Wondering what the best shells are for preserving a duck that you want to have mounted while still maintaining distance and knock down power? My mom has been wanting me to get her a wood duck so I'm headed out to deep ETX this weekend to go on a little woodie shoot. Since pass shooting is often the name of the game for woodies I want to have a shell that can still reach out a good distance but wont blow a hole in the duck. I usually shoot 3.5" #3's but they can blow a hole through a smaller duck like a wood duck so I wanted to look into other options. Thanks in advance.

I shoot 2 3/4 inch number 4s for everything and rarely have blown up birds unless it's a super close shot

If you're just pass shooting, shoot what will bring them down and worry about the rest later. You can't control where all the pellets go, just shoot a couple and mount the best one. The only way you'll "blow a hole" in one is if you're pass shooting at like 8 yards.

Kent Bismuth #5 from Cabela�s

I shoot 3 inch #4 all the time, and I would not change for woodies. Find a spot where woodies want to land and you are good.

This

Or you can try heavyshot 7 1/2 in 2 3/4 inch
Thats an awesome load as well.

Maybe too many whiskeys tonight. Is this a real post? Smaller shot- less damage-if your shooting decoying ducks 4s are ok or teal shot 5s if that�s your concern. Problem is your trading off more wounded birds. Shootem dead. I hunt private big water typically 15 to 25 acres- I won�t shoot Smaller shot than number 3s

Let the taxidermist worry about the specimen. You want to shoot them dead- choke is about as important as shot size. If your shooting decoying ducks you can get away w cylinder or skeet if your concerned about damaging birds. If your square on them and hit them in the face- even w cylinder within 10-20 yards you can still jack up a duck pretty badly.

Not a good answer for your question outside of shoot very open choke and avoid tight patterns and shots inside of 20 yards. Most of the ducks we shoot are in the 15-25 yard Range. My south blind this weekend had us at 35 yards in the X which is not typical- but a result of blind position and water levels. I shoot ic 75% of the time and stone them at 40+ yards. Most duck hunters don�t shoot very well AND choke up too tightly

Greek recommended me 3in 3 shot hevi metals years ago. World of difference. Won't shoot any other brand now. I kill woodies every time and the birds are intact and dead dead.

This question has no answer.

I kill 6 ducks at least 4 days a week with 3 inch # 6 federal. I love it out to 35 yards. It covers the duck up. I rarely have to shoot a follow up. It will not tear them up.

Dove loads work great, I am told.

Depends on what kind of a shotgunner you are, but pull a bit more out front and go head and neck if you are wanting one for the wall.

As long as you don't lose feathers taxi can deal with it.

x2. Cant mount a cripple that you cant catch. Knock em down and worry about the rest later. A good Taxi can fix just about anything.