Can't knock ducks out of the sky... [Now I can! Pictures to prove it!]

mosinmaster

mosinmaster

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Hi,

So today I was in the marsh and I was hiding when 2 mallards came bee lining towards me. I thought I was definitely in range (within 30 yards) when I popped up and shot at them with 3'' BB 1 1/8 loads at 1550 fps using a Modified choke. I swear I had both of them, but both of them sort of stopped in flight and then flew off confused.

So my question is, were they not in range, am I using the wrong ammo, or should I be using IC choke?
 
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Sounds like you scared them.... but not to death! :ar15:
Make sure you practice taking shots from all angles when you are at the range in the off season. I've found its the shots at weird angles that I tend to miss more.
 
Yeah ... I'm going to try an IC and #4's.

I probably missed cause I've switched to shooting righty due to eye dominance although I'm left handed.
 
I find that bb for duck is a hard shot always seems to miss.Its usaly a goose load due to the larger size of the bird . I use number 2's this late in the season for ducks and 4's early in the season as for a choke i always seem to go back to mod choke with quality ammo works best out to 60 yards
 
Hard to say if they were in or out of range without seeing a video? Only you can be the judge of the range so all I can add is if you know they are in range and you know your gun/load/choke's capability at a given range then the rest is up to you. Personally this late in the season with the birds being much more heavily feathered and thicker with fat reserves I would not be using #4's unless they are hevi-shot or some heavy weight like that. If using steel I would stick to #2's. BB's are far too much pellet for ducks and leave you much too thin of a pattern at any distance. Smaller shot gives density, the fewer holes in the pattern, the better off you will be........go as small as possible while still retaining good enough energy and pattern density. Sacrificing either will invariably cause you undue grief.......ok now that I have said all that get out and practice your shooting/distance judging skills!
 
mosinmaster said:
Hi,

So today I was in the marsh and I was hiding when 2 mallards came bee lining towards me. I thought I was definitely in range (within 30 yards) when I popped up and shot at them with 3'' BB 1 1/8 loads at 1550 fps using a Modified choke. I swear I had both of them, but both of them sort of stopped in flight and then flew off confused.

So my question is, were they not in range, am I using the wrong ammo, or should I be using IC choke?
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In the mid 1990s I had the same poor results. Except my target was geese at twice this distance using lead magnum BB.

Now we have the glory of range restrictive non-toxic shot in the mix.
 
I'm not a great waterfowler by any means and miss more often than I hit, but when I hit it is with 2 3/4-inch shells with #3 shot in them.

I also do better when I'm surprised and don't have time to think about it.
 
It's not about the shells, or your gun, or the chokes, or the patters at 30 yards. You are over thinking the gear thing. This isn't about gear, and it isn't rocket science. You observed the perfect opportunity, stopped your swing, and shot behind them. Shoot where they are going to be, not where they were. Shoot them in the head. Enjoy your duck dinners, next time.
 
I always been a big fan of 3's for ducks and the IC choke forsure if you are getting 30 yard shots. Stay on the lead bird until he folds up. FS
 
go shoot skeet many many times.

Longwalker said:
It's not about the shells, or your gun, or the chokes, or the patters at 30 yards. You are over thinking the gear thing. This isn't about gear, and it isn't rocket science. You observed the perfect opportunity, stopped your swing, and shot behind them. Shoot where they are going to be, not where they were. Shoot them in the head. Enjoy your duck dinners, next time.
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X2
 
Longwalker said:
It's not about the shells, or your gun, or the chokes, or the patters at 30 yards. You are over thinking the gear thing. This isn't about gear, and it isn't rocket science. You observed the perfect opportunity, stopped your swing, and shot behind them. Shoot where they are going to be, not where they were. Shoot them in the head. Enjoy your duck dinners, next time.
Click to expand...

This I believe is what happened! Keep swinging and wait a few seconds longer for them to be in range.
 
I shoot a side by side 12 gauge that are choked (screw-in-chokes) for cylinder and Improved cylinder. I use 3" number 4's for ducks. I find that non-toxic shot have tighter patterns than the old lead shot and that's why I use open chokes. A little suggestion from an old guy, "follow-through" on your shots when the ducks are flying left to right and visa versa. My son and I hunt ducks together may times and guess who nails them out of the air? LOL!!! That's why he dosen't bet a $20.00 bill on batting averages. Regardess, we are out there together, that's what counts and same applies for you and everyone else. Good luck!!!
 
Also, I have some Win xpert 1 1/4 oz loads BB 3'' at 1440 FPS, will the extra pellet count be worth it over the decrease in velocity of 100 FPS from 1 1/8 oz?
 
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