need help choosing shotshell & patterning for geese

blazerman

blazerman

Member
Rating - 100%
48   0   0
Location
Regina
I'm new to goose hunting and am looking for some help. I think I'm off to a good start with my 870 express super mag. I'm looking to shoot large and small geese and maybe a mallard or two with steel shot. I'm not going to be using decoys, so I think shots will be 40 yards or so. Any help would be appreciated on these topics:

1) What brand of ammo should I go with that costs about $22 or less (steel)? What brands should I stay away from?

2) Is low oz of shot and high velocity good, or is high oz of shot and lower velocity better, or somewhere in the middle? please explain.

3) What about shot size? I was thinking BB or #2.

4) I want to pattern my gun but am unsure how. Do I just set up a piece of cardboard at 40 yards, shoot it and count holes? What kind of pattern is acceptable? What isn't?

5) What is a good choke to use with my 28" barrel? I know full choke is no good for steel so I think either modified or improved?

Thankyou very much for any help
 
Last edited:
With steel speed kills. All else being equal a lower weight of high speed steel is better than a slow heavy charge.

As for shells the 3 I recommend are:

  1. Kent Fsteel
  2. kent Fasteel
  3. Kent Fsteel

As for size. For large geese use 3" BBB or BB

For ducks use 3" #3

No matter what brand you use 35 yards is maximum under any circumstances using steel.
 
For large geese use Kent Fast steel 3 1/2" 1 1/4Oz BB at 1625FPS. If that don't pattern good try some other brands in 1 3/8Oz at 1550fps. Don't belive the 35 yard saying, when I hit geese around 40 yards maybe a little more, most of the pellets are clean threw. Also get some slow speed cheap steel BB loads for the cripples you might get.

A Mod choke should work good atleast it did in my 870 super mag.

Also a 1 3/8Oz BB steel load only has around 85 pellets in it.
 
Last edited:
I've tried a variety of brands and sizes, and I would have to say the most important thing is once you find something you are comfortable with (you seem to be able to down a lot more birds :D ), then stick with it! Don't switch! Can't say I've come accross any brands I completely hated.

As for what I find works all around for me is Winchester Drylok, #2, 1 oz., and I can't use anything bigger than 2 3/4" shells. It's generally pretty cost effective too! Maybe I really like the price, but I can't say I've ever had a problem downing any birds compared to anyone I'm shooting with when shooting side by side. Most of my friends shoot other stuff as well.

I would think low weight/high velocity shot would be better. Sure your pattern might be smaller but you will have more range/penetration. Just as you know where to aim and squeeze the trigger!

I also think you would have to use the modified choke.

Happy Hunting!
 
Waterfowler is one of the most avid and successful Goose hunters on this board... you should PM him!
I think that Kent Fasteel is good shot too... but I prefer BB, BBB and T shot for Geese especially over water.
Your Choke selection is very important for your patterning results with large shot... I like a long taper waterfowl choke.
I have heard some amazing reports of the Wad Wizard and Patternmaster chokes for geese and ducks. These choke tubes strip the wad and prevent it from bumping your pattern... definitely worth a look.
I prefer the added payload of the 3 1/2 inch shells... many guys prefer the added speed of the 3 inch stuff... the 3 inch shells through a 3 1/2 inch chamber are user friendly and easier on the pocket book. It is strictly a personal choice.
 
Thanks BigRedd (aka LilPink), that's the nicest thing I have heard you say!!:D

You have rec'd lots of good info already.

Each gun/choke combination is going to shoot each shell differently. Patterning is the key.

And yes, just start shooting cardboard at various ranges. You want an even, dense pattern.

To kill a bird you need two things. Density and penetration. Density being that the bird is hit with enough pellets. Thats where your even, dense patterns come in. Penetration being that the pellets hitting the bird have enough velocity to penetrate into the vitals of the bird.

Most guys like the fast stuff and it does work well. But it doesn't kill any deadier then a 1200-1300 fps load. Dead is dead. Faster shells will give you a slightly longer range and by slightly I mean a few yards. ie, a 1300fps will have X energy at 40 yards and the 1500fps will have the same energy at 44 yards. Not really a huge difference. And i haven't met many people that can tell 40 yards from 44 yards on a flying bird. Also I haven't met many guys that can consistently kill birds on the wing out past 40 yards.

For shells, 2 shot and bigger (for steel). With your gun, I would start with some 3" or 3.5" BB's or BBB's and go from there.

For chokes, if you really want to kill geese hardcore, I recommend a Patternmaster or Wad Wizard choke tube. Especially if you are going to be shooting medium to long range. I have used them in my SBE, SP-10 and 870 and been very happy with them all. They are a little pricey, but after shooting a couple hundred geese every year, I really believe they work. They seem to pattern pretty much any kind of shell well.

If you are interested in a WW, I have an extra, new Remington one for sale.

It sounds like you are planning on pass shooting the birds. Try and get on some high ground, or close to the roost and hunt overcast windy days. That should help keep the birds closer to the ground.
 
I wouldn't cheap out on shells for geese. Way too many wounded birds with steel. I personally use hevishot #2's or #4's 3.5" for pass shooting depending on the area I am hunting. The stuff works great!

If you want to go with steel, I recommend you use Kent Fasteel loads. That is probably the best steel load on the market.
 
Save some shells and get some decoys. Floaters at lebaron 6 for less than $100 Shells can be found used cheap as well. Early season when they decoy to 5-20 yds I use #4 later I switch to BBs but take #2 with me in case they come in to 15-30 yds. Ducks including mallards I use #4 all season. 1-1/8 is fine for ducks and early geese in close and a little more when they are further out. Until last year I've been using a 2-3/4 12ga for ducks and geese with good luck but now the goose hunting pressure is making it more difficult to get em in close I got a 3" gun and I think thats plenty, don't hurt yourself with 3-1/2" ( your shoulder or your pocket book) Kent is a very good choice but anything that patterns well and is 1500fps is fine. I use mod choke but you need to pattern to be sure your mod shoots a mod pattern.

Decoys are a burden to carry but you usually don't need more than 12 to get small groups in. And learn to call and get your buddy to call as well.

have fun
 
Get yourself a 6x14 enclosed trailer, 100 Bigfoot decoys and 5 layout blinds and drive right into the field. Then you'll kill geese!!!:D :D
 
cereal83 said:
Can't one just jump in a boat and go around lake Ontario and blast them?
Click to expand...

That would'nt be much fun. Plus they would be gone before you get in range would be my guess. There plenty of great land hunting spots, my best spot is a golf course geese are always on the creek.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom