texashuntingforum.com logo
Main Menu
Advertisement
Affiliates
Advertisement
Newest Members
nmmuledeerhunter, Dzia-Dzia, TraeMartin, Beatixre, MooseSteed
71989 Registered Users
Top Posters(All Time)
dogcatcher 110,788
bill oxner 91,416
SnakeWrangler 65,416
stxranchman 60,296
Gravytrain 46,950
RKHarm24 44,585
rifleman 44,461
Stub 43,769
Forum Statistics
Forums46
Topics537,029
Posts9,719,585
Members86,989
Most Online25,604
Feb 12th, 2024
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Best 20 ga Jack load? #6701094 03/09/17 11:54 PM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 339
C
Creek Henry Offline OP
Bird Dog
OP Offline
Bird Dog
C
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 339
I took my son and nephew jackrabbit hunting in Hamilton county. I was trying some different loads but none of them worked well for out set up. Basically, the shots were all about 40 yards. They were using IC and I was on a mod choke.

Next hunt we will all use full

I tired a 9 pellet #1 buck load... Not good at that range... Too sparse

1 oz #5 load... Seemed to be the best but didn't have great penetration

1 oz #6... Meh. Great up to 20 yards.

So, for big, heavy TX jacks... What should I be stoking my 20 with. Yeah, I may switch back to a 12 with heavy #4 loads but the kids can't handle that yet.

Re: Best 20 ga Jack load? [Re: Creek Henry] #6701117 03/10/17 12:10 AM
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 11,512
R
rickym Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
R
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 11,512
Mod choke. With duck loads(steel) for speed/penetration and pattern at that range.



Re: Best 20 ga Jack load? [Re: Creek Henry] #6701171 03/10/17 01:26 AM
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,271
P
Palehorse Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
P
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 5,271
Try a load meant for pheasant. High velocity copper plated #4's. Federal makes a real good one. I use them for knocking squirrel off at ranges up to 40 yards. You don't really need a dense pattern, a couple of pellets hitting the right spot does the trick.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/product/i...ounds?a=1594534

Last edited by Palehorse; 03/10/17 01:42 AM.
Re: Best 20 ga Jack load? [Re: Creek Henry] #6701382 03/10/17 12:40 PM
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65,416
S
SnakeWrangler Online Content
THF Celebrity
Online Content
THF Celebrity
S
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65,416
#4 up to BB....


Originally Posted by Sneaky
I believe in science and I’m an insufferable [censored]
Originally Posted by beaversnipe
Actually, BBC is pretty damn good

"You Cannot Simultaneously Be Politically Correct And Intellectually Honest!"
Re: Best 20 ga Jack load? [Re: Creek Henry] #6704602 03/14/17 02:21 AM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 339
C
Creek Henry Offline OP
Bird Dog
OP Offline
Bird Dog
C
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 339
I think Academy has some affordable #4 pheasant loads. I will look for some #4 buckshot as well. That should have 29 or so pellets.

Re: Best 20 ga Jack load? [Re: Creek Henry] #6712357 03/23/17 12:18 AM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 339
C
Creek Henry Offline OP
Bird Dog
OP Offline
Bird Dog
C
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 339
I got some 1oz #4s at Academy and also found some 20 ga 1 oz #2 lead loads at chearerthandirt. Those are legal on public land too. So, i should be set for a while. Let's hope the year has a lot of huntng in it

Re: Best 20 ga Jack load? [Re: Creek Henry] #6889104 09/16/17 03:14 PM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 339
C
Creek Henry Offline OP
Bird Dog
OP Offline
Bird Dog
C
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 339
The #2s worked very well. I still had to double tap most of them though. Jacks are the opposite of dove... Easy to hit but hard to kill. They are tough esp this time of year. The #4s probably worked better that the 5s and I think they patterned better in my sons's 870.

Re: Best 20 ga Jack load? [Re: Creek Henry] #6889116 09/16/17 03:34 PM
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 309
E
Elpatoloco Offline
Bird Dog
Offline
Bird Dog
E
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 309
I'd use 1 ounce #4. I've never heard of anybody killing Jacks or cotton tails this time of year. Everyone I know waits well after the first freeze to ensure they don't have worms.

