We went out on saturday and shot our limtit by 10:30 but it should have been over by 8. Almost all the birds we shot were still alive whent they hit the water. I dont know I need more lead, less lead im not sure. We were shooting winchester xpert 3 inch #2 shot in 1 1/4 ounce. I was also thinking a faster load would be better. What should I do?

Range?
Have ya'll paterned those xperts?

Things to do, chop chop.

You prolly should start by not shooting lead...

Probably need to lead them more.

I know it's all personal preference, but when i started using blackcloud...i usually don't have that problem unless i'm having "one of those mornings" haha

Pattern your weapon and from that data start putting a load and choke combination together. Asking what speed, shot size ect to use without that data is like hiring a blind builder to build your house.

Mods can we get a PATTERN YOUR WEAPON STICKY? Even as dumb as the state agencies are about weapons they all have a page singled out on their hunting rule book specifically for patterning a weapon. They realize this has to be done for clean kills of the quarry your hunting.

I have had horrible luck with the winchester experts. I read a thread on here about the quality of the shot in those shells so I cut one open and only a few pellets in the whole bunch were round. Im no expert on this matter but I would think that round pellets will fly better and in turn make better shots. I have done this with many diff brands and the experts were the worst of them all. I have better luck with the winchester drylocks and remington hypersonics but that's just my preference. I've used kents and black clouds also and they put the hurt on em too. Just my humble opinion.

I've yet to find a #2 steel load that patterns worth a crap. I'd say that's probably your first problem. As others have stated, pattern your gun. Also, the last poster hit the nail on the head. Cut one of those Xperts open and look at the shot. It looks more like welding slag than shot.

I assuming by your SN that you shoot the new Stoeger 3500. I would be sure you pattern it with all chokes. Its a pretty new gun so taking it out and cycling 3-4 different brands of shot through might help you narrow down what will work best for you.

Pattern your gun. Stop shooting xperts. Shoot ducks in the spread not skyblast. Lead well and keep your gun moving. Aim to hit him in the bill. Water swat the wounded as soon as the are on the water.

i have always shot winchester experts just because they are resonabley priced and i usally buy two cases before the season. I also use a Brileys long range choke that makes a huge diffrence for me couse you will spend 60 bucks one time and save money in the long run with the cheaper $14 shells rather than buying $25 boxes of black clouds or super sonics, just my opinion.

That is my point!! Telling specifcally to buy one brand of choke is letting the blind guy build your house. Paper tells it all. Then make an educated purchase. I had a full set of Briley chokes for my Beretta. I did not shoot them well. I went back to factory and the paper test did well.

Agree you need to pattern but don't put a choke that is labeled for lead in that is tighter than IM or you are asking for a bulged barrel. Lead chokes that are labeled for full are way to tight for steel to go through without having some ill effects.

I have never patterned a shotgun.

I still do not get it.

It aint a deer rifle. point shoot. dead. Experts, factory chokes.

Make a mountain out of a mole hill.

Go shoot some five stand

I knew a man that told me while teal hunting, a fellow hunter down the levee was hit in the side of the face with a pellet even though no one shot in his direction. The person that took the shot later in the day opened up the Expert shell and found some of the pieces being flat. After that incident, no one in his group bought Experts' again.

Some people never do I guarantee you it would open your eyes. For example, I don't shoot my hand rolled 4's because my gun/choke combo just don't like'em and they clump. 3's and 6's have a much more uniform pattern with much fewer holes.

That ain't what Morris said about ya

if you dont shoot your #4's then why do you roll 'em?

silly

There's alot of answers you can get. No reason to change your shells, try a different choke and fix your lead. If you want birds to crunch up, shoot a tighter choke. More pellets in the circle means more kills. I shoot a full choke just because I don't want any wounded birds.

Some people that shoot crappy rely on those stray pellets.

Because I wanted to try'em...if you don't roll'em you can't try'em

I have used this exact phrase a time or two

All i've used are xpert 3 inch #2 shot 1550 fps and they've worked great! Shot around 100 ducks this year so far and have had no problems!

That bick out shoots your over complicating butt too. So I guess it don't help none.