What load do you shoot?

[Fin-n-Feathers]

I've been away from waterfowl hunting for quite a while. I know there have been substantial advancements in steel shotgun loads over the years. I would like some opinions on what load to shoot this season.

I shoot two different guns:

1. Browning A-5 - 12 guage, 2 3/4", 32" barrel, full choke. This is the gun that I grew up duck hunting with and prefer the most. Used to shoot #4's (steel) layout shooting over blocks (in early 1980')s.

2. Browning A-500 - 12 guage, 2 3/4" - 3", 27" barrel, Vector choke system. I have never shot this gun at anything with feathers or a heartbeat - used for a few rounds of trap and that's it.

QUESTIONS:

A. With the improvements in velocity of today's steel shot loads, do you think that I can stay with my 2 3/4" A-5 and still be as effective as a 3" load from the A-500?

B. What size shot are most of you using for 2 3/4" as well as 3"?

C. What manufacturer do you conisider produces the best load for the money?

Looking forward to all your input. Keep in mind that I will be layout shooting, which typically produces shots from 25+ to 40 yards.

Dan

[N. Cook]

I used 3 inch magnum fours.....twos if geese where around (also kept some BBs close in hand when geese were thick) when shooting mallards up north. Here in south Florida there are no geese, the only large duck, mottles, are usually over the dekes and teals and ringers are small ducks ( and again usually right over the dekes).......23/4 number 4s will do the job. Again, in the north I used full choke.......here I use open cylinder because of the close in shooting. Most of my hunting is in the marsh and with the grass lines you must shoot close or loose too many ducks in the thick stuff. All this would not apply to lay out or open water shooting perhaps.

[northfla_hunter]

you will be just fine with the a-5, i know several friends using them. i even shot a buddies on a hunt last year for the heck of it and loved it. down here, 2 3/4" work just fine, there is no need for 3" shells. personally, i use Kent Fasteel #4s and in the last 2 seasons using these, havent had any cripples get away and only had to finish off a handfull on the water. if you buy a case, they are only $7-8 a box. macks and cabelas both carry em i know.

[D Duck]

I use handloads - 2-3/4", 1oz of #3's or #5's depending. Kickin' along at 1650fps. :D I also have good luck with duplexing #1's over #3's in a 3" 1-1/8oz load.

As for the Brownings - great guns, used to have 2 of them.... I would be a little careful with that full choke shooting the fast steel, even in smaller shot sizes. I have heard of several guys that have "slightly" bulged their bbls this way. An option is Kent Tungsten-Matrix - soft like lead, but non-tox.

If you are going to shoot steel, select a higher speed, lighter payload shell, with steel more is not always better, but faster is. Be sure to pattern, this will help you determine the best load and what distances you can expect to kill cleanly to. Good luck.

[duckmanJR]

If its a teal shoot...I use the cheap junk winchester "fasteel" # 6's
If I think that I may have the op at some big ducks(Mottles widgeon pins) I shoot #4 and for what you intend to do. layout shooting at Scaup or Ringnecks..# 2 and I also like the lighter and faster payload method...and it goes without saying that some butcher paper is the most important thing to bring to the range along with a selection of shells and chokes...see what they do in your gun...I have observed blown patters in tightly choked guns....not to mention the possibility of a barrel bulge....I would use the A-500 and try the mod choke first with the #2 s Then go from there. If you shoot the auto 5 ... buy the hevi-shot or bismuth..It costs alot more but will not trash a fine old piece. :)

[D Duck]

DO NOT shoot Hevishot through that full choke. It is harder that steel and poses a greater risk of damaging the bbl than steel.

Joe - I think you meant Tungsten-Matrix or Bismuth. Both of which are soft, like lead, and will perform well in older guns. I would use the Tungsten-Matrix if given the option.

[Fin-n-Feathers]

Some of you are warning me not to shoot steel through my A-5 barrel and that brings me to other questions: Although my A-5 was manufactured around 1950, the full choke barrel was purchased around 1980. My father and I have shot at least 700-800 rounds of steel shot through this barrel after it was purchased and I didn't notice a bulge (can't check the barrel in detail right now as the gun is in Mich.)

1. Is my barrel, (dated around 1980) considered too old to shoot today's steel.

2. Has the higher velocities vs. older loads with steel caused this potential problem?

3. Do you think I am safe with today's loads because I didn't have barrel problems from the older steel loads?

4. How expensive is Bismuth etc. - and other than the price, are there drawbacks compared to steel?

Thanks for the input guys - please keep it coming.

[FLAWaterfowler]

Hey another A-5 shooter! Ive had good shooting with the 2 3/4" in #4 and #2s in most steel loads. Like the Remington NitroMag but about the only thing you'll find at Walmart or the bigmarts is winchester -- either the Drylok (good shell) or Xpert Steel (nice and cheap)

Ill also shoot the sixes on steel but back em up with a load of #4s (thankfully for the ducks God made me cross-dominant, so no deadly shot I).

You shouldnt have trouble shooting the steel out of the 1980s barrel.

One thing, however, that you may want to consider -- if the A5 is a family heirloom you may want to leave it at home if your hunting the salt water... itll rust in .0000001 seconds.

Duke taught me the value of a walmart Remington express for the salt, hahah

Bismuth will put you back about 15.00 a box via mailorder (plus shipping) for a box of TEN ROUNDS...kinda expensive

[D Duck]

Both Bismuth and Tungsten-Matrix are more expensive than steel shot.

On that bbl, you might be alright shooting 2-3/4" shells with small shot (no larger than #2 - but smaller is better) but I would want to get out and pattern with it. That full choke might be "donuting" your pattern - no core with fringe hits only. If this is happening, you can have the choke opened up by a decent gunsmith and not have to look into a new bbl.

[D Duck]

Oh, and I second the reply about hunting the salt. Might be time for a new gun.:D

[uncle D]

That old 870 doubles as a great paddle. ;)

My feelings are about like the rest.

The light loads are fine for teal, but I'll step up on the bigger birds.

Try to use magnum loads if you can and a high pellet count. The more the better.

I was speaking to D Eggeman and she suggested that #3s are about the best all around. They have the best enertia and pellet count. The trouble is that most stores (walmart and sports authority) don't carry them.

Cabelas and Macs.

Also, I don't use a full choke. Mod (25-35+yds or Improved -25yds.)

Duke

[RutnNStrutn]

I use different loads for different situations.
For close in, tight areas, I shoot 2-3/4" #4.
For more wide open areas, or for those hard to bring down divers, I use 3" #2's.
This year though, I am going to try something different and do a little experimenting.
I hunted with Joe last year, and the teal he banged with those #6's disappeared in a cloud of feathers. Devastating!! I'm going to try them this year, and see if it's the load, or Joe's shooting. :D
Also, instead of swapping back and forth from #4's to #2's, I'm going to try #3's.