I am going to be going on a duck/goose hunt in a few weeks. I use a 12 gauge fixed full choke shotgun and am curious as to what size shot i will need. I am used to dove hunting and have never hunted for larger winged species. I will also be doing a quail/pheasant hunt possibly that week as well and would the same loads work for those or should i just bring my dove loads? I know that duck and geese need steel shot, but does quail and pheasant? Any feedback is greatly appreciated!!!

Steel 2's should work for both ducks and geese, you don't need anything bigger. Lead is fine for pheasants unless the area you're hunting specifically says non tox only. If you're hunting pheasants over pointing dogs you can shoot em with dove loads and a .410. If you're hunting field style and flushing birds at range, a fast load of nickel plated 5's goes a long ways. Good luck and have fun

Dont buy Winchester. Bet i stir something up with that one. Seems to me my guys who bring the cheap Winchester take a lot more shots to bring down birds. I like federal.

Fixed full coke shotgun could (and probably will) create problems with steel shot. I mention only because I hate for you to mess up a good barrel.

I'm not a fan of 2's my guns don't like them. I shoot 3's for ducks and 1's for geese.

I shoot 3 and work fine

I shoot 4 three inch Remington #4 pellet through an IC or Mod choke only. If you're shooting an older fixed full choke you need to do some reading. You might be blowing out a barrel.

I have really taken a liking to the fiocchi 3" #4 1 1/5 oz. load this year.

Pay attention to Judd's and wal's post ------ they are right about shooting steel in full choke gun.

I had this same question about steel shot. I emailed Remington. This was the response:

I wouldn't shoot steel through a full fixed choke if I liked my gun. The quote from Remington even says that it will change the pattern of your gun.

Get some #4 Bizmuth and you will be fine with the fixed choke, that's why they made the stuff

Barney is correct shoot bismuth and bismuth only.
Steel will literally pull your full choke out of your gun. Plus steel from a full choke will not pattern worth a dang and make it harder to hit anything.
Bismuth is higher than steel but not as expensive as having to buy a new barrel.

Modified choke patterns like full w waterfowl loads. Always +1 on constriction vs lead. You should never use an OEM full choke for duck loads. 3s for ducks and 5s for pheasants is what I like. 2's or 3.5 loads if most shots are 40+ IC for ducks or MOD if mainly passing. IC for pen raised pheasants or LM M for wild birds.

Shooting 2's typically shoot a much tighter pattern w same chokes.

I have a Franchi Affinity 12-ga which is Made in Italy and Imported by Benelli . It came with F, M. and IC chokes . I emailed Benelli about the use of what chokes to use with Steel shots and their reply was IC or M were fine but do not use Steel with a Full choke . As mentioned above can cause permanent damage to my barrel . I can't say this to be true with a Fixed Full Choke but I would guess it not to be safe for the same reason as with my Franchi Affinity .

Man, I need to spend more time on this site. So much good info. I never knew the bit about steel and a fixed full choke.
THANKS

Time to take the full choke out of my moss 835.....

I shoot a pattern master full choke 3" BB no problem at all don't make things to complicated just shoot in front of the bird and it will die