what shells

[Stilly bay]

Pellet size is no matter.....
Example: Mass X Velocity = Knock down force, or (ft. lbs.)/Sq. in.

If #2 pellets are heavier, but have less quantity.
#4 pellets are lighter, but have more quantity.
Both loads shoot apx. 1 oz. of steel total.

They are similar in Knock down power per square foot of coverage on the target.

thats great but you will have more pellets running out of energy sooner with #4.

at longer distances your #4's will lose energy and spread out opening great big holes in your pattern. if all your doing is shooting ducks over the decoys at 25 yards, with thier chests facing you as their toes dangle in the water I will concede and say shot size doesn't matter. you could kill geese with #7 steel at that distance.

[Kola16]

What would you rather shoot an elk with at 500 yards. Two .204 bullets (small and fast) or one .30-06 bullet (slower but bigger) 

[Stilly bay]

 

What would you rather shoot an elk with at 500 yards. Two .204 bullets (small and fast) or one .30-06 bullet (slower but bigger) 

 

[MP123]

What would you rather shoot an elk with at 500 yards. Two .204 bullets (small and fast) or one .30-06 bullet (slower but bigger) 

Well, I'd rather hit him in the noggin with both the .204s than sail the .30-06 over his shoulder.  That's really where it get complicated with shotshells, it's not just energy but also the pattern and of course the shooter.

I think too many beginning duck hunters blame the load and not their shooting ability.  Nothing is going to drop a bird at 100-200 yards but I see guys trying that all the time...

[Kola16]

What would you rather shoot an elk with at 500 yards. Two .204 bullets (small and fast) or one .30-06 bullet (slower but bigger) 

Well, I'd rather hit him in the noggin with both the .204s than sail the .30-06 over his shoulder.  That's really where it get complicated with shotshells, it's not just energy but also the pattern and of course the shooter.

 If you sail a 30-06 over, then you need to go to the range. I could say that I would rather hit a elk in the heart with the 06 then miss with a .204? Are you saying that the 06 is not accurate enough, because they can drop elk past 1000.

[Stilly bay]

That's really where it get complicated with shotshells, it's not just energy but also the pattern and of course the shooter.

and when everything else is equal -energy and pattern bring us back to the shot size, wether or not the shooter can get the pattern in the right place. it doesn't matter if you hit or miss the pellets are still going to do the same thing so you might as well pull the trigger with the right size combo in the chamber and choke at the end of the barrel.

too many people try to draw conclusions on the shells they use from the birds kill or rather don't kill. you will never know exactly how your powder/shot/ choke combination works without patterning them at several distances. without the proof on the paper all the anecdotes and personal experiences really don't mean squat.

[Hermit]

I pay more attention to the choke. Seems to make a lot of difference with steel shot.

[BiggLuke]

Mass x velocity equals momentum, not knock down force and yes, pellet size matters.  It matters a lot.

..."Knock down force" = Momentum ....

Excuse me professor, I was TRYING to dumb it down for the class....     

[bowjunkie]

Here's some more info it's a 28 inch-long barrel it says full steel safe and were going to be hunting with decoys and then later in the day doing some jump shooting should I have one size for decoys and another for jump shooting if so what size

[WSU]

I think all of the above matter.  I have found that some shells pattern better than others.  2 of the best I have found are federal premiums and kents.  Others do OK, and it will be different with every gun.  I also like larger shot sizes and tight chokes.  The combo of all 3 allows me to get more hits with bigger shot and appears to be far more lethal than just shooting 4s in an open choke.  And, I seem to kill the bird or miss more than I used to with a lot less cripples.  Even over decoys, your second and third shots are almost always on birds that are flaring, meaning you don't have a lot of vitals exposed and need some energy and penetration to kill the bird.  A tight load of 1s can be really lethal on ducks. 

I currently shoot 1 1/4 ounce #2 federals out of an extended improved modified steel choke.  Sometimes I shoot 1s.  I buy my ammo by the case when it is on-sale online, so the price of the more expensive shells is still cheaper than going to a sporting goods store and buying cheap shells.

[Kola16]

I have found that some shells pattern better than others.  2 of the best I have found are federal premiums and kents. 

  Kent and Federals along with home reloads pattern the best.

[et1702]

Here's some more info it's a 28 inch-long barrel it says full steel safe and were going to be hunting with decoys and then later in the day doing some jump shooting should I have one size for decoys and another for jump shooting if so what size

If all you have is a full choke (i.e., not interchangable), then buy some 2's and pattern them at 30yrds, 40yrds, etc.  This will give you effective range of your barrel.  If you can change the choke, put in an IC or Mod choke.  Still a good idea to pattern different shells.  If you don't want to buy two chokes, go with mod as general all around good choice.

ET

[BiggLuke]

Wallmart sells Winchester  12 GA, 3", steel #2's for about $15 a box. That's 25 shells.
They will be perfect.

[Kola16]

Wallmart sells Winchester  12 GA, 3", steel #2's for about $15 a box. That's 25 shells.
They will be perfect.

You are absolutely wrong!!!!!! They are $11.99   

Cabela's and Wholesale Sports has kents and federals for the same price and they are better 

[BiggLuke]

...I got ripped off....