Re: Best 20 ga Jack load? [Re: Creek Henry] #6889561 09/17/17 04:05 AM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 339
C
Creek Henry Offline OP
Bird Dog
OP Offline
Bird Dog
C
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 339
I would not hunt cottons now, I agree on that. The jacks are used primarily as food for the goat dogs and catfish bait.

Re: Best 20 ga Jack load? [Re: Creek Henry] #6890458 09/18/17 03:39 AM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,986
H
HornSlayer Offline
Pro Tracker
Offline
Pro Tracker
H
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,986
If it is pest control and you don't mind wiping them out in one night you need to use a suppressed .257 caliber PCP Airgun with a Thermal scope. Yes I know it's cheating but I do what works!


They make ammo specifically for hunting for a reason! nidea
Re: Best 20 ga Jack load? [Re: Creek Henry] #6904424 09/30/17 11:53 PM
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 31,055
HWY_MAN Offline
THF Celebrity
Offline
THF Celebrity
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 31,055
If you really want some fun and good practice, do it with your deer rifle. If you can throw dirt on a running jack with a rifle your doing pretty good. Pop and I use to do that before season opened, but that was when we were walking and rocking canyons down by the Pecos.


Yes! A Weatherby does kill them deader.
Re: Best 20 ga Jack load? [Re: Creek Henry] #6904655 10/01/17 11:34 AM
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,655
C
colt45-90 Offline
Texas colt45
Offline
Texas colt45
C
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 11,655
always used .22lr


hold on Newt, we got a runaway
Re: Best 20 ga Jack load? [Re: Creek Henry] #6904899 10/01/17 05:59 PM
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,052
glocker17 Offline
Pro Tracker
Offline
Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,052
I think 4's will work, but at 40 yards I would expect some 2 shot kills. Closer should be fine. 22lr is better....

Re: Best 20 ga Jack load? [Re: Creek Henry] #6909701 10/05/17 02:09 PM
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 907
E
Erich Offline
Tracker
Offline
Tracker
E
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 907
at 40yds I think the choke was your biggest problem. a full choke with a reg #6 lead or any buckshot smaller than 0 should be fine. a IPC choke In my experience is useless unless your targets are just very well within range. and at 40yds even a mod, expecially with the lighter shot charge in a 20ga is just pretty thin.


Outdoorsman
Re: Best 20 ga Jack load? [Re: Creek Henry] #7592248 08/28/19 09:01 PM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 339
C
Creek Henry Offline OP
Bird Dog
OP Offline
Bird Dog
C
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 339
An update... LOL

I found the last case (I think) of Aguila #2 lead birdshot in 20 ga. 1oz last year. Great stuff but not findable any longer. I use what's left of that as 2nd/3rd shots and suppliment fast 1oz #4 pheasant loads for the 1st shot and for smaller game. I am making sure to use full choke also. #2s sledgehammer jacks.

But, next go around, I am going to use fast-steel #2 (1400fps) and see how they do. They have about 40% more pellets than #2 lead and their energy at 50 yards should be the same as #4 lead. That's my max range anyway. Testing side by side with lead will be tough due to chock restrictions on steel.

If anyone cares, I'll keep you updated. Oh, and public hunting grasslands around me restrict max shot size to #2 anyway so buckshot it out of the question.

Re: Best 20 ga Jack load? [Re: colt45-90] #7592297 08/28/19 09:40 PM
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65,416
S
SnakeWrangler Online Content
THF Celebrity
Online Content
THF Celebrity
S
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65,416
Originally Posted by colt45
always used .22lr


This...only thing I’ve ever used

Less recoil, better for learning accuracy...


Originally Posted by Sneaky
I believe in science and I’m an insufferable [censored]
Originally Posted by beaversnipe
Actually, BBC is pretty damn good

"You Cannot Simultaneously Be Politically Correct And Intellectually Honest!"
Re: Best 20 ga Jack load? [Re: Creek Henry] #7593532 08/30/19 02:18 AM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 339
C
Creek Henry Offline OP
Bird Dog
OP Offline
Bird Dog
C
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 339
Fall Jacks are a tougher breed. The 17hmr works much better. After about 50 yards the 22 loses too much steam

Re: Best 20 ga Jack load? [Re: Creek Henry] #7593544 08/30/19 02:27 AM
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,782
T
txtrophy85 Online Content
THF Celebrity
Online Content
THF Celebrity
T
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 31,782
Originally Posted by Creek Henry
Fall Jacks are a tougher breed. The 17hmr works much better. After about 50 yards the 22 loses too much steam


Try a CCI stinger


For it is not the quarry that we truly seek, but the adventure.
Re: Best 20 ga Jack load? [Re: Creek Henry] #7594102 08/30/19 07:16 PM
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3,583
1
10 Gauge Online Content
Extreme Tracker
Online Content
Extreme Tracker
1
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3,583
I like #4 for all small game. I use remingtons cheap #6 on cottontails and grey squirrels but if I am in fox squirrel territory I take #4's. Federal's #4 heavy game loads work fine and still fairly cheap but I like Remington Express better. My longest kills with a 12 gauge were with the Remington Express shells.

I wouldn't use 6 on jacks unless they were pretty close. I have seen fox squirrels take 3 or 4 good hits, so multiple pellets, from #6's around 40-50 yards and just stiffen up and keep going after every hit. I think jacks might be even tougher animals.

Flip side an accurate pellet gun works great hehe.


1 Thessalonians 4:11-14
Re: Best 20 ga Jack load? [Re: Creek Henry] #7599332 09/06/19 02:59 AM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 339
C
Creek Henry Offline OP
Bird Dog
OP Offline
Bird Dog
C
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 339
The closest shot I got last weekend was about 40 yards and up to 60... 2 or 3 shots of #2 got it done but I want better. So I just purchased 8lb of B shot (.17 ball) and a turkey choke. We'll see how that works

Re: Best 20 ga Jack load? [Re: Creek Henry] #7599353 09/06/19 03:24 AM
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3,583
1
10 Gauge Online Content
Extreme Tracker
Online Content
Extreme Tracker
1
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3,583
Originally Posted by Creek Henry
The closest shot I got last weekend was about 40 yards and up to 60... 2 or 3 shots of #2 got it done but I want better. So I just purchased 8lb of B shot (.17 ball) and a turkey choke. We'll see how that works



Please let us know!


1 Thessalonians 4:11-14
Re: Best 20 ga Jack load? [Re: Creek Henry] #7607339 09/15/19 06:19 PM
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3,583
1
10 Gauge Online Content
Extreme Tracker
Online Content
Extreme Tracker
1
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 3,583
Have you made it out to try the 20 gauge B loads?


1 Thessalonians 4:11-14
Re: Best 20 ga Jack load? [Re: Creek Henry] #7607389 09/15/19 08:13 PM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 8,841
D
DocHorton Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
Offline
THF Trophy Hunter
D
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 8,841
17 HMR or #2's if you're shooting up to 60 yards.

Re: Best 20 ga Jack load? [Re: 10 Gauge] #7710094 01/07/20 02:02 AM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 339
C
Creek Henry Offline OP
Bird Dog
OP Offline
Bird Dog
C
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 339
Yes... Last Oct... The 20 ga loads were either 1oz of Bs or half/half B/5s with the original powder charge in place. Both loads hit like a sledgehammer to at least 50 yards. I was very pleased with them.

I got one reloading tip from a site, use a wood screw 2 screw into the top of the crimp and then you can pull it open with the threads of the screw after you they are a little deeper. Works like a charm.

I worked up some similar loads and 12 gauge with also wonderful results. I think I found a good all-purpose Jack load.

BTW, everyone on the reloading forum thought I was crazy and going to kill myself but I had no signs of pressure problems and shell ejection was very normal

Re: Best 20 ga Jack load? [Re: Creek Henry] #7710102 01/07/20 02:14 AM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 339
C
Creek Henry Offline OP
Bird Dog
OP Offline
Bird Dog
C
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 339
Double

Last edited by Creek Henry; 01/07/20 02:15 AM.
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread

© 2004-2024 OUTDOOR SITES NETWORK all rights reserved USA and Worldwide
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.3