Waterfowl load?

[h2ofowlr]

You guys are over thinking this stuff to much.  You can do all the math and calculations you want, but if your a crappy shot and don't practice, shells won't fix the issues at hand.
I definitely like the shells in the 1,500-1,625 fps range.  Hotter than that, they start to work your gun over if you shoot them frequently.  If you run across some older 1, 1-1/8, 1-1/4 oz loads that are pushing 1,000 - 1,250 fps you best be shooting them over the decoys or close range as it just pushes the birds sideways and cripples them.
Find some shells in the BB-3 size range and keep the speed at 1,475 fps or faster and practice and you shouldn't have any issues with today's modern shells. Pattern the gun, so you get the best shells or choke for the shells you are shooting.  Start hitting the 5 stand and when you find the shell that performs best out of your gun, buy several cases of the same and possibly the same lot number and then you will know or learn your leads and be very efficient with your shot.

[rgalanti21]

 

[HighlandLofts]

Is t shot any good for goose hunting? I can get a bunch of it 3" for $10.50 a box

[h2ofowlr]

Is t shot any good for goose hunting? I can get a bunch of it 3" for $10.50 a box

It will work on them pretty well with the larger birds.  I would keep them over the decoys.  I blasted one at about 45 yards and half the pellets were stuck in the breasts and breast plate and never made it to the vitals.  I snapped a wing and that is what grounded the big guy.
At $10.50 per box how old is it.  The old steel leaves a lot to be desired.  I tried several boxes of Active #2 shot that was boxed in about 1999 or 2000 and saw how it was about effective to about 30 yards.  I would carry a few rounds in my jacket for swatter loads.
Another heads up the T shot will require a less restricted choke, so check your choke if your shooting an aftermarket set up.  If it has been exposed to any moisture the large shot will stick together and can split your barrel if not careful.

[fethrduster]

2.5" Kent Tungsten Matrix 1 1/16oz #5's in a 110 yr old Lefever damascus ic/ic choked gun.  9 shots, 6 birds.  This same load would work fantastic in modern guns as well.  In shotgunning, less is more.  Shoving huge amounts of ballistically inefficient steel shot and powder out of a field cannon yields diminishing returns. 

[Stilly bay]

Using tungsten matrix is almost like cheating. It hits em like a rifle. 

[WSU]

2.5" Kent Tungsten Matrix 1 1/16oz #5's in a 110 yr old Lefever damascus ic/ic choked gun.  9 shots, 6 birds.  This same load would work fantastic in modern guns as well.  In shotgunning, less is more.  Shoving huge amounts of ballistically inefficient steel shot and powder out of a field cannon yields diminishing returns.

You can get the same results with normal steel loads if you are shooting the birds in the decoys.

[h2ofowlr]

2.5" Kent Tungsten Matrix 1 1/16oz #5's in a 110 yr old Lefever damascus ic/ic choked gun.  9 shots, 6 birds.  This same load would work fantastic in modern guns as well.  In shotgunning, less is more.  Shoving huge amounts of ballistically inefficient steel shot and powder out of a field cannon yields diminishing returns.

Not bad except it probably cost you $27 dollars for those 9 shots.

[fethrduster]

2.5" Kent Tungsten Matrix 1 1/16oz #5's in a 110 yr old Lefever damascus ic/ic choked gun.  9 shots, 6 birds.  This same load would work fantastic in modern guns as well.  In shotgunning, less is more.  Shoving huge amounts of ballistically inefficient steel shot and powder out of a field cannon yields diminishing returns.

Not bad except it probably cost you $27 dollars for those 9 shots.

Yep.  Compared to the price of new guns, dogs, gas, and all the other things we invest in to be able to hunt, it's a relatively small price to pay to be able to shoot a gun I enjoy rather than one I have to tolerate. 

[fethrduster]

2.5" Kent Tungsten Matrix 1 1/16oz #5's in a 110 yr old Lefever damascus ic/ic choked gun.  9 shots, 6 birds.  This same load would work fantastic in modern guns as well.  In shotgunning, less is more.  Shoving huge amounts of ballistically inefficient steel shot and powder out of a field cannon yields diminishing returns.

You can get the same results with normal steel loads if you are shooting the birds in the decoys.

That hasn't been my experience.  The normal kill ratio using steel is 3-4 shots per bird on average for most hunters.

[WSU]

It really depends on how you hunt.  I agree it is higher when you have more people trying to kill more birds out of every flock.  But, when I hunt by myself, can let the birds finish, and don't feel the need to rush, it is relatively easy to kill a bird with every 1.5 shots.  Sometimes it takes 7 or 8 shells and some days it takes 20.