I usually hunt geese over decoys in the field using 3" steelshot, My targets are usually between 20 to 30 yards away depending, I was told that I was wasting my money using 3" shells cause at that distance the 2 3/4 shell is more than enough. In my opinion, because its steelshot I think I need the 3" shell, What do you guys think?
Hunting Geese over decoys
- Thread starter GEORGE7mm
- Start date
John Spartan
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Just a little more to the right...
George, same situation here. I use the 1550 fps 3 inch shells with steel shot as they give me a bit more range (to 35 yards or so) and I don't have to use Hevi-Shot as often.
Besides, I like to make sure I am killing the birds, not wounding them.
Besides, I like to make sure I am killing the birds, not wounding them.
My experience is that you really need the 3" if using steel shot for geese and even that is marginal as you will often have to take a 40yd. shot. People will have stories about geese shot easily with 2 3/4" steel, but I'm talking about clean kills without the bird suffering.
Knowing your range,your pattern,and placing it properly is far more important than having more pellets in the shell.Two fellow skeet shooter friends of mine went goose hunting with several of their friends and used their over and under skeet guns with 2-3/4" shells while everyone else used semi autos with 3" or 3-1/2" shells.The two hunters using their O/U guns with 2-3/4" shells killed their limits much quicker with many less shells fired.They never had any problems with wounding and losing geese either.
At 20 to 30 yards,I would not hesitate to use 2-3/4" shells myself.
At 20 to 30 yards,I would not hesitate to use 2-3/4" shells myself.
Stubblejumper has it right on.Shotgun ballistics show the larger shot payload as the main factor to 3" and 3 1/2" shells. 2 3/4"at ranges to 35 yds. easily do the job and nobody can tell the difference, especially the geese.In the good ole days,LOL, of lead shot , all we used, over decoys was low brass 7 1/2 shot and the ducks fell like hell. These were trap loads that we used at the range.Feet per second will change your lead , but it's certainly not needed for clean kills.
I use 3" shells for ducks at those ranges as well, sure it can be done with 2 3/4" but for a couple of dollars difference, I'll stick wiyh 3".
I also use #6 shot at 1560 fps, so I have plenty o'pellets going down range. This was a new technique I tried last season, and I was impressed! Fot geese, I am using 3" #3 0r #5 tungsten, but here on PEI wit all the hunting pressure, getting a goose within 30 yds is hard enough, let alone 20 yds.
I also use #6 shot at 1560 fps, so I have plenty o'pellets going down range. This was a new technique I tried last season, and I was impressed! Fot geese, I am using 3" #3 0r #5 tungsten, but here on PEI wit all the hunting pressure, getting a goose within 30 yds is hard enough, let alone 20 yds.
2.75 is fine for the first shot or two at close geese. I use 3 inch High velocity #3's for geese sometimes with a #4 Hevishot for the last shell to knock down that last bird or finish a cripple that's beginning to drift.
- Location
- Saskatchewan
Big, heavy loads make mediocre shooters into bad shots. I use 2-3/4" almost exclusively now. I kill a lot of geese each year with them. I shoot better when I'm not getting kicked so much. I keep some 3" mags on hand for pass shooting or very late season hunts. The 3" preference of many hunters does have some merit because some manufacturers do not make steel shot 2-3/4" shells that shoot fast. If you think you need very large shot, you will also need a longer shell to get pattern density. I don't use real large shot any more either. If moderate sized pellets are flying out the muzzle at over 1500 fps, they will kill well within 40 yards. IF you hit the bird well. I mostly use Faststeel #1s.
I will swear and die by my 3" shells. I absolutely hate losing/wounding birds. I'd rather have too much than too little, right? Mind you, got a buddy who uses his 20ga for early season goosin'! It's all to each his own IMO. If you can stone'em with a 2 3/4 shell, go for it. You'll end up saving a few bucks in the long run, which always helps with the price of shells going up.
- Location
- Back in the Peace Country
I use 2.75 for about the first three weeks and then move to 3 inch and 3.5
Inside 30 yrds, 2.75 kills my teals and mallards just fine, but geese are a different story. I run 3 inch for my first two shots and 3.5 for my last til about november, Then I run all 3.5
Inside 30 yrds, 2.75 kills my teals and mallards just fine, but geese are a different story. I run 3 inch for my first two shots and 3.5 for my last til about november, Then I run all 3.5
I was checking the pattern at Range for 3 1/2" shells for many good makers, and beleive u me they were all worse than any 3" or 2 3/4".
In fact after 25 yards the 3 1/2" just spread out as compared to 2 3/4" or 3".
I shall just keep myself focused to 2 3/4" or 3 ". and get the results.
In fact after 25 yards the 3 1/2" just spread out as compared to 2 3/4" or 3".
I shall just keep myself focused to 2 3/4" or 3 ". and get the results.
- Location
- Back in the Peace Country
I guess it maybe depends on the gun and shell, but late season geese are taken much more effectively with 3.5 inch shells than 3 inch or 2.75, from my experience.
My first time using the 3.5 inch load was a few years ago. I had been shooting 3 inch and crippled two geese which swam to the middle, and had one mallard blow feathers out like he had exploded yet fly a good ways before falling. I put in the 3.5 inchers after this and I found the difference remarkable. I was stone killing the birds and a few cranes that I had been only crippling just 10 shots prior.
My patterns with the 3.5 inch are very tight. In fact, I was shooting bottles with 2.75 , 3 , and 3.5. I was dusting the bottles at a good 15 yards beyond the 3 inch.
But, if you get as good a results with your 3 inchers, then either I envy you cause you get to buy cheaper shells and get the same results, or I don't envy you, cause you're not getting the benefit of the 3.5 inchers with your gun.
Monday is the opener and I'll se if I can post some pics or videos
My first time using the 3.5 inch load was a few years ago. I had been shooting 3 inch and crippled two geese which swam to the middle, and had one mallard blow feathers out like he had exploded yet fly a good ways before falling. I put in the 3.5 inchers after this and I found the difference remarkable. I was stone killing the birds and a few cranes that I had been only crippling just 10 shots prior.
My patterns with the 3.5 inch are very tight. In fact, I was shooting bottles with 2.75 , 3 , and 3.5. I was dusting the bottles at a good 15 yards beyond the 3 inch.
But, if you get as good a results with your 3 inchers, then either I envy you cause you get to buy cheaper shells and get the same results, or I don't envy you, cause you're not getting the benefit of the 3.5 inchers with your gun.
Monday is the opener and I'll se if I can post some pics or videos
