of a head from smacking around on your new camo.
 
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