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best shoot for ducks and geese

duckhunter16
What size shoot would you sagest for ducks and geese? I Would like to know if for ducks 3 1/2 inch would be over kill I know it is good for geese but if you are hunting both should you use that or just a 3inch? And what about load would you use a 2 or bb or 3?
If you could give me your in put it would be much appreciated. thanks,

shane
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Comments

11 comments

Date Votes
  • shoey
    I currently shoot 3.5 inch BB's for geese, I like shootin the igger shells, though I have just as much luck with 3 inch....last 3 inch shells were BBB....they bring down ducks too...however, when I expect to see ducks, I usually load 3 inch 4's....we field hunt geese, but get occasional pass shots at ducks....when we see geese, I switch my shells over to my goose loads......works ok...I've even brought geese down with my 3 inch 4's....wouldnt reccomend it, though...that was about a 15-20 yard shot, so it was fine...good luck out there.

    shoey
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  • Iconoclast
    Shot size used to be a relatively simple matter, then the "steel" shot crap became mandated and all that went out the window. If you use steel, good luck. The only way I've found to down ducks consistently with steel is to use the smallest possible shot available in the largest possible load and a relatively open choke at close range to create the densest possible pattern and pray to hit the bird in the head / neck / wing to bring it down (I use 10ga 3.5" Mags in #2). I don't use steel on geese . . . might as well spit at them. JMHO, but the only thing to use on geese now available is the tungsten compounds - I use #2 and BB, limiting my shots to 45 yards or less. I've found the new types work as well as lead, perhaps even better, but the high cost limits me to using them on geese.
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  • bambihunter
    No, 3.5" isn't overkill. If you are having too much meat wasted you can always open up the choke instead, heck, I've even used 3.5" one real windy day pheasant hunting.
    As icon stated, the shot sizes have gone awry since steel became the norm. For ducks in one area I hunt I think the maximium that can be used is 4, which is normally my minimium except for teal season.

    Anyway, pattern your gun and see what it likes, then try it on waterfowl. You might be pleasantly suprised how a particular shotgun will like one kind of ammo and preconceived notions about shot size will go out the window.
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  • bsally
    Use 3.5" if you can. The extra reach is good, depending on where you are hunting. We use #2 for ducks and T shot for geese. Have fun and good luck.

    SALLY
    Committee member-Ducks Unlimited
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  • SilverBox
    What Iconoclast said.

    Steel blows. Its basically impossible to waste meat with steel. Its like throwing sand at them at longer ranges (40+ yards). They just flair a bit and zip right on by.. If they ain't coming in real close you won't be taking no ducks home if your using steel.

    I use steel, but taking shots at anything less then point blank is typically an exercise in futility (and a waste of shells).
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  • duckhunter
    AFTER OVER 50 YEARS OF "HUNTIN" QUACKERS I USE "2" OVER DECOYS FOR DUCKS AND "BBB" FOR GEESE. THE NEW FAST STEEL DOES A NICE JOB. BE SURE AND CHECK YOU CHOKES. MY GUN WORKS BEST WITH I/C TUBES. GOOD LUCK AND DON'T WORRY ABOUT WHAT "USED TO BE" ENJOY WHAT YOU HAVE.

    I WOULD RATHER BE DUCK HUNTING.
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  • 11echo
    I "use" to duck hunt years ago, until they went to steel shot. It was the death nil for my model 12 Winchester! ...BUT I recently heard of this bismuth shot, sounds like the old "lead" years again ...sounds too good to me. Anybody know of this stuff or used it? ...worth while? ...Mark

    "FEAR the Goverment, that fears your ARMS"
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  • JustC
    11echo,...bismuth kills like lead,....good stuff!!

    why chase the game when the bullet can get em from here?....
    Got Balistics?
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  • bambihunter
    Bizmuth, tungstun, and other non-toxic shot is definately a god-send as far as waterfowl hunting goes, but it's kinda pricy...
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  • timberbeast
    I use 2 or BB for ducks and BBB for geese, in 2 3/4 magnums. Haven't had any problems with steel since I learned how to shoot it.
    And I shoot it through a 1936 A-5. Hasn't hurt the gun a bit, nor has it hurt the bag limit.
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  • Bushnell Boy
    I'm also a #2 fan. I have been doing a lot of pass shooting lately and it seems to be ok. I am shooting at ducks and geese. What ever flies over my head. I think bb is ok also. I like the heavy shot but its expensive. Its worth it though.




    In the time of chimpanzees I was a monkey

    -Beck (1993)
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