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what load do you prefer?
#5929816
09/15/15 06:32 PM
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 374
StephensCnty308
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 374 |
What load do you normally shoot with?
Besides when shooting geese how often do you find yourself grabbing for a 3 1/2 load?
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Re: what load do you prefer?
[Re: StephensCnty308]
#5929845
09/15/15 06:53 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 109
Maxus
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 109 |
I normally shoot 3 1/2" #2-4 for duck and geese. Sometimes I throw in some BB's if I'm feeling froggy.
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Re: what load do you prefer?
[Re: StephensCnty308]
#5929850
09/15/15 06:55 PM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 447
woodduckhunter
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 447 |
2-3/4" 1-1/4 oz of #4 or #6 bismuth/hevi shot shooting around 1300 fps through a full choke
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Re: what load do you prefer?
[Re: StephensCnty308]
#5929853
09/15/15 06:57 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032
Navasot
Hollywood
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Hollywood
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032 |
whatever is cheapest on the shelf from 6-3 shot 2 3/4 or 3inch.. no matter
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Re: what load do you prefer?
[Re: StephensCnty308]
#5929856
09/15/15 06:58 PM
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032
Navasot
Hollywood
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Hollywood
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 28,032 |
if I was to pick one that i could find every time is the cheaper Winchester in 3inch 3s 4s fine also
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Re: what load do you prefer?
[Re: StephensCnty308]
#5929866
09/15/15 07:05 PM
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 746
TTUhunter4
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 746 |
3" #3 or #4. I have shot Kent Fasteel for the last several years. Gonna give Hevi-metal a shot this year. I never shoot 3.5" shells at ducks.
"God made man, but Samuel Colt made them equal."
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Re: what load do you prefer?
[Re: StephensCnty308]
#5929942
09/15/15 07:58 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,788
wal1809
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,788 |
3 inch #4 for ducks 3.5 inch #2 for decoying geese 3.5 inch BB for non decoying geese
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Re: what load do you prefer?
[Re: StephensCnty308]
#5929955
09/15/15 08:08 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 525
Dfwguy
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 525 |
2 3/4" #7.5 for dove 3" #6 for teal 3" #3 for ducks 3.5" BB for geese
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Re: what load do you prefer?
[Re: StephensCnty308]
#5930028
09/15/15 08:49 PM
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 374
StephensCnty308
OP
Bird Dog
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OP
Bird Dog
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 374 |
Had a conversation with a fellow work partner who Always loves to use 3.5 I figured besides geese/turkey why go with a 3.5
Just curious what everyone normally used.
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Re: what load do you prefer?
[Re: StephensCnty308]
#5930094
09/15/15 09:35 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 377
NTXR
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 377 |
I typically use 3" #2s for ducks. I prefer 1 1/4oz of shot over the 1 1/8 fast movers.
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Re: what load do you prefer?
[Re: StephensCnty308]
#5930111
09/15/15 09:41 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,281
BradyBuck
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,281 |
Only time I've ever used 3.5 inch shells was for cranes and probably didn't need them then.
Last edited by BradyBuck; 09/15/15 09:41 PM.
HRCH Washita's Kimber Locked N Loaded GRHRCH Firefly's Rally The Troops MH
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Re: what load do you prefer?
[Re: StephensCnty308]
#5930131
09/15/15 09:57 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,059
MS1454
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,059 |
2.75 #4s for Teal 3in #2s for Ducks and close Geese
I'll take a Black Female every time.
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Re: what load do you prefer?
[Re: StephensCnty308]
#5930141
09/15/15 10:04 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,011
68A
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,011 |
3" #3 or #4 for ducks out of a imp or LM choke. Never understood the need for 3.5" for ducks. Not much of a goose hunter but I would foresee no issue using 3" for them as well.
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Re: what load do you prefer?
[Re: StephensCnty308]
#5930258
09/15/15 11:12 PM
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 471
JEmberson
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 471 |
2.75" #6 1 1/8 for duck. Killed 150-200 a year with them pass shooting mainly. 3" #4 1 1/4oz for those windier days 3" #2 1 3/4 for geese occasionally a hot 3.5" home load too
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Re: what load do you prefer?
[Re: StephensCnty308]
#5930278
09/15/15 11:27 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,804
mohunter
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,804 |
3 inch highspeed loads (1550-1560fps) for me, usually 1 1/8 ounce, have not shot 3 1/2's for ducks in 10 years. With steel, speed kills.
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Re: what load do you prefer?
[Re: StephensCnty308]
#5930339
09/15/15 11:51 PM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 334
tuf-duc
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 334 |
I shoot Kent 3 1/2" #2's because they don't make a 4" #2
Be the same Man on Monday that you are on Sunday
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Re: what load do you prefer?
[Re: StephensCnty308]
#5930456
09/16/15 12:39 AM
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 413
texassippi
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 413 |
3" #3 for ducks 3 1/2" #BB for geese
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Re: what load do you prefer?
[Re: StephensCnty308]
#5930496
09/16/15 12:57 AM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,951
lakewaydr50
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,951 |
This question gets asked a lot on this board. I used to chase the trends (Black Cloud) or buy what ever was cheapest ( Winchester Expert); it was according to how my budget was doing at the time. After spending some time with folks that compete at different types of clays sports and learning how to set up a shotgun to pattern at its best, I've come to the conclusion its more of pattern the shells you like as well as other brands you may be interested in and go from there.........shoot the ones that do the best for a particular gun. Also before you do the test make sure you have the barrel completely clean, because slag build up from lead and plastic can completely change the carecteristics of a shotgun. I swab my barrels withe Hoppes Number 9 real heavy and let them soak then I come back with the wire brush on the ram rod hooked up to my drill for a couple of minutes or so and then ram a few pieces of barrel patch cloth to clean it out. You might be surprised what you get out of your barrel doing this.......
Isaiah 40:31 "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
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Re: what load do you prefer?
[Re: StephensCnty308]
#5930812
09/16/15 03:55 AM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 23,830
beaversnipe
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 23,830 |
2 3/4 rio or kent nr 3 or 4 for decoying ducks 3 inch heavy metal nr 3 for higher ducks 3 inch heavy metal BB for decoying or high geese 3 1/2 Inch nr 2 or 4 heavy shot for cranes
All with patternmaster duck and long goose choke
Last edited by beaversnipe; 09/16/15 03:57 AM.
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Re: what load do you prefer?
[Re: StephensCnty308]
#5930828
09/16/15 04:04 AM
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 10,426
Ramball36
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 10,426 |
I like the 3" Rios in a 4 or 5 for ducks, preferably #5
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Re: what load do you prefer?
[Re: StephensCnty308]
#5931405
09/16/15 04:01 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,075
aerangis
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,075 |
fwiw, I've had FTF issues with cheaper brands such as Herters and Monarch. I get shells in bulk so the issues may have been isolated to specific batches. Rio's, Winchester, and Federal are my preference.
Winchester 2.75" #6 steel for decoying teal Rio Bluesteel 3" #2-#4 steel for decoying ducks and geese Winchester 3.5" #2 steel for cranes and pass shooting geese
Regarding "Hevi-shot" or any of the other magic shotgun shells, they are a waste of money. Spend enough time hunting with folks using magic bullets, you'll notice there's no quantitative difference in the number of birds killed compared to hunters using plain steel shells.
A solid foundation in shooting skills, patterning your shotgun, knowing the POI on POA, using the appropriate choke, are extremely important. Needless to say, anyone who's served in the military in combat arms and/or spent considerable time properly training with firearms knows that practice makes perfect. Magic bullets or not.
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Re: what load do you prefer?
[Re: StephensCnty308]
#5931526
09/16/15 05:19 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,426
DuckCoach1985
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,426 |
Dove loads.. cheapest I can find in 8 shot. The monarchs have worked pretty good for me
My favorite duck loads are the cheap 2 3/4" remingtons in 4shot. Also use the 3" Winchester Xperts in 4.. more for coastal ducks.
Heard a lot about Kent Fasteel so figured I'd give em a try. Great first shot at a redhead at 40 yards. Kent shell jams in the barrel, brass breaks off where the ejector grabbed it. Not a minute later the first time I've ever had a group of pintails decoy feet down at the coast.. had the barrel off trying to force the jammed shell out with a long stick. Never again!
If money's not a problem the Black Clouds do a pretty good job!
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Re: what load do you prefer?
[Re: StephensCnty308]
#5932047
09/16/15 11:27 PM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 47
stringwise
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 47 |
I shoot whatever 3" 1.25 oz 4 shot I can find for the cheapest price for all ducks. Have used Kent, Winchester and Federal the last three seasons. Preferred the Kents but not enough to pay more for them. Shot limits both days last weekend for teal with 4's. I use the same for big ducks and don't have any complaints.
3" 1.25 oz 1 shot for geese. On rare occasion will shoot 3.5" BB but haven't had the need the last few years.
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Re: what load do you prefer?
[Re: StephensCnty308]
#5932627
09/17/15 05:14 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,626
Erichugh22
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,626 |
Ive Been shooting 2 3/4 inch 3's and 4's for 3 seasons. Killed ducks just as dead as 3 or 3.5". Used to shoot only 3's because I felt like I had to from what everyone else told me. Negative. I noticed no difference in amount of dead ducks. And I save a buck or two per box.
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Re: what load do you prefer?
[Re: TTUhunter4]
#5933047
09/17/15 03:35 PM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 464
N.Tx
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 464 |
3" #3 or #4. I have shot Kent Fasteel for the last several years. Gonna give Hevi-metal a shot this year. I never shoot 3.5" shells at ducks. +1
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