Shells recommendation
- Thread starter Skogkatt
- Start date
I use 3" or 3.5" steel BB for geese, 3" #2, 3 and 4 for ducks. Shoot geese with #2 as well but BB is my go to.
Rabbits I've used #6 lead shot with good results.
I use a Browning Maxus, 28" barrel and Kicks high flyer full ported choke.
Rabbits I've used #6 lead shot with good results.
I use a Browning Maxus, 28" barrel and Kicks high flyer full ported choke.
Is that #4 Steel or #4 lead shot? Only non toxic shot is allowed for waterfowl hunting ....!!
I use #6 lead shot for snow shoe hares .....
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
Can’t comment on ducks but I’ve killed snowshoe hare with lead #4, 5, 6 sized shot, drops them hard. .22lr is my favourite for hare hunting though, less meat damage with a .22 when you head shoot them.
For rabbits i often use lead #7.5 or #6
Migratory birds other than woodcock need non toxic shot. Over decoys in the park i use 2.75" #4 steel for ducks. On the lake i use 2.75" #2 or bb steel for geese i use 3" bb steel. When using my double guns i shoot 2.75" bismuth in #4 or 6
Migratory birds other than woodcock need non toxic shot. Over decoys in the park i use 2.75" #4 steel for ducks. On the lake i use 2.75" #2 or bb steel for geese i use 3" bb steel. When using my double guns i shoot 2.75" bismuth in #4 or 6
The #4 shells you have, are they lead? I wouldn't use steel on rabbits if I didn't have to... If they are steel, they would work fine on ducks, but are light for geese IMHO.
My choices would be:
2&3/4" #5 or 6 lead shells for rabbits...
3.5" packing 1&3/8's oz of #2 steel going 1550fps for both ducks & geese.
My choices would be:
2&3/4" #5 or 6 lead shells for rabbits...
3.5" packing 1&3/8's oz of #2 steel going 1550fps for both ducks & geese.
Don't listen to the anti steel for upland game folks. While I don't deny the effectiveness of lead and do most of my uplanding with it, steel 4's and 6's will kill any grouse or rabbit aside from perhaps the easter bunny. Lead shot from 7 1/2's to 4's would take care of my upland needs and 6's are slightly my preference.
Ducks see me using 4's,3's,2's and 1's depending on how close I expect shots to be and how likely geese are to be encountered. Geese get 2's, 1's or BB's. When I do shoot a 12 gauge its usually 2 3/4" shells with some 3" even if I have 3 1/2" capability. Patterning your loads and chokes is a worthwhile venture and often overlooked by hunters but is a major factor of why some guys say one shell or load is great and others hate it.
Ducks see me using 4's,3's,2's and 1's depending on how close I expect shots to be and how likely geese are to be encountered. Geese get 2's, 1's or BB's. When I do shoot a 12 gauge its usually 2 3/4" shells with some 3" even if I have 3 1/2" capability. Patterning your loads and chokes is a worthwhile venture and often overlooked by hunters but is a major factor of why some guys say one shell or load is great and others hate it.
Steel will also tear the crap out of most upland guns. None of mine will ever see it
Cheers
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I have shot several pheasants with # 3 steel their as dead as any green head or black duck .
I have a few favorite grouse covers that also have a few very productive jump hunting locations for waterfowl. I just shoot steel so I don't have to pass on the opportunity for a few bonus ducks or occasional goose when hunting those locations. I haven't found steel to tear them up any worse, although the loads I use for upland leave the muzzle at between 1300-1400fps according to the factory. Pellets do exit more often but I don't find it damages much more meat. I find a 1 1/4oz load of lead more damaging.
All depends on what you use for an upland gun
Most 410, 28 and 16 were never designed for steel as well as most vintage 20 and 12ga
Hard for your eyes to see damage extra chamber pressure and much harder shot is doing until it is usually too late
But I understand why you shoot some in your case
Cheers
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