what Shot size for different critters?

Daniel

Daniel

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Thunder Bay, ON
I've been "councilled" by people before about this, but the "What do you use for grouse?" thread brought the question up again:

So what do you use? on what? and why?

Years ago, I stopped using anything smaller than a #2 (if I'm buying to shoot a creature) #7.5 or 8 wally worlds if I'm going for clays.
Rabbits, grouse, phesant, ducks, goose = #2 (steel for the neccessary:rolleyes: )

One day I was shooting at rabbits on the run (with dogs chasing them) and I had a couple get by that I shot at, but I was convinced the shot all got deflected or something by the brush (let's say 20 yard shot at a running rabbit through the raspberry, alder, birch, and maple).
I could see that a lot of the little branches and #### were broken where I had shot...etc. As I walked up, I could see some blood on the snow (not from Jays dog this time:D ) so probably from the rabbit. Later that day, I got a couple, and cleaned them... As I prepared them for cooking, I found a pile of 7.5 shot in the meat (that's what I was shooting that day). I tried the #4's and eventually the 2's

>> Both problems solved! DEAD DEAD first shot, and no pellets (likely less damage than the spray from 7.5 shot).
Shoot through branches without a second thought.

real answers, not "#6 cuz it seems to work":p
D
 
Hi,

Used to shoot with #7 1/2 but lost too many birds at long shot and too many pellets at close range so I stopped using it. I now use #6 for partridge and rabbits. I find that these small 7 1/2 don't have enough power, unless at close range.

Not hunting ducks and geese, otherwise, I would probably use #4 on them.
 
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it seems like alot of people thinkt hat smaller shot is better because more pellets will be thrown at the animal. truth is, if your anywhere near a half decent shot you should be able to put down a rabbit running at 30 yards with any 12 gauge load....except for slugs that is.

i used 7 1/2's for the first year that i carried my own 12 gauge. put down a little more than half of the small game i shot at (squirells, blackbirds, crows, rabbits, jackrabbits, etc) and lost a few of each.

i then switched to #4's and my success rate jumped dramaticaly. when i use #4's most of the time now unless i am hunting jackrabbits. then i switch to 3" BB's. now, any critter thats fair game might as well just jump in the bag because i rarely miss anymore if the shot is under 35-40yards.

for turkey i use 3 1/2" loads of #6.waterfowl gets steel BB's. i use a modified choke all of the time except for turkey.

larger shot is better because:
-retains energy longer
-punches through brush/leaves better
-less pellets to pick out of the animal
-typically kills the animal quicker (if your a half decent shot)
 
I only use small shot (7.5) for partridge, as they're a really small bird, and I find they flush fairly close.

Otherwise it's 6 or 5 for grouse, 4 for pheasant and rabbit, 2 or bigger for ducks, and BBB or T for honkers.

And I'm hoping to try slugs for deer one of these seasons in the special hunts late season.
 
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