Let's discuss which steel shot we like and why. Shot blue steel this past season and wounded more birds than ever. Wanting to try something new

Try practicing more!

Just kidding. I prefer Kent Fast steel 3" 1 1/4oz #2, but I have not had problems with others.

I don't always shoot steel shot, but when I do it's 1.25oz #3s @ 1400+fps. Usually high end Winchester or Remingtons.

I'm hadloading 1 1/8oz. of HW13 #6. Have yet to need two shots for any duck hit inside 55 yards. Love it!

I use Kent 3" 1 1/8 oz. loads as they are higher speed, 1560 FPS. Speed Kills!

I've got to try something else. I shot around 500 shells at dove Remington 2 3/4" #8 heavy dove load and my Bellini sb2 never jammed. I used 3" kents on ducks and it jammed at least every third shot. I cleaned it up after dove to get ready for ducks so maybe I screwed something up but it was pathetic to deal with all season. I'm going to go back to 2 3/4" duck loads though.

Why?

Lead works fine.

I have shot Remington sport 3 inch #4 pellet around 1400 to 1500 for a long time. My cousin owed me a 100 bucks and was at Able Ammo. I told him to get me the a flat of 3 inch #4 1450fps. We shall see how it goes.

So is anybody using that high end heavy shot or spectra shot? If so how's it working out? I think over decoys just about anything works good but there are times even over dekes a longer shot is needed. Pass shooting...a Tx tradition it seems....thats the focus here.

I have had no problems with longer shots with my preferred load (see above) when I do my part.

Another vote for Kent fast steel. #1 on grease and #4 on duck

I've had great luck with the rio 3" 1 1/4 #4 or #5, really prefer the 5's

Hevi Steel #3. Rogers had them on sale a while back 149.99/flat free shipping. Doesn't get much better

Heavy metal 2 3/4 nr 4 on decoying ducks within 40 yards with Patternmaster duck choke

Heavy metal 3'' BB on pass shooting ducks/geese beyond 50 yards with patternmaster long goose choke.

Done!

Heavy metals 3 inch num 3 all the way. I'm a firm believer after this yr. Watch for rebates and price drops and free shipping.

Winchester blindside 3" #2

Jams on first shot, or after that?

3" # 2's for big ducks is what my gun likes, I stick with the federals because there usually on sale. Kills them dead, kicks full choke of course

W Beav andPervis - heavy metal best bang for the buck- order at Rogers when on sale-rebates common last few years. Retail low 30's per box at academy. Ordered few flats last year- 3" at Rogers for around 18 box shipped. 3.5's a bit more.

Shoot #3 on everything- typically passing choke (M) but S or IC works well on decoying birds

First shot. Then I would have to reach up and pull the spent shell out of the way.....then watch the ducks fly away

Then it would shoot a couple rounds fine then back to a jam on another first shot.

Sometimes with those Benellis you really have to have a good shoulder on them. Hold them pretty tight against you so the momentum of the shell coming back ejects out. They are inertia driven. This isn't always the case but it's something that's possible if you shell isnt coming out all the way.

I suspected that but ducks dropping down have a way of messing with your memory and ability to remind youself to mount the dam gun proper like! I plan on testing lots of loads this dove season to see what the actual problem was. Calls in hand, jerking the string in the other.....then shooting up into the trees at a twisted angle.....I'd say you on to something about my poor technique.