Steel shot?????

[Hit-n-Miss]

:00000013: What steelshot and choke is your favorite for decoying and also passing ducks?:00000013:

[Wilbur]

#4 3" shot through a Rhino ported I/C choke for over the dekes. Gave up on passing birds... they are lots more fun and easier to hit when they are committed to the decoys.

[Steve W]

Greg your dad and I used #4 exclusively when it first came out, as it was what we thought was similar to #6 lead.

I pretty much have stayed with that and use #4s with a modified choke, but I will use a lighter shot, #6 or 7s, for early teal and an improved cylinder.

Sometimes with divers I will use #2s, but if layout hunting when they come in close #4s are fine.

[BlindHog]

I have the same question on shot size - I have used #4 a lot but with the ringers that dive on me and escape I wonder if #2 or #3 might hit harder.

Then again maybe I should just shoot better. :icon_redf

I will use #6 for woodies in the slough up close.

[D Duck]

I like #3's. Seems to be the best of both worlds - you still get a decent pellet count in a 1-1/8oz load and have a little better downrange energy retention than #4's.

I have the same question on shot size - I have used #4 a lot but with the ringers that dive on me and escape I wonder if #2 or #3 might hit harder.

Then again maybe I should just shoot better. :icon_redf

I will use #6 for woodies in the slough up close.

[CUNCRT]

AHHHHHHH.......the age old question....This is about as debatable as FORD v. CHEVY. everyone will tell ya something different


But I use 3.5 inch # 3 & #4. I have a briley IC in my mossberg and an pattermaster light modified in my SX-2.

All the oldtimers will prob. wine about 3.5 being overkill, but I rarely have to waste as many shells on anchor shots. ringers come down allot easier. I will switch to smaller loads if teal and woodies in area though. All depends what birds are doing..I used to use a .20 g back home in the flooded corn for greenheads. All depends

[snookduck]

3 inch #4s Kent; I/C Bennilli for single barrel and I/C over MOD for over/under. 2 1/2 are okay for my favorite, Mr. teal.

I use Steel Kents because if you don't the members here will ridicule and poke fun at you for using any other junk. Thank God this isn't a snootie DU group because I don't think I could explain the cost of a case of bismoth shells to my wife.

[Captmako]

Usually try stick with #4 shot in 2.75 or 3" in modified choke early. Later in season maybe pack a box of 3.5". Depends on what's happening. I've used#2 shot and found it packs a wallop outta either length shell, but it can damage a bird. I shoot a Rem 870, but I grew up shooting a 20ga double IC & mod, with #4 shot. The modern steel loads are a better killer than when it first came out. Never shot bismuth or heavy shot.

Like Fl Cuz said, the 3.5" really whacks a duck, and if a follow up shot's needed, it usually only takes one more to subdue it.

[CUNCRT]

IF you really want to see a perfomance increase...try shootin sum lead:tongue11:

[Captmako]

IF you really want to see a perfomance increase...try shootin sum lead:tongue11:

You got that right!

[ShotGunED]

3" #4's through a IC sometimes #3's when i can find them.

[BlindHog]

Hey, Fla Cuz, are you talking about "LEADing the ducks"? Or "use LEAD on em" (chemical symbol Pb) ?:laughing3
If the latter, you might need that law degree to get yourself off.

[Wilbur]

Back in the days when we could shoot lead 2 3/4" #6. It would look like a feather pillow exploded! Boy I miss that stuff!

[Randy Clark]

i took my uncle out a long time ago and he use to shoot trap on the east coast to make cash. he shot twice at one duck and looked at me i said its that steel shot you cant shoot that far heck he was ****ed he never use to miss and that steel was throwing him off bad.

[swilli1054]

2 3/4 in #6s first shot then 3 in #4s for survivors leaving decoys! Choke is improved modified. I like a tight high density pattern. Kills the ducks dead and I really don't have many cripples that get away.