CoryTheCowboy
CGN Regular
Hey everyone,
As some of you may remember a few months ago I bought an Ithaca 37 with the intent of using it for ducks this year. Me and MadTrapper143 did some choke work to it and we're guessing it's about a Modified choke now versus the factory Full. We had no way of measuring the factory bore size, so we're just guessing on this.
Then came the load choice. MT143 kindly sold me a few boxes of factory Federal #4 steel that kicks along at about 1300FPS. I've a firm believer that with steel, it's speed that kills so I went about looking into reloading for it. I bought a MEC 600 Jr. as my converted Lee LA II kept crushing hulls. Ballistic Products in the States offer components along with a load manual. However, they don't ship to Canada but told me to talk to their Canadian distributor. After a few e-mails with Will Bilozir I had a fair supply of components and a load manual. I assembled 7/8oz load of #6 Steel that shoots beautiful patterns at 25 yards, which for me is decoy range. #4 would be lucky to hit the broadside of a barn
The book states it should be shooting at over 1550FPS, which is more, for lack of a better term, my speed I was a bit hesitant using under an 1oz of shot (which I used in the 12 Gauge), but I thought in the ranges I was shooting I would be alright. I was ready for the season.
After two dismal days of "guiding" my sister, I headed to a nearby creek. I had just settled in when a Mallard came in overhead and landed on the far side. As I stood up she jumped and a quick snap shot brought her down dead as a doornail. I would estimate the range at 15 yards.
I went out the next evening and in 7 shots I had 4 ducks ranging from 15 to 35 yards.
Including a "Dutch Double" on Green Wing Teal
Yesterday the family went out grouse hunting and I brought along 5 steel loads "just in case". We drove past a creek when Dad said, "3 Mallards son!". I took off the blaze orange (I know not needed right now, but better safe than sorry) and attempted a stalk. I managed to get about 20 yards from a hen on the water when I stood up. Ducks jumped from all directions and in two quick shots I had my first "true" double. I would guess both shots to be under 20 yards. Both dead by the time they hit the water.
NOTE: I do not usually hunt with no pants, but I thought I would have to wade out into the creek to pick up the first bird I shot.
Then this morning me and Dad headed out into the rain and I shot a female Widgeon and a drake Woodie. The Widgeon was about 35 yards out and the Wood Duck was about 15. No pictures.
This isn't meant to be a "bragging" post about the ducks I shot, it's more just meant to be...informative. I did a fair bit of research before reloading and there's not a lot of information on steel shot and the 16 that I could find (yes, I looked at 16ga.com) and since this is my favourite forum, I thought I'd share. I also don't claim to be an expert on the 16 or duck hunting, just a guy who likes to play with odd guns.
For the average Joe who isn't willing to spend a good amount of time reloading (Steel is slow to reload as it doesn't measure very well), I think the 12 would be a better choice.
Cory
As some of you may remember a few months ago I bought an Ithaca 37 with the intent of using it for ducks this year. Me and MadTrapper143 did some choke work to it and we're guessing it's about a Modified choke now versus the factory Full. We had no way of measuring the factory bore size, so we're just guessing on this.
Then came the load choice. MT143 kindly sold me a few boxes of factory Federal #4 steel that kicks along at about 1300FPS. I've a firm believer that with steel, it's speed that kills so I went about looking into reloading for it. I bought a MEC 600 Jr. as my converted Lee LA II kept crushing hulls. Ballistic Products in the States offer components along with a load manual. However, they don't ship to Canada but told me to talk to their Canadian distributor. After a few e-mails with Will Bilozir I had a fair supply of components and a load manual. I assembled 7/8oz load of #6 Steel that shoots beautiful patterns at 25 yards, which for me is decoy range. #4 would be lucky to hit the broadside of a barn
The book states it should be shooting at over 1550FPS, which is more, for lack of a better term, my speed
I was a bit hesitant using under an 1oz of shot (which I used in the 12 Gauge), but I thought in the ranges I was shooting I would be alright. I was ready for the season. After two dismal days of "guiding" my sister, I headed to a nearby creek. I had just settled in when a Mallard came in overhead and landed on the far side. As I stood up she jumped and a quick snap shot brought her down dead as a doornail. I would estimate the range at 15 yards.
I went out the next evening and in 7 shots I had 4 ducks ranging from 15 to 35 yards.
Including a "Dutch Double" on Green Wing Teal
Yesterday the family went out grouse hunting and I brought along 5 steel loads "just in case". We drove past a creek when Dad said, "3 Mallards son!". I took off the blaze orange (I know not needed right now, but better safe than sorry) and attempted a stalk. I managed to get about 20 yards from a hen on the water when I stood up. Ducks jumped from all directions and in two quick shots I had my first "true" double. I would guess both shots to be under 20 yards. Both dead by the time they hit the water.
NOTE: I do not usually hunt with no pants, but I thought I would have to wade out into the creek to pick up the first bird I shot.
Then this morning me and Dad headed out into the rain and I shot a female Widgeon and a drake Woodie. The Widgeon was about 35 yards out and the Wood Duck was about 15. No pictures.
This isn't meant to be a "bragging" post about the ducks I shot, it's more just meant to be...informative. I did a fair bit of research before reloading and there's not a lot of information on steel shot and the 16 that I could find (yes, I looked at 16ga.com) and since this is my favourite forum, I thought I'd share. I also don't claim to be an expert on the 16 or duck hunting, just a guy who likes to play with odd guns.
For the average Joe who isn't willing to spend a good amount of time reloading (Steel is slow to reload as it doesn't measure very well), I think the 12 would be a better choice.
Cory